PC-SIG: World of Games/PC-SIG World of Games (CDRM1080710) (1993).iso/1819/CP.DOC

Text File | 1992-05-14 | 21KB | 463 lines

                              CRIBBAGE PARTNER

              Welcome to Cribbage Partner!  Cribbage Partner is a realistic
    representation of the popular and entertaining game of Cribbage.  The
    program requires only 128K and runs on the IBM PC/PCjr/XT/AT and
    compatibles.  Color and monochrome options are provided.  No color/
    graphics adapter is needed, and BASIC is not required.  A Microsoft-
    compatible mouse can be used if desired.  Following is an explanation
    of the features and playing options of Cribbage Partner plus a summary
    of the Rules of Cribbage.



               CRIBBAGE PARTNER FEATURES AND PLAYING OPTIONS

              Cribbage Partner substitutes computer simulation for the
    cards, pegs, and board of an actual Cribbage game.  Shuffling, dealing,
    and bookkeeping are done automatically, so you can concentrate on the
    strategy and (if you like) the scoring aspects of the game.  The
    special features of Cribbage Partner make the game even more enjoyable
    and easier to follow.


              Cribbage Partner consists of the following files:

                  - CP.EXE: The main menu and program driver.  Start by
    typing "CP" at the DOS prompt.

                  - CPGAME.EXE: The actual game simulation.  You can begin
    a game either from the main menu or by typing "CPGAME" at the DOS
    prompt.

                  - CP.DOC: The documentation file you are reading now.

                  - OPTIONS: A file containing the current default playing
    options.  You can delete this file anytime and a new one will be
    created with the original system defaults.

                  - SCORES: This file will be created after the first
    complete game played, and will hold a record of all games played.  You
    can delete this file anytime and a new one will be created after the
    next complete game played.

              The number of options available might seem a little
    overwhelming at first, but don't worry - Cribbage Partner selects
    default options for anything you don't want to bother with, and you can
    change options during the game.  Nevertheless, you might want to print
    out this file to have for reference the first few times you play.


    Starting the Simulation:  Type "CP" at the DOS prompt.  You'll see the
    Cribbage Partner main menu.  From this menu, you can select any of the
    following:

              - Play Cribbage Partner: The Cribbage simulation is loaded
    and play begins.  (More explanation below.)

              - Change Playing Options: You'll be stepped through menus
    which prompt you to toggle new default playing options (input device,
    color combinations, scoring options, etc).  Details in the next
    section.

              - Display Scoring Histories: The scores of all your complete
    games are shown, along with date/time played and winner highlighted.

              - Display Documentation File: The "on-line" version of this
    file.

              - Return to DOS.


    The first two selections above need a little further explanation:


    PLAYING CRIBBAGE PARTNER:

              Cribbage Partner follows the Rules of Cribbage as described
    later in this file.  When it's your turn to play a card, select
    discards, score your hand, etc., you'll be prompted by a message on
    screen.  Don't worry about making mistakes; Cribbage Partner will catch
    any invalid plays and have you try again.  A few features of this
    simulation are worth mentioning:

              Scoring Messages:  Whenever points are scored by either
    player, a short message appears which explains the scoring.  There is
    never any doubt about where the points come from on any play.

              Recommendations:  Whenever Cribbage Partner asks you to
    select a card to play (including discards to the crib), you may ask for
    a recommendation.  Cribbage Partner will indicate the card it
    recommends by an arrow on the screen.  You are then free to consider
    the computer's recommendation and play that card or play any other
    valid card as you desire.

              Replaying a Hand:  When each hand is finished, you have the
    chance to play the same hand over and try out different playing
    strategies.  When you replay a hand, all points and pegs are reset to
    their values at the beginning of the hand.  The same cards are re-dealt
    to both players.  Then you can play your cards differently and try to
    improve your score.

              Hand Recap:  At the end of each hand, a breakout of points
    scored by both players is shown.  This gives you a quick picture of
    your performance in pegging and scoring for that hand.

