PC Shareware 1997 September/PCShareware-9-97.iso/gry/bridge/br.doc

Text File | 1996-04-19 | 28KB | 709 lines

                      MVP Bridge for Windows
                         by Steve Estvanik
                Windows programming by Craig Kellog
                    An MVP Software Production
                           version 2.1

This game is shareware.  You will have a trial period of 30 days or
20 uses, whichever comes later, to evaluate this program.  During
this evaluation period all of the program's features are available.
After the evaluation period has elapsed, the software will no longer
work.

If you like this software or find it useful, then you must register
with MVP Software.  To "register" a shareware game means to purchase
it directly from the developer.  (Shareware games are evaluation
versions only, which means you have the right to try them, but after
trying them you must either register them with the author or delete
them from your system.)  When you register you will receive MVP
Bridge Deluxe for Windows ver 2.1, which includes all of the features
found in the evaluation version, plus:

   * The full functioning software with no time limits
   * The latest version of the software (we update this program
     regularly)
   * Full-screen display at three different resolutions
   * Six background musical selections
   * Two different card face graphics
   * 20 different card back graphics
   * 27-page printed manual

To order, call 800-968-9684 toll-free 24 hours a day.  Please have
your Master Card or Visa ready when you call.  Or fill out the order
form in this manual and fax it to: 616-245-3204.  Make sure your
credit card number and expiration date are legible.  Or if you
prefer mail the order form and your check to: MVP Software, 1035
Dallas SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507-1407.  The price is $39.95 plus
shipping.

            How to Register Online and Receive
    MVP Bridge Deluxe for Windows ver 2.1 Immediately!

MVP is pleased that all MVP shareware products can now be registered
online, with immediate download of the registered version.  This
service is available to anyone in the world who has a Master Card or
Visa and can call from a modem.  To register MVP Bridge Deluxe for
Windows or any other MVP shareware game online, call InterComm at
1-310-858-6200.  Once you are connected, go to the MVP section.
There you may download any MVP shareware program free of charge, or
you may order and immediately download any MVP non-shareware title
or registered title.  It's easy and it's fun, so call today.

                     _______
                ____|__     |                (R)
             --|       |    |-------------------
               |   ____|__  |  Association of
               |  |       |_|  Shareware
               |__|   o   |    Professionals
             -----|   |   |---------------------
                  |___|___|    MEMBER


Steve Estvanik is a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
principle works for you.  If you are unable to resolve a
shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
member directly, ASP may be able to help.  The ASP Ombudsman can
help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does
not provide technical support for members' products.  Please write
to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 or
send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman at
70007,3536.

              --------------------------------------

         Download All the Latest MVP Shareware Games FREE

If your favorite BBS doesn't have an MVP file section, then you may
be missing some great shareware.  To get all the latest and greatest
MVP shareware releases, call one of the leading boards listed below,
and check out the FREE MVP file area.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan -- Ryan's Bar [phone]
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin -- Exec-PC [phone]
In New York, New York -- The Invention Factory [phone]
In Boston, Massachusetts -- Channel 1 [phone]
In Kansas City, Missouri -- Sound Advice [phone]
In Palo Alto, California -- Space BBS [phone]
In Reston, Virginia -- World Data Network [phone]

Or call Intercomm Online at [phone], the new source for
all of MVP's shareware and registered software.

Even better, tell your favorite sysop about the MVP Distribution
Network and how he can be assured of getting all of the latest MVP
shareware hits as soon as they are released.  See the SYSOP.DOC file
for details.

                      MVP is Now on CompuServe!

You can get all of the latest MVP shareware releases, and discuss
MVP titles directly with the authors on MVP's new section on the
world's largest online information network, CompuServe.  Just type
GO MVPSOFT to get to our section!  If you are not a CompuServe
member you are eligible to receive a FREE trial membership,
including software and online time worth almost $55!  That's right,
you get the CompuServe Information Manager software for DOS or
Windows, which normally costs $29.95.  Plus you get a free first
month of online access, worth $9.95.  And to top it off, you get a
usage credit of $15 of additional online time.

To take advantage of this free trial membership to the largest
online service in the world, call 800-848-8199.  Ask for rep 671.
And then GO MVPSOFT and talk to the MVP team on CompuServe.

       MVP is Now on the Internet and the World Wide Web!

