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Pool Sharks - FAQ

Basics

Controls

Action	Control
Adjust Aim	Move mouse left or right
Raise View	Move mouse forward or backward
Zoom in/out	Click right button and move mouse forward and backward
Shoot	Press CTRL key and move mouse backward and forward to strike the cue ball with the cue stick (while keeping the CTRL key pressed)
Adjust the White Ball hit Point	Click left button and move mouse
Show / Hide cursor	Press the ESC to get cursor Click on the game window to get control back
Nominate (Snooker)	When aiming at a ball's center, nomination takes place automatically. For locking and releasing nomination press SHIFT. To nominate manually: press ESC and choose a ball.

If you want to observe any ball closely, hit ESC key to show the mouse cursor, then locate the cursor on the ball.

I can't get the game to run.

Are you sure you have DirectX installed? Pool Sharks requires the DirectX 9 to run. To download DirectX 9, just go through Pool Sharks installation process or go to http://www.microsoft.com/directx/

You will also need Microsoft's .NET Framework 2 or more installed on your machine in order for the software to function .NET Framework 2 is a free software from Microsoft, and can be downloaded as part of the Pool Sharks installation process or at the following link: http://www.microsoft.com/framework

Are you sure your computer meets the other required specifications? Check out the following:

• Windows Vista/XP/2000/ME - x32\x64
• Processor 300 MHz or higher
• 10 MB free disk space

Compatible with 96 DPI.

My game runs slowly.

For better performance of the application make sure that an updated version of the graphic card is installed.
Use the following links to find drivers for ATI, Intel and NVIDIA graphic cards.

ATI:
http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html
Intel:
http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/detect.htm
NVIDIA:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

The game window looks too small, what should I do?

You can play on a full screen mode.

The balls have no colors or shadows, what should I do?

Please update your video card driver.

The game runs too slowly on my computer.

Try playing it in a smaller, non-full screen window.

Also, if problem not solved, try the following: click the right mouse button when you are watching the desktop, choose the Properties option, then in the Settings tab look for the color quality. Modify it to 16 bit and try to run the game again.

How can I talk to my opponent ?

Just type in your message and hit the ENTER key.

I do not see the Pool Sharks icon on my desktop. How can I find it?

You can find our software on the list of installed programs by clicking Start, choosing All Programs, then Pool Sharks.

Installing Pool Sharks

See "Getting Started"  page for further instructions.

What should I do in Connection/firewall errors?

If your computer is behind a firewall and/or anti-virus software, it might block Pool Sharks program from connecting to the game servers. Thus, in order to allow Pool Sharks to operate, you'd have to “unblock" Pool Sharks from accessing the Internet.

Alternatively, the firewall and/or anti-virus can be disabled - just right click on the appropriate icon, which is located in the left bottom corner (beside the clock), and select disable or exit.

How do I validate my email address?

After your registration we send you an email with a validation link. You can fully activate your account by clicking on that link.

Game Play

Incorrect username and/or password

If you are unable to log in for the reason stated above, follow the "Forgot Password" link on the login screen. In case that does not work, please contact us through the support form which can be found in the  following link and identify yourself by personal details.

How to start a game?

In order to start a game, you can either click on “Start new game" or choose an open table to join from “Open Tables" window. If you choose “Start new game", you will have control over these parameters:

1. Stake - how much money in stake
2. Speed of game (fast or regular)
3. Single game / series of several games

If you, however, join other player's table, you can suggest changing the stake once (by 10%) and then play under the defined terms (stake, speed, number of games).

Upon unnatural disruption of a real money game, disconnecting in a middle of a game would result in losing the game or the whole series (if playing series of games).

What is a player's rating?

Your level is ranked according to 5 categories: Novice, beginner, advanced, professional and master. You begin with a status of a beginner, having 5500 points on your ratings account. However, you have the opportunity to move up the ladder and become a master. Overall, a higher rank indicates a higher skill level.

How do we calculate your rating?

