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                           The National Pool Tour

FAQ
NES 1993

Version: 1.0

Basics
===============================================================================

There are several modes to pick from at the main menu. All use the same
controls. Select the mode with the A button, B backs out to the previous menu.


Controls:
`````````

D-Pad     Moves the cursor, menu selection
A         Takes a shot
B         Cue ball aim, cycle through balls
START     Quit

When it is your turn, use the B button to curve the cue ball slightly. Aim
where you move the cursor to and then press A. The cue stick will go back and
forth and you need to press A again to select the power you wish to shoot at.


Opponents:
``````````

Pick the player you want to compete against, they range in four difficulty
levels.

Ed        Beginner
Jim       Advanced
Jane      Semi-Pro
Mike      Pro


Shoot-Off:
``````````

To determine who breaks, a shoot-off takes place. You need to select the
appropriate power for the cue ball to get as close as possible to the rail you
start you at by bouncing it off the other side first.


Modes
===============================================================================

Nine Ball:
``````````

Nine Ball is played with nine balls numbered 1 through 9 and a cue ball. On
each shot the ball the cue ball contacts first must be the lowest- numbered
ball on the table as indicated. However, any number ball need not be pocketed
in order.

If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot, he remains at the table for
another shot.

After a miss, the next player must shoot from the position left by the previous
one, but after a foul the cue may be placed anywhere on the table.

At the break the player must hit the 1-ball first.

A player fouls ('Missed') if the lowest number is not hit first, not at all,
and if after hitting the current number ball the cue ball or any number ball
does not hit a railing. In other words, hit the ball with the current number
and get something to hit a rail, or it results in a foul and the other player
may move the cue ball freely. Pocketing the white is also a foul as usual.

After three fouls the player loses the set. The same goes for pocketing the 9-
ball before all other balls are pocketed. Otherwise the game ends when the 9-
ball is pocketed on a valid shot.

Strategy: Getting the opponent fouled out is a clever way to approach this, if
not a little boring. Snooker the cue ball so the other player is forced to
make a foul.


Rotation:
`````````

The object is to reach 61 points with the pocketed balls all counting their
number values. There are 15 balls on the table from 1 to 15.

You may pocket the balls in any order. You must, however, strike the lowest
number ball first or result in a foul.

After hitting the lowest-number ball, either the cue ball or any number ball
must hit the rail to prevent a foul.

If a player fouls, the opponent has the choice to move the cue ball or lowest
number ball. The cue ball can be moved anywhere, whereas the number ball can be
moved to one of the spots if they are free.

Unlike some rule sets that have a 3-consecutive-fouls rules, you can foul as
much as you like in this game. Not that it is recommended though.

Pocketed balls on a foul shot and are spotted back on the table.

Should the situation arise that both players have the same amount of points at
the end of the game, the last person to pocket a ball wins the game.

Strategy: Aim to get the high points if you have the chance.


Eight Ball:
```````````

At the break, the table is open. When the first player pockets a ball s/he is
assigned ownership to either the high-number or low-number balls. Lower numbers
are 1 through 7 whereas high numbers are 9 through 16. The eight ball is black
and needs to be pocketed last once all the assigned balls are gone.

You must aim for the assigned balls once it has been set.

After hitting the ball, either the cue ball or the number ball must hit a rail
for it to count a valid shot. Otherwise it results in a foul.

A foul means the other player can move the cue ball to anywhere on the table.

When all the assigned balls have been cleared, the player moves on to pocketing
the 8-ball. The pocket must be called. If the cue ball is pocketed at the same
time then the other player wins by default.

Pocketing the 8-ball before the end results in losing the set. There is one
exception to this rule: pocketing the 8-ball at the break wins the game, unless
the cue ball is also pocketed at the same time.

Strategy: Plan ahead, you should be able to get another shot on the next ball
with the next attempt too and not think about it afterwards. Try to snooker the
opponent.


14-1 Rack Game:
```````````````

Also called 'Straight Pool'.

Get 15 points to win the game. Each ball pocketed is worth 1 point.

The player can either nominate a ball or pocket or go for a safety play (select
the cue ball). The latter means that the cue ball needs to hit any ball and hit
the rail.

If the player calls a ball and pockets, s/he stays on the table as long as this
is accomplished. A legal shot is either pocketing the designated ball or hit a
rail with the cue ball after hitting the called number, or at least any
numbered ball hits the railing after this. At the break, at least two balls
need to hit the rail if a safety is selected

Any uncalled ball that is pocketed is spotted again.

When there is only one ball left on the table, the game re-racks the other
balls, places the cue ball on the center spot and the last remaining one on the
side spot. The game then continues until the goal is reached.

There are no penalty points for fouls as in real games.

Strategy: Wanting to plan ahead for the next shot is a given, but it may be a
good idea to try and break the new rack with the last ball to continue with the
game rather than passing it on to opposition. Play safe if you have to, but
then leave nothing on for the other player.


The National Pool Tour:
```````````````````````

Travel through the U.S. and beat all opponents at 9-ball to be crowned
champion. The opponents are increasingly more difficult as you progress.

AdamL made these passwords available if you wish to skip ahead:

BGDTBBH   2nd Match   -  Milwaukee
CHFVBDP   3rd Match   -  Atlanta
DJGWBGC   4th Match   -  Los Angeles
FKHXBJK   Final Match -  Las Vegas

They have 'Adam' as player name so if you want to be playing with your own then
you will need start from the beginnig and beat the opponents first.


Practice:
`````````

Play either mode, simply try shooting some balls around in basic practice or
simply watch one of seven available trick shots.


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