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Games of Skill

In the Single Player Pool game variation, the aim is to sink the 9-ball as fast as possible. You play the game according to the standard 9-ball rules and have to hit the current object ball with each shot, which means that the lowest numbered ball on the table is the next ball you have to hit.

You play against yourself and the clock only. When you have sunk the 9-ball, legally or illegally, the game is over. Your score depends on how many balls you pot and how fast you were.

Single Player Pool is like any pool game where you use your cue stick to hit the cue ball - the solid white ball, and by hitting the other balls on the table your aim is to sink all other balls. You sink a ball by sending it into one of the six pockets on the edge of the pool table.

The cue ball must always first hit the lowest numbered ball on the table, so initially this is the yellow 1-ball and then onwards. The current object ball is always signified by a pulsating white halo and listed in the display on the bottom of the screen. Bouncing the cue ball off a rail before touching the object ball is also considered to be a legal shot. It's the first ball contact that needs to be with the lowest numbered ball.

You start the game by breaking, e.g. shooting the cue ball into the diamond shaped starting lay-up. And since the 1-ball is on the table at the top of the diamond you always have to hit it first with your cue ball. At the start you have the cue ball in hand, and are free to place anywhere 'behind the line', in the right part of the table.

You will be given a penalty if:

• The first ball your cue ball hits is not the object ball
• You sink the cue ball in a pocket
• You fail to hit any ball at all

A normal penalty will give you a score deduction. If you sink any ball except the 9-ball and the cue ball with an illegal shot, you will not be given the score of that ball. The ball will stay pocketed for the duration of the game.

The game ends when you manage to sink the 9-ball, legally or illegally. You can at any time finish the game by sinking the 9-ball as long as it is a legal shot. That is; you can sink the 9-ball early in the game when there are several balls still on the table as long as you first hit the current object ball with your shot.

If you pocket the 9-ball legally you get points for all remaining balls on the table as well as bonus points. If you do not manage to clear the table before time runs out the game ends automatically. You can also end the game at any time by pressing the game end symbol.

At the start of the game you have the cue ball in hand. Move it around with your mouse and left click once to place the ball. When the cue ball is in play you can rotate the cue stick with your mouse. When you aim at any ball 2 indicators will show the post-impact trajectory of the cue ball as well as the targeted ball.

When you have aimed, you then add strength to your shot by pressing down the left mouse button and pulling the mouse backwards to adjust the shot power. A power meter above the table will help you judge the current power. When you want to shoot you just release the mouse button.

You get points for each ball that you sink:

• 1st ball: 200 points
• 2nd ball: 300 points
• 3rd ball: 400 points
• 4th ball: 500 points
• 5th ball: 600 points
• 6th ball: 700 points
• 7th ball: 800 points
• 8th ball: 900 points
• 9th ball: 1000 points

If you at any time sink the 9-ball with a legal shot when other balls are still on the table you will also receive the points for the remaining balls. If it's sunk illegally you get no points, and no bonuses.

Time Bonus: By sinking the 9-ball legally you will also get a time bonus depending on haw fast you were. The time bonus is calculated as Time bonus = (Remaining time / Total time) x 2000 points.

Penalties: For each illegal shot that you make you will receive a penalty score.

• 1st penalty: 100 points
• 2nd penalty: 200 points
• 3rd penalty: 300 points
• And so on.

Total Time available is 5 minutes.

The key to getting a high score is to sink the 9-ball as early as possible to get maximum bonus. Planning your shots so you can sink the 9-ball using another ball is the best strategy.

Avoid unnecessary penalties by planning your shots. Think about the next shot after your current shot to decide where you want the cue ball to stop. Bad planning often causes the cue ball to end up in a position where the next object ball is obscured and difficult to hit.

Do not always add maximum strength to all shots as it often causes the ball to bounce out of the pocket. The right strength when needed is the best way to succeed.