It is very simple You start off with 5500 points in your ratings account. Once you win, you gain rating points. However, after a defeat, a certain number of points will be deducted from your rating account. The number of points you win each game depends solely on your rating and the rating of your opponent. If you rank high while your opponent ranks low, and you win, you will only score a small amount of points. If you rank low while your opponent ranks high, and you win, a large amount of points are added to your account. The same is true if you lose.

So, basically, the speed by which you move up the ratings ladder depends on 2 things: your win/loss record; and your ratings relative to the ratings of your opponents. Once you have accumulated certain amount of points in your rating account and you pass certain thresholds you are promoted to different ranks. If you want to move up fast you have to win a lot, and play against better players than you. However you can also move up the ladder by playing with players of the same or lower level than yours but the ratings will improve more gradually.

Our rating categories are as follows:

Rating points	Category
1000-4000	Novice
4001-5500	Beginner
5501-6500	Advanced
6501-8000	Professional
8001-10000	Master

Do I have to play for Real money?

In the Pool Sharks platform it is possible to play either for fun or for real money. Play and practice billiard games fun and enhance your game skill. Once you have mastered the basics of the game, you can move up and play to win real money and demonstrate your skill in the Billiard Hall. Playing Billiard at Pool Sharks platform is just as in real life, only you get to meet numerous people from all over the world and play against them!

How to switch between fun games (Play Money) and real money games?

To switch from Fun games mode to Real Money mode, click on “Play for Fun" button at the bottom of Pool Sharks lobby. To switch from Real Money mode to Fun games move, click on the “Play for Real Money" button at the bottom of the Pool Sharks lobby.

What happens when I run out of fun points?

Once you run out of fun points, you will automatically reload your account with more fun points.

How do you prevent players from abusing others by stalling or disconnecting on purpose?

Intended disconnection is an infringement of the user agreement . Whenever a player disconnects/times out (real money mode), he or she automatically pays a penalty.

Moreover, Pool Sharks system keeps tracking of these events and blocks players who frequently disconnect/cause a timeout; this means that a player, who disconnects frequently, will be risking his or her account being automatically banned from the site by our system.

Game timers

For each shot you have 15 seconds to act + a pool of 2 minutes of Global Timer.

As each shot is limited to 15 seconds in time, exceeding this time frame would result in a decreasing time from your Global Timer. Exhausting your Global Timer quota would lead to losing the match.

Series of games and single game

When playing a live match, there are two types of game modes:
Series (Match play) - a series of Billiard games between two players. It ends when one player wins by accumulating the agreed and set number of points.
Single game - the normal style of competition, in which each Billiard game is played independently.

If I notice abuse or use of foul language, what do I do?

Please report the incident, including usernames and a detailed explanation of what happened.

In Game Bets

BET-ON-A-SHOT FEATURE

What is the Bet-on-Shot feature?

Bet-on-Shot feature allows you to earn more money in every single game. Whenever you recognize a good opportunity to pot a ball, you may offer your opponent a Bet-on-a-Shot offer. Once you place a Bet-on-Shot offer, your opponent has 30 seconds to respond.
Shooting the object ball before your opponent reply will cause a cancellation of your offer.

How do I use the Bet-on-a-Shot feature?

In order to offer a Bet-on-a-Shot all you need is to click the Esc button and get control of the mouse cursor. Then left click on the Bet-on-Shot button, after the click on the ball you wish to bet on and the pocket you intend to pot the ball into. You may choose the selected pocket by either clicking the pocket on the table or on the diagram which will be opened automatically as soon as you click the Bet-on-Shot button.

After placing your bet amount (which is by default similar to the game stake amount) click the "Submit" button and your offer will be sent to your opponent. Wait for your opponent's reply (accept/reject) and then shoot the ball. After shooting the object ball, you will receive a message noting whether you won or lost the bet.

Is Bet-on-a-Shot feature available during the whole game?

