You will often be told Pro/Patch/No Bears (or PPNBF) when entering a game room.  What does this mean?

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Pro means we play on the Professional skill level (set on the Driver Check-In screen). If even ONE truck is set to a different skill level from the others, the game slows down for everybody. Sometimes you will show up as "Rookie" to someone else, even though you are set to Pro. This is an MSN Gaming Room glitch that happens on a regular basis. You will be told to "Reclick, please". This means you need to go to the Driver Check-In screen and re-select your skill level (change to Rookie, then back to Pro). Humor us - it only takes a second, and improves game performance.

(You should always play at Professional level anyway... it's the best way to learn!)

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Patch means you must have the latest (patched) version of MTM2. Otherwise, you will get an error message and probably cause glitches in the game. You can download the patch here.

No Bears means don't use the "Bear Foot" truck. Some people create and use customized trucks (yes, it's possible!) But for anyone else to see their truck, they have to download it and install it on their system. Custom trucks appear as Bear Foot to people who don't have the download, so you wind up with games full of nothing but Bear Foot trucks!  (Custom trucks are generally reserved for playing with friends who can be expected to have yours installed on their computer.)

If you show up as Bear Foot you will probably be told to "Reclick, please". Go to the Driver Check-In screen and reselect a non-Bear Foot stock truck. (You may also appear as Bear Foot to somebody even though you are using a different stock truck. This is an MSN Gaming Room glitch that happens on a regular basis, and you will be asked to reclick. Please take a moment to re-select your truck on the Driver Check-In screen.)

Some people still believe in "cheat" trucks. I don't believe that there is such a thing, since your computer interprets any truck it doesn't have installed as Bear Foot. You would have to install their truck pod to be affected by it, and the only difference in trucks is their shape. Performance-wise, there are no weight or speed differences. Some people will try to tell you that driving with your headlights on (or other such rubbish) makes you stronger. That's absurd - don't believe it. The myth of "cheat trucks" is just a comfort to people looking for an excuse why they were beaten.

TIP: Create a new driver named RECLICKING, and set him to play at INTERMEDIATE skill level. Instead of reclicking your truck and your skill level separately, you only need to select this driver and then reselect your normal driver. It also lets the players waiting on the Multi-Player screen see that you are reclicking. It is always a good idea to reclick whether you are asked to or not. It saves time. But wait until everyone has joined the game, or latecomers may still see you as Rookie Bear Foot.