The playing field may be a clay court, or a green felt rectangle, or the wilds of an alien world pulsing through a liquid crystal screen. People will go almost anywhere to play games, but what will they do to win? In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, Annie Lamott talks about cheating at tennis. Also, the latest in computer gaming -- playing against people!

SEGMENT 1

Johnny Wilson, editor in chief of Computer Gaming World magazine tells Anne Strainchamps that the most exciting new development in cyberspace games is playing against human opponents. Wilson thinks computer games can actually aid in socialization and help players become aware of the moral consequences of their actions.

SEGMENT 2:

Journalist and novelist David Foster Wallace tells Steve Paulson about life on the pro tennis circuit for the mass of players who aren't first, second or third in the world. A profile of one such player forms a chapter in Wallace's new book - "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again." Also, novelist Annie Lamott tells Judith Strasser that the tennis life of the heroine of her new novel - "Crooked Little Heart" - is based on her own experience: Lamott cheated at competetive tennis for one season when she was 12.

SEGMENT 3:

Writer David McCumber became a stake horse (i.e. the person who puts up the betting money) for professional pool player Tony Annigoni. McCumber chronicles their adventures on a cross country pool-shooting odyssey in his book "Playing Off the Rail: A Pool Hustler's Journey" and in this conversation with Jim Fleming.

Distribution dates:

• week of 08/03/97 - hour 3