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This version follows the same rules as real pool, except that there are only three balls of each type. There are versions for the BBC and the Electron and they differ in that the latter doesn't play a tune while loading and the music at the start is played on only one channel instead of the Beeb's three. The Electron version also lacks the extra effects obtained in Mode 7.

The sound is good on the Beeb. As well as the 'loading' tune, the computer plays The Entertainer at the start of the game and at the completion of each frame.

During play, however, sound is scarce, just short beeps when balls collide and two low beeps for a foul shot. It would have been nice to have an effect for potting, and perhaps a tune playing in the background.

The graphics are reasonable. There are eight large balls on the table: one cue ball, one black, three bed and three outlined red balls, which move very smoothly.

You are offered the options of sound on or off, and the number of frames to be played. It would have been an advantage to have a joystick option as well.

The control of Pool Hall is easy and responsive. Each player has four direction keys and a shoot key. The length of the cue determines the length of the shot.

Would it have been too much to have a topspin and backspin option as well as the ordinary shot included?

Overall, Pool Hall is a good game, with acceptable graphics and good sound effects (apart from during play), and it is supplied with excellent instructions. A nice feature is that it displays what you did wrong, e.g. 'White ball down'. A drawback if that for people using TVs, the red outlined balls and then cue don't show up on the green table.

Ian Brettell