The Bet-on-a-Shot feature will be available during the whole game for the current shooter, except for the following:

1. Your opponent rejected 3 Bet-on-a-Shot offers you placed in one turn.
2. You or your opponents do not have enough Money/Points.
3. One of the players has lost an amount of 500 USD$/Points during the current game.
4. In Snooker, when the object ball is the red ball (Bet-on-a-Shot can be offered only on colors).
5. You try to bet on an illegal ball.

What is the minimum amount for Bet-on-a-Shot offer?

The minimum amount for Bet-on-Shot is 1 USD$/points and up to the difference between the current stake and 500 USD$/points, which is the maximum stake amount per each game.

How do I accept Bet-on-Shot offer?

Simply click the "Accept" button once your opponent submits his offer.

How do I reject Bet-on-Shot offer?

You may reject Bet-on-Shot offer in 2 ways:

1. Click the Reject button once the shooter places his Bet-on-Shot.
2. Do not reply during the 30 given seconds you have in order to reply.

How do I cancel Bet-on-Shot offer?

You may cancel Bet-on-Shot offer in 2 ways.

1. In case you have not yet clicked the "Submit" button, you may press the "Cancel" button.
2. After you submitted your offer, you may cancel your offer by shooting the object ball before your opponent accepted your offer.

When do I win the Bet-on-Shot?

You win a Bet-on-Shot when the selected ball is potted into the selected pocket and no foul is committed.
Every foul will cause a loss of the Bet-on-Shot even if the selected ball is potted into the selected pocket.

DOUBLE-STAKE FEATURE

What is the Double-Stake feature?

Double-Stake is a feature which allows you to double your potential winning amount.
When your turn is played, you may offer your opponent to double the current game stake.
If your opponent accepts your offer, the stake of the game will be doubled.
If your opponent rejects the offer, you will win the game.

The Double-Stake feature is available to each one of the players - while playing his turn. Notice: you can't offer double stake twice in a game, unless your opponent doubles the stake after you did so. In that case the "Double Stake" button will be enabled again. Double stake offers can go on up to the maximum amount allowed in a single game (500 USD$).
Please note : the above is referring to both single games and series of games.

How do I use the Double-Stake feature?

As soon as you open a table from the Lobby, you will have to choose the option to play with the Double-Stake option.
In order to place a Double-Stake offer, you need to click the Esc button in order to get the control of the mouse cursor. Then click the Double-Stake button and click "Submit". Your opponent will have 30 seconds to respond. During that time, you may play or wait for your opponent's reaction.

Note:
Rejecting Double-Stake offer causes an immediate loss of the game to the rejecting player.
In series, rejecting Double-Stake offer causes a loss of the whole series to the rejecting player.

Is Double-Stake available during the whole game?

By default, when opening a game, the Double-Stake feature is disabled. In order to allow Double-Stake during a game, the player who opens a table must switch the allow double mode to "Yes".

Double-Stake option will be available for the current shooter, except for the following:

1. One of the players doesn't have enough money / points left for the Double-Stake.
2. The total stake amount is higher than 250 $/points.
3. The player has already doubled the stake of the game, and his opponent didn't offer a double stake since.

What is the minimum and maximum amount for Double-Stake offer?

The minimum amount for Double-Stake is 2 USD$/points and the maximum is 500 USD$/points.

How do I accept Double-Stake offer?

Just press the "Accept" button in the offer window.

How do I reject Double-Stake offer?

Once a Double-Stake offer has been placed by Player A, Player B has 30 seconds to accept or reject: 20 seconds by which he can continue playing and 10 seconds by which he may only accept or reject the offer.

Player B can reject the offer by doing one of the following:

1. Pressing the "Reject" button in the offer window.
2. Not replying during the 30 given seconds you have in order to reply.

How do I cancel Double-Stake offer?

Once a Double-Stake offer has been placed, it can no longer be subjected for cancellation.

Cashier

Live support is now available in the "Cashier" - For deposit and cash-out purposes only.

How safe is it to use my credit card online?

