Keyboard & Mouse

Control Keys

Tombol A: Aim ( Membidik )

The A key puts you into Aim Mode. If you are in Aim mode before shooting, Virtual Pool Hall automatically puts you
back into Aim Mode after you shoot . This key allows you to move back to Aim Mode from other modes like View
Mode. Move the mouse left or right to aim the cue. Move the mouse forward or backward to change the tilt of the
table. Hold the left mouse button and move the mouse backward to zoom in. Hold the left mouse button and move
the mouse forward to zoom out. The view stays centered around the ball. The Status Area will inform you when you
are in Aim Mode.

Tombol S : Shoot
Hold the S key down and move the mouse backward for your backstroke, and then forward to strike the cue ball.
The faster you move the mouse forward, the harder you will strike the cue ball. As with a real pool cue, a smooth
stroke is very important. The Status Area will inform you when you are in Shoot Mode.

Tombol V : Change View

Press V to select View Mode. Move the mouse left and right to rotate the table. Moving the mouse forward and
backward changes the tilt of the table. Hold the left mouse button and move the mouse forward/backward to Zoom
the view. Hold the V key down and move the mouse to change the center of view. The center of view is the point
about which the view rotates. Changing to Aim mode will bring the view back to the cue ball (Aim) view.

Tombol M : Select and Move Ball

Hold the M key down to move the currently selected ball. Hold the H key down to change the ball selection. ‘‘Move’‘
will only work on the cue ball when you have ball-in-hand during a game, or while in Trick/Setup Shots mode. H only
works in Trick/Setup Shots mode. You can move through other object balls if you turn on Amplify (>).

Tombol B : Raise Butt of Cue

For some advanced shots, such as the masse’, you must hit the cue ball from above. Hold down the B key and
move the mouse forward or backward to bring the butt of the cue up or down. The Status Area will display the cue
angle, which will be reset to normal after the shot.

Tombol C : Move Center Point

Hold the C key and move the mouse to move the center point of the view to a different location on the screen.
Moving the view in this way does not affect the aim of the shot.

Tombol E (English) : Move Cue Tip

Hold the E key and move the mouse to apply English (change the cue tip location on the cue ball). The blue dot on
the cue ball indicates where the cue tip will hit. English is used to place spin on the cue ball, and can be very helpful
in making what would otherwise be impossible shots. Hitting the cue ball to the left or right of center places a left or
right spin on the cue ball. Hitting the cue ball above or below center puts a forward or backward spin on the cue ball.

Tombol F : Vary Force of Tracking Hit

This option is only available if Tracking is turned on. While Tracking is on, hold the F key down and move the mouse
forward or backward to change the force of the hit. Tracking Lines get longer as the mouse is pushed forward
(Increase Force) and shorter as the mouse is pulled backward (Decrease Force). Use the SPACE BAR to use
exactly this amount of force.

Tombol H : Select Ball to Move (Memilih bola utk dipindah)

Pertama anda harus tekan M utk mengaktifkan mode Move; kemudian tahan tombol H dan memakai mouse,
pindahkan kursor palang-rambut hijau diatas bola utk memilih. Saat anda melepas tombol H maka kursor akan
menempel ke bola terdekat. Sekali bola terpilih, tahan tombol M utk memindah bola ke lokasi yg dimau. Opsi
inihanya tersedia di modus pukulan Trik/setingan (Trick/Setup Shots Mode).

Tombol Mouse kiri : Zoom (memperbesar tampilan game)

Tahan tombol kiri mouse dan gerakkan mouse maju utk memperkecil atau mundur utk memperbesar.

Tombol > : Toggle Amplify

Press the greater than (>) key (no need to hold it) to toggle Amplify. ‘‘Amplify’‘ will appear next to the mouse action
on the action bar. Mouse movements are exaggerated while Amplify is turned on. This option is used primarily for
the break.

Tombol < : Toggle Fine Tune

Press the less than (<) key (no need to hold it) to toggle Fine Tune. ‘‘Fine Tune’‘ will appear next to the mouse action
on the action bar. Mouse movements are much finer while Fine Tune is turned on. Use this control when setting up
balls for trick shots or anytime precision alignment is needed. It also comes in handy for hitting the cue ball softly for
delicate shots.

Tombol Space Bar : Shoot Tracked Shot

Press the space bar to shoot with the exact force shown by Tracking. You must have Tracking turned on (T) to use
this control.

Action Keys
L: Toggle Table Lines

Press the L key to toggle the table lines off and on.

O: Overhead View

The O key changes to View Mode and shows a direct overhead view.

