This is a really excellent version of the popular game of bowls. You either play against the computer or another player.

Before starting you select to either play a limited number of ends or agree that the first player to a set number of points wins.

The green is displayed from a bird's eye view on which the jack has already been placed, by the computer. Players take turns throwing their bowl, the course of which is determined from four parameters, input separately as numerical values.

There are six possible starting positions, each marked clearly on the green, three directions - straight, left or right - and "finger" or "thumb" bias. The latter influences which way the bowl will curve as it slows down.

Finally comes the strength of throw, having values from one to nine. With such a choice of variables, experience needs to be acquired before bowling becomes accurate.

After all values have been entered you are offered the opportunity to change them before the shot is taken. A very useful feature.

When the end is complete, the computer measures to discover whose bowl is nearer the jack and how many points are scored.

J.W.