GTKPool tries to give you the flexibility to have some fun while playing (beyond the fact
that you're playing pool). To do this it tries to offer you some features that you can adjust
to enhance the game or just mess around with. Some adjustments could cause the game to
malfunction in undesirable ways (balls not moving, phantom balls, etc.).
The large "Close" button at the bottom will close the Options dialog.
These adjustments allow you to change how the balls respond to various aspects of the environment.
Figure 4.1. The Physics Adjustments
Friction This changes how fast the balls are slowed by the surface of the table.
This is normally quite low as rolling balls face little friction. Setting it to zero will make
it so the balls almost never stop and at 1.0 they will barely move.
Bumper Drag This changes how the balls react to collisions with the bumper. Numbers
greater then 1.0 will cause them to actually speed up. Going down to zero will cause them to "stick"
to the bumpers.
Collision Drag This changes how the balls react when hitting each other. Using higher
numbers will make them bounce "flat" and using lower numbers will make them "roll" more. A zero
could cause strange screen effects.
These choices allow you to choose what game you want to play and which rules to enforce.
The rules are explained in a later section here.
Figure 4.2. The Game Choices
8-Ball Perhaps the most common game of pool ever. It's good for beginners and experts
alike. Sink all of your balls first then go for the 8-Ball.
9-Ball Common in bars and pubs everywhere. Many think this is the best betting game.
It uses only nine of the 15 balls and the object is to be the first to sink the 9-Ball.
Rotation This game is for those a little more experienced. It requires that you get to
61 points before your opponent does.
No Rules This makes it easy to mess around or to make up other games. It doesn't
enforce any rules and only shows what balls are sunk.
GTKPool offers 4 different tables for you to play on. By default it uses the "Mahogany" table
when you load it up.
Figure 4.3. The Selecting a Table
Mahogany One of the richest of the hardwoods. A wonderful choice. Much cheaper in its
electronic version.
Maple Burl An interesting wood that has a light and perplexing pattern to it. Certainly
attractive in any game room.
Black Lacquer Modern and flashy, Black Lacquer is a fine choice. Just don't scratch it.
Black Pearl Add a little pearl to the Black Lacquer and get a marvelous swirling light
reflection that will glimmer and liven any game room. With the special red felt it just screams "Classy".
No Sound Maybe it's too late at night, or you really just don't like the noise.
Check this box to make it go away. It can also improve the game speed on slower machines.
No Aiming Line Think you're a real hot shot? Then turn the aiming line off and
see how you do. The cue stick and power gauge remain.
Superhuman Shots Want to really pound the cue ball as hard as you can? Then turn
this on and the power limit is the edge of your screen.
Can Hit Moving Balls You may want this option if you set the friction to zero. It
allows you to grab the cue and aim even if it hasn't stopped yet. *Broken at time of writing.*
