The Easiest Way

The easiest way to start a new game is to use the 'Play' link for your team on your overview page. A detailed step-by-step can be found in section 6 of the Quick Start Guide.

1. Open your OVERVIEW page.
2. Find the team you want to play with.
3. Click the "Play" link to the right of the team.
4. If you're the server, choose a Proxy server and type in a game name, then click _Launch as Server_
5. If you're the client, your opponent should tell the proxy server to choose and a game name to type in. Then click _launch as client_.
6. If you're not using the proxy but a direct IP address, select "No Proxy" in the top Proxy dropdown and then fill in all the relevant info in the lower half of the Game Launcher box
7. Good Luck and Have Fun!

Note: To use this method, you need to configure your browser correctly - most notably .jnlp files need to be opened using javaws.exe. In most cases this is default, in others you will need to set this yourself.

Once the game finishes, the result will be automatically uploaded onto the site and team rosters will be updated to reflect Star Player Points, injuries, income etc. However, in some instances the automatic upload will fail and then you will have to manually report your result.

If this method is not working you can try one of the following methods:

Direct Connection

Direct connection is the best way to play games if you can do it. If you are on a dial up connection, it is better to be the client, but either player can be the server if their net connection supports it.

Check out Direct Connection For Dummies for an explanation with pictures!

Setting up as a client

1. Start JavaBowl by opening the bbowl.jar file.
2. Click on "Net Client"
3. Ask your opponent their IP address and port number
4. Type this address in where it says "Host:"
5. Type the port number in where it says "Port:".
   The port number is usually 8082
6. If the tick box to the left of "Proxy" is ticked, untick it.
7. Type in the link to the roster page where it says "Team 1".
   The roster page is the one you get when clicking on the green R icon to the left of your team on the overview page.
8. click the button labelled "options"
9. if the tick box for "FUMBBL login" is not ticked, then tick it
10. Wait for your opponent to tell you the server is ready
11. Click on "Join Game"

Setting up as a server

1. Start JavaBowl by opening the bbowl.jar file.
2. Click on "Net Server"
3. Type the port number in where it says "Port:"
4. If the tick box to the left of "Proxy" is ticked, untick it.
5. Type in the link to the roster page where it says "Team 1".
   The roster page is the one you get when clicking on the green R icon to the left of your team on the overview page.
6. click the button labelled "options"
7. if the tick box for "FUMBBL login" is not ticked, then tick it
8. Click on "Host Game"
9. Your IP address is displayed in the dialogue window just before "Server opening socket."
   Tell your opponent your IP address and the port number.
   8082 is the normal port number, leave it set to this unless you need to change it.
10. Once you have logged in and the team is downloaded, tell your opponent the server is ready

Once the game finishes, the result will be automatically uploaded onto the site and team rosters will be updated to reflect Star Player Points, injuries, income etc. However, in some instances the automatic upload will fail and then you will have to manually report your result.

Proxy games

Some people can't host games because of the way their net connection works (firewall or NAT). In the case where neither player is able to host the game, you can use one of the proxy servers.

Games on the proxy are more laggy and less stable than direct connections. If you get bad lag on one server, try the other one.

Main proxy server:
ip = fumbbl.com
port = 8082

Alternate proxy server:
ip = fumbbl.com
port = 8081

1. Set the game up as normal, but this time tick the box to the left of "Proxy:"
2. For "Host:" and "Port:", both players should put the ip address and port of the proxy server
3. in the box to the right of "Proxy:", both players put in the same name - choose any name that is reasonably unique, your coach name is a good choice.

Once the game finishes, the result will be automatically uploaded onto the site and team rosters will be updated to reflect Star Player Points, injuries, income etc. However, in some instances the automatic upload will fail and then you will have to manually report your result.

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