Optimization of a Billiard Player — Position Play

摘要

The paper describes optimization principles to produce a computer pool player. A good player has technical and planning abilities. Technically, he1 sinks balls with precision, and controls the position of the cue ball after the shot. He uses his technical abilities to devise a game plan, sinking the balls in a winning order. We propose to use the optimization techniques in such a way that it simulates an excellent player. In this paper, we focus on the technical abilities. We provide optimization models to compute the shots to not only sink a given ball, but bring the cue ball at a specified target. Some hints on planning optimization strategies are given.