Poker guide

General questions

What is phpBB Holdem Póker?
PhpBB Holdem Póker is a card game that registered users can play against each other. Only an administrator can authorize the use of Poker. However, the following guide will probably be helpful.
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Why do I have to register at all?
Only registered users can play phpBB Holdem Póker, so it´s a good idea to be a registered member.
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How to play poker?
Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world. The aim of the game is to get the most out of the cards you have received, in combination with the revealed community cards, in order to finally win the bet in the middle of the table (called “pot” or “jackpot” in English). Per poker room, the game can be played by 2-8 people. The game uses a French 52-card hand with no Joker. Each player receives two private cards that cannot be seen and used by other players. During the game, five community cards are laid open on the table, which all players can see and use. The player now tries to make the best possible “five card combination” from his own cards and the community cards. The player with the strongest cards wins the value of the bet. A deck of French cards (without jokers) has 4 different colors and each color consists of 13 cards of different values, which gives the 52-sheet deck. The order of the 4 colors: ♣ clubs ♦ diamonds ♥ hearts ♠ spades. All colors are equal for the evaluation of poker hands. The 13 card values in their order: A (Ace), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J (Jack), Q (Queen), K (King). An ace is not just a numerical value of 1, it can also be the highest card after the king.

Dealer:
At the poker table there is always a dealer position. The dealer handles the cards, mixes and distributes them. The dealer button (D) indicates the player who currently holds the dealer position. The dealer participates in the game.

Small blinds and big blinds:
The first player to the left of the dealer button is the “small blind”, and the first player to the left of the small blind is the “big blind”. They are the blind people who have to make their bets without knowing their own cards. The “small blind” is the small starting bet, the “big blind” is the big starting bet, which they have to do “blindly”.

Bidding:
Poker uses “Chips” for bidding, which replaces cash during the game. In the betting round, bidding always goes in the left direction, and all “active players” (who have not yet folded their cards) are betting and continue as long as active bets are no longer raised, held, or folded. The number of bids and raises is in accordance with the limit rules.

Dealing:
The dealer shuffles the deck. Before the cards are dealt, the “small blind” and the “big blind” place their starting bets, and then the dealer puts all the cards to the left. Then the Pre-Flop (the first betting round) begins, which is different from the other betting rounds in the game.

Pre-Flop (first betting round):
The first betting round is started by the first player to the left of the “big blind” and, and three bids can be made:
  • Call - the existing bet is paid.
  • Raise - pays the existing bet and increases it within the limit rules.
  • Fold - the cards are placed face down on the table and leave the round (give up).
The betting round goes to the left and players can bid. If you just held the bet, then:
  • The “small blind” must raise at least with the small blind his own bet or fold his cards and give up.
  • The “big blinds” can raise the bet with at least their big blind, they can check - do not make another bid -, or fold their cards and give up.
When a player raises the bet, the bidding starts. At the end of the betting round, the Dealer collects the bets and put them in the game fund, the “Pot”.

Flop (second betting round):
The dealer deals three cards, the “Flop”, which are placed face up in the middle of the table so that all players can see them. Then the second betting round of the game begins.

Unlike the Pre-Flop betting round, all betting rounds after the flop can always start with the first active player to the left of the dealer button, and can make three bids:
  • Check: pass action to the next player, do not call and do not fold your cards.
  • Bet: pays the opening bet according to the limit rules.
  • Fold: discard the cards with the color down and give up the round.
If a player places the opening bet, the first active player to his left can make three bids:
  • Call - the existing bet is paid.
  • Raise - pays the existing bet and increases it within the limit rules.
  • Fold - the cards are placed face down on the table and leave the round (give up).
When a player raises the bet, the bidding starts. At the end of the betting round, the Dealer collects the bets and put them in the Pot.

Turn (third betting round)
The dealer hands another card named “Turn” face up to the community cards. This gives the player four community cards. Now begins the third betting round.

River (fourth betting round)
The dealer deals the final face up community card, called “River”. This gives each player seven cards in total. Five of them have to be used to make a poker hand, which hopefully is higher in quality than the opponents hand.