You can get all of the latest MVP shareware releases, find out news
of future activities, and give feedback to MVP on the Internet.  To
visit our new home page, just set your WWW browser to this URL:

                  http://www.mvpsoft.com

While there, you can see descriptions of all our releases, download
the shareware versions with a click of your mouse button, and check
out full color screen shots for all of our games.  Be sure to leave
feedback telling us how you like our page!

If you prefer using direct ftp to get our files, you can find them
at the following sites:

                 ftp.mvpsoft.com/pub/mvpsoft
                 ftp.uwp.edu/pub/msdos/games/mvp
                 archive.uwp.edu/pub/msdos/games/mvp
                 ftp.he.net/pub/mvpsoft

These sites also have many mirrors, so just look for a game site
with an MVP directory, and you'll be assured of getting the best
games around!

                       Ordering Information

MVP Bridge for Windows ver 2.1 is available from the following
authorized distributors:

In the United States:
--------------------
MVP Software
1035 Dallas SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507-1407
phone: [phone]-hour order line only
       [phone] information, technical support, or orders.
fax: [phone]
order price: $39.95 plus $4.00 shipping in the US, $5.00 shipping to
Canada, $6.00 shipping everywhere else.  Michigan residents please
add appropriate sales tax.

In Australia:
------------
Budgetware
9 Albermarle St
Newtown NSW 2042
phone: [phone]          Fax: [phone]
order price: $A63.00 (includes shipping)

In the United Kingdom:
---------------------
Atlantic Coast Plc.
Station Rd.
Colyton, Devon, EX13 6HA
phone: [phone]            Fax: [phone]
order price: L34 (includes shipping and taxes)
Dealers please enquire.

In Denmark and all of Scandanavia:
---------------------------------
Pro-Soft
Benloese Skel 4 G
DK 4100 Ringsted
phone: [phone]             Fax: [phone]
order price: 295,00 kr. + VAT 25% + s/h 25,00

In Japan:
--------
P. & A. Company Ltd
302 Bellwins, 1367-23
Nakagami, Akishima
Tokyo 196
phone: [phone]               Fax: [phone]
BBS: 425-46-9143
order price: 6300 yen includes shipping and taxes

Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
---------------------------------
Topware PD-Service GmbH
Quadrat 0 3, 2
68161 Mannheim
phone: [phone]       Fax: [phone]
order price: 66 DM (includes taxes) plus 6 DM shipping

The Netherlands and Belgium
---------------------------
CSD -- Computer Solutions Dorth
Postbus 59
NL-7213 ZH Gorssel
THE NETHERLANDS
phone: [phone]       Fax: [phone]
order price: fl. 93,00 (includes VAT and shipping)

Italy
-----
Systems Comunicazioni srl
via Olanda
6 - 20083 Gaggiano
phone: [phone]            Fax: [phone]
BBS: [phone]
order price: Lire 87.000 IVA inclusa

Spain
-----
Friendware S.L.
C/ Miguel Angel, 6 2-5
28010 Madrid
phone: [phone]            Fax: [phone]
CIS: 100413,1667
order price: 5.600 Pts

        MVP Bridge Deluxe for Windows ver 2.1 Order Form

Name ______________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________

City _______________________________ State ______ ZIP _____________

Country (if outside USA) __________________________________________

Price of MVP Bridge Deluxe for Windows                       $39.95
Shipping and Handling (US)                                     4.00
Shipping and Handling (Canada)                                 5.00
Shipping and Handling (all other countries)                    6.00
Michigan residents add sales tax                               2.64
                                                              -----
Make check payable to "MVP Software"        Total enclosed:  $
Master Card/Visa information (credit card orders only)

Card number __________________________________________

Expiration date ______________________________________
-------------------------------------------------------------------
VOLUNTARY QUESTIONS:  Please help us determine what features you
====================  would like in future products.

Circle what type of equipment you have:  386  486SX  486DX  Pentium
Circle the speed of your computer(Mhz):  25  33  40  50  66  90  ___
Circle any that apply:   Joystick   Mouse   Modem_______   SVGA card
                                                 (speed)

Sound Capability:   Adlib   Sound Blaster   SB Pro   SB AWE32
    PC speaker only  Other ____________________________________

Where did you get the MVP Bridge for Windows evaluation version?
Friend  CompuServe  Channel 1  AOL  Space BBS  Sound Advice  Exec-PC
World Data Network  Ryan's Bar  Invention Factory  MVP's WWW Page

BBS (name): _______________________  phone # _______________________
    address ________________________________________________________

Shareware Distributor (name): ______________________________________

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Send this order form and your check to:

MVP Software, 1035 Dallas S.E., Grand Rapids, MI  49507-1407
Checks must be in US funds and drawn on a US or Canadian bank.