R: Replay Last Shot

Press R to replay the previous shot. You can change the rate of replay (even during replay) with the plus and minus
keys. During remote play, only the active player may select Replay. If the shot clock is being used, replay is disabled.

T: Toggle Tracking

The T key will toggle the Tracking Lines on and off. Tracking shows you the path of every ball on the table, based on
the current aim and force setting. Each ball’s path is indicated by a line of the same color as the ball (i.e., striped
balls have striped paths and so on). The Tracking Lines end where the ball will stop. The exact path balls will follow
is based partly on the force of the hit. To hit the cue ball with exactly the force shown by Tracking, press the space
bar instead of shooting the ball with the mouse. Toggle Tracking only works during Trick/Setup Shots and Practice
by Myself modes.

U: Undo

Press U to Undo the last shot. The view will reset to the Aim and table position of the previous shot. This is very
useful for practicing shots. Undo only works during Trick/Setup Shots and Practice by Myself modes.

X: Examine Table

Snaps to an overhead view of the table while X is held down.

Y: Your View

The Y key snaps to the view previously set using Ctrl-W.

Z: Zip to Result

Press Z after you shoot to progress immediately to the end of the shot. Z will skip to the result of the shot, placing
the balls where they would have ended up if allowed to roll naturally to a stop. Zip is not available during remote
play.

+/=: Increase Replay Rate

The plus (+) key (or the = key) will step up the replay rate to 1/8 speed, 1/4 speed, 1/2 speed, or 1 (full) speed. The
replay rate is shown at the top right of the status area and can be adjusted at any time, even during a replay.

-: Decrease Replay Rate

The minus (-) key will slow down the replay rate to 1/8 speed, 1/4 speed, 1/2 speed, or 1 (full) speed. Again, the
replay rate is shown at the top right of the status area and can be adjusted at any time.

ESC or ALT: Opens Main Menu System

Press the ESC or ALT key to enter the Main Menu. The menu system can be exited by pressing the ESC key.

Option Keys
/: Send Message To Remote Player

Press the / key to send a text message to a remote player. Pressing Enter when you are done sends your message
to the remote player. Pressing ESC cancels the current message.
Ctrl-A: Set Adversary Shooting View

Sets the camera view used while the computer or remote player is shooting. Go into View Mode, change to the view
you want, and press Ctrl-A. To activate this view you must select Go To User Specified Opponent View in the
Opponent View sheet of the Game Preferences dialog.

Ctrl-B: Spot Lowest Ball

Spot Lowest Ball is only available for Rotation and is only active if all balls are behind the head string and the you
have ball in hand. If your in this situation and you don’t like your shot, which is usually the case, pressing Ctrl-B spots
the lowest ball.

Ctrl-C: Call Shot

Ctrl-C brings up the Call Shot dialog where the player selects a ball and pocket. Call Shot is only valid for games of
Eight Ball (except UK rules) and Straight Pool.

Ctrl-D: Draw Game

Ctrl-D ends the current game in a draw, re-racks the current game, and starts a new game.

Ctrl-G: Return to Game

Ctrl-G only works during a trick shot that was loaded during a trick shot video. It returns to the game in progress.

Ctrl-K: Kibitz Shot

You can ask the computer to recommend a shot by pressing Ctrl-K. The computer will suggest a shot using tracking.
This feature only works in Practice by Myself mode.

Ctrl-L: Load Saved Game, Shot, or Tournament

Ctrl-L loads previously saved games/shots/tournaments.

Ctrl-M: Declare Miscall on Previous Shot

Virtual Pool Hall uses the honor system for calling most shots. If you pocket the wrong ball or put a ball in the wrong
pocket, you can declare a Miscall by pressing Ctrl-M. (See Call Shot).

Ctrl-P: Push Out

Ctrl-P is only available in Nine Ball and Ten Ball. After a break, the player who has control of the table has the option
of calling a Push Out. This allows the player to ‘‘push’‘ the cue ball anywhere on the table, and does not require the
player to hit any ball or rail. The next player then has the option to take the next shot, or pass it back to the player
who originally called the Push Out (also by entering Ctrl-P).

Ctrl-Q: Quit Current Match

Ctrl-Q quits the current match - don’t worry if you hit it by accident, you will be asked to confirm this option. Game
and Foul totals will reset to zero for both players.
Ctrl-R: Resign Game

Ctrl-R forfeits the game and their opponent is assigned a win. The balls are re-racked for the next game.

Ctrl-S: Save Game, Shot, or Tournament

Ctrl-S saves the current game/shot/tournament. You can use this to save a game to resume later, or you can use it
to save trick shots. You must enter a name to save the game/shot/tournament under.

