Object of the game
	Object of the game Line up a valid "hand" of rats to make them exit through the door at the bottom of the screen. When the number of rats listed on the exit counter reaches zero, you move to the next level. The patterns of rats on the right side of the screen show the combinations of rats that can exit. The more complex the "hand," the more points you earn. The game ends when no more rats can enter the game field. See also How to Play


Using the game screen


Level

The level you are playing.


Score

Your current score.


Inactive
Inactive trap

An inactive trap. Use TAB to make it active. To be made active, a trap must have an arm pointing at it.


Hands

These are the valid "hands" and their point values. The hands can be made with any color of rat.


Trap
Active trap

An active trap. This trap is ready to trap rats.


Captured Rat
Trapped rat

A trapped rat waiting to be added to a "hand." Use SPACEBAR to trap and release rats.


Platform

The platform where rats line up to exit. If you have a "hand" that matches one of the valid hands on the right side of the screen, those rats will exit here.


Arrow

Rats begin to line up here to form hands.


Arms

These arms move captured rats between traps. Use the ARROW KEYS to move the arms. (On some levels, the arms don't move.)


Exit counter

Shows how many more rats must exit before you can move to the next level.


How to Play
	How to play • Trap and release rats to change their order. Just press SPACEBAR. • Arrange rats in patterns -- or "hands" -- like those on the right side of the game screen to make them exit and to earn points. For example, on Level 1, when you line up 3 rats of the same color, you earn 5 points when they exit.  • A trapped rat can be swapped with a passing rat.  • On certain levels, you can use the arms in the middle of the screen to move rats between traps. Press the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW KEYS to swing the arms. On other levels, the arms don't move.  • Sometimes you can change the active trap. Just press TAB.  • When a valid "hand" reaches the bottom platform, the rats exit. You move to the next level when the exit counter reaches zero.  • The game is over when when no more rats can enter the playing field. See also Object of the Game Game Screen Tips and Strategies Starting a New Game, Pausing, and Exiting


Tips and strategies
	Tips and strategies • Be patient. Wait until there are several rats on the ladders before you start creating hands. • Create same-color pairs as often as possible to use as building blocks. • Use the white rats as wildcards. • Use rats carrying plus signs (+) to double the value of a hand. • Avoid rats carrying minus signs (-). They halve the value of a hand. • Avoid gray rats unless you are collecting them for a hand. A single gray rat prevents the next 3 rats from exiting. • Rainbow hands can start with any color, but they must still follow the order shown on the game screen. For example, if you started a rainbow hand with a yellow rat, the order would be yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, pink, red, orange. • UP ARROW KEY = SPACEBAR; DOWN ARROW KEY = TAB • There are 20 levels in Rat Poker. You can change the start level instead of playing from the beginning. The following things change from level to level: the number and arrangement of traps, the types of available hands, and the types of rats. See also How to Play Game Screen Scoring


To start a new game, pause, or exit
	Starting a new game, pausing, and exiting To start a new game On the Game menu, click New or press F2. To pause a game On the menu bar, click Pause! or press F3. Click Play! to resume the game. To exit a game On the Game menu, click Exit. See also How to Play Game Options


Scoring
	Scoring You earn points when a certain combination of rats -- a "hand" -- exits the playing field. Below is a list of possible hands. Not all hands are valid on every level. • Use rats carrying plus signs (+) to double the points of a hand. • Avoid rats carrying minus signs (-) because they halve points of a hand. Note  Rainbow hands can start with any color, but they must still follow the order shown here. For example, if you started a rainbow hand with a yellow rat, the order would be yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, purple, red, orange.


Game Options
	Game options You can customize game options by increasing the game's difficulty, changing the start level, changing the default name that appears in the High Scores list, and turning the background music and sound effects on or off. You can also have the game ask for your name each time you earn a high score, reset the high scores, and turn Quick Help and Quick Tips on or off. Click the option you want: Changing the Start Level Changing the Default Player Name Turning the Background Music On or Off Turning the Sound Effects On or Off Turning Ask for Player's Name On or Off Resetting the High Scores Turning Quick Help On or Off Turning Quick Tips On or Off


To change the start level
	To change the start level 1  On the Game menu, click Options. 2  In the Start Level section of the Rat Poker Options dialog box, click the up or down arrow to increase or decrease the start level.  Each level starts with a tip that tells you the special features of that level. There are 20 levels in Rat Poker. The following things change from level to level: • Number and arrangement of traps. • Types of available hands. • Types of rats. See also Game Options