Showdown (presentation of cards)
If more than one player is in play after the last round of betting, the active player cards are displayed. The pot is won by the poker player with the strongest 5-cards-hand. If two or more players show the same poker hand, the pot will be distributed in equal proportions. If the Pot value cannot be divided equally, the first winning player to the left of the dealer button will be entitled to the surplus. Before the next round, the dealer button is always moved one position to the left. The dealer is therefore different in each round, and the blinds are also assigned to other players.

Rating of poker hands
In poker, a poker hand is a combination of 5 cards, which the player combines from his own two and the five community cards from the table (that is, a total of seven cards). The player can use one, both, or none of his own cards. The colors of the cards are of equal value. If two players have the same combination, the accompanying card decides which player wins the game. An accompanying card (kicker) is not part of the combination, it only accompanies and “complements” it. If two players tie, then the higher kicker decides. If there is still a tie, the pot is divided between the winners.

Limit rules
The minimum bet is always the same as the big blind.
  • With a fixed limit it is possible to triple the big blind during the Pre-Flop (first betting round) and the Flop (second betting round). For the rounds Turn (third betting round) and River (fourth betting round) can be increased by this rule only with the double big blind.
  • No limit means that the amount and the number of increases are not limited.
Poker Hands:
  • Royal Flush
    • The strongest card combination. 10, jack, queen, king, ace - all in the same color. If two are equal, there is a tie (the prize is divided).
      Example: 10♥, J♥, Q♥, K♥, A♥.
  • Straight Flush
    • A successive sequence of five cards of the same color. If it occurs several times in the round, the highest card decides. If two are equal, there is a tie (the prize is divided).
      Example: 5♣, 6♣, 7♣, 8♣, 9♣
  • Poker (four of a kind)
    • It consists of four cards with the same number or sign and any other card. If several of them meet, the higher poker wins.
      Example: 7♥, 7♠, 7♣, 7♦, 10♠.
  • Full house
    • It consists of three cards with the same number or sign, and two other cards with the same number or sign. If several of them meet, the higher three of a kind wins. If it is still a tie, the higher pair wins.
      Example: 5♦, 5♣, 5♠, 8♥, 8♠.
  • Flush
    • Consists of five arbitrary same-colored cards. If several of them meet, the player wins who has the highest card that not every player has. Still in a tie, the second highest card scores, and so on…
      Example: 2♠, 4♠, 5♠, 7♠, 10♠.
  • Straight
    • Consists of 5 consecutive cards of any color. If more than one of them occurs, the player with the highest card wins. If no decision is yet to be reached, there is a tie (the prize is divided).
      Example: 4♥, 5♦, 6♠, 7♠, 8♣.
  • Three of a kind (trips)
    • It consists of three cards of the same number or sign and two of any other. If several of them meet, the higher three of a kind wins. If no decision is reached, the higher neutral card decides, than the lower card.
      Example: 3♥, 3♣, 3♠, 7♠, 10♦.
  • Two pairs
    • It consists of two times two cards with the same number or sign and one other card. If there are several double pairs, the higher pair decides, then the second highest and, if necessary, the neutral card.
      Example: 5♠, 5♦, 8♠, 8♣, 10♦.
  • One pair
    • It consists of two cards with the same number or sign, and three other cards. If there are several pairs the higher pair decides, then the neutral cards.
      Example: 3♥, 5♠, 7♣, 10♦, 10♠.
  • High card
    • Any card.
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How to exchange chips?
An exchange of chips is only possible if “phpBB Holdem Póker” is connected to a “points system”. Once such integration is complete, users will find the "Chips exchange" button next to the display of their chips balance on the poker main page, in the block with their user information.
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Can I exchange back the chips I have acquired?
Of course, in the same way as they were acquired.
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If I lose my permission for poker, is there a way to exchange my chips?
Yes, if an administrator delete your permission for poker, you can automatically exchange all your chips at any time HERE.
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Does “phpBB Holdem Póker” store personal data?
“phpBB Holdem Póker” collects and stores the IP address of each current player until the user leaves the table. When a user stands up from the table, all data is erased and only the statistical data is retained. The IP address is stored during the game to prevent multiple players at the same table from using the same IP address. Of course, you can enable and disable this IP check.
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Questions relating to poker rooms (Lobby)