Online credit card transactions with Pool Sharks are completely secured. To ensure the maximum security, all communications between your computer and the payments server are encrypted using SSL technology, to ensure that all your monetary actions and information are completely secured. SSL is the most popular protocol used for transmitting private data via the Internet.

How do I deposit money in my account?

To add money to your Pool Sharks account, you must first register an account. If you haven't done so already, please refer to the Getting Started page. Once you have an account, you are ready to deposit money into it.

You can deposit money by following these steps:

1. Start the Pool Sharks software (by double clicking Pool Sharks icon on your screen)
2. Login to Pool Sharks using your username and password
3. Once you are in the lobby, press on the Cashier on the lower right corner of the screen
4. Click on the "Deposit" icon (lower right corner) & select your preferred deposit method

How long does it take to process my deposit?

Deposits made using credit cards or MoneyBookers, are usually added to your balance within a few seconds.

Wire Transfer,usually takes 4-5 working days to arrive to our bank and to be credited into your account.
If, for any reason, your request has not been processed, or has not been approved after the time periods specified above, please contact us through the support form which can be found in the following link.

I submitted a deposit but my balance has not changed. What should I do?

Deposits made using credit cards or Moneybookers are usually added to your balance within a few seconds. If you made a payment and it does not show on your balance right away, please contact us through the support form so we will be able to credit your account manually.

If, for some reason, your deposit gets rejected, you will receive a corresponding notification message in your browser.

Freezing period - the period of time in which the commission that derived from the user’s games is less then the transactions fees.

How do I withdraw money from my account?

You can withdraw money by following these steps:

1. Start the Pool Sharks software (by double clicking Pool Sharks icon on your screen)
2. Login to Pool Sharks using your username and password
3. Once you are in the lobby, press on the Cashier on the lower right corner of the screen
4. Click on the “Cash out" icon (lower right corner) & type in the amount of money you want to withdraw

note that cash out at Pool Sharks can be processed only once a player has made a deposit and played at least 5 money games.

What are my options as for withdrawing money from Pool Sharks?

1. Visa card
2. MasterCard
3. E-wallets - MoneyBookers, NETELLER, PayPal
4. Wire Transfer
5. Local credit cards(soon)

If you have used multiple payment processors to make deposits at Pool Sharks, your cash out will be credited back to the preferred payment processor on record with Pool Sharks.
Wire Transfer may take up to 4-5 business days to be sent and from that moment, time of arrival depends on your bank. Please note that the minimal amount for withdrawal/deposit by wire transfer is $50. A fee may be deduced by the bank for wire transfer.


Please note that once a withdrawal is approved and sent, it will no longer be subject to cancellation.

Payment Method	Cash out amount	Commission charged
Visa	$40 - $99	3.4% + $1
	$100 - $299	2.9% + $0.75
	$300 +	2.7% + $0.5
PayPal, MoneyBookers, NETELLER	$40 - $99	Fee charged by E-wallet issuer + $1
	$100 - $299	Fee charged by E-wallet issuer + $0.75
	$300+	Fee charged by E-wallet issuer + $0.5

What do NETELLER, MoneyBookers and PayPal mean?

NETELLER, MoneyBookers and PayPal are all Ewallets, allowing you to perform monetary actions online. Many of our customers are using Ewallets, as they are very safe and easy to use. Withdrawals normally take 3-4 business days to be approved and sent. After you have registered with them, you will only need to give us an e-mail address and/or account number, depending on the eWallet of your choice - as described below.

To withdraw via NETELLER, you need to provide us with your NETELLER e-mail and your twelve digit NETELLER code. For more information, please go to www.NETELLER.com

To withdraw via MoneyBookers, you need to provide us with your MoneyBookers e-mail address. For more information, please go to www.MoneyBookers.com

To withdraw via PayPal, you need to provide us with your PayPal address. For more information, please go to www.PayPal.com

I have successfully withdrawn money from Pool Sharks and it got refunded to my Visa, but I cannot see it. What is happening?

