This program may distributed freely, so long as this file is included. Please do not distribute modified versions, except for localization and translation to another language (We'll be happy to help with this if you need it). If you do localize/translate it, please send us a copy.
If you charge for the distribution of this program on disk or CD ROM, you have our permission, but we want to be notified in advance, and we want a copy.
Requires: Color, System 6+.
Overview
Deuces Wild is a simulation of some of the video poker gambling games found in Las Vegas and other gambling centers. Specifically, it is capable of playing the standard Deuces Wild, Bonus Deuces, Loose Deuces, and Jacks Or Better (no wild cards). These four games share a common foundation of dealing a five card poker hand from a fifty-two card deck, allowing the player to discard any of the original five, and then replacing the discarded cards with new ones from the remaining deck. The player is then paid accordingly, based on the content of the hand. What makes these games different from each other is their payoff schedules. The value of some hands differs enough from game to game so that each game requires its own strategy.
We have attempted to give these games the same feel they have in the casino, and so have added a Slot Club Card (more on this later) and the need to call for a Change Person should you run out of credits.
Basic Play - A walkthrough
Run the program. You should be presented with the Deuces Wild game window. In the upper left you’ll find a flashing message urging you to insert your club card. Click on this message or on the slot below it. This tells the program to get the list of Slot Club members so that you may select your name. Since this is the first time the program has been run on your computer you won’t have a member list. Click on New when asked what you want to do about this.
As this is your first time playing, you aren’t yet a member of the club. It’s easy to join - just click on the New button next to the member list and type in your name.
Once you’re a member you’ll be able to earn points while you play, which are redeemable for credits. The program will also remember your preferences and be able to set up the game the way you like it each time you return. You can have as many different members as you like. The program will store each person's information and preferences separately.
So, you’ve joined the club, your card is in the slot, and you’re ready to go, right? Well, not quite. You don’t have any credits on the machine. You need to call for the Change Person, so click on the Change button. The Change Light will begin to blink, and as soon as one of the attendants notices it you’ll be all set…
…At last, you’re ready to play. You can bet anywhere from one to five credits per hand. For the first hand, bet one credit by pushing the Bet One Credit button, then push the Deal button to receive your hand. Your goal is to make one of the hands listed on the screen, so you may wish to keep only some of these cards. Click on the ones you wish to keep, then push the Draw button. The cards you didn't want are discarded, and new ones dealt in their place. If you now have a hand that's good enough to win something the program will pay you. That’s it, you've played your first hand! Play one more hand, this time pushing the Play Max Credits button. This allows you to bet five credits and deal all with one button.
You can keep playing if you like. If you run out of credits, remember to push the Change button. Tip: you can call for change at any time, so if you see you’re getting low, press the button. That way, you can continue to play while you wait for change.
Standard Features
The Options Menu:
Sound: Does what you’d expect. If checked, the Mac plays sound effects during the game.
Club Card: Allows you to insert/remove your Slot Club card. This is exactly the same as clicking on the card slot.
Redeem Points: Gives you credits for the points you’ve earned. Each credit costs fifty points. If you have less than fifty points this item is not selectable.
Speed: Controls how quickly the cards are dealt and credits are paid.
Game: Lets you choose the variation you wish to play.
Supervisor: Professional version only.
Simpsons: If checked, the face cards have a Simpsons character drawn on them. (thanks/apologies to the person who drew these icons. No name was included with them, and we couldn't track you down.)
Advertising: If checked, the casino’s messages appear in the slot card window.
Instant Change Person: If checked, the change runner shows up immediately. Otherwise you have to wait for him/her to show up.
Auto Play: Lets you watch the computer play (perfectly!). Not available when Jacks or Better is selected.
Fast Auto Play: The computer plays, but does not show the hands. If you let it run overnight you should see some interesting results. Also not available when Jacks or Better is selected.
The Background Menu:
Pattern… lets you select from a variety of background patterns for the main window and for the backs of the cards. These wonderful patterns were designed by N. Jonas Englund, and are used with his permission.
Table Color… lets you choose the color you want for the table on which the cards lay.
Iconize: Shrinks the window down to icon size, letting you put the game aside without having to quit. When Iconized, clicking in the window brings it back to full size.
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What's new in 1.1:
Deuces Wild can now be played on smaller screens, such as the Apple 12" monitor, or the color powerbooks. The window is resizable, and as the window shrinks the program tries to keep the essential objects on the screen. The game is always playable, but with really small windows things get a bit cramped.
User-selectable patterns for the background and card backs, and a general improvement of the look of the program. Thanks go to Jonas Englund for his involvement in the makeover.
The Instant Change option.
The "Iconize" feature.
Jacks or Better. Many people wanted to be able to play the original video poker game, and we have added it. The program itself does not know how to play this version, so Auto Play is not available when Jacks or Better is selected.
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This program is shareware. If you find it entertaining, please send $10 to:
Steve Budrys
8349 Drop Camp St.
Las Vegas, NV 89123
Please tell us where you got the program. If you have an electronic address, tell us that too. If you include a formatted disk and a stamped & addressed mailer (or $4 with no disk or mailer), we'll send you the latest version, plus anything else we can fit on the disk. If you don't want to send money, send something interesting. Books, videotapes, clever gadgets, whatever...
We also have an advanced version of the program called Deuces Wild Professional.
It includes everything mentioned above, plus some features that will teach you to play perfectly.
• You can set up any hand you're interested in and find the correct way to play it.
• Find the EXACT value of each way to play any hand, BEFORE you draw to it.
• Have a supervisor observe your play, and correct out any errors.
• An in-depth, inside discussion of these machines and Las Vegas in general. We talk about what these machines are worth to you (If you put the program on Fast Auto Play and let it play long enough, you'll see that perfect play actually yields a profit!), where you can find them, the best and worst places to play, how to get complimentary rooms and meals while playing, how the slot clubs work, and more. Until now, only a handful of insiders knew this information. Now YOU can share in their secrets.
If you visit Las Vegas and like to play these machines, this package will pay for itself many times over.