US or Canada 24-hour order line: 800-968-9684.  Fax: [phone].
Tech support, information, or overseas order line: 616-245-8376.

Installation
------------
To install MVP Bridge for Windows, run Setup from your Windows file
or program manager.

Brief Summary of the Rules
--------------------------
Bridge is played by 4 players.  All cards are dealt so each player
has 13 cards that are kept hidden from the other players.  Bridge is
played with 2 teams.  NORTH and SOUTH form one team, while EAST and
WEST form the other.  In MVP Bridge for Windows, you will always
play SOUTH.  A hand of bridge is divided into 2 parts: bidding and
play.  During bidding you try to describe your hand to your partner
and make a claim to the number of tricks you can take.  During play
you try to make the contract that you bid.

Evaluation of the Hand
----------------------
To decide how strong your hand is, we assign points to certain
cards.  These are called high card points or 'HCP'.  We rate an Ace
(A) at 4 points, a King (K) at 3, a Queen (Q) at 2, and a Jack (J)
at 1.

      Some examples:
            Kx          3 points
            AKx         7 points
            AQx         6 points
            KJXX        4 points

In addition, add points for length when bidding a long suit.
   1 point for the 5th card in a suit
   1 additional point for 6th in a suit
   2 additional points for 7th card in a suit.

When raising partner's suit with 4 card support, add:

   5 points for a void
   3 points for a singleton
   1 point for a doubleton

With 3 card trump support, add:

   3 points for a void
   2 points for a singleton
   1 point for a doubleton

Hand value = high card points + distribution points

When opening the bid add HCP and length points.  For deciding
whether your partnership has enough points for game, you can use
total points as follows:

Points required for game:

   3NT or major suit         26
   minor suit                29
   small slam                33
   grand slam                37

Bidding Primer
-------------
Bidding start with the dealer and proceeds clockwise around the
table.  The suits are arranged in the following order: CLUBS,
DIAMONDS, HEARTS, SPADES.  Thus 1S can be bid over 1H, but over 1S,
you must bid 2H.  Bidding a suit usually says that you wish to use
that suit as trump.  Bidding normally starts at the lowest level
possible, but there are also times when the bidder jumps the bidding
(For example, an opening bid of 2H or 3H shows a very different hand
from 1H.)

Playing in a suit contract makes that suit the 'trump' suit.  During
play, you must follow the suit played.  But if you lack any cards in
the suit played (this called a 'void'), you may play a trump, and
win the trick.  You want to play in trump if you and your partner
have at least 8 of the cards in a suit.  You may also play without
trump (NOTRUMP or NT).

Bidding continues until everyone has had a chance to bid and there
are 3 passes in a row.  The person who first bid the suit of the
final bid becomes 'declarer'.  The person to the left of declarer is
the leader for the first trick.  The declarer's partner is dummy -
her cards are turned over for everyone to see, after the opening
lead.  Your goal in rubber bridge is to win 2 games to make a
rubber.  A game is 100 points made by bidding.  This can be the
result of one or more hands.  Scores vary by suit.  CLUBS and
DIAMONDS are the minor suits, and are worth only 20 points each.
HEARTS and SPADES are the major suits and are worth 30 points each.
Thus a contract of 4H would give you 120 points, which is a game,
but a contract of 4D gives you only 80 points.

No trump is a special case.  The first NT level is worth 40 points,
and successive levels are worth 30 each.  Thus 2NT is worth 70
points, and 3NT is 100, a game.  If your contract does not give you
a game, it remains a partial score until one side makes game.  If a
contract is set, the defenders gain points.

The following sections offer some simple advice for bidding.