Special features on each level
	Special features on each level Each level starts with a tip for that level. Level 1: Use SPACEBAR to trap rats. Level 2: Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW KEYS to switch between traps. Level 3: You can trap two rats at a time -- use TAB to switch between the two traps. Level 4: Use TAB to change the active trap. Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW KEYS to swing the arms. Level 5: New hand! 5 rats of the same color. Level 6: Some rats now have plus (+) and minus (-) signs.  A plus sign doubles the points for the hand and a minus sign gives you half the points. Level 7: New hand! Two sets of 3 in a row.  Level 8:  White rats are wild! You can use them for any color rat.  Level 9: On this level, there are 3 traps and 3 arms. Press TAB to change the active trap. Level 10: The rats are moving faster! Can you keep up? Level 11: New hand! A rainbow of 6 different colors in the right order will boost your score. Level 12: 4 of a kind is not allowed. Level 13: New hand! A hand of 4 of a kind plus 3 of a kind. Watch out -- a single gray rat prevents the next 3 rats from exiting.  Level 14:  A pinwheel of four arms lets you move rats among the traps. Level 15:  The challenge gets harder as 4 of a kind and 5 of a kind aren't allowed. Level 16: 4 of a kind and 5 of a kind are back in the game! Level 17: New hands! 7 of a kind and a rainbow of 7 different colors. Level 18: No rainbow hands allowed. Level 19: The pinwheel is back and all hands are in the game!  Level 20:  Rescue 99 rats to win this level.


To change the default player name
	To change the default player name You can change the name that appears by default in the High Scores list. 1  On the Game menu, click Options. 2  In the Rat Poker Options dialog box, type your name in the Please enter your name box. See also Game Options Ask for Player's Name


To turn the background music on or off
	To turn the background music on or off 1  On the Game menu, click Options. 2  Select or clear the Background Music check box in the Rat Poker Options dialog box. See also Game Options


To turn the sound effects on or off
	To turn the sound effects on or off 1  On the Game menu, click Options. 2  In the Rat Poker Options dialog box, select or clear the Sound Effects check box. See also Game Options


To turn Ask for player's name on or off
	To turn Ask for player's name on or off You can choose to have your name appear automatically in the High Scores list when you earn a high score, or you can enter your name each time you earn a high score. 1  On the Game menu, click Options. 2  In the Rat Poker Options dialog box, select the Ask for player's name check box if you want to enter a name each time you earn a high score. Clear the box if you want the name in the box to appear automatically in the High Scores list. See also Game Options


To reset the high scores
	To reset the high scores When you reset the High Scores list, all high scores listed return to zero. 1  On the Game menu, click High Scores. 2  In the High Scores for Rat Poker dialog box, click Reset. See also Game Options


To turn Quick Help on or off
	To turn Quick Help on or off Quick Help provides brief instructions for the game, including the game's Objective and How to Play. 1  On the Help menu, click Quick Help. 2  In the Rat Poker Quick Help dialog box, select or clear the Skip Quick Help at Startup check box. See also Game Options


To turn Quick Tips on or off
	To turn Quick Tips on or off Quick Tips provide quick information on key game features as they appear or levels as they occur. 1  On the Help menu, click Show Quick Tips. 2  When Show Quick Tips is checked, Quick Tips will appear during gameplay. When Show Quick Tips is cleared, Quick Tips will not appear. See also Game Options


Credits
	Credits Mir-Dialogue Project Manager: Valeri Mirantsev Concept: Alexey Chudochkin Producer: Andrey Novikov Lead Programmer: Nickolay Reshetnyak Programmers: Vadim Kuznetsov, Nadya Romanchuk Lead Artist: Marina Lenskaya Lead Composer: Igor Krasilnikov Software Test Lead: Yury Romanchuk Technical Support: Sergey Pshenichnikov Microsoft Producer: Zachary M. Drake Game Designer: Alexey Pajitnov Product Planner: Heather Burgess Product Manager: Ann Martinson Localization Project Manager: Laurence K. Smith Technical Support Lead: Steven Kastner  Software Test Leads: Steve Sanford, Matt Gradwohl, Eric Spunaugle Software Testers: Brian Hunt, Paul H. Gradwohl, Sean Kellogg Beta Coordinator: Andy Wood Setup Developer: David Shoemaker Help Developer: Maximilien X. Klaisner Writers: Tricia Hoffman, Pamela Janello, Alexandra Shapiro Editor: Amy Robison Art Director: Jennifer Epps Jewel Case Artist: Chris Lassen  Icon Artist: Connie Braat Usability Specialist: Sean Draine   Management: Stuart Moulder, Brian Bennink, Jo Tyo, Craig Henry, Ed Ventura