diff --git a/docs/net_protocol.txt b/docs/net_protocol.txt
index 1dbcb536..d2e9da9d 100644
--- a/docs/net_protocol.txt
+++ b/docs/net_protocol.txt
@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@ Additional values for major version = 1:
 [Future versions will include the name of the game, to support
 multiple games per server.]
 
+Player Flags:
+	0x01 set: Player is human
+
 
 Server Reply: Join Game ACK
 
@@ -83,7 +86,7 @@ Server Reply: Join Game Error
 Reason:
 	0x01 - Version not supported
 	0x02 - Server full
-	0x03 - Game has already started
+	0x03 - Game is already running
 	0x04 - Invalid Password
 	0xFF - Other cause
 
@@ -95,7 +98,7 @@ Server Notification: Player Joined
 	+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
 	|        Message Type = 4       |        Message Length         |
 	+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
-	|         Player ID             |          Player Number        |
+	|         Player ID             |         Player Number         |
 	+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
 	|         Player Flags          |          Name Length          |
 	+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
@@ -105,10 +108,6 @@ Server Notification: Player Joined
 	/                               |            padding            |
 	+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
 
-Player Flags:
-	0x01 set: Player is human
-
-
 
 Server Notification: Player Left
 
diff --git a/src/gui/qt/mainwindow.ui b/src/gui/qt/mainwindow.ui
index d1d79ad0..9d3e1567 100644
--- a/src/gui/qt/mainwindow.ui
+++ b/src/gui/qt/mainwindow.ui
@@ -4223,17 +4223,11 @@
    <property name="text" >
     <string>Create Network Game ...</string>
    </property>
-   <property name="visible" >
-    <bool>false</bool>
-   </property>
   </action>
   <action name="actionJoin_network_Game" >
    <property name="text" >
     <string>Join Network Game ...</string>
    </property>
-   <property name="visible" >
-    <bool>false</bool>
-   </property>
   </action>
   <action name="actionFullScreen" >
    <property name="text" >
diff --git a/src/net/clientcontext.h b/src/net/clientcontext.h
index 829ae217..bfe1eaa4 100644
--- a/src/net/clientcontext.h
+++ b/src/net/clientcontext.h
@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@ public:
 	{return &m_clientSockaddr;}
 	sockaddr_storage *GetClientSockaddr()
 	{return &m_clientSockaddr;}
+	const std::string &GetPlayerName() const
+	{return m_playerName;}
+	void SetPlayerName(const std::string &playerName)
+	{m_playerName = playerName;}
 
 	int GetClientSockaddrSize() const
 	{return m_addrFamily == AF_INET6 ? sizeof(sockaddr_in6) : sizeof(sockaddr_in);}
@@ -66,6 +70,7 @@ private:
 	unsigned			m_serverPort;
 	std::string			m_password;
 	sockaddr_storage	m_clientSockaddr;
+	std::string			m_playerName; // TODO: use player interface.
 };
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/net/clientthread.h b/src/net/clientthread.h
index 4f72e7a5..4cd8b13f 100644
--- a/src/net/clientthread.h
+++ b/src/net/clientthread.h
@@ -41,7 +41,12 @@ public:
 	// Set the parameters. Does not do any error checking.
 	// Error checking will be done during connect
 	// (i.e. after starting the thread).
-	void Init(const std::string &serverAddress, unsigned serverPort, bool ipv6, const std::string &pwd);
+	void Init(
+		const std::string &serverAddress,
+		unsigned serverPort,
+		bool ipv6,
+		const std::string &pwd,
+		const std::string &playerName);
 
 	ClientCallback &GetCallback();
 
diff --git a/src/net/common/clientstate.cpp b/src/net/common/clientstate.cpp
index fd02e372..435d699b 100644
--- a/src/net/common/clientstate.cpp
+++ b/src/net/common/clientstate.cpp
@@ -320,8 +320,17 @@ ClientStateStartSession::~ClientStateStartSession()
 int
 ClientStateStartSession::Process(ClientThread &client)
 {
-	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> packet(new NetPacketInit(10));
-	client.GetSender().Send(packet, client.GetContext().GetSocket());
+	ClientContext &context = client.GetContext();
+
+	NetPacketJoinGame::Data initData;
+	initData.password = context.GetPassword();
+	initData.playerName = context.GetPlayerName();
+	initData.ptype = PLAYER_TYPE_HUMAN; // TODO
+
+	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> packet(new NetPacketJoinGame);
+	((NetPacketJoinGame *)packet.get())->SetData(initData);
+	
+	client.GetSender().Send(packet, context.GetSocket());
 
 	client.SetState(ClientStateWaitSession::Instance());
 
@@ -355,7 +364,7 @@ ClientStateWaitSession::Process(ClientThread &client)
 
 	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> tmpPacket = client.GetReceiver().Recv(context.GetSocket());
 
-	if (tmpPacket.get() && tmpPacket->ToNetPacketInitAck())
+	if (tmpPacket.get() && tmpPacket->ToNetPacketJoinGameAck())
 	{
 		client.SetState(ClientStateWaitGame::Instance());
 		retVal = MSG_SOCK_SESSION_DONE;
diff --git a/src/net/common/clientthread.cpp b/src/net/common/clientthread.cpp
index 35e4176c..84e699a2 100644
--- a/src/net/common/clientthread.cpp
+++ b/src/net/common/clientthread.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,8 @@ ClientThread::~ClientThread()
 }
 
 void
-ClientThread::Init(const string &serverAddress, unsigned serverPort, bool ipv6, const string &pwd)
+ClientThread::Init(
+	const string &serverAddress, unsigned serverPort, bool ipv6, const string &pwd, const string &playerName)
 {
 	if (IsRunning())
 		return; // TODO: throw exception
@@ -75,6 +76,7 @@ ClientThread::Init(const string &serverAddress, unsigned serverPort, bool ipv6,
 	context.SetServerAddr(serverAddress);
 	context.SetServerPort(serverPort);
 	context.SetPassword(pwd);
+	context.SetPlayerName(playerName);
 }
 