              Game Statistics:  After each game, a full screen of
    statistics gives a detailed picture of how you stacked up against the
    computer in about 20 categories.  (Only complete categories are
    counted; e.g., if the game ended before all your cards were played,
    then that hand isn't counted in your "average points" figure.  Note
    also that Muggins points are totalled separately from other
    categories.)  It's always interesting to see how much of your total
    score (and the computer's score) comes from pegging points vs. scoring
    hands vs. scoring Cribs, etc.


    CRIBBAGE PARTNER PLAYING OPTIONS:

              Many playing options are available, including screen color
    combinations, input device (mouse or keyboard), and lots of others.
    The "Change Playing Options" selection on the main menu allows you to
    customize those playing options to best fit your individual computer
    hardware and your personal taste.  Your selections will be saved to an
    "OPTIONS" file and invoked as default playing options for every session
    of Cribbage Partner.  You may change your choices anytime by selecting
    "Change Playing Options" again.  If you ever want to reset to the
    original system defaults, just delete the OPTIONS file altogether and
    Cribbage Partner will create a new OPTIONS file with the original
    values.

              The first two screens that appear after selecting "Change
    Playing Options" are self-explanatory.  (If you select the MONO color
    option, the second screen, which deals with color combinations, will be
    bypassed.)  Concerning the player's initials and the input device, you
    should know that you'll be able to change those selections at the
    beginning of each new session of Cribbage Partner (effective for that
    session only).  The monitor type and color combinations can be changed
    only from the main menu.

              Options appearing on the final screen need some explanation.
    You will be able to change these selections during play -at the start
    of each new game and at the end of each hand.  A short discussion of
    each of these playing options follows:

              Demonstration:  Under this option, the computer plays both
    hands and does all the scoring, with no input from you during the game.
    All cards are shown face up so you can follow the playing strategy.  If
    you are new to Cribbage, or have been away for awhile - or just to see
    how Cribbage Partner works - you may want to run the Demonstration a
    few times.  (No two runs are the same.)

              Automatic Scoring:  In this option, you decide which cards to
    play during the game.  However, the computer takes care of all the
    scoring (as in the Demonstration) so you can concentrate on making the
    plays.

              Manual Scoring:  You do all of your own playing and scoring.
    Each time you play a card, Cribbage Partner will ask you for the number
    of points you scored on that play.  Simply type the appropriate number
    and hit "Enter", or just hit "Enter" if no points were scored.  If you
    make a scoring mistake, you will see a message with the correct
    figures.  If you don't claim all the points you earned, you won't get
    credit for them.  Also, you won't get credit for more points than you
    earn, regardless of what you claim.  (Note: when claiming the point for
    "Go" at the end of each round, you must wait for the computer to
    actually say "Go" first.)

              Muggins:  Everything works the same as in the Manual scoring
    option except the computer will add to its total any points you scored
    but failed to claim.  (The computer will always claim everything it
    earns!)  Most experienced players use Muggins all the time - it's a
    good way to "keep on your toes".

              Prompt/Pause:  In the "Prompt" mode, Cribbage Partner will
    prompt you to press a key before continuing play after each score.
    This way, you will be sure not to miss any scoring explanations.
    Another mode is available which precludes the need for your to press a
    key after each score.  In the "Pause" mode, Cribbage Partner will pause
    one second after each pegging score and two seconds after scoring each
    hand, then will automatically continue on its own.  (Incidentally, you
    can "freeze" the action for as long as you like at any time by using
    your computer's "pause" button, e.g., the Ctrl-NumLock combination.)
    In either case, at the end of each hand, Cribbage Partner will always
    ask you if you want to replay the hand or continue play.

              Game:  The total number of points required to win a game can
    be changed between 121 (traditional) and 61 (short game).

              Beep/Silent:  At your choice, Cribbage Partner will alert you
    with a short beep when points are scored, invalid selections are made,
    and at other important times during play.  If you'd rather do without
    the beeps, choose the Silent option.