What does it mean to be in a learner room?
Everyone can play in this room, even if they do not have their own chips. Each player receives a predetermined number of chips when sitting down. In the room, all players play with open cards, so they have a chance to teach each other. The chips won in this room can not be taken out of the room or exchanged.
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What does it mean to be in a practice room?
Everyone can play in this room, even if they do not have their own chips. Each player receives a predetermined number of chips when sitting down. The chips won in this room can not be taken out of the room or exchanged.
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What does it mean to be in a normal room?
In a normal room can play only users who own their own chips, and who can bring in enough chips for the required minimum entry amount. Each of these rooms has a fixed minimum and maximum amount to get started. Users can sit down with the minimum amount at the table. Chips won in this room can be taken out of the room and increase your chips balance. These chips can be exchanged back.
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What does it mean to be in a tournament room?
In a tournament room can play only users who own their own chips, and who can bring in enough chips for the required minimum entry amount. Each of these rooms has a fixed minimum amount to get started. Chips won in this room can be taken out of the room and increase your chips balance. These chips can be exchanged back.
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What means Members/Chairs?
“Chairs” means how many seats are available for players in this room. If the number of seats is 8, 8 users can sit in the room at the same time. “Members” indicates how many users are in the room. If the administrator closes the room, it means the room is full and no other member can enter the room before a seat is vacated.
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What means Fix limit/No limit?
We have already described the answer to this question in “How to play poker?/Limit rules”.
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Small/big blind bets between rooms are different, why?
The Small Blind/Big Blind always depends on the minimum and maximum starting amount. The minimum starting amount (Buy-in) is always 20x the Big Blind, while the maximum starting amount is 100x the Big Blind. The Small Blind is almost always half the Big Blind. This rule differs in the tournament room, where the Small Blind/Big Blind is always twice the base value. In addition, in the tournament room the Small Blind/Big Blind is growing steadily throughout the tournament.
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What is the move time?
“Move Time” is the time during which a user may decide to check, bet or fold. If this time expires, two automatic options are available:
  • 1. If the action of the previous player was not a call, we automatically check.
  • 2. If the action of the previous player was a call, we fold our cards automatically.
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What does status mean?
The field under “Status” indicates whether or not this room is in a game.
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I saw a room that had a red highlight, why?
If a room is red highlighted, it means that no one is in the room anymore, but an active non-finished game is in progress. There are several possible reasons for this:
  • 1. The server stopped during the game.
  • 2. The administrator has disabled the forum.
  • 3. The administrator has disabled phpBB Holdem Póker.
  • 4. The administrator has turned off the points system integrated with phpBB Holdem Póker.
  • 5. The administrator has disabled this room.
  • 6. The administrator has changed the room type.
  • 7. Users did not exit the room properly. For example, they just closed the browser window during the game.
  • 8. The internet connection of the users to the site was interrupted.
If we enter such a highlighted room, the game that is still in progress will be immediately evaluated and completed. Of course, the user will not see anything from this. But if you sit down at the table, you can see on the message board who won the last round.
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Poker game issues

