Although it's not nearly as pervasive as the real thing, virtual pool has been around in one form or another since the early days of computer gaming. The latest development is that you can now get into a multiplayer game with only a Java-enabled browser and an Internet connection. As well as casual players who enjoy the game as a pastime, there are leagues and tournaments devoted to online pool for those who are more serious, and there are even places where adults compete for cash prizes.
http://internetgames.about.com/library/weekly/aa012703a.htm
