#bPart II: Virtual Chat

In this section the concept of virtual chat rooms will be explained. It's such a novel idea that many people will wonder how it actually works. In essence it is very simple, but the implications are quite far reaching. It's fair to say that chat rooms are pivotal to the single player game of CueClub, and it's by progressing through each room that the game is slowly uncovered. Four sections make up this chapter: membership, members & bosses, chat etiquette, and reputation.

#bSection 1: Membership

In any club the management always like to separate the important members from the riff-raff. The usual way to do this is issue membership cards, and CueClub is no different. There are three grades of membership in use: standard, silver and gold. Each grade gives the player certain privileges in the chat room.

#p#b1. Standard Membership

You are awarded standard membership for the chat rooms when you start the game. Standard membership grants you access into the room but no privileges. Entrance restrictions also apply. For example, you can be refused entry if the club is full, or if you are a male and the room is currently quite full with males.

#b2. Silver Membership

Beating the boss of a chat room is a great accomplishment. As a reward you will be given a silver membership card which grants you access to the room when it is not full, and you will never be turned away for just being male. In addition, your reputation can now never drop below 3* in that room.

#b3. Gold Membership

A player who works his or her way through each chat room, beating every boss and collecting every silver card available will be awarded with the very exclusive CueClub gold card. Expect nothing less than the 'red carpet' treatment with this baby. Guaranteed access to each chat room anytime - even when it's full to the rafters! The boss will always make room for a gold card member 'through the back door'. Not only that, but this card will ensure your reputation is a high five all of the time! No more begging for games from mediocre players. They'll be queuing up to play you!

#c#bSection 2: Members & Bosses

Chat rooms are comprised of two kinds of player: members and bosses. There are some big differences between the two, which you should know about before you enter a chat room.

There are hundreds of other members in CueClub. These are young (and not so young) hopefuls just like yourself trying to better their reputations in the rooms. Since only a handful ever log in at once, it will take a while to get round everyone. All the members have unique characteristics in the chat rooms and at the table. And like you, their reputations can change over time. Members come and go in the chat rooms as they please, getting bored and leaving if no one speaks to them.

Chat room bosses are very special characters. Unlike the members - of which there are hundreds, there are only eight bosses in CueClub. Apart from having their pictures splashed everywhere throughout the club, they have a lot of control over the chat rooms. This includes deciding who is allowed in or not, and deciding who they play and when. The bosses also have an infallible reputation, and they are the only players with the authority to hand out membership cards.

#c#bSection 3: Chat Etiquette

You will notice that there is quite a lot of banter being exchanged in the chat rooms. Sometimes it will make sense, other times is will appear like complete nonsense. Welcome to the reality of chat rooms! Like internet chat rooms, you have to take the whole experience with a pinch of salt. After all, the only reason people are there is to play a few games of pool or snooker and better their own reputation. Most of the camaraderie is just for show, really. However, chatting is a good way to get noticed, and you are more likely to get a response from someone if you chat to them, rather than just sitting and waiting. Remember that people like being greeted and chatted to, but not insulted. Virtual players can give as good as they get, so be prepared for an entourage of back-chat if you get over enthusiastic with the insult button!

There are a few unspoken rules of etiquette in the chat rooms, which you should know about. Here are a few guidelines:

#p#bRule 1: Don't Spam!

Sending multiple copies of the same message only serves to irritate people. Chances, are if you weren't heard the first time, you won't be heard the second.

#bRule 2: Don't send empty posts

Nothing is more infuriating than other players who send blank posts (messages with no text). You can communicate your message by just using the chat buttons, but it's a little ignorant to say the least, and it's not in the spirit of chat rooms to be silent!

#bRule 3: Don't expect in depth conversation

Players aren't really interested in the news or what happened to you today. Be brief and get on with it. There are games to be played and people are waiting outside to come and take your place.

#p#bRule 4: Don't insult too often

Unless you can take the backlash, insults can often be offensive - especially in some of the dingy rooms like the Basement. Of course, you will be insulted from time to time for no good reason. But that's up to you if you wish to take the matter any further...

#bRule 5: Forget asking higher ranked players for a game

Players with higher reputations than yourself will not play you because they have nothing to gain and everything to lose. A players reputation can only be increased by beating a player ranked equal or higher than themselves. Stick to players with the same * rating as you. Similarly, don't give in to players ranked lower than yourself. This is a trap - you cannot gain anything by beating these opponents. It won't stop them trying it on with you, however.

#bRule 6: Keep your options open

When asking for a game, you can request a particular set of rules, such as 8-ball or 9-ball, and the number of games to play too. This is fine, but players are more likely to agree if these options are set to 'any', so they can decide instead. It's up to you really, but be warned that the bosses are very particular about what games they will play.

#p#bRule 7: Don't talk nonsense, or use unfamiliar words

Each chat room has its own native tongue - or style of chat. For instance, in the Funk house it's rap, and in the Basement is gangster talk. By adapting this style yourself you will be 'understood' better, and met with fewer replies of nonsense or disbelief. Join in with the banter!

#bRule 8: Remember who you are talking to

It's a well known fact that in chat rooms boys prefer to talk to girls and vice versa. CueClub's virtual chat rooms are no exception, and you can use this to your advantage. For example, if you are a male, you are more likely to get a game with a female than another male. In some rooms, such as the Penthouse, it's actually considered taboo to converse with members of the same sex, unless that it what you want, of course. Males who login as females to escape being turned away at the door are warned that they are likely to be hit by a barrage of posts from eager males! You have been warned.

#c#bSection 4: Reputation

Reputation is the measure of a players ability or skill at playing Pool and Snooker, using the * rating system. It ranges from 0* - indicating a poor player, up to and including 5* - indicating an excellent player.
 
However, the whole concept of reputation in CueClub is a bit corrupt to say the least! Quite apart from being a true indicator of a players ability, reputation is more a measure of ones perceived ability - or image. To give an example, it is perfectly possible to win five games in a row by pure luck and build up a 5* reputation from nothing, whilst actually being a rather poor player. In the chat rooms everyone will assume you are a great player but the reality will be a different story. This kind of thing is great if it happens to you, not so great if it starts happening to all your opponents. Ironically, the upside of this quirk is also its downfall. The laws of chance say that eventually, your reputation will catch up with your true ability. So in the long run, you should get what you deserve. Just remember that a high * rating does not necessarily indicate a good player just like a low one doesn't always indicate a poor player. One thing you can be certain of though, is that the bosses' reputation is always spot on!

To begin with, you are always awarded a 1* reputation. This is a welcome gesture to give you a fighting chance and the benefit of the doubt. Make the most of this - it will help you get a decent game with similarly ranked opponent. If you lose that first game however, your reputation will drop to 0*.

Basically, for every game you win, you will gain one *, up to a maximum 5*. For every game you lose, you will forfeit one *, to a minimum of 0*. Your opponent, like you, will gain a * for winning and forfeit a * for losing. Restrictions do apply however, and these are listed on the 'Match agreement' screen before you play. This screen acts like a binding contract, and by agreeing to it you will pay a one * deposit to play. The reason for this is to prevent you (or your opponent) fleeing the game if the odds become stacked against you (i.e. it becomes clear that your opponent is going to win the match.)
