home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
PC-SIG: World of Games
/
PC-SIG World of Games (CDRM1080710) (1993).iso
/
641
/
MAREAD.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1989-02-28
|
9KB
|
165 lines
@@ @@ @@@@ @@ @@ @@@@@@ @@@@ @@ @@ @@@@
@@@ @@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@@ @@ @@
@@ @@ @@ @@@@@@ @@@@@@ @ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@@ @@ @@
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@@ @@@@ @@ @@ @@@@
A DOWN-UNDER PRODUCT/BY PETER E. KING
This program is distributed under the SHAREWARE concept. You are
encouraged to copy and pass on this program to friends, relatives
and countrymen alike [see C1987.DOC for restrictions]. This
program is not a demonstration, it is a complete working program
provided on a 'try before buy' basis. I sincerely hope that you
enjoy the game, but remember, the Australian author of this
program receives absolutely nothing for writing this program
unless you decide to register your copy. There are benefits in
doing so, however. You will receive the latest version of the
program together with full documentation and user support. Plus
you will be encouraging authors to write more quality programs
which are not copy-protected at a price you can afford.
WORLD-WIDE USER COMMENTS
Here is a selection of comments about this program from the
people who really count - YOU THE USER. I hope that it will
encourage you to take the time to learn how to play MAHJONG:
'I purchased the program thinking it would be like the Shanghai
game but I found it to be much more challenging and fun. Thanks
for a good program.' Alexandra Orazi, CA. USA.
'It is especially exciting to see my 70-year-old mother-in-law in
front of the computer and having fun too!' Linda Woo, WA. USA.
'I've never played the game before, but now I'm hooked' Pat
Clark, South Australia.
'... the wife is driving me crazy - she is well and truly hooked
on it!' John Cairns, New Zealand.
'Thanks for your excellent game MAHJONG. I've become an addict!'
Leo Koreman, Holland.
'... one of the best games I've come across' R.O'Brien, Australia
INTRODUCTION
Mahjong is a popular gambling game originating from China but
adapted and modified by many people throughout the world. Its
exact origin is unclear, however its development touches upon;
astrology, chess, gambling and, surprisingly, the Earths magnetic
field. Wherever the Chinese have settled around the world you
will find this game played passionately. If you walk the back
streets of Hong Kong and listen for the familiar clicking of the
tiles (the playing pieces in mahjong are called tiles) you will
see the fascination and excitement of this game. For those of
you that take the time to learn it, I hope that you will discover
the thrill and joy that so many have un-covered before you.
THE TILES
Study the various tiles carefully before playing the game. There
are three suits; Characters, Circles and Bamboos. Each is
numbered from 1 to 9. The special tiles are the 4 winds (East,
South, West and North) and the 3 dragons (White, Green and Red).
There are four of each tile, making a total of 136 tiles in all.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
CALL A player is one tile away from declaring 'Mahjong'.
CHOW Is a run or sequence of three suit tiles. Example:
5-6-7 of Bamboo, 1-2-3 of Circles.
EAST WIND The person who is East Wind always starts first,
pays and receives double and remains East Wind
should they win the hand.
HAND There are 4 hands per round. If a draw occurs, then
it is called a DEAD HAND and the hand is repeated.
KONG A set of 4 identical tiles. Example: Four 1s of
Characters, four West Winds, four Red Dragons.
PUNG A set of 3 identical tiles. Example: Three 6s of
Bamboo, three South Winds, three White Dragons.
ROUND There are four rounds per game: East, South, West
and North (NOTE: 2 rounds only for beginners).
HOW TO PLAY
You have 3 opponents; LOWER, OPPOSITE and UPPER. You, the
PLAYER, are given thirteen tiles which are displayed at the
bottom of the screen. Your opponents are also given thirteen
tiles each, however these remain hidden from you and only their
discarded tiles are shown on the screen. Each player in turn is
given a tile and then they throw-out or discard one. When your
turn arrives, you will be given a tile on the right. You may
either discard this tile by pressing the SPACE BAR or keep it and
discard another by pressing the letters A to N. In the beginners
game, you must then press the SPACE BAR.
The aim of the game is to collect four sets of PUNG, KONG or CHOW
and a single PAIR of tiles, you may then DECLARE 'Mahjong'. To
declare, you must have at least 14 tiles (four sets of three and
a pair). The last tile may be given to you when your turn
arrives (SELFDRAW) or you may CLAIM the tile from any discard.
Watch-out! Your opponents may do the same!
Look at your opponents declared hands and see the SPECIAL HANDS
display for valid combinations of tiles for 'Mahjong'. A penalty
may be suffered if you declare on an invalid hand.
BEGINNERS should start by collecting sets of three only. These
sets may be completed within your hand and are called HIDDEN
PUNGs or CHOWs. The third tile may also be claimed from anothers
discard. These sets must be laid on the table and are EXPOSED to
the other players. Exposed tiles are shown on the bottom-right
of the screen. NOTE: The third tile for a CHOW may only be
claimed from the UPPER player. (The registered version actually
indicates the tiles that may be claimed by you).
To CLAIM a tile, you must first press the 'Tab' key. Then select
the option 'F1' to DECLARE, 'F2' for CHOW, 'F3' for PUNG or 'F4'
for KONG. Should you decide not to claim the tile then press the
'Esc' key (above the 'Tab' key) to continue the game.
Scoring is determined by adding up the number of points obtained
and then doubling this base score. The number of doubles
obtained depend on whether certain tiles or combination of tiles
are held in the hand. E.g. A pung of dragons, scores a double,
also an all pung hand or all chow hand. A hand with all tiles in
the one suit scores three doubles! The total score (limited to
1,000 points) is then deducted from each player (remember East
pays and receives double) and given to the winner of the hand.
PAUSE the game by pressing 'F10'. QUIT the current game by
pressing Crtl-break or Crtl-C. This returns to the main menu.
Strict time delays control each stage of the game. If you fail
to respond within this time the game will automatically continue.
The challenges of the game are numerous. You may try to
establish a new high-score, you may try to obtain a higher score
than a friend, you may try to come out ahead or you may simply
aim not to be last! Final scores of over 9,000 at the
professional level are possible.
The large number of combination of tiles, together with the
possible strategies and speed required, makes Mahjong an ever-
increasing challenge of both skill and luck. To illustrate this
challenge, the following combination of 13 tiles in one suit
provides the maximum possiblility for 'Mahjong'. Any tile from 1
to 9 can complete the hand! Can you see all the PUNGs and CHOWs?
1-1-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-9-9
(C) 1986-1989 PROCON SOFTWARE, BOX 43, ESSENDON 3040, AUSTRALIA