 ClientCallback &
diff --git a/src/net/common/netpacket.cpp b/src/net/common/netpacket.cpp
index 748f398d..04da19e1 100644
--- a/src/net/common/netpacket.cpp
+++ b/src/net/common/netpacket.cpp
@@ -21,18 +21,229 @@
 #include <net/netexception.h>
 #include <net/socket_msg.h>
 
-NetPacket::~NetPacket()
+#include <string>
+
+using namespace std;
+
+#define ADD_PADDING(x) ((((x) + 3) >> 2) << 2)
+
+#define NET_TYPE_JOIN_GAME					1
+#define NET_TYPE_JOIN_GAME_ACK				2
+#define NET_TYPE_JOIN_GAME_ERROR			3
+#define NET_TYPE_PLAYER_JOINED				4
+#define NET_TYPE_PLAYER_LEFT				5
+#define NET_TYPE_GAME_START					6
+
+#define NET_PLAYER_FLAG_HUMAN				0x01
+
+#define NET_JOIN_ERR_UNSUPPORTED_VERSION	0x01
+#define NET_JOIN_ERR_SERVER_FULL			0x02
+#define NET_JOIN_ERR_GAME_RUNNING			0x03
+#define NET_JOIN_ERR_INVALID_PASSWORD		0x04
+#define NET_JOIN_ERR_OTHER					0xFF
+
+#define NET_VERSION_MAJOR			1
+#define NET_VERSION_MINOR			0
+
+#ifdef _MSC_VER
+	#pragma pack(push, 2)
+#else
+	#pragma align 2
+#endif
+
+struct NetPacketHeader
 {
+	u_int16_t			type;
+	u_int16_t			length;
+};
+
+struct NetPacketJoinGameData
+{
+	NetPacketHeader		head;
+	u_int16_t			requestedVersionMajor;
+	u_int16_t			requestedVersionMinor;
+	u_int16_t			passwordLength;
+	u_int16_t			playerFlags;
+	u_int16_t			playerNameLength;
+	u_int16_t			reserved;
+	char				password[1];
+};
+
+struct NetPacketJoinGameAckData
+{
+	NetPacketHeader		head;
+	u_int32_t			sessionId;
+	u_int16_t			playerId;
+	u_int16_t			playerNumber;
+	u_int16_t			numberOfPlayers;
+	u_int16_t			smallBlind;
+	u_int16_t			handsBeforeRaise;
+	u_int16_t			gameSpeed;
+	u_int32_t			startCash;
+};
+
+struct NetPacketJoinGameErrorData
+{
+	NetPacketHeader		head;
+	u_int16_t			errorReason;
+	u_int16_t			reserved;
+};
+
+struct NetPacketPlayerJoinedData
+{
+	NetPacketHeader		head;
+	u_int16_t			playerId;
+	u_int16_t			playerNumber;
+	u_int16_t			playerFlags;
+	u_int16_t			playerNameLength;
+	char				playerName[1];
+};
+
+struct NetPacketPlayerLeftData
+{
+	NetPacketHeader		head;
+	u_int16_t			playerId;
+	u_int16_t			reserved;
+};
+
+struct NetPacketGameStartData
+{
+	NetPacketHeader		head;
+	u_int16_t			yourCards[2];
+};
+
+#ifdef _MSC_VER
+	#pragma pack(pop)
+#else
+	#pragma align 0
+#endif
+
+
+boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>
+NetPacket::Create(char *data, unsigned &dataSize)
+{
+	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> tmpPacket;
+
+	NetPacketHeader *tmpHeader = (NetPacketHeader *)data;
+	u_int16_t tmpLen = ntohs(tmpHeader->length);
+
+	// Check size restrictions.
+	if (tmpLen < sizeof(NetPacketHeader)
+		|| tmpLen > MAX_PACKET_SIZE)
+	{
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PACKET, 0);
+	}
+	else if (dataSize >= tmpLen)
+	{
+		// OK - we have a complete packet. Construct a corresponding object.
+		try
+		{
+			switch(ntohs(tmpHeader->type))
+			{
+				case NET_TYPE_JOIN_GAME:
+					tmpPacket = boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>(new NetPacketJoinGame);
+					break;
+				case NET_TYPE_JOIN_GAME_ACK:
+					tmpPacket = boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>(new NetPacketJoinGameAck);
+					break;
+				case NET_TYPE_GAME_START:
+					tmpPacket = boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>(new NetPacketGameStart);
+					break;
+			}
+			if (tmpPacket.get())
+				tmpPacket->SetRawData(tmpHeader);
+		} catch (const NetException &)
+		{
+			tmpPacket.reset();
+		}
+
+		if (tmpLen < dataSize)
+		{
+			dataSize -= tmpLen;
+			memmove(data, data + tmpLen, dataSize);
+		}
+		else
+			dataSize = 0;
+	}
+	return tmpPacket;
 }
 