What happens if my internet connection is interrupted?
In this case, the countdown of the drop (ejection) time that the administrator has set will take effect. For example: If the ejection time is 5 minutes, you will still stay for 5 minutes sitting at the table, and at the end of that time you will be automatically stand up and the game ends for you. If you return to the Internet within the set time, you will continue to play from where you are.
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What happens to my chips when I am thrown out of the room?
In this case, 3 options are available:
  • 1. You can not take out chips from a practice room so your chips that are still in will be canceled.
  • 2. Of course, if you are thrown out of a normal room, your remaining chips will be returned.
  • 3. Only the winner will be able to win the prize from the tournament room. So if you are thrown out during the tournament, your existing chips will be distributed proportionally between the current players. If you are discarded before the tournament starts, your chips will be returned.
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What happens if I press the pause button?
If you press the pause button, it is equal to getting out of the game, so if the round goes on, your cards will be folded. This option is worth using if the player does not want someone else to take his place in the meantime. Of course, the pause time is limited. The limit is defined by the administrator.
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What happens when I press the up button?
In this case, there are two possibilities:
  • 1. You stand up from the table. You do not leave the room. If you are in a practice room, you can not take out your chips, so they will be canceled.
  • 2. You get up from the table. You do not leave the room. If you are in a normal room, your won chips will be added to your balance.
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What happens when I press the exit button?
In this case, 3 options are available:
  • 1. You can‘t take out chips from a practice room so your chips inside will be deleted and you leave the room.
  • 2. If you quit the Normal Room, the chips you earn will be added to your chips balance and you will leave the room.
  • 3. Only the winner will be able to win the prize from the tournament. So if you quit the game during the tournament, your existing chips will be distributed proportionally between the current players. If you quit before the tournament starts, your chips will be returned and you will leave the room.
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What happens if I do not respond to anything during the game?
In this case, the “Idle Time” countdown that the administrator has set will take effect. For example: If the idle time is 10 minutes, you can stay for 10 minutes while you are not reacting to anything. At the end of that time, you will be automatically stand up from the current game. This is because no one likes to deliberately slow down the game.
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What does the decimal value depend on when raising a bet?
The decimal value depends on the amount of our chips. If you have more than $100 chips, you can raise an integer such as: ($5), if you have less than $100, but you have more than $50 chips, you can raise one decimal, for example: ($5.50) if your chips reach $50 or less, then you can bet up to two decimal places ($5.55).
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Can I play with more chips than the maximum bet?
In this case, 2 options are available:
  • 1. In a practice room or normal room that works. If you are constantly winning and do not stand up from the table, your chips may increase anyway.
  • 2. That’s not possible in a tournament room.
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Moving time is too short what can I do?
If you have such a problem, you should report it to an administrator.
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The user‘s avatar flashes gray, what does that mean?
If the user‘s avatar is blinking gray, this indicates that the user is currently offline or not connected to the room. This is possible for two reasons:
  • The user‘s internet connection has been terminated.
  • The administrator only allows the room to operate in an active window. If the user is viewing another page or web page, the user will not receive any new data about the current status of poker. There is a kind of charging break for him and while he is not actively watching poker, he remains offline.
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How long are the cards visible at the end of the game?
The time of presentation of the cards at the end of the game is determined by the administrator.
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Can I switch off the sound of the game?
Yes. The game sound can be switched on/off at any time during the game. With this, all voice sounds including the message board are turned off. The setting is always saved.
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What is the main prize and how to get it?
The administrator can enable the use of the jackpot and determine by what percentage of it is filled with chips. The main prize pool in the normal rooms may accrue on the basis of the set percentage that users collect from their own chips set for each session. There are two options to win the main prize:
  • The administrator switches the room type from normal to tournament. This way the winner of the tournament can get the accrued jackpot along with his winnings.
  • The administrator creates a new tournament room and transfers the prize from the normal room to the tournament room.
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What is the value of the different colored chips?
The values for colors chips are as follows:
  • Black “C”: 0.01
  • Black and light brown “C”: 0.10
  • Gray: $1
  • Yellow: $10
  • Pink: $100
  • Red: $500
  • Blue: $1000
  • Purple: $2000
  • Green: $5000
  • Brown: $10000
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Are the chips displayed at the right amount?
Yes, as long as you dont have reached the maximum amount of chips that can be displayed, which is $186111.1 as there are up to 10 items in 1 chip.
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What Does Automatic Check/Fold do?
If the user approves the “Automatic Check/Fold” function, when it is the players turn, it will automatically pass or fold the cards automatically if there is a call.
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What Does Automatic Check/Call do?
If the user approves the “Automatic Check/Call” function, when it is the players turn, it will automatically pass, or if there is a call, it will automatically specify the amount called.
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Poker shoutbox questions

