This manual contains instructions on how to use the William and Mary Software Engineering Billiards 2D simulation of 8-Ball and 9-Ball pool. At the bottom of this page is a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
This opens the New Game window below.
Use the keyboard to type in the names of the first and second players.
Choose either the 8 ball or 9 ball Game Type.
Select Start Game to begin a new game of pool, or Cancel to return to the current game.
The rules depend on the Game Type selected.
This simulation of billiards allows the user to play standard 8-Ball pool. The rules are outlined in detail here .
This game uses the most common set of 8-Ball rules. Each player is assigned a set of balls, either solid or stripes. The goal is to pocket all of your balls (solids or stripes) and then to pocket the 8 ball in a specific pocket identified before the shot is taken.
Not currently available.
The starting player is determined randomly.
The player must pocket one of his assigned balls with each shot. If the player fails to pocket a ball, or pockets the cue ball, the turn passes to the other player.
After pocketting all of his assigned balls, a player must pocket the 8 ball to win the game. Before each shot, the player must call a pocket. If the 8 ball is pocketed in the wrong pocket, or the player pockets the cue ball, the game is over. If the 8 ball is pocketed, the game is over. Otherwise, the turns rotate normally.
The cue stick is used to make contact with the cue ball and only the cue ball. If the cue stick hits a striped/solid ball, the turn passes to the other player.
A player can determine the direction of his/her shot using the Horizontal shot angle. The cue stick will rotate around the cue ball, showing the player the direction of his shot.
A player can determine the power of his/her shot with the Shot Power. The cue stick
will move to simulate the power of the shot.
Once the power and angle of the shot have been decided by the player, the Take Shot area, directly below the Horizontal shot angle, is highlighted.
The player can then double-click on the Take Shot bar to execute his shot.
The game ends with a player successfully pocketing all of their his, and the 8 ball. This player is the winner.
The game will end if the 8 ball is pocketed illegally. The non-shooting player is the winner.
The game ends if one player forfeits. The non-forfeiting player is the winner.
Q: I'm using Cygwin's XFree86 server, and animation is really bad. I
have an ATI graphics card. What can I do?
A: Disable ati2evxx.exe as described in the Cygwin/X FAQ:
http://x.cygwin.com/docs/faq/cygwin-x-faq.html#poor-performance