-const NetPacketInit *
-NetPacket::ToNetPacketInit() const
+NetPacket::NetPacket(u_int16_t type, u_int16_t initialLen)
+: m_data(NULL)
+{
+	assert(initialLen >= sizeof(NetPacketHeader));
+	m_data = (NetPacketHeader *)malloc(initialLen);
+	assert(m_data);
+	memset(m_data, 0, initialLen);
+	m_data->type = htons(type);
+	m_data->length = htons(initialLen);
+}
+
+NetPacket::~NetPacket()
+{
+	if (m_data)
+		free(m_data);
+}
+
+const NetPacketHeader *
+NetPacket::GetRawData() const
+{
+	assert(m_data);
+	return m_data;
+}
+
+NetPacketHeader *
+NetPacket::GetRawData()
+{
+	assert(m_data);
+	return m_data;
+}
+
+void
+NetPacket::SetRawData(const NetPacketHeader *p)
+{
+	if (!p)
+		return;
+	assert(m_data);
+
+	u_int16_t tmpLen = ntohs(p->length);
+	if (ntohs(p->type) != GetType())
+	{
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PACKET, 0);
+	}
+	// Check whether the data is valid.
+	Check(p);
+	// Resize makes sure m_data is large enough.
+	Resize(tmpLen);
+	memcpy(m_data, p, tmpLen);
+}
+
+u_int16_t
+NetPacket::GetType() const
+{
+	return ntohs(GetRawData()->type);
+}
+
+u_int16_t
+NetPacket::GetLen() const
+{
+	return ntohs(GetRawData()->length);
+}
+
+const NetPacketJoinGame *
+NetPacket::ToNetPacketJoinGame() const
 {
 	return NULL;
 }
 
-const NetPacketInitAck *
-NetPacket::ToNetPacketInitAck() const
+const NetPacketJoinGameAck *
+NetPacket::ToNetPacketJoinGameAck() const
+{
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+const NetPacketJoinGameError *
+NetPacket::ToNetPacketJoinGameError() const
 {
 	return NULL;
 }
@@ -43,38 +254,59 @@ NetPacket::ToNetPacketGameStart() const
 	return NULL;
 }
 
+void
+NetPacket::Resize(u_int16_t newLen)
+{
+	assert(m_data);
+	u_int16_t oldLen = GetLen();
+	if (newLen != oldLen)
+	{
+		if (newLen < sizeof(NetPacketHeader))
+			throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INTERNAL, 0);
+		else
+		{
+			NetPacketHeader *newData = (NetPacketHeader *)malloc(newLen);
+			if (!newData)
+				throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INTERNAL, 0);
+			else
+			{
+				// Copy as much data as possible.
+				memcpy(newData, m_data, newLen > oldLen ? oldLen : newLen);
+				// Initialize new data to 0.
+				if (newLen > oldLen)
+					memset(((unsigned char *)newData) + oldLen, 0, newLen - oldLen);
+				// Set new len.
+				newData->length = htons(newLen);
+				// Switch over to new data.
+				free(m_data);
+				m_data = newData;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-NetPacketInit::NetPacketInit()
+NetPacketJoinGame::NetPacketJoinGame()
+: NetPacket(NET_TYPE_JOIN_GAME, sizeof(NetPacketJoinGameData))
 {
-	Init();
+	NetPacketJoinGameData *tmpData = (NetPacketJoinGameData *)GetRawData();
+	assert(tmpData);
+	tmpData->requestedVersionMajor = htons(NET_VERSION_MAJOR);
+	tmpData->requestedVersionMinor = htons(NET_VERSION_MINOR);
 }
 
-NetPacketInit::NetPacketInit(u_int32_t value)
+NetPacketJoinGame::~NetPacketJoinGame()
 {
-	Init();
-	m_data.test = htonl(value);
-}
-
-NetPacketInit::~NetPacketInit()
-{
-}
-
-void
-NetPacketInit::Init()
-{
-	m_data.head.type = htons(NET_TYPE_INIT);
-	m_data.head.length = htons(sizeof(m_data));
-	m_data.test = htonl(0);
 }
 
 boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>
-NetPacketInit::Clone() const
+NetPacketJoinGame::Clone() const
 {
-	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> newPacket(new NetPacketInit);
+	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> newPacket(new NetPacketJoinGame);
 	try
 	{
-		newPacket->SetData(GetData());
+		newPacket->SetRawData(GetRawData());
 	} catch (const NetException &)
 	{
 		// Need to return the new packet anyway.
@@ -82,63 +314,92 @@ NetPacketInit::Clone() const
 	return newPacket;
 }
 
