- What is the VIP Ladder?
The Virtual International Players (VIP) Ladder is a perpetual tournament for
computer game players around the world. Players compete in matches to earn
points from other VIP Ladder players. As players earn points, they move up
the ladder. Matches are scheduled and played online using
Kali, The
Zone, MPlayer or other online gaming
networks. The VIP Ladder does not schedule the matches. To play a match, a
VIP Ladder player merely "advertises" on the gaming network
that they would like to play a VIP Ladder match. Once an opponent is selected,
players negotiate connection (who will transmit, who will receive) and begin
playing the match. The winner of the match earns points from the loser of the
match. Match results are reported by the loser to the VIP Ladder using an
online form at the VIP Ladder web site.
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- What is the URL for the VIP Ladder?
The URL is: http://www.vipladder.com
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- What is Virtual Pool?
Virtual Pool is a fantastic 3D pool simulation game available from Interplay
Productions. For the best description of Virtual Pool, go to the Interplay
website:
http://www.interplay.com/games/vrpool.html
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- Where can I get Virtual Pool?
Most software stores carry Virtual Pool. However, you may purchase Virtual
Pool directly from Interplay Productions.
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- Is there a Virtual Pool demo available?
Yes. There is a demo version available from the Interplay website. However,
the demo will NOT allow play over the Internet.
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- What is Kali?
Kali is a network of gaming servers that allow players from around the world
to play against each other over the Internet. You can find more information
about Kali at: http://www.kali.net
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- Why can't I connect to other players on the Internet?
Some Virtual Pool players have a pirated or pre-release version of Virtual
Pool. These "unauthorized" versions of Virtual Pool generally have problems
connecting to other players over the Internet. The VIP Ladder does not
condone software piracy. Purchase the game! It's well worth the price.
If you and your opponent are using a registered version of Virtual Pool, the
problem may be due to Virtual Pool setup. The VIP Ladder website has a page
that explains how to setup
Virtual Pool to play over the Internet.
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- What do I do when I get errors while playing Virtual Pool?
If you receive an error while it is still your turn, save the game and reload.
If it is your opponent's turn, have him/her save the game and reload. This
will fix most errors.
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- Why was the VIP Ladder created?
Several friends of mine played Virtual Pool over the Internet and wanted to
create a competition similar to others on the Internet. Other ladder
operators were uninterested in creating a Virtual Pool ladder. So, I decided
to create the VIP Ladder.
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- What do I need to join the VIP Ladder?
To join the VIP Ladder, you need a registered version of Virtual Pool and a
registered version of Kali,
The Zone, MPlayer
or some other online gaming network. You may signup
using the online signup form at the VIP Ladder web
site. A randomly generated password will be emailed to you. Once signed up,
you may begin playing other VIP Ladder players immediately.
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- How do I join the VIP Ladder?
Signing up for the Virtual International Players Ladder is EASY! Simply
complete the Signup for the ladder online
automated form. A randomly generated password will be emailed to you. Once
completed, you may begin playing matches immediately.
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- Why haven't I received my assigned password yet?
Your randomly generated password is emailed to your primary email address.
Therefore, if you have not received your password, it is possible that you
entered an invalid or incorrect email address. Another problem could be that
the email message just hasn't reached you yet. This is especially true for
people who are using "slow" email accounts (like Hotmail). Give
your email service 24 hours and if you still haven't received your password,
contact VIP Ladder Support
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- Why won't my assigned password work?
Your VIP Ladder assigned password consists of the numbers 0123456789 and
letters ABCDEF. The letter O is not used. Use the number zero. The lower
case L (el) is not used. Use the number one (1) instead. Case is
insignificant. If you cannot get this password to work, contact
VIP Ladder Support.
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- Where can I find other VIP Ladder players?
Most VIP Ladder players play matches on the -> Virtual Pool (#256) Kali server.
The VIP Ladder web site also has a page that explains where to
find other VIP Ladder players.
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- How does the VIP Ladder point system work?
The VIP Ladder rules webpage describes how points
are transferred from the losing player to the winning player.
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- What are the rules of the VIP Ladder?
The VIP Ladder web site has a page describing the rules.
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- How do I report match results?
All matches are to be reported to the ladder by the LOSER via the
Report online automated form. If a match is not reported, contact the losing
player via email and ask them (politely) if they forgot to report or forgot
your name. I've had this happen before. A reasonable time to report is within
24 hours. But, give the loser an extra 24 hours before contacting them.
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- How do I change my VIP Ladder nickname, email address or password?
The VIP Ladder web site has an online form for
editing your player information.
Using this form, you can change your nickname, email address, password and ICQ
UIN.
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- Why was I removed from the VIP Ladder?
If you have not played a match within 30 days, you will automatically be
removed from the VIP Ladder. To reactivate your VIP Ladder account, use the
Join option.
