Scientists really do have too much time on their hands because they have developed a pool table that can teach you to be the hottest hustler in town.

The table monitors ball positions with a camera and uses the bright point of a moving laser beam to suggest which shots to play.

And if you play a poor shot a computer-generated coach called James will offer advice and helpful tips.

The computer controls mirrors that aim the laser from a unit mounted on the ceiling above the table.

In a coaching session, players are told to place the balls on particular spots, indicated by laser-drawn circles, for each practice shot.

A Danish team at Aalborg University (http://cpk.auc.dk/smc/pooltrainer/) invented the table.