Distributed by RealNetworks, Inc.

All portions copyright  2001-2003 GameHouse, Inc.

All software included in this package is the property of GameHouse, Inc., and
is licensed to an individual user for a limited time, or perpetually if product
is registered. All rights are reserved by GameHouse.

For support issues relating to the operation of Super Pool, please use our
product support form:  http://support.real.com



Troubleshooting
---------------

This software has been tested extensively to make sure it will operate
correctly for all users. If you experience system crashes, error messages or
other incorrect behavior, we suggest you first try one of the following:

1) Upgrade your computer's sound card drivers. This can be done by identifying
the type of sound card your computer is using and finding the manufacturer's web
site. Or, most drivers will be automatically updated if you follow step #2.

2) Upgrade DirectX. This is a Microsoft component and it includes special
drivers for video cards and sound cards for virtually every manufacturer. It is
therefore a very large download, but updating DirectX solves nearly all system
problems encountered with GameHouse games.

DirectX Home Page: http://www.microsoft.com/directx/


Controls
--------

Super Pool can be played in two styles: Overhead View or Cue Stick view. Each
style has its own controls. To switch views, click Menu (you may need to pause
the game in order to do this), click Options, then click either Overhead View
or Cue Stick View to make your choice.

Overhead (default perspective):

  Aiming a Shot: Left-click on the cue stick and drag the mouse, then release.

  Shooting a Shot: Right-click on the cue stick, drag the cue back to set the
  power, then release to shoot.

  Cancelling a Shot: While right-clicking to set the power of the shot, set the
  power to zero. Left-click to resume aiming.

  Adding English: Locate the cue ball graphic near the bottom of the screen.
  Click on the cue ball where the cue stick should hit the cue ball on the table.

  Calling Shots: Left-click on the ball you wish to sink, then click on the
  pocket where it will be sunk.

  Ball In Hand: Move the mouse and left-click to place the ball.

  Pause the Game: Press the spacebar. You cannot pause when ball is in hand;
  you must place the ball before pausing the game.
	
  Select Cue Ball (American Only): Left-click on the desired cue ball.

Cue Stick (accessible through the options menu):

  Aiming a Shot: Move the mouse until the cue is at the desired angle, then
  left-click to lock in the shot angle.

  Shooting a Shot: Move the mouse backward to increase power, or move the mouse
  forward to reduce the power of the shot. Left-click to make the shot.

  Cancelling A Shot: Press the Esc key after locking the angle of the shot.

  Adding English: Press the spacebar to pause the game, then click on the cue
  ball graphic where the cue stick should hit the cue ball on the table.

  Calling Shots: Left-click on the ball to sink, then click on the pocket where
  it will be sunk.

  Ball In Hand: Move the mouse and left-click to place the ball.

  Pause the Game: Press the spacebar. You cannot pause when ball is in hand;
  you must place the ball before pausing the game.

  Select Cue Ball (American Only): Switch to overhead mode, left-click on the
  desired cue ball, then switch back to cue stick view.


Games and Rules
---------------

DISCLAIMER: While our pool games may share a name with a particular pool game,
our rules may vary... GameHouse house rules are in effect!

In all games, a shot where the cue ball doesn't strike another ball is
considered a foul.

Three Ball:

  Objective: The first player to sink the three ball wins. The cue ball must
  always hit the lowest numbered ball on the table, but balls do not have to be
  sunk in numerical order.

  Fouling: If the cue ball doesn't hit the lowest numbered ball before hitting
  other balls, that shot is considered a foul. If the cue ball is sunk that shot
  is considered a foul.

Nine Ball:

  Objective: The first player to sink the nine ball Wins. The cue ball must
  always hit the lowest numbered ball on the table, but balls do not have to be
  sunk in numerical order.

  Fouling: If the cue ball doesn't hit the lowest numbered ball before hitting
  other balls, that shot is considered a foul. If the cue ball is sunk that shot
  is considered a foul.

Eight Ball:

  Objective: Players are assigned either striped or solid balls. Players sink
  all balls in their group to earn a shot at the eight ball. The first player to
  sink all of their balls and successfully call the shot on the eight ball wins
  the game. If the eight ball is hit off the table or sunk without the shot being
  called correctly that player loses.

  Fouling: If a player shoots and the cue ball hits a ball in the opponent's
  group before hitting a ball in their own group, that shot is considered a foul.
  If the cue ball is sunk that shot is considered a foul.

Straight/14+1:

  Objective: The first player to score 20 points wins the round. Each
  successfully called shot is worth one point. When the 14th ball is sunk, the
  pocketed balls are racked with the apex space empty. The 15th ball remains
  where it was when the 14th ball was sunk. The player can continue their run
  only as long as they continue to successfully call their shots, even after the
  balls are racked.

  Fouling: If the cue ball is sunk that shot is considered a foul and the
  player's score is reduced by one point. A 15-point penalty is assessed if more
  than three fouls are committed.

Pyramid:
		
  Objective: The first player to score 71 points wins the round. Players earn
  points by successfully calling shots. The player's score is increased by the
  number on the sunk ball. The one ball is worth 11 points.

  Fouling: If the cue ball is sunk, that shot is considered a foul and the
  player's score is reduced by five points.

American:	

  Objective: The first player to sink eight balls wins the round. Any ball can
  be used as the cue ball. The cue ball the player is shooting can be sunk as one
  of the eight balls, but it must contact another ball before being pocketed. 

  Fouling: If the cue ball is sunk, that shot is considered a foul and the
  player's score is reduced by one point.


Game Modes
----------

Practice: Basic game rules apply but there is no opponent.

Single Player: Choose one of three computer-controlled opponents: Scrub,
Schmoe, and Shark. Scrub is a beginner, Schmoe has moderate skills, and Shark
is an expert. You can earn special prizes by defeating these computer-controlled
opponents. Try to beat each of them in all the games!

Two Player: Two people take turns at the same computer in the pool game of
their choice. 


Credits
-------

Super Pool was created at GameHouse, Inc. by the following people:

Programming
-----------
Jeston Furqueron
Steve Herndon

Graphics
--------
Jason Gholston

Quality Assurance
-----------------
Teagen Densmore
Kazunori Sasakura
Jason Katsanis


Distributed by RealNetworks, Inc.