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- My account on the VIP Ladder lapsed. When I try to signup
again, the VIP Ladder says my nickname is already in use. Why?
Although your account is not active on the VIP Ladder, all of your match
history and account information is still available. To reactivate your VIP
Ladder account, use the Join option.
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- What do I do if my opponent doesn't report a loss?
Wait 24 hours. If the match is still not reported, politely remind your
opponent via email and wait another 24 hours. If the match is still not
reported, contact VIP Ladder Support.
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- What do I do if I report a loss incorrectly?
Contact VIP Ladder Support as soon as possible.
Because of the structure of the VIP Ladder, it is imperative that matches be
corrected as soon as possible.
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- Why must matches be played one-on-one?
The VIP Ladder point system uses the difference between the player's points
to determine the number of points to transfer. If more than 2 players are in
a match, all match reports after the first one would be skewed (since the
winner has already received points from the first loser's report).
As an example: If 3 players who had the same number of points (1000) were in
a match and player A won the match. When player B reported the loss, player
A would receive points from player B. Player A's points would be 1050 when
player C reports his loss. Already, the statistics are skewed because all
players had the same number of points before the match was played. Player C
won't lose as many points because player A has more points than him. The
statistics get even more skewed with more players in a match or there is a
bigger spread between the player's points.
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- Why is my Last 20 matches record in red?
Your Last 20 matches record will show in red when the results of your NEXT
match COULD move you to another division.
For Barracuda players, your Last 20 matches record will appear in red if the
record is 15-5 AND the earliest match of your last 20 matches was a
loss. Then, if you win your next match, you will automatically move to the
Shark division.
For Shark players, your Last 20 matches record will appear in red if the
record is 12-8 AND the earliest match of your last 20 matches was a win.
Then, if you lose your next match, you will automatically move to the Barracuda
division.
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- How can I improve my Virtual Pool skills?
- Practice, practice practice! Play against the computer or other people.
Watch your opponent's shots. See what they do in various situations. I'll
never forget the time I was in Las Vegas watching some pros play 9 ball. As
I watched the game, I noticed that every shot looked easy. I said to myself,
"I could run THAT table! The balls are setup perfectly!" Then, I realized
that the shots were easy because they were able to control the cueball so well.
- Analyze your shots (whether you make the ball or not). Take the time to
learn what went right or wrong with the shot. Watch the cueball in addition
to the object ball when you attempt a shot. Could it have been better? Did
you cut the ball too thin or too thick? Did you hit it too hard or too soft?
Did you use the proper english? Did you take advantage of all the
opportunities available with the shot (breakouts)?
- Look several shots ahead. Analyze the entire table. If you just shoot
the current shot with no plan for subsequent shots you will probably reach a
dead end that might have been avoided. Sometimes the order in which the balls
are pocketed makes a huge difference.
- Learn to control the cueball. Speed and english both play an important
factor in controlling the cueball. Learning how to draw or follow using
english will make a huge improvement in your game. Left and right english
is more difficult because it affects the object ball slightly. Watch the
cueball during each shot (your opponent's too) to see the affects of speed and
english.
- Learn bank shots. Bank shots aren't terribly difficult. But, most new
players assume that a ball will bank off the rail at the same angle in which
it hit the rail (like light bouncing off a mirror). This is NOT true! Bank
shots are affected by speed and english. Try it and see...
- Learn carom shots. Many players don't even consider this type of shot.
In truth, SOME carom shots are very easy. Carom shots can be especially
helpful if a direct shot is blocked by another ball.
- Learn defensive shots. This is especially important at the beginning of
a game. If your opponent left only one ball on the table after his first
shot, you probably have plenty of balls on the table that would make good
hiding places. If you can get your opponent to foul, you can make one of your
hard-to-make shots easily. I have won many games against better players by
using this tactic.
- Strive for precision. Don't be merely satisfied with pocketing a ball.
The pockets are larger than the object ball. You may gain an advantage by
pocketing the ball on the left or right side of the pocket. This is called
"cheating the pocket".
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- Can I add a link to the VIP Ladder from my web page(s)?
Webmasters may place a link to the VIP Ladder on their web page(s) as long as
the content of their web page(s) do not portray negative or false information
about the VIP Ladder, its creator or VIP Ladder players.
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- How was the VIP Ladder created?
The VIP Ladder consists of more than 5,000 lines of C code. It runs as a CGI
(Common Gateway Interface) application on a Unix (Linux) PC.
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- Is the VIP Ladder program available?
Currently, the VIP Ladder program is not available for purchase.
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- Who runs the VIP Ladder?
The VIP Ladder was created and is owned and operated by David C. Eilering
(VentureKing).
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- Who is David C. Eilering (VentureKing)?
You can find out more about David C. Eilering (VentureKing) on his
personal web page.
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