Pools Of Fun

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Imagine a solid, rectangular plinth with black squares at each of the top corners plus two more on the longer sides. Now add fifteen balls neatly arranged in a triangle, and a white ball at the other end.

Drawing all this with an art package; making sure that everything is in perspective is hard enough, but drawing the whole lot in 'real-time' while the table tilts and rotates and the balls bounce realistically according to the laws of physics? Unless you saw this game for yourself, you just wouldn't believe it was possible - let alone on the humble Beeb.

By now you're probably thinking this is just an elaborate graphics demo. Wrong! Not only is 3d Pool graphically stunning, it also plays a mean frame of pool into the bargain.

There are various types of play including Practise (strongly advisable!), Two player (human this is) and Tournament (in which you must progress from quarter finals through to the final to meet 'Maltese Joe' himself. (For those unfamiliar to the international pool circuit, Maltese Joe is the actual European Champion and has endorsed the game.)

Standard 8-ball pool rules apply, although the computer's interpretation of these can be a little doubtful at times. There is no downright cheating although the computer tends to bend the rules a little where it might be advantageous.

On the other hand, the computer will sometimes play shots that even Steve Davis (Yes, I know he's a snooker player!) would find near impossible. Doubling (knocking the object ball against a cushion before pocketing it) seems to be a particular favourite.

All in all, 3D Pool has to be the best sports simulation ever produced. If you're a pool addict, this could even qualify as the best game ever.

Rob Miller