All the games I play are based on the same sort of format. Simply, I have to act as the manager of a club or team in a sporting situation (usually). It is my job to manage the affairs of the club, the finances, the playing staff and the club infrastructure. I am responsible for all matters relating to my club, with the aims of the club, set by myself.

At the start of any game, or when joining an existing game, you are given a squad of players. These have usually been developed by the previous manager, as have the other matters at the club, e.g. the bank balance, the stadium, the non-playing staff etc. The aim is to develop the club for the future, win games, buy players and all the other things that a top manager would do.

Each game has it's own magazine. In this are shown the last set of results and any other information, such as player trades, league tables etc. Upon receipt of the magazine, the manager has a fixed time to submit his 'orders' to the games-master for the coming turn. Often, this is about 4 weeks, so you have plenty of time to ponder tactics and the like! In the 'professional' games, this deadline for submitting a turn is reduced to 10 days or a week.

Each game is slightly different in how it works, but they all follow the same sort of pattern.

In the 'professional' games, a computer is used to play out a match. Each player is pitted against others in the opposing team, and the computer decides the outcome of the game. I have explained this very simply, mainly because I do not know fully how it works! This is kept secret by the companies who run the games.

In the other games, a complex mathematical formula is used to determine the results. This has the advantage of the managers being able to decide tactics depending on the best way they can tinker with this formula. Scouts can be used to determine the playing levels of opponents' player's, and then alterations can be made to maximise your own clubs chances. A lot of managers are not sports fans; they play the game simply for this mathematical challenge!

They can be anyone! Any age, sex or location. As long as they have a postal service, or access to a fax, e-mail service, they can play. Quite often, long term friendships can develop. This is aided by regular 'meets', where managers get together for a few drinks and a chat.

I can only answer this one from my own point of view. I have played the computer games and found them lacking in one vital aspect. The human factor! That unpredictability that we all have is so difficult to put into a game without ruining it. When you play a PBM, you are pitting your wits, and your team, against another human being, not a computer. The games are slower, giving more time to think about future games, future deals and how to plan for that big push for the divisional title!

Yeah, they can be a lonely hobby to play. I can quite happily spend every evening at home sorting out orders, doing player deals and working out match stats. But it can also be a very engrossing hobby, where you can meet all sorts of people. Surprisingly enough, all the other managers I have met have been great. Not sad sacks, but grown men with full lives, who enjoy a little fantasy in their lives. Now, I ask you, where's the harm in that!