A common mistake is to check the bank account for credit card withdrawals. You will most probably not see it in there, because Visa releases all charges and refunds once a month - usually on the 2nd or the 10th of each month. What you need to do is to contact your local branch of Visa, the company itself, and make sure that you see the refund in your Visa account.

Bonuses Policy

Pool Sharks Pool and Snooker on-line games Bonus Policy states that:

1. All members who fill their email address during registration will be able to enjoy special and unique BONUS PROMOTIONS only for them!
By filling your mail, you will have access to our special promotions, such as: Happy Hours, Freerolls, amazing Deposit bonuses and many more...

Note: By filling in your email address during registration you will be able to enjoy both our promotions and news.



2. Get 100% extra up to $100 for making a first deposit. Members will receive a Bonus for making a first deposit. Bonuses may be Cashed Out only after making a deposit, playing minimum of 90 games and wager an amount of no less than 50 times the bonus - for example, a player must wager $250, before cashing out a Bonus of $5.

3. All bonuses and promotional offers extended to players must be wagered as mentioned in section 2.

A player must wager his bonus 50 times before the bonus funds will be added to his Pool Sharks account.

After making a deposit, each game will be calculated once for bonus purposes.

For example: A player who made 2 deposits and is entitle to receive 2 bonuses of $5 each, will have to wager $250 in order to receive the first $5 bonus and additional $250 in order to receive his second $5 bonus.

Pool Sharks Pool and Snooker on-line games reserves the right, at its sole discretion and at a time of it's choosing, to revoke any Bonuses and promotional offers, or any parts thereof , not used by a Player within the relevant time period.

4. Pool Sharks Pool and Snooker on-line games reserves the right to withhold the amount of any bonus from a Player's Cash Out.

5. Pool Sharks Pool and Snooker on-line games reserves the right to discontinue the Player's Pool Sharks Pool and Snooker on-line games membership and to prevent the member from accessing the Pool and Snooker games in the future.

• All financial transactions are processed by Sanlis Ltd., 25 Martiou 22, 8047 Paphos, Cyprus

• www.poolsharks.com is wholly owned and operated by Sanlis Ltd.

Commission

Commissions when playing Pool and Snooker for real money

The commission is taken from the rake plus 0.5% for each additional point in a game over 1 (the winner pays both).

Commission for one or a series of games is a derivative of the players rank and the rake value of each game, when the winner pays for both players

Commission structure:

Stake	Single game	Series of Games
Up to $9.99	7%	6.5% + 0.5% for each game, up to 9.5% maximum for the whole series
$10 - $24.99	6%	5.5% + 0.5% for each game, up to 9% maximum
$25 - $99.99	5%	4.5% + 0.5% for each game, up to 8% maximum
$100 +	4.5%	4% + 0.5% for each game, up to 7.5% maximum

Sarah and Ann play a match up to 3 points with a sum involved of $10. Sarah wins the series 3-1. The commission for 4 games is a base commission of 5.5%+4*0.5%=7.5% The commission from each player is $10*7.5%=$0.75 (the winner pays both their commissions). $8.5 will be added to Sarah's balance and $10 will be deducted from Ann's balance.

Maximum 9 games are allowed in a series (first who reaches 5 points).

We encourage matches between players of a similar rating level. This is to provide you with a fair and moderated gaming environment. Therefore, we increase the commission taken from players upon an abnormal difference in the rating as demonstrated below:

Rating Difference is 0-500: No extra commission is taken
Rating Difference is 501-1500: 50% extra commission is taken
Rating Difference is 1501-3000: 100% extra commission is taken
Rating Difference is 3001-4000: 150% extra commission is taken
Rating Difference is 4001 and above: 200% extra commission is taken

• If both players rating is 8000 or more or 2500 and less - no commission increase is applied.
• We charge a lower commission increase, however, when the lower ranked player's rating is 1000 and above, as demonstrated below:

Lower ranked player's rating	Commission taken from above
1000 - 3000	100%
3001 - 5000	80%
5001 - 8000	60%
8001 - 10,000	50%