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Hustler is a pool simulation, but don't unpack your trunks - the weather's terrible and it's the other sort of pool.

On loading, you're treated to a wonderful rendition of some purdy tune while you browse through the game options menu or the high score table. Actually, the music's great.

There are six game variations for one or two players; for the single player - any ball in any pocket, balls in order and ball in its pocket; two players - score the pockets, mini pool and lowest and highest.

Score the Pockets involves getting a numbered ball into its correspondingly numbered pocket. Mini pool is just like club pool, but instead of potting spots and stripes, you put numbers one to three or four to six depending on who pots what first. Lowest and highest simply involves player one to three while player two pots four to six; last one out's a sissy.

Built into Hustler is a remarkably diligent referee who not only keeps score, but spots fouls and awards extra shots to the opposition accordingly.

Another nice feature is the spin option. Besides hitting the cue ball with varying force, you can also add top, bottom, left or right spin, with a touch that ranges from ever-so subtle to quite devastating. Theoretically at least, some nifty shooting should be possible here.

I say theoretically not because of some fault with this particular game, but more of a failing with all versions of computer pool. None of them even attempt to transpose the real 3D, sideways on view of a pool table in the simulation. Even with the smooth graphics, it's not a simulation at all and it's a rather boring way to spend your time.

As far as computer pool goes this is a very good version, but it just doesn't go far enough.