-const NetPacketHeader *
-NetPacketInit::GetData() const
+void
+NetPacketJoinGame::SetData(const NetPacketJoinGame::Data &inData)
 {
-	return (const NetPacketHeader *)&m_data;
+	u_int16_t playerNameLen = (u_int16_t)inData.playerName.length();
+	u_int16_t passwordLen = (u_int16_t)inData.password.length();
+
+	if (!playerNameLen || playerNameLen > MAX_NAME_SIZE)
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_NAME_STR, 0);
+	if (passwordLen > MAX_PASSWORD_SIZE)
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PWD_STR, 0);
+
+	// Resize the packet so that the data fits in.
+	Resize((u_int16_t)
+		(sizeof(NetPacketJoinGameData) + ADD_PADDING(playerNameLen) + ADD_PADDING(passwordLen)));
+
+	NetPacketJoinGameData *tmpData = (NetPacketJoinGameData *)GetRawData();
+	assert(tmpData);
+
+	// Set the data.
+	tmpData->passwordLength = htons(passwordLen);
+	tmpData->playerFlags = htons((inData.ptype == PLAYER_TYPE_HUMAN) ? NET_PLAYER_FLAG_HUMAN : 0);
+	tmpData->playerNameLength = htons(playerNameLen);
+	memcpy(tmpData->password, inData.password.c_str(), passwordLen);
+	memcpy(tmpData->password + ADD_PADDING(passwordLen), inData.playerName.c_str(), playerNameLen);
 }
 
 void
-NetPacketInit::SetData(const NetPacketHeader *p)
+NetPacketJoinGame::GetData(NetPacketJoinGame::Data &outData) const
 {
-	u_int16_t tmpLen = ntohs(p->length);
-	if (tmpLen != sizeof(m_data)
-		|| ntohs(p->type) != NET_TYPE_INIT)
-	{
-		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INTERNAL, 0);
-	}
+	// We assume that the data is valid. Validity has already been checked.
+	NetPacketJoinGameData *tmpData = (NetPacketJoinGameData *)GetRawData();
+	assert(tmpData);
 
-	memcpy(&m_data, p, tmpLen);
+	outData.ptype = (ntohs(tmpData->playerFlags) & NET_PLAYER_FLAG_HUMAN) ? PLAYER_TYPE_HUMAN : PLAYER_TYPE_COMPUTER;
+
+	u_int16_t passwordLen = ntohs(tmpData->passwordLength);
+	outData.password = string(tmpData->password, passwordLen);
+	outData.playerName = string(tmpData->password + ADD_PADDING(passwordLen), ntohs(tmpData->playerNameLength));
 }
 
-const NetPacketInit *
-NetPacketInit::ToNetPacketInit() const
+const NetPacketJoinGame *
+NetPacketJoinGame::ToNetPacketJoinGame() const
 {
 	return this;
 }
 
+void
+NetPacketJoinGame::Check(const NetPacketHeader* data) const
+{
+	assert(data);
+
+	u_int16_t dataLen = ntohs(data->length);
+	if (dataLen < sizeof(NetPacketJoinGameData)
+		|| dataLen > sizeof(NetPacketJoinGameData) + MAX_NAME_SIZE + MAX_PASSWORD_SIZE)
+	{
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PACKET, 0);
+	}
+
+	NetPacketJoinGameData *tmpData = (NetPacketJoinGameData *)data;
+	if (dataLen !=
+		sizeof(NetPacketJoinGameData)
+		+ ADD_PADDING(ntohs(tmpData->passwordLength))
+		+ ADD_PADDING(ntohs(tmpData->playerNameLength)))
+	{
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PACKET, 0);
+	}
+}
+
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-NetPacketInitAck::NetPacketInitAck()
-{
-	Init();
-}
-
-NetPacketInitAck::NetPacketInitAck(u_int32_t value)
-{
-	Init();
-	m_data.test = htonl(value);
-}
-
-NetPacketInitAck::~NetPacketInitAck()
+NetPacketJoinGameAck::NetPacketJoinGameAck()
+: NetPacket(NET_TYPE_JOIN_GAME_ACK, sizeof(NetPacketJoinGameAckData))
 {
 }
 
-void
-NetPacketInitAck::Init()
+NetPacketJoinGameAck::~NetPacketJoinGameAck()
 {
-	m_data.head.type = htons(NET_TYPE_INIT_ACK);
-	m_data.head.length = htons(sizeof(m_data));
-	m_data.test = htonl(0);
 }
 
 boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>
-NetPacketInitAck::Clone() const
+NetPacketJoinGameAck::Clone() const
 {
-	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> newPacket(new NetPacketInitAck);
+	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> newPacket(new NetPacketJoinGameAck);
 	try
 	{
-		newPacket->SetData(GetData());
+		newPacket->SetRawData(GetRawData());
 	} catch (const NetException &)
 	{
 		// Need to return the new packet anyway.
@@ -146,63 +407,176 @@ NetPacketInitAck::Clone() const
 	return newPacket;
 }
 
-const NetPacketHeader *
-NetPacketInitAck::GetData() const
+void
+NetPacketJoinGameAck::SetData(const NetPacketJoinGameAck::Data &inData)
 {
-	return (const NetPacketHeader *)&m_data;
+	NetPacketJoinGameAckData *tmpData = (NetPacketJoinGameAckData *)GetRawData();
+	assert(tmpData);
+
+	tmpData->sessionId			= htonl(inData.sessionId);
+	tmpData->playerId			= htons(inData.playerId);
+	tmpData->playerNumber		= htons(inData.playerNumber);
+	tmpData->numberOfPlayers	= htons(inData.numberOfPlayers);
+	tmpData->smallBlind			= htons(inData.smallBlind);
+	tmpData->handsBeforeRaise	= htons(inData.handsBeforeRaise);
+	tmpData->gameSpeed			= htons(inData.gameSpeed);
+	tmpData->startCash			= htonl(inData.startCash);
 }
 
 void
-NetPacketInitAck::SetData(const NetPacketHeader *p)
+NetPacketJoinGameAck::GetData(NetPacketJoinGameAck::Data &outData) const
 {
-	u_int16_t tmpLen = ntohs(p->length);
-	if (tmpLen != sizeof(m_data)
-		|| ntohs(p->type) != NET_TYPE_INIT_ACK)
-	{
-		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INTERNAL, 0);
-	}
+	NetPacketJoinGameAckData *tmpData = (NetPacketJoinGameAckData *)GetRawData();
+	assert(tmpData);
 