              Hard/Easy:  If you're a beginner, you may want to select the
    Easy option to scale the level of play to your experience.  Under the
    Hard option, the computer examines its cards more critically before
    making its plays.

              Box:  All the options discussed above that are currently in
    effect can be displayed in a Box or "window" on screen during play.
    You may especially want to select this option the first several times
    you play the game to remind yourself which selections you've made.  If
    you'd rather play with a less "cluttered" screen, the "No Box" option
    is available.

              Quit:  To quit a game altogether, press the F9 key.  You'll
    be returned to the DOS prompt without your current game score being
    saved to file.  To begin a new game, type "CP".


    Finally, you should know that Cribbage Partner "peeks" at your hand
    only to insure that no improper plays are made during the game.  Rest
    assured that the computer doesn't "remember" what cards you hold when
    making its plays.

    Enjoy the game!


                        SUMMARY OF FUNCTION KEY TOGGLES

              F1: Demonstration or Regular Play

              F2: Automatic Scoring or Manual Scoring

              F3: "Muggins" or No "Muggins"

              F4: Program will Prompt for a response from you after each
                  score or will Pause for 1 - 2 seconds before continuing
                  play automatically

              F5: Game is set at 121 points or 61 points

              F6: Beep after scoring or play Silently

              F7: Easy or Hard opposition from the computer

              F8: Display Box with playing options in effect or display
                  No Box

              F9: Quit game and return to DOS



                              RULES OF CRIBBAGE

              Cards:  In Cribbage, a standard pack of 52 cards is used.
    The King is the highest and Ace is the lowest ranking card of each
    suit.  For scoring purposes, all face cards count as 10 points, Ace
    counts as 1 point, and all other cards count as their numerical value.
    There is no rank order among the four suits.


              Cribbage Board:  The Cribbage board is a unique feature of
    the game and is the means of keeping score as play progresses.  The
    board used in Cribbage Partner consists of a track of 120 holes for
    each player.  The computer's track is the "outside" track and yours is
    the "inside" track.  (Both are labelled on the screen.)  Pegs are used
    to show each player's score throughout the game.


              Pegging:  At the beginning of a game, each player has two
    pegs located in the "starter holes" next to his track on the board.  As
    points are scored during the first hand, they are "pegged" with one peg
    in each player's track.  (Each player's other peg stays in the starter
    hole.)

                   After all scoring for the first hand is finished, the
    first peg for each player then stays in place, and the second peg is
    used to show points scored during the second hand.  Then the peg used
    during the first hand is used again during the third, and so forth
    alternately throughout the game.  Note that at any time during play,
    each player's front peg will show his total score, and his rear peg
    will show his score at the end of the previous hand.  The difference
    between the front and rear pegs shows the number of points scored
    during the hand in progress.


              Deal:  The first game is started by each player drawing a
    card from the deck.  The player who draws the lower-ranking card is the
    first dealer.  After each hand is played, the deal alternates back and
    forth between players (regardless of who won the previous hand).  The
    game continues until one player scores "Game" (a total of 61 or 121
    points).  The first deal of a new game goes to the loser of the
    preceding game.


              Play:  The dealer deals 6 cards to each player.  Each player
    must discard 2 of his 6 cards into the "Crib".  The Crib belongs to the
    dealer of that hand and adds to his score as will be explained later.
    Consequently, the dealer tries to discard helpful cards to the Crib
    while the non-dealer tries to discard worthless cards.  (The Crib
    remains face-down until all other cards have been played and scored for
    the hand.)

                   Next, the dealer turns up the "Starter" card from the
    deck.  If this card is a Jack, the dealer scores 2 points for "His
    Heels".  The Starter is not used during play, but will be used for
    scoring by both players at the end of the hand.

                   The non-dealer leads each hand by playing a card.
    Players alternate playing cards, trying to score points as will be
    described later.  The running total of cards played for each round
    (counting 10 for face cards, 1 for Ace, and the numerical value for all
    others) is important to know and is always displayed at the bottom of
    the screen in Cribbage Partner.


