Call the shots: 8 Ball Pool for iOS (pictures)

Available for iOS and optimized for the iPhone 5, 8 Ball Pool is a 99-cent billiards game that lets you play pool with your Facebook friends or random opponents online.

To play a round, each player pays the entry fee in in-game coins. The game consists of five levels -- London, Sydney, Moscow, Tokyo, and Las Vegas -- each requires a higher entry fee. If you win the game, you'll win twice the amount you paid.

The app has a robust community. At any given time, I've seen anywhere from 1,000 to 4,000 players currently online on every one of the five levels. Every game you play, whether you win or lose, will earn you experience points. Earn more points and you can level up (this is designated by the number given to you on your badge star), letting you unlock the harder levels in the game.

To play after the rack is broken by the cue ball, you simply adjust the angle of your pool stick with your finger. Two lines will then appear, one showing the trajectory of the ball you're aiming for, and the other showing the trajectory of your cue ball.

To keep the game moving along, each player gets 30 seconds to set up and complete a shot. If you take longer than that, you'll lose your turn and your opponent can then move the cue ball to wherever he or she likes (known as "ball in hand"). To win, pot either all the solid or striped balls, and get the eight ball in last.

During the game, you can chat with your opponent using preloaded terms like "Oops" and the subtly condescending "Nice try."

After playing an opponent, you have the option to rematch or play against a new user altogether.

No fireworks here -- after you win a round, the simple phrase "You Win" appears.