-	memcpy(&m_data, p, tmpLen);
+	outData.sessionId			= ntohl(tmpData->sessionId);
+	outData.playerId			= ntohs(tmpData->playerId);
+	outData.playerNumber		= ntohs(tmpData->playerNumber);
+	outData.numberOfPlayers		= ntohs(tmpData->numberOfPlayers);
+	outData.smallBlind			= ntohs(tmpData->smallBlind);
+	outData.handsBeforeRaise	= ntohs(tmpData->handsBeforeRaise);
+	outData.gameSpeed			= ntohs(tmpData->gameSpeed);
+	outData.startCash			= ntohl(tmpData->startCash);
 }
 
-const NetPacketInitAck *
-NetPacketInitAck::ToNetPacketInitAck() const
+const NetPacketJoinGameAck *
+NetPacketJoinGameAck::ToNetPacketJoinGameAck() const
 {
 	return this;
 }
 
+void
+NetPacketJoinGameAck::Check(const NetPacketHeader* data) const
+{
+	assert(data);
+
+	u_int16_t dataLen = ntohs(data->length);
+	if (dataLen < sizeof(NetPacketJoinGameAckData))
+	{
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PACKET, 0);
+	}
+	// TODO: maybe some semantic checks
+}
+
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+NetPacketJoinGameError::NetPacketJoinGameError()
+: NetPacket(NET_TYPE_JOIN_GAME_ERROR, sizeof(NetPacketJoinGameErrorData))
+{
+}
+
+NetPacketJoinGameError::~NetPacketJoinGameError()
+{
+}
+
+boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>
+NetPacketJoinGameError::Clone() const
+{
+	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> newPacket(new NetPacketJoinGameError);
+	try
+	{
+		newPacket->SetRawData(GetRawData());
+	} catch (const NetException &)
+	{
+		// Need to return the new packet anyway.
+	}
+	return newPacket;
+}
+
+void
+NetPacketJoinGameError::SetData(const NetPacketJoinGameError::Data &inData)
+{
+	NetPacketJoinGameErrorData *tmpData = (NetPacketJoinGameErrorData *)GetRawData();
+	assert(tmpData);
+
+	switch (inData.reason)
+	{
+		case JOIN_UNSUPPORTED_VERSION :
+			tmpData->errorReason = htons(NET_JOIN_ERR_UNSUPPORTED_VERSION);
+			break;
+		case JOIN_SERVER_FULL :
+			tmpData->errorReason = htons(NET_JOIN_ERR_SERVER_FULL);
+			break;
+		case JOIN_GAME_RUNNING :
+			tmpData->errorReason = htons(NET_JOIN_ERR_GAME_RUNNING);
+			break;
+		case JOIN_INVALID_PASSWORD :
+			tmpData->errorReason = htons(NET_JOIN_ERR_INVALID_PASSWORD);
+			break;
+		default :
+			tmpData->errorReason = htons(NET_JOIN_ERR_OTHER);
+			break;
+	}
+}
+
+void
+NetPacketJoinGameError::GetData(NetPacketJoinGameError::Data &outData) const
+{
+	NetPacketJoinGameErrorData *tmpData = (NetPacketJoinGameErrorData *)GetRawData();
+	assert(tmpData);
+
+	switch (ntohs(tmpData->errorReason))
+	{
+		case NET_JOIN_ERR_UNSUPPORTED_VERSION :
+			outData.reason = JOIN_UNSUPPORTED_VERSION;
+			break;
+		case NET_JOIN_ERR_SERVER_FULL :
+			outData.reason = JOIN_SERVER_FULL;
+			break;
+		case NET_JOIN_ERR_GAME_RUNNING :
+			outData.reason = JOIN_GAME_RUNNING;
+			break;
+		case NET_JOIN_ERR_INVALID_PASSWORD :
+			outData.reason = JOIN_INVALID_PASSWORD;
+			break;
+		default :
+			outData.reason = JOIN_UNKNOWN;
+			break;
+	}
+}
+
+const NetPacketJoinGameError *
+NetPacketJoinGameError::ToNetPacketJoinGameError() const
+{
+	return this;
+}
+
+void
+NetPacketJoinGameError::Check(const NetPacketHeader* data) const
+{
+	assert(data);
+
+	u_int16_t dataLen = ntohs(data->length);
+	if (dataLen < sizeof(NetPacketJoinGameErrorData))
+	{
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PACKET, 0);
+	}
+
+	NetPacketGameStartData *tmpData = (NetPacketGameStartData *)GetRawData();
+	if (tmpData->yourCards[0] > 51 || tmpData->yourCards[1] > 51)
+	{
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PACKET, 0);
+	}
+}
+
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 NetPacketGameStart::NetPacketGameStart()
+: NetPacket(NET_TYPE_GAME_START, sizeof(NetPacketGameStartData))
 {
-	Init();
-}
-
-NetPacketGameStart::NetPacketGameStart(u_int32_t value)
-{
-	Init();
-	m_data.test = htonl(value);
 }
 
