How To

Connect and Play

HFO has two connection options.  Online play and Offline play both require an active internet connection, unless you add computer players.

Online play connects you to our server and displays other players and games. If you Host while Online, your game will be publicly broadcast for others to Join.

Offline play is a direct connection to a Host.  You must know and enter the IP address and port number of the Host you wish to connect to. If the Host connects to the Internet via DSL or Cable, their router will need to be configured to allow players to connect.

You may Join a game in progress at any time.  If you get disconnected, you may rejoin and continue playing.  The exception to this is the Host.  If the Host gets disconnected for any reason, the game will stop.

To Host an Online Game:

  1. Open HFO and enter a Name in the Connect window.
  2. Click on the Host tab.
  3. Select your game preferences from the Options menu.
  4. Click the Online button. If you receive an error trying to go online, check our FAQ page.
  5. Click the Host Button  Your game will listen for connections on your local network using the Port number.  Our server will display your game and allow other players to connect to you.
  6. Wait for players.
  7. Once everyone is connected, click the Game menu and select Start Game.

To Join an Online Game:

  1. Open HFO and enter a Name in the Connect window.
  2. Click the Online button. (If you receive an error, check our FAQ page)
  3. Click on the Hosts name to see which options they are playing with.
  4. Click the Join button, when you find a suitable Host.
  5. You will connect to the Host and wait for the game to start.

To Host an Offline Game:

 

  1. Open HFO and enter a Name in the Connect window.
  2. Click on the Host tab.
    • The default HFO port number is 6900.  If you are behind a firewall/router that blocks this port, you will either need to change this number to an open port or configure your router to allow it.
  3. Select your game preferences from the Options menu.
  4. Click the Host button
  5. Look for the *Host Started message in the Chat area.
  6. Give the IP address and Port number to players who wish to Join.
    • If using DSL or Cable for Internet access, view our FAQ page to get your Internet IP address.
  7. Once everyone is connected, click the Game menu and select Start Game.

To Join an Offline Game:

  1. Open HFO and enter a Name in the Connect window.
  2. Enter the IP address and Port number in the IP field. (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:6900)
  3. Click the Join button. (If you receive an error, check our FAQ page)
  4. You will connect to the Host and wait for the game to start.

Private Games:
• To Host a private game: Enter a numeric password into the Pass field under the Host tab.
• To Join a private game: Enter #password into the Chat field before clicking the Join button.
If the password for a Host is 12345, you enter #12345 into the Chat field then click the Join button.

To Play the Computer:
Registered users may add computer players to their Online or Offline games.
After Hosting a game, select ‘Add AutoPlayer’ from the Game menu.

The Play:
Once the Host starts the game, the computer determines whose turn it is.  Watch the space to the right of your name for status messages.

In order to play cards, click on the card or cards in your Hand you intend to play. Selected cards will be turn darker in color.  Click the corresponding area of the board to play the cards. You may not may not select cards of different rank at the same time, unless it is a wild card.

To discard, click the individual card you intend to discard, then click on the Discard pile.

Your two draw cards, or the discard pile you picked up will be automatically sorted into your Hand. The tops of these cards will turn blue, for easy identification.
If the play discard option is selected you will get a Draw 2 button, and a message that states, ‘Draw 2 or Play Discard’ when you have two cards in your hand that match the last played discard.  In order to play the discard pile, you will have to select the two matching cards in your hand, select the discard, then place the cards on the board.  Once you have done this, the remainding discards will be put in your hand (based on your game options).
In order to draw two as usual, just click on the ‘Draw 2′ button.
As each round ends, the program will display the points total for all players.  To start a new round, the Host must click on the Game menu and select ‘Next Round’.

Are you ready to play?  If you have more questions, please contact us.

 

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