Previous Next

At first glance, Pool may not be the most likely candidate for a Spectrum implementation, but this package survives the transition from smoke-filled bar-room to home computer in fine style.

Sensibly, CDS has not attempted a full duplication of the game's rules. In this version there are but three red, and three blue, balls to be potted - but then, picking out all those stripes and spots on the Spectrum screen would hardly have been an easy task.

In fact, the rules are considerably simplified. The object of the exercise is simply to pot each of the six balls in as few shots as possible.

At each 'visit to the table', the display shows the number of shots remaining to you. This starts at three, and decreases by one, each time you fail to pot a ball.

If the 'shots remaining' indicator reaches zero, or if you sink the cue ball, or if you miss one of the object balls entirely, a foul shot is called, and you lose one of your four lives.

Pocket all six balls, and you move on to the next frame - but from the third frame onwards you get only two shots per ball.

You may vary the speed of each shot from a gentle nudge to a full-blooded whack, which will send the ball cannoning off all the cushions.

I was extremely impressed with CDS Pool. It is obvious that a lot of thought went into the planning of the game, the graphics are very realistic, and, most important of all, it's totally compelling to play.