 NetPacketGameStart::~NetPacketGameStart()
 {
 }
 
-void
-NetPacketGameStart::Init()
-{
-	m_data.head.type = htons(NET_TYPE_GAME_START);
-	m_data.head.length = htons(sizeof(m_data));
-	m_data.test = htonl(0);
-}
-
 boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>
 NetPacketGameStart::Clone() const
 {
 	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> newPacket(new NetPacketGameStart);
 	try
 	{
-		newPacket->SetData(GetData());
+		newPacket->SetRawData(GetRawData());
 	} catch (const NetException &)
 	{
 		// Need to return the new packet anyway.
@@ -210,23 +584,24 @@ NetPacketGameStart::Clone() const
 	return newPacket;
 }
 
-const NetPacketHeader *
-NetPacketGameStart::GetData() const
+void
+NetPacketGameStart::SetData(const NetPacketGameStart::Data &inData)
 {
-	return (NetPacketHeader *)&m_data;
+	NetPacketGameStartData *tmpData = (NetPacketGameStartData *)GetRawData();
+	assert(tmpData);
+
+	tmpData->yourCards[0]		= htons(inData.yourCards[0]);
+	tmpData->yourCards[1]		= htons(inData.yourCards[1]);
 }
 
 void
-NetPacketGameStart::SetData(const NetPacketHeader *p)
+NetPacketGameStart::GetData(NetPacketGameStart::Data &outData) const
 {
-	u_int16_t tmpLen = ntohs(p->length);
-	if (tmpLen != sizeof(m_data)
-		|| ntohs(p->type) != NET_TYPE_GAME_START)
-	{
-		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INTERNAL, 0);
-	}
+	NetPacketGameStartData *tmpData = (NetPacketGameStartData *)GetRawData();
+	assert(tmpData);
 
-	memcpy(&m_data, p, tmpLen);
+	outData.yourCards[0]		= ntohs(tmpData->yourCards[0]);
+	outData.yourCards[1]		= ntohs(tmpData->yourCards[1]);
 }
 
 const NetPacketGameStart *
@@ -235,3 +610,23 @@ NetPacketGameStart::ToNetPacketGameStart() const
 	return this;
 }
 
+void
+NetPacketGameStart::Check(const NetPacketHeader* data) const
+{
+	assert(data);
+
+	u_int16_t dataLen = ntohs(data->length);
+	if (dataLen < sizeof(NetPacketGameStartData))
+	{
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PACKET, 0);
+	}
+
+	NetPacketGameStartData *tmpData = (NetPacketGameStartData *)GetRawData();
+	if (tmpData->yourCards[0] > 51 || tmpData->yourCards[1] > 51)
+	{
+		throw NetException(ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PACKET, 0);
+	}
+}
+
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
diff --git a/src/net/common/receiverhelper.cpp b/src/net/common/receiverhelper.cpp
index d9fd0d91..f321d8cf 100644
--- a/src/net/common/receiverhelper.cpp
+++ b/src/net/common/receiverhelper.cpp
@@ -98,50 +98,18 @@ ReceiverHelper::InternalGetPacket()
 	// This is necessary, because we use TCP.
 	// Packets may be received in multiple chunks or
 	// several packets may be received at once.
-	if (m_tmpInBufSize >= sizeof(NetPacketHeader))
+	if (m_tmpInBufSize >= MIN_PACKET_SIZE)
 	{
-		NetPacketHeader *tmpHeader = (NetPacketHeader *)m_tmpInBuf;
-		u_int16_t tmpLen = ntohs(tmpHeader->length);
-
-		if (tmpLen < sizeof(NetPacketHeader)
-			|| tmpLen > MAX_PACKET_SIZE)
+		try
 		{
-			// Invalid packet - reset input buffer.
+			// This call will also handle the memmove stuff, i.e.
+			// buffering for partial packets.
+			tmpPacket = NetPacket::Create(m_tmpInBuf, m_tmpInBufSize);
+		} catch (const NetException &)
+		{
+			// Reset buffer on error.
 			m_tmpInBufSize = 0;
 		}
-		else if (m_tmpInBufSize >= tmpLen)
-		{
-			tmpPacket = InternalCreateNetPacket(tmpHeader);
-			m_tmpInBufSize -= tmpLen;
-		}
-	}
-	return tmpPacket;
-}
-
-boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>
-ReceiverHelper::InternalCreateNetPacket(const NetPacketHeader *p)
-{
-	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> tmpPacket;
-
-	try
-	{
-		switch(ntohs(p->type))
-		{
-			case NET_TYPE_INIT:
-				tmpPacket = boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>(new NetPacketInit);
-				break;
-			case NET_TYPE_INIT_ACK:
-				tmpPacket = boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>(new NetPacketInitAck);
-				break;
-			case NET_TYPE_GAME_START:
-				tmpPacket = boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket>(new NetPacketGameStart);
-				break;
-		}
-		if (tmpPacket.get())
-			tmpPacket->SetData(p);
-	} catch (const NetException &)
-	{
-		tmpPacket.reset();
 	}
 	return tmpPacket;
 }
diff --git a/src/net/common/senderthread.cpp b/src/net/common/senderthread.cpp
index aa1ddd61..326245ab 100644
--- a/src/net/common/senderthread.cpp
+++ b/src/net/common/senderthread.cpp
@@ -71,11 +71,11 @@ SenderThread::Main()
 				if (IS_VALID_SOCKET(tmpData.second))
 					m_curSocket = tmpData.second;
 
