Pool Shark 2

For Most, pool is best played in the back room of a pub with a bunch of mates after several pints of Stella and ten packets of fags - not in front of a monitor with a Cup-a-Soup. Nevertheless, if you're keen on homebased hustling, here's another game to tickle you with its cue.

The big boast in PS2 is its physics -the developer has got a really good feel going on with the way the balls crash around the table. You can easily apply spin, screw and stun, although the mouse aiming system can be a little sensitive.

Single-player is all about the Hustle mode where you play for cash against a succession of low-lives, trying to convince opponents that you're crapper than you are so the other guy bets more money. Fun for a while, though hustling an Al routine ultimately wears thin.

Otherwise, there's rotation pool, 10-pin pool, three-ball pool - every variation you can think of. Great for a few frames at lunchtime on a LAN or online.