Custom Block via Plugin on Forum Page based on Usergroup?

[محروم.كوم]

So yeah, I'm trying to show a block at the top (above the first forum category) to one usergroup and a different block to everyone else. I already have the "everyone else" block working (for everyone though). How do I add a condition based on usergroup to the Plugin (set to forumbit_display) php?
I tried something like this:
Code:
if (!($userinfo['usergroupid'] != '18'))
{
stuff
}
else {
stuff
}
but that didn't work. in fact, I got syntax errors sometimes.

if it helps, I am using a few $yresult = $vbulletin->db->query_read's in the "stuff" to get certain parts of the block to update appropriately with what they show. could they be conflicting?

any help is appreciated __DEFINE_LIKE_SHARE__