-				u_int16_t tmpLen = ntohs(tmpData.first->GetData()->length);
+				u_int16_t tmpLen = tmpData.first->GetLen();
 				if (tmpLen <= MAX_PACKET_SIZE)
 				{
 					m_tmpOutBufSize = tmpLen;
-					memcpy(m_tmpOutBuf, tmpData.first->GetData(), m_tmpOutBufSize);
+					memcpy(m_tmpOutBuf, tmpData.first->GetRawData(), tmpLen);
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ SenderThread::Main()
 				}
 				else if ((unsigned)bytesSent < m_tmpOutBufSize)
 				{
-					m_tmpOutBufSize = m_tmpOutBufSize - (unsigned)bytesSent;
+					m_tmpOutBufSize -= (unsigned)bytesSent;
 					memmove(m_tmpOutBuf, m_tmpOutBuf + bytesSent, m_tmpOutBufSize);
 				}
 				else
diff --git a/src/net/common/serverrecvstate.cpp b/src/net/common/serverrecvstate.cpp
index c13d712e..7091da6c 100644
--- a/src/net/common/serverrecvstate.cpp
+++ b/src/net/common/serverrecvstate.cpp
@@ -72,10 +72,13 @@ ServerRecvStateInit::Process(ServerRecvThread &server)
 		{
 			if (session->GetState() == SessionData::Init)
 			{
-				// Only accept init packets.
-				if (packet->ToNetPacketInit())
+				// Only accept join game packets.
+				const NetPacketJoinGame *tmpPacket = packet->ToNetPacketJoinGame();
+				if (tmpPacket)
 				{
-					boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> answer(new NetPacketInitAck);
+					// TODO: check password
+					// TODO: display name
+					boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> answer(new NetPacketJoinGameAck);
 					server.GetSender().Send(answer, recvSock);
 					session->SetState(SessionData::Established);
 				}
diff --git a/src/net/netpacket.h b/src/net/netpacket.h
index 638e5267..85156c66 100644
--- a/src/net/netpacket.h
+++ b/src/net/netpacket.h
@@ -25,128 +25,166 @@
 #include <boost/shared_ptr.hpp>
 #include <net/socket_helper.h>
 
-#define MAX_PACKET_SIZE		256
+#define MIN_PACKET_SIZE				4
+#define MAX_PACKET_SIZE				256
+#define MAX_NAME_SIZE				64
+#define MAX_PASSWORD_SIZE			64
 
-#define NET_TYPE_INIT			0
-#define NET_TYPE_INIT_ACK		1
-#define NET_TYPE_GAME_START		2
-
-#ifdef _MSC_VER
-	#pragma pack(push, 2)
-#else
-	#pragma align 2
-#endif
-
-struct NetPacketHeader
+// TODO: move this somewhere else
+enum PlayerType
 {
-	u_int16_t	type;
-	u_int16_t	length;
+	PLAYER_TYPE_COMPUTER,
+	PLAYER_TYPE_HUMAN
 };
 
-struct NetPacketInitData
+enum JoinGameErrorReason
 {
-	NetPacketHeader head;
-	u_int32_t	test;
+	JOIN_UNSUPPORTED_VERSION,
+	JOIN_SERVER_FULL,
+	JOIN_GAME_RUNNING,
+	JOIN_INVALID_PASSWORD,
+	JOIN_UNKNOWN
 };
 
-struct NetPacketInitAckData
-{
-	NetPacketHeader head;
-	u_int32_t	test;
-};
+struct NetPacketHeader;
 
-struct NetPacketGameStartData
-{
-	NetPacketHeader head;
-	u_int32_t	test;
-};
-
-#ifdef _MSC_VER
-	#pragma pack(pop)
-#else
-	#pragma align 0
-#endif
-
-class NetPacketInit;
-class NetPacketInitAck;
+class NetPacketJoinGame;
+class NetPacketJoinGameAck;
+class NetPacketJoinGameError;
 class NetPacketGameStart;
 
 class NetPacket
 {
 public:
+	static boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> Create(char *data, unsigned &dataSize);
+
+	NetPacket(u_int16_t type, u_int16_t initialLen);
 	virtual ~NetPacket();
 
 	virtual boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> Clone() const = 0;
 
-	virtual void SetData(const NetPacketHeader *p) = 0;
-	virtual const NetPacketHeader *GetData() const = 0;
+	const NetPacketHeader *GetRawData() const;
+	NetPacketHeader *GetRawData();
+	void SetRawData(const NetPacketHeader *p);
 
-	virtual const NetPacketInit *ToNetPacketInit() const;
-	virtual const NetPacketInitAck *ToNetPacketInitAck() const;
+	u_int16_t GetType() const;
+	u_int16_t GetLen() const;
+
+	virtual const NetPacketJoinGame *ToNetPacketJoinGame() const;
+	virtual const NetPacketJoinGameAck *ToNetPacketJoinGameAck() const;
+	virtual const NetPacketJoinGameError *ToNetPacketJoinGameError() const;
 	virtual const NetPacketGameStart *ToNetPacketGameStart() const;
+
+protected:
+
+	virtual void Check(const NetPacketHeader* data) const = 0;
+
+	void Resize(u_int16_t newLen);
+
+private:
+
+	NetPacketHeader *m_data;
 };
 
-class NetPacketInit : public NetPacket
+class NetPacketJoinGame : public NetPacket
 {
 public:
-	NetPacketInit();
-	NetPacketInit(u_int32_t value);
-	virtual ~NetPacketInit();
+	struct Data
+	{
+		PlayerType ptype;
+		std::string playerName;
+		std::string password;
+	};
+
+	NetPacketJoinGame();
+	virtual ~NetPacketJoinGame();
 
 	virtual boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> Clone() const;
 
