Bowling and Pool Tips: Strikes, Spin and Clean Shots

Sports games on a phone come down to one gesture: a swipe. How fast, how far and in which direction you swipe makes all the difference. This guide covers bowling and pool, two sports where pins and balls bump into each other, then gives a quick tip for mini golf and basketball.

How it works

In Penguin Strike, you swipe up: the direction of your swipe is the direction of the throw, its speed is the speed of the ball, and a curved swipe adds spin. In Kitty Pool, you pull back and let go: the longer the line, the harder the cue ball goes. In both games, a dotted guide shows the path while you aim.

The pins and balls really bounce off each other, and the same throw always gives the same result. So when a throw almost works, try it again with one small change.

Bowling: let the dominoes work

The penguin pins knock each other over as they fall, like dominoes. You don't need to hit every pin: hit the front pin a little to one side so it falls into the pins behind it. While you aim, the arrow turns green, orange or red with your speed. Heavy pins only fall when the ball hits them straight on and fast enough.

A curved swipe makes the ball turn toward the side your swipe curves. Use it to reach the pins at an angle or to get around an obstacle. In levels 1 to 3, bumpers keep the ball on the lane and you get 3 throws; from level 4, the gutters are open and you get 2 throws to knock everything down.

A strike, all the pins on the first throw, earns three stars. Knock down the golden bonus pin on your first throw for an extra star. For your second throw, look only at the pins still standing and aim so the first one you hit falls into the others.

Pool: think one shot ahead

While you aim, a dotted line goes from the cue ball to the first ball it will hit, and an arrow shows where that ball will go: white if it is one of yours, red if it is not. Line up the arrow with a pocket, then choose your power. A medium shot is often enough; a very hard shot sends the cue ball all over the table.

Each ball you pot gives you another turn, so think about where the cue ball will stop: close to your next ball is perfect. Avoid fouls: if the cue ball falls in a pocket or touches no ball, the computer gets the ball in hand. When you get the ball in hand, slide the cue ball to set up an easy, almost straight shot. Pot the black last, once all your balls are in.

The computer changes at every level and gets better. Later levels add round bumpers, a golden ball that lets you play again, a shorter aiming line and smaller pockets.

Mini golf: gentle power

In Dino Mini Golf, pull back from anywhere: the arrow's length and color show your power, and a dotted line shows the path until the first bounce. The ball must reach the hole slowly enough to drop in, so don't hit too hard. Use the walls for bank shots and play safe near water. Finish within par for three stars.

Basketball: repeat the swipe that scores

In Panda Hoops, swipe up toward the hoop: the direction of your swipe aims, and its length sets the power. When you find a swipe that scores, repeat it, and only change it a little when the hoop moves. A shot that touches nothing scores 2 points instead of 1, but three misses end the level, so a safe shot beats a fancy one.

Try our sports games

Penguin Strike for strikes on the ice, Kitty Pool for a match against the computer, Dino Mini Golf for careful putts and Panda Hoops for perfect shots.