diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0e62953..2dc08fc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ Collect as many alcoholic drinks as possible, while avoiding the `Beer` drinks.
 | w    | Accelerate  |
 | s    |  Decelerate |
 | q    |  Quit game  |
+| p    | Pause game  |
 
 ### Installation
 
diff --git a/asciiracer/game.py b/asciiracer/game.py
index 58837da..e72e031 100644
--- a/asciiracer/game.py
+++ b/asciiracer/game.py
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@
          'debris': [],  # debris objects drawn in scene
          'money': [],  # money objects drawn in scene
          'score': 0,
-         'pdb': False}  # for testing
+         'pdb': False,  # for testing
+         'paused': False}  # Add the 'paused' key
 
 
 @limit_fps(fps=FPS)
@@ -41,12 +42,18 @@ def main(screen):
         key = screen.getch()
         if key == ord('q'):
             break
-        elif key == ord('p'):
+        elif key == ord('p'):  # Use the 'p' key to pause the game
+            state['paused'] = not state['paused']  # Toggle the 'paused' state
+        elif key == ord('t'):  # Use the 't' key to enable testing/debugging mode
             state['pdb'] = True
         else:
+            state['pdb'] = False
+
+        if not state['paused']:  # If the game is not paused, update the state
+            draw_scene(screen)
             update_state(key, state)
-        state['frames'] += 1
-        state['time'] += 1/FPS
+            state['frames'] += 1
+            state['time'] += 1/FPS
     screen.clear()
     screen.getkey()