-	virtual const NetPacketHeader *GetData() const;
-	virtual void SetData(const NetPacketHeader *p);
+	void SetData(const Data &inData);
+	void GetData(Data &outData) const;
 
-	virtual const NetPacketInit *ToNetPacketInit() const;
+	virtual const NetPacketJoinGame *ToNetPacketJoinGame() const;
 
 protected:
-	void Init();
 
-private:
-	NetPacketInitData m_data;
+	virtual void Check(const NetPacketHeader* data) const;
 };
 
-class NetPacketInitAck : public NetPacket
+class NetPacketJoinGameAck : public NetPacket
 {
 public:
-	NetPacketInitAck();
-	NetPacketInitAck(u_int32_t value);
-	virtual ~NetPacketInitAck();
+	struct Data
+	{
+		u_int32_t	sessionId;
+		u_int16_t	playerId;
+		u_int16_t	playerNumber;
+		u_int16_t	numberOfPlayers;
+		u_int16_t	smallBlind;
+		u_int16_t	handsBeforeRaise;
+		u_int16_t	gameSpeed;
+		u_int32_t	startCash;
+	};
+
+	NetPacketJoinGameAck();
+	virtual ~NetPacketJoinGameAck();
 
 	virtual boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> Clone() const;
 
-	virtual const NetPacketHeader *GetData() const;
-	virtual void SetData(const NetPacketHeader *p);
+	void SetData(const Data &inData);
+	void GetData(Data &outData) const;
 
-	virtual const NetPacketInitAck *ToNetPacketInitAck() const;
+	virtual const NetPacketJoinGameAck *ToNetPacketJoinGameAck() const;
 
 protected:
-	void Init();
 
-private:
-	NetPacketInitAckData m_data;
+	virtual void Check(const NetPacketHeader* data) const;
+};
+
+class NetPacketJoinGameError : public NetPacket
+{
+public:
+	struct Data
+	{
+		JoinGameErrorReason	reason;
+	};
+
+	NetPacketJoinGameError();
+	virtual ~NetPacketJoinGameError();
+
+	virtual boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> Clone() const;
+
+	void SetData(const Data &inData);
+	void GetData(Data &outData) const;
+
+	virtual const NetPacketJoinGameError *ToNetPacketJoinGameError() const;
+
+protected:
+
+	virtual void Check(const NetPacketHeader* data) const;
 };
 
 class NetPacketGameStart : public NetPacket
 {
 public:
+	struct Data
+	{
+		u_int16_t	yourCards[2];
+	};
+
 	NetPacketGameStart();
-	NetPacketGameStart(u_int32_t value);
 	virtual ~NetPacketGameStart();
 
 	virtual boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> Clone() const;
 
-	virtual const NetPacketHeader *GetData() const;
-	virtual void SetData(const NetPacketHeader *p);
+	void SetData(const Data &inData);
+	void GetData(Data &outData) const;
 
 	virtual const NetPacketGameStart *ToNetPacketGameStart() const;
 
 protected:
-	void Init();
 
-private:
-	NetPacketGameStartData m_data;
+	virtual void Check(const NetPacketHeader* data) const;
 };
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/net/receiverhelper.h b/src/net/receiverhelper.h
index 82090012..cddeb813 100644
--- a/src/net/receiverhelper.h
+++ b/src/net/receiverhelper.h
@@ -45,7 +45,6 @@ public:
 
 protected:
 	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> InternalGetPacket();
-	boost::shared_ptr<NetPacket> InternalCreateNetPacket(const NetPacketHeader *p);
 
 private:
 
diff --git a/src/net/socket_msg.h b/src/net/socket_msg.h
index abcc1cf1..f4bf7967 100644
--- a/src/net/socket_msg.h
+++ b/src/net/socket_msg.h
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@
 #define ERR_SOCK_SEND_FAILED			14
 #define ERR_SOCK_CONN_RESET				15
 #define ERR_SOCK_CONN_EXISTS			16
+#define ERR_SOCK_INVALID_NAME_STR		17
+#define ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PWD_STR		18
+#define ERR_SOCK_INVALID_PACKET			19
 
 // This is an internal message which is not reported.
 #define MSG_SOCK_INTERNAL_PENDING		0
diff --git a/src/session.cpp b/src/session.cpp
index 34678357..099cb23c 100755
--- a/src/session.cpp
+++ b/src/session.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,12 @@ void Session::startNetworkClient(const string &serverAddress, unsigned serverPor
 	if (myNetClient || !myGui)
 		return; // TODO: throw exception
 	myNetClient = new ClientThread(*myGui);
-	myNetClient->Init(serverAddress, serverPort, ipv6, pwd);
+	myNetClient->Init(
+		serverAddress,
+		serverPort,
+		ipv6,
+		pwd,
+		myConfig->readConfigString("MyName"));
 	myNetClient->Run();
 }
 
@@ -77,7 +82,8 @@ void Session::startNetworkClientForLocalServer()
 		"localhost",
 		myConfig->readConfigInt("ServerPort"),
 		myConfig->readConfigInt("ServerUseIpv6") == 1,
-		myConfig->readConfigString("ServerPassword"));
+		myConfig->readConfigString("ServerPassword"),
+		myConfig->readConfigString("MyName"));
 	myNetClient->Run();
 }