              "GO":  The first round continues until neither player can
    play another card without exceeding a running total of 31.  The first
    player who can't play without exceeding 31 enters "GO" instead of
    playing another card.  His opponent then tries to continue play by
    himself, pegging any further points that he scores, until he can no
    longer play without exceeding 31.  At that time, he pegs 1 point for
    "GO".  (Note: If you're playing Cribbage Partner in the Manual scoring
    mode, you must wait for the computer to actually say "GO" before you
    can claim the point.)  If the final running total for the round was
    exactly 31, the player of the final card pegs 2 points instead.

                   The running total is then reset to zero and a new round
    is started.  The player who entered "GO" during the first round starts
    the new round by playing a card from those still in his hand.  The
    cards played during the first round are disregarded during further play
    (Cribbage Partner erases them from the screen to avoid any
    distraction.)  Again, play alternates back and forth until another "GO"
    is reached or until all cards in both hands are played.  Note that the
    player of the final card always scores a "GO".


              Scoring during play:  As mentioned above, players score 1
    point for a "GO" or 2 points for reaching a running total of 31.  Other
    ways of scoring points during play include the following:

                  - Fifteen:  Playing a card which makes a running total of
    15 scores 2 points.

                  - Pair:  Playing the second consecutive card of the same
    rank scores 2 points.

                  - Triple (3 pairs):  Playing the third consecutive card
    of the same rank scores 6 points.

                  - Double Pair:  Playing the fourth consecutive card of
    the same rank scores 12 points.

                  - Run:  Playing the third or higher consecutive card of a
    sequence scores 1 point for each card in the sequence, regardless of
    the order in which the sequence was played, and regardless of the suits
    of the cards played.  For example, a sequence of Q-10-J-K scores 4
    points.  However, the series 2-3-3-4 is not a run at all and scores
    nothing.

                        Note that in making pairs, runs, and fifteens
    during play as just described, both players' cards are counted and not
    just each player's own cards.


              "Muggins":  Players may choose to play "Muggins" during the
    game.  When Muggins is in effect, each player adds to his total any
    points which the other earned but failed to claim.


              Order of Scoring:  After all cards of a hand are played, the
    4 cards in each hand and the 4 cards in the Crib are scored as
    described below.  The non-dealer scores first, using the 4 cards from
    his hand plus the "Starter".  Then the dealer scores his 4 cards plus
    the Starter.  Finally, the dealer scores the Crib, again adding the
    Starter to those 4 cards.  The above order of scoring is important, and
    can effect the winner of a game; Cribbage Partner will always insure
    the correct order of scoring is followed.


              Scoring Hands:  Points are scored for each hand as follows:

                  - His Nobs:  The Jack of the same suit as the Starter
    counts 1 point.

                  - Fifteen:  Every combination of cards with a total value
    of 15 scores 2 points.

                  - Pair, triple, and double pair:  Every combination of
    two cards of the same rank scores 2 points.

                  - Run:  Three or more consecutive cards in a sequence
    scores 1 point for each card in the run.  Suits are immaterial.

                  - Flush:  Four cards of the same suit in the dealer's
    hand or non-dealer's hand, not counting the Starter, score 4 points.
    If the 4 cards in the dealer's hand, non-dealer's hand, or the Crib are
    the same suit as the Starter, then 5 points are scored.  (Four cards of
    the same suit in the Crib which are not the same suit as the Starter
    score no points at all.)

                   Note that the same card(s) may be used as part of
    several scoring combinations in the same hand.  For example, a Jack may
    be "His Nobs", one of a pair, one of a run, and one of a combination
    totalling 15 all in one hand.  All valid scoring combinations are
    counted.  (Muggins applies when scoring hands, too.)


              End of Game:  After all scoring is finished, the cards are
    collected and another hand is dealt by the new dealer.  Play continues
    until "Game" is reached.  At that time, all scoring ends, even if
    players have cards which haven't been scored yet.  If "Game" is 121
    points and the loser scored less than 91 points, the winner is credited
    with 2 games.  If the loser scored less than 61 points, the winner
    earns 4 games.