Can I use the message board during a game?
If the administrator has given permission, then yes. If you do not have the required permissions, you can only read messages about the game’s progress on the message board.
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Can I use the shoutbox during a pause?
If enabled by the administrator, yes. If it is not enabled, only the word “Pause” will appear on the message board.
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If I stand up can I use the message board?
No, the message board can only be used by a sitting user.
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Can I use smileys in my messages?
If enabled by the administrator, yes.
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The winnings on the message board do not match the amount in the Pot?
The number of won chips on the message board only covers the real winnings. The amount won may differ from the “Pot” value in one case. For example, if someone bet more chips than you, and suppose you win, the difference will have to be returned to its rightful owner. We can always win only what we ourselves can bet.
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How do I scroll messages?
In any case, the message board can only display the last 8 lines, so no further scrolling is possible.
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Can I switch off the message board?
Yes. You can turn off the message board separately. Turning off the message board does not turn off the sound of the game.
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Is there a way to view older messages?
Yes, each player can view the archive during the game.
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Is there a way to refresh the archive?
Yes, the refresh button can be found on the right side of the title bar.
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After refreshing the archive, the messages disappeared, why?
If the messages are not displayed, you have either left the game or paused and you are not allowed to use the message board during a pause.
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Questions about poker statistics

What are the champions ranked based on?
The champions are primarily ranked on the basis of income and, in the alternative, according to the victory rate.
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Can I see user’s statistics?
Yes, if the administrator allows viewing statistics.
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What is income?
In principle, only the “Normal” and “Tournament” rooms store the income. Income is the amount that a user wins or loses during his game. The income only takes into account the amount played. For example, if a user enters a “Normal” room with $100, and a base of 5% of this amount has to be added to the main prize pool, what makes $5 in this case, then the amount played is $95. If you lose this amount, your income will be $-95.
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During the game my income doesn’t change, why?
In any case, the income will only be updated if the user stands up from the table.
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Learner rooms also save statistical data?
No statistical data is stored in the learner rooms.
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Practice rooms also save statistical data?
Basically, except for income. If the administrator allows you to store income in the practice rooms, then all the statistical data is stored by the practice rooms.
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Administrator intervention questions

What happens to my chips when an administrator deletes the user’s poker data?
In this case, all user’s chips are automatically exchanged before deletion.
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What happens if the administrator turns off the forum or poker?
In this case, 3 options are available:
  • 1. All practice rooms will be stopped immediately and all users will stand up from the table.
  • 2. Normal rooms continue to operate until the end of the current game. At the end of the round, all users will automatically stand up from the table.
  • 3. The tournament rooms will continue to operate until the end of the tournament. At the end of the tournament, all users will automatically stand up from the table.
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What happens if the administrator disables the “phpBB Holdem Póker” extension?
In this case, all room types will stop. If the administrator turns it back on before the eject time, the games can continue. If he turns it back on after the eject time, the current games will be evaluated if someone enters the room.
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What happens if the administrator deactivates the “Points system”?
In this case, all normal and tournament rooms will stop. If the administrator turns it back on before the eject time, the games can continue. If he turns it back on after the eject time, the current games will be evaluated if someone enters the room.
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What happens if the administrator changes the room settings?
The administrator can only modify the practice rooms during the game. Normal and tournament rooms cannot be modified or deleted during an active game. However, you can change permissions and global settings at any time, and these permissions or settings may affect every room or user.
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What are the permissions?
There are currently 3 user permissions:
  • Can use poker.
  • Can use the shoutbox with poker.
  • Can view stats data of poker.
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What global settings exist?
There are a number of global settings, but only some are mentioned here, which can affect the game:
  • IP check.
  • Enable shoutbox
  • Pause time in the shoutbox
  • Enable emoticons.
  • Drop time.
  • Pause time.
  • Inactivity time.
  • Time of card presentation.
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phpBB Holdem Póker questions

Who made this phpBB Holdem Póker extension?
This add-on (in its original form) was created, published, and copyrighted by the JV-Arcade Group. It is available under the JVA JV-Arcade License, and may not be shared or distributed. Further information under the link.
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