Ctrl-T: Change Player Turn

If you want to change whose turn it is, press Ctrl-T and play will go to the other player without the movement of any
balls or the assessment of any fouls.

Ctrl-V: Return to Video

Ctrl-V returns to the video. This only works during a trick shot that was loaded during a trick shot video.

Ctrl-W: Set Momentary User View

Sets the camera view for user momentary view (Y key). Go into View Mode, change to the view you want, and enter
Ctrl-W. Then use the Y key to jump to that view at any time.

Ctrl-[: Called Safety

Pressing Ctrl-[ declares a Called Safety. Called Safeties only apply and Straight Pool. A Called Safety means that the
turn will change to your opponent even if you pocket a ball. You do not need to call a safety unless you intend to
pocket a ball on a safety play.

INS: Spot Selected Ball

INS brings up the Spot/Pocket Ball Menu. The Spot/Pocket function only works during Trick/Setup Shots mode.

D: Designate Ball On

D brings up a dialog for selecting the ball on. This is used, while playing Snooker, to select the ball the player is
attempting to shoot. It must be specified when shooting a color after pocketing a red ball. Designate Ball On is only
available when playing Snooker.

N: Nominate Free Ball

N brings up the select free ball dialog. This is used, while playing Snooker, to specify a “free ball”. A free ball can be
selected when your opponent fouls and leaves you snookered. Nominate Free Ball is only available when playing
Snooker.

Setup Artistic Billiard Shot (Ctrl-J)

Ctrl-J (the Jewett key), brings up a dialog for entering Artistic Billiard Shots. Is is only available whileplaying Billiards
and in Trick/Setup Shot mode.
Game Rules

General Pool Rules

The General Rules apply to all pool games and Snooker. Exceptions to these general rules are noted in the Rules for
each game.

Play by Innings

Players take turns at the table called innings. An inning continues until the player fails to pocket a ball on a valid shot,
according to the rules for each game. The player at the table is referred to as the ‘‘shooter’‘.

Rack

The Rack is the number and arrangement of the object balls at the start of the game. Racks vary by game, but
generally it is a triangle or diamond shape with the front ball on the foot spot.

Break Shot

A Break Shot is the shot that starts the game. Some games require the first shot of each rack to be an ‘‘open break’‘
in which at least four object balls make cushion contact. In matches that consist of several racks, the winner of each
rack will break the following rack.

Call Shot

A Called Shot means the object ball and the pocket as specified for the shot. Most games require the shooter to call
the ball and pocket for any shot that isn't obvious. The usual convention is obvious straight-in shots are not explicitly
called. Called shots do not require details such as kisses or combinations, only the ball and pocket.

Extra Balls Pocketed

For most games, If extra balls are pocketed on a shot, they usually count for the shooter.

Low Ball First

In a ‘‘Low Ball First’‘ game (nine ball, rotation, ten ball, etc.), the first ball the cue ball contacts must be the lowest
numbered ball remaining on the table.

Cue Ball in Hand

Cue Ball in Hand means the player can pick up and place the cue ball anywhere on the table. The break shot begins
with ‘‘cue ball in hand behind the head string’‘, meaning that the shooter may place it anywhere in the top quarter of
the table. Ball in hand also occurs after the cue ball is pocketed (scratched), hit off the table, and after other fouls in
some games. Depending on the game, this may be either behind the head string or anywhere on the table. The area
behind the head string is also referred to as the ‘‘Kitchen’‘.
When playing from behind the head string, the first ball struck must be on the other side of the head string. However,
a ball behind the head string may struck first if the cue ball crosses the head string before contact, such as banking
the cue ball off the foot rail. In case all legal target balls are behind the head string, the one closest to the line is
spotted so the shooter is not forced to play an out-and-back shot.

Spotting Balls

Most pool games spot balls in situations where a rules violation or illegally pocketed balls require balls to be returned
to the table. They are usually placed on the foot spot, or as close to the foot spot as possible on a line between the
spot and the center of the foot rail. If several balls are spotted, they are spotted in numerical order.

Owed Balls

Some game penalize fouls by returning previously pocketed balls to the table. If the shooter fouls without any balls to
his credit, he ‘‘owes’‘ a ball to the table, and it is spotted at the end of the next inning in which he scores. Several
balls may be owed.

Delayed Balls

In some games, other balls pocketed along with legal scoring balls are spotted at the end of the shooters turn. If the
shooter pockets all balls on the table the delayed balls are spotted so the shooter can continue.

Fouls

Fouls end a shooter's inning and are penalized according to the rules of each game. The following are fouls:

Scratch – Pocketed the cue ball.

