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1992-02-09
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207 lines
*** FOUR-HANDED EUCHRE ***
Version 1.1
Copyright 1992
David Feltz
Four-Handed Euchre consists of two files, EUCHRE.EXE and
EUCHRE.DOC, and is being distributed as Shareware. Both files may
be copied and distributed freely, so long as no money is charged.
Organizations in the business of distributing Shareware programs
may charge a small fee to cover distribution costs. If you like
the program and intend to keep using it, please mail $10.00 (U.S.
Funds only!) to:
David Feltz
13400 Whitaker Dr.
Milton, IN 47357
Suggestions and comments may be sent to the above address.
Your support, provided through suggestions, comments, and
PAYMENT, will help to ensure the future availability of user
supported software(Shareware).
REGISTERED USERS OF FOUR-HANDED EUCHRE VERSION 1 :
Your previous registration payment also covers this release.
You are not required to pay again. You can however send me your
name and address (please include comments and suggestions) so I
will know which version you are using.
PART ONE -- PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Four-Handed Euchre is an interactive card game in which one
"human" player may participate. The other three players are
computer controlled. The game was written entirely in the C
language using Borland C++ 2.0. Four-Handed Euchre requires
less than 100K bytes of memory and should function on any color
or monochrome IBM or compatible system.
CHANGES MADE IN RELEASE 1.1
Several changes were made in this release of the game. These
include fixes for all reported bugs, user control of game speed,
removal of that nasty configuration screen, internal code re-
structuring which resulted in a smaller executable file, somewhat
better computer player intelligence (hopefully!!), and a correc-
tion for my new mailing address.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR FOUR-HANDED EUCHRE?
The future of Four-Handed Euchre is uncertain right now. I
have many ideas for improvements including graphics support,
expert mode so the players don't make mistakes, save a game in
progress capability, possibly modem support, and much more. I'm
not sure if I can put any more time and effort into development
of this software. Although I write programs as a hobby, I do
expect users to pay. With the small number of Euchre players out
there and the ones who don't bother to compensate me for my time
and effort, I may be forced to abandon Four-Handed Euchre for
good. To those who pay for share ware software, THANKS!!!
PART TWO -- STARTING THE PROGRAM
Four-Handed Euchre may be started by entering: EUCHRE at
the dos prompt. In the unlikely event display problems are
encountered, try starting Four-Handed Euchre by entering:
EUCHRE/B. This places the software in BIOS compatibility mode and
may eliminate some display hardware conflicts.
PART THREE -- PROGRAM OPERATION
DEALING THE CARDS
If a new game has been started, the "Human" player's
computer generated partner will be the first to deal. The deal
will then move to the left on each successive hand. The act of
dealing the cards will be performed by the PC, even if it is the
"Human" player's deal.
The dealer will distribute the cards in a clockwise
direction starting with the player on his or her left. In keeping
with the rules of the game, each player will receive three cards,
then two cards. After each player has all five cards, the dealer
will turn one card up in the middle of the screen. The "Human"
player's cards are face up at the bottom of the screen and his or
her partner's cards are at the top of the screen. The opponents'
cards are on the left and right of the screen.
GAME PLAY
The game will be played by the rules of Euchre(described
below). The computer generated players will NOT cheat and the
"Human" participant will not be permitted to cheat.
When it's the "Human" player's turn, a dialog box will
appear covering the bottom portion of his or her cards. This box
will inform the player of what is happening and provide a list of
all the available options. For example, a dialog box might
display:
IT'S YOUR TURN
<P>ass, <O>rder/pickup, <G>o alone
The desired option is selected by pressing the letter that is in
between < >.
Sometimes it will be necessary to select a card from the
hand for discard or play. Again, a dialog box will appear to
inform the player of the situation at hand. Also, a small arrow
will appear above the left most card in the players hand. Use the
left and right arrow keys to move the arrow so it is pointing
down at the desired card. Strike enter and that card will be
discarded or played, which ever is the case. If the player
attempts to renege (explained below), the speaker will emit a
tone and the card will not be accepted.
When the game is over, a dialog box will appear stating that
the game is over. It asks if the player would like another game.
If the answer is no, the program exits to DOS. If the answer is
yes, another dialog box will ask if new players are desired.
Answering yes will start the program over from the beginning
(configuration screen) and answering no will begin another game
with the same players.
BOSS KEY
The boss key is used to blank the screen and display a false
DOS prompt. This could be useful when playing the game at work.
To invoke the BOSS MODE, press the "B" key (upper or lower case).
As soon as it's safe to continue the game, press "B" again and
the game screen will return.
GAME SPEED
Game speed can be increased by pressing the '+' key and
decreased by pressing the '-' key. There are approximately 10
speed positions available. An indicator in the upper left corner
of the games screen provides some feedback as to the current
speed. Even though the speed indicator changes immediately when
the speed is increased or decreased, it may require several
seconds before the actual game speed changes.
PART FOUR -- RULES OF EUCHRE
Euchre is a card game usually played by four people with a
pack of cards consisting of nines through aces. The cards are
ranked downward with the jack of trump suit (called right bower)
as the highest card. The jack of the same color as the trump
suit (called left bower) is the second highest card and is also
considered a trump card. The remaining cards are ranked from the
ace down.
The cards are dealt to each player, three on the first round
and two on the second. After the last card is dealt, the dealer
places the next card face up to indicate the trump suit. Starting
with the player to the left of the dealer, each player in turn
has the option of accepting or passing the trump suit. If the
player accepting the trump suit is not the dealer, that player
orders the card up. If the player accepting is the dealer, he or
she picks the card up. No matter who makes trumps, the dealer
must place the card that is turned up into his or her hand and
discard one card in exchange for it. If all the players pass the
trump, it is turned down, and each player in turn may make the
suit, that is, call another suit trump, or may pass again. If all
players pass the second time, the hand is abandoned and the deal
moves to the left.
A player making trump may go alone without the aid of his or
her partner. The partner will give the player the best card
he or she has available and the player will discard one card in
exchange for it. As soon as a player makes trump, the player to
the left of the dealer leads. Each player must play a card. If
the player has cards of the same suit as that led, that suit must
be played. Please note, the jack of the same color as trump (left
bower) is played as if it had the same suit as trump. Failure to
follow suit is called reneging and will not be allowed. If the
player doesn't have cards of the same suit as that led, any card
may be played, including a trump.
Tricks are taken by the highest card of the suit led or by
the highest trump. Cards that are not trump or the same suit as
that led, can never take a trick. The player who took the trick
then becomes the lead. Play continues until all cards have been
played.
The object of the game is for the team making trump to take
three or four tricks, which would score them 1 point. Taking five
tricks would score them two points, unless the player went alone,
which would score four points. Failure to take at least three
tricks is referred to as being euchred and scores the oppo-
nent
team two points. The game is played to five points or ten points.
The team who reaches the agreed number of points wins.