UK, January 12, 2007 - Before we get into the nitty gritty of debating the successes of SEGA's pocket play we'll start with a fact, a fact that may amaze you. Out of all the sports shown on UK television (like football, cricket, rugby, darts or kabaddi) snooker is the second most-watched professional hobby. Probably because the slow-paced action and hushed whispers of commentary, combined with a late night TV slot, mean it's the perfect show to sooth you to sleep. So, with a pillow at the ready (just in case), it's time we chalked up our cue.

Obviously, as with any niche sport, those that like the odd frame now and again are already likely to have World Snooker Championship 2007 high on their list of purchases while everyone else will probably overlook the game, regardless of its quality. That would be a shame though - the simplicity of World Snooker Championship 2007's controls and its reliance on tactics as well as skill make for a game that's just begging for a wider audience. In fact, even if you don't know your cues from your cucumbers, there's plenty here to enjoy, thanks to some genuinely involving gameplay.

Even the most unskilled snooker player can quickly pull off shots that would have Steve Davis choking on a biscuit, while advanced techniques such as spin and final ball position are just a few joypad presses away. What's more, the learning curve is surprisingly gentle and it's only after you pot several balls in a row that you realise you're truly getting to grips with the finer points of a game that's extremely tricky in reality.

If you're not too confident with your own abilities, there's a thorough tutorial mode to take you through the basics too, featuring beardy snooker favourite John Virgo. During matches, you'll also be able to call on his expertise to advise you what shots to pull off next - just in case you need a bit of extra hand-holding.

However, as always, practice makes perfect so you might want to push aside the tutorial features and dive into the deep end by starting one of the various tournaments on offer. As well as snooker competitions, you can also play in pool tournaments or create your own hybrid event featuring pool and snooker matches from around the world. Although you might lose the first few frames, you'll soon be sinking balls like entrants in a tea-bagging championship. When you're up to speed, you can also venture online to challenge opponents on Live, showing off your hard-earned snooker skills.

Without wanting to heap too much praise on the game's accessibilty, even simple things like the potting order of your balls are displayed before you take your shots. It might sound stupid to a pro, but does Joe Public really know whether to sink the brown or green first? Another nice touch is the way the game engine displays not only the route of the coloured ball your aiming for, but also the predicted angle of the white ball once it's hit your chosen target.