Ball Off Table - Hit a ball off the table. If a ball jumps onto the rail and returns to the table, there is no penalty.

Bad Hit - In eight ball and the low ball first family of games, the cue ball contacts a non-target ball before a legal
target ball. For all games, the cue ball does not contact a ball.

No Rail - If no ball is pocketed, and at least one ball does not contact a cushion after the cue ball contacts an object
ball. This usually comes up during safety (defensive) play or when the shot is played too softly.

Three Fouls

In some games, if one player fouls on three consecutive shots, there is an additional penalty, usually loss of the
game. Games without a three foul rule may have a special rule to prevent stalemates.

Physical Pool vs. Virtual Pool

On the physical table, there are other rules that do not apply to VP. For example, VP will not let you hit the cue ball
twice on one shot or move object balls with your sleeve. It's OK with VP if you have both feet up while shooting, but
do not try this at the local pool hall.
Virtual Pool does not require all shots to be called via the call shot dialog except in Honolulu and Bank Pool. As a
general rule, players should call shots that are not direct (combos, banks, caroms, billiards, etc.) and any other shots
that are not obvious. This is also the accepted method for most situations when playing on a real table. If a shot goes
in an unintended pocket and the call shot dialog was not used, the player should use the Miscall selection in the
options menu or Ctrl-M.
Nine Ball Rules
Nine ball is a low ball first game, so the balls must be struck in numerical order. The goal is to pocket the nine ball
which ends the game; the other balls have no scoring value. This is the most popular game played today among pool
players.

Rack

Nine balls in a diamond with the one ball in front and the nine ball in the middle.

Break

Open break required. Failure to do so is a foul.

Valid Shot

Pocket any ball in any pocket without a foul to continue at the table.

Spotting Balls

Only the nine ball is spotted. All other balls pocketed on a foul or driven off the table remains off the table.

Penalty for Fouls

Ball in hand anywhere on the table.

Three Foul Penalty

Three consecutive fouls is loss of game.

Push Out Rule

On the first shot after the break, the shooter may choose to play a ‘‘push out’‘ (Ctrl-P), the ‘‘No Rail’‘ and ‘‘Bad Hit’‘
rules are suspended for that one shot, and no ball pocketed counts. The opponent then chooses to shoot or to pass
the shot back to the player who pushed.

Strategy

If possible, run all the balls off the table from the break. If that seems unlikely, keep an eye out for good safety
possibilities. Play to miss and leave the cue ball where it is impossible or very difficult to hit the object ball. If your
opponent fails to hit the lowest object ball first, you get ball in hand anywhere.
Look for shots to pocket the nine ball early, but if you play a combination shot on the nine, be sure to hit it firmly
enough that the nine is not left as a duck sitting in the jaws of the pocket in case you miss.

If you push out after the break, try to leave a hard shot but not impossible -- make it hard for your opponent to decide
whether to pass it back to you.
Pool Fundamentals
Introduction to Pool Fundamentals
This section describes pool fundamentals that apply to both Virtual Pool Hall and pool in general. Studying this
section will improve both your real and virtual games. One major advantage you have in Virtual Pool Hall is a perfect
pool stroke. The cue stick is guaranteed to stroke straight and put spin on the cue ball just like a championship-
caliber player. To play well, edge and hone your speed control.
Throughout this section, you will find tips for using Virtual Pool Hall. Click on the tip Icon below for your first tip.

Cue Tip Position

Virtual Pool Hall allows you to change the position of the cue tip on the ball - and therefore the path of the ball - just
like in the real game. Altering the position of the cue tip with the E key will alter the path that the balls take.
The diagram below shows the terminology for different cue tip positions on the side of the cue ball.

Combinations of these are expressed as high right (follow and right) English or low left (draw and left) English.
Distances from center of cue are usually expressed in cue tips, as in: ‘‘follow with half a cue tip of right.’‘ Virtual Pool
Hall allows you to be very precise with cue tip placement.

You might want to start out using center-ball hits only. Then, when you feel confident enough with the game controls
to add a little more flair to your shots, practice using follow and draw to change cue ball paths. Follow and draw have
the most effect on shots with less cut angles. English has its greatest effect on the cue ball’s path when the ball
ricochets off of a rail.

Aiming Shots
Practice aiming shots initially using center ball hits. The diagram below shows the place the cue ball must be when it
contacts the object ball to sink the ball in the corner pocket.
One technique of aiming is to imagine a ball in this position and try to hit the imaginary ball full-on.

Bank Shot
Cue Ball Path
Draw and Follow
English
Combinations
Carom
Kiss