EA Pool How to Play

Description

Screenshots

Starting the game
First, highlight the EA Pool icon in the game menu on your phone. Once the game is highlighted, press 'Select' (OK) to start the game.

Game Objectives
The object of 8 Ball is to sink all of your ball group, either stripes (9-15) or solids (1-7), and then the 8 ball. Ball group is assigned when a player cleanly sinks one or more balls of that type. Until then, the table is considered 'open'. When you foul, your opponent gets ball-in-kitchen (ball in hand behind the head string). Examples of fouls: striking the 8 ball before clearing your group, sinking the cue ball ('scratch'), failing to hit any balls on a shot ('table scratch'), or directly shooting at a ball in the kitchen during ball-in-kitchen. It is illegal to sink an opponent's ball or strike it before your own and is a loss of turn. After clearing your ball group, you must sink the 8 ball cleanly (no fouls or illegal shots) or it is a loss of game.

The object of 9 Ball is to sink the 9 ball on a legal shot. Legal shots only require that the cue ball first strike the lowest numbered ball on the table. Striking any other ball first, sinking the cue ball, or not striking any balls, are fouls and give the opponent ball-in-hand. Sinking any numbered ball on a legal shot allows the shooter to go again.

Main Menu

Multiplayer: Multiplayer mode allows the user to play realtime 8 Ball or 9 Ball against other EA Pool players. During these multiplayer matches, the user can wager "JAMCash" as a method of betting on each game. Win/loss stats and rankings are calculated in this mode.
Single Player: Single Player grants the user the opportunity to play 8 Ball or 9 Ball against the computer AI or by him/herself.
Pass N'Play: During Pass N'Play mode two people can play 8 Ball or 9 Ball against each other by passing the phone back and forth after each turn.
My Settings: This menu allows the user to Log Out from multiplayer mode as well as turn sound, vibration, and advanced mode on or off.
Help: The Help section contains customer service info, a full description of all key commands, and a full description of all gameplay functionality including betting, advanced mode, 8 Ball rules, 9 Ball rules, and player standings.
About: The About section contains developer, publisher, and copyright info.

Starting a Multiplayer Game
First, enter the Multiplayer menu and register a new account, login from a previous account, or play as a guest (note: guest scores will not be tracked or ranked). Second, choose a multiplayer match mode: "Automatch" will allow you to play against the first available player, "Challenge Player" will allow you to select an opponent based on several criteria (Name, Rank, Skill Level, and Random), and "Wait for Challenge" allows you to simply wait for an opponent to find you. All multiplayer match modes allow you to play a single player game of Pool while waiting to begin a multiplayer match.

Upon entering a match, you will select a preferred gametype (8-ball or 9-ball), bet "JAMCash" (if you would like to "gamble" on the game), and then begin playing pool.

Registration/Sign In Functionality
Registration is available within the Multiplayer menu and allows the system to track your wins, losses, and JAMCash. To register a new username, enter the multiplayer menu and select "Sign Me Up" - then enter a username, password, and your mobile phone number to complete registration.

To sign in, select "Sign In" from the multiplayer menu and enter your previously-registered username and password.

Wagering a Multiplayer Bet
JAMCash provides a method of placing fictional "wagers" within the game. Before a multiplayer game, you have the option to place a wager. Adjust your bet and press OK when ready. When both players are done, the lower of the two bets will be used for the actual wager. Remember that disconnecting counts as a loss! The winner of the match takes the opponent's JAMCash. Practice, play, and wager to see if you can get the highest JAMCash score!

Community Rank
For registered users, your rank and level are calculated based on your number of wins and total games played. You can also check your stats and game history online at http://pool.eamobile.com/pool/

Skill levels
Skill Levels in order from highest to lowest are:

Shark (master)
Pro (expert)
Shooter (good)
Player (ok)
Rookie (poor)

Starting a Single Player Game
From the main menu, select "Single Player" and then select a game type (8 Ball or 9 Ball). Once a game type has been chosen, select to play against the computer or play alone ("Free Play").

Starting a Pass N'Play Game
From the main menu, select "Pass 'n'Play" and then select a game type (8 Ball or 9 Ball). The game will immediately begin after a game type is chosen.

Controls:
Use the D-pad to navigate menus. Press the "OK" button to select a menu item. Use the CLR button to head back one menu level.

Primary Game Controls
The Primary Game Controls use the direction pad and center select (OK) button:

Up = Flip Cue up to opposite side of ball
Left = Rotate aim Left
Right = Rotate aim Right
Down = Flip Cue up to opposite side of ball
OK = Shoot / Action Key
CLR = Brings up the game's exit menu

Secondary Game Controls
The Secondary Game Controls will be the handset number and symbol keys:

1 = Allows user to back up from certain game actions (user can move from setting spin back to taking aim and can move from setting power back to setting spin or taking aim)
4 = N/A
7 = N/A
2 = Scroll camera up to view table
8 = Scroll camera down to view table
5 = N/A
3 = View both players' pocketed balls
6 = N/A
9 = Toggle "Advanced Mode" on/off
0 = N/A
* = Toggle sound on/off
# = Toggle ball labels on/auto/off

Scratch Ball Game Controls
In cases where a player or the computer scratches (i.e. sinks the cue ball), user control switches slightly to allow for placement of the cue. "Ball in hand" text and an arrow icon appear and the user can move the cue ball using the direction pad.

Up = Move cue ball up
Left = Move cue ball left
Right = Move cue ball right
Down = Move cue ball down
OK = Place Ball

Advanced Mode
Advanced mode lets you add ball spin (AKA "English") after aiming, gives you ball-in-kitchen before a break, disables 9-ball tips, and turns on the highest level of difficulty versus the computer opponent.

$1.99