Opening Bids
------------
You have:

  HCP            Distribution of hand                 Bid
--------- ------------------------------------ -----------------
12-20      5+ card suit                         1 of the suit
16-18      flat (no singleton or void)          1 NT
20-21      flat (no singleton or void)          2 NT
13+        flat, but good 4 card major          1 of a major
13+        no previous bid possible             1 of better minor
5-9        7 card suit                          3 of the long suit
5-9        8 card suit                          4 of the long suit

In actual practice, the tendency is not to bid 4 card majors, unless
the suit is strong (eg, AKJx) and there is no alternative.  This
allows partner to assume that the opener has 5 in the major and to
support with only 3. If the suit is good, a 4-3 fit is acceptable.

Responses to partner's opening bid
----------------------------------
Partner bid one of a suit
-------------------------
You have:

  HCP            Distribution of hand                 Bid
--------- ------------------------------------ -----------------
< 6                                              Pass
6-9        support for partner's suit*           2 of partner's suit
10-12      support for partner's suit*           3 of partner's suit
13-15      strong major suit trump support       Bid a new suit, then
                                                 game in partner's suit
13-15      balanced                              2 NT
16-18      balanced                              3 NT
6-18       4 card suit                           suit at 1 level
18+        5 card suit                           Jump shift one level
                                                 in long suit
10+        5 card suit                           suit at 1 or 2 level
6-9        flat hand, no 1 level bid available   1 NT

* Support is 3 cards for partner's major or 4 cards for partner's
  minor.

** Jump shift: a bid that skips a level of bidding.  E.g., 1H -- 2S
   is a jump shift because you could have bid 1S.

Partner bid 1NT
---------------
You have:

  HCP            Distribution of hand                 Bid
--------- ------------------------------------ -----------------
8-9        Balanced                              2 NT
10-14      Balanced                              3 NT
< 8        5 or 6 card suit                      2 of the suit
< 8                                              Pass
10+        5 of a major, 5 or 6 of a minor       3 of the suit (forcing)
7+         6 card major                          4 of the major
10+        no 5 card major                       3 NT

Note: Most players use the Stayman convention which allows the
      partnership to find  a 4-4 major suit fit.

Opener's rebids
---------------
This next bid lets opener more completely describe her hand.

Opener started with 1NT
------------------------
Partner Bid       Opener's hand                Bid
-----------      ----------------------        -----------
    2 NT          17-18                         3 NT
    3 of major    3+ cards in partner's suit    4 of partner's suit
    3 of major    2 cards in partner's suit     3 NT

Opener started with a suit bid
------------------------------
Partner Bid          Opener's hand                  Bid
-----------          ----------------------       -----------
New suit: 1 level  12-15, no support for partner  1 NT
                   6 cards in original suit       rebid original suit
                   second suit of at least 4      show new suit
                   12-15, 4 card support          raise of partner
                   15-17, 6+ card suit            jump in original suit
                   16-18, 3+ support              jump raise of partner
                   19-20, 4 card support          4 of partner's major
                   19-20                          2 NT

New suit: 2 level  15-18                          2 NT (forcing)
                   12-15, usually 6 card suit     rebid original
                   < 16                           show second suit
                   < 16, support for parter       single raise
                   17+                            reverse*
                   17+                            jump rebid of opener's
                   17+  6 card suit               jump to game in opener's
                   17+  3+ support for partner    jump raise in responder's
                   18+, second suit               jump shift (forcing)
                   19-20                          3 NT

Bidding continues, with opener and responder describing their hands.
Look to bid a game contract with about 25+ points between the 2
hands.

This completes the overview of bidding.  Once someone opens, the
opponents can still compete, usually by bidding a new suit or making
a takeout double.  For more information on defensive bidding consult
any of the many books available in stores and libraries.

Conventions
-----------
A convention is an artificial bid that does necessarily promise
anything in the suit that has been bid.  For example, when
responding to 1NT, a response of 2C, Stayman, asks partner for a
four card major and is a completely artificial bid.  Responder may
have a singleton club!  Conventions are decided upon between the
partners BEFORE play begins.  All such agreements must be announced
to the opponents.  NO SECRETS.

The following are very brief descriptions of the conventions
available in MVP Bridge for Windows.

THE TAKEOUT DOUBLE
------------------
The most common usage of this bid is by second hand after the
bidding has been opened.  The bid "double" announces opening bid
values, with support for the unbid suits.  The range in HCP for a
takeout double is 11+.

STAYMAN
-------
A 2C response to an opening bid of 1NT or a 3C response to an
opening bid of 2NT asking opener for a four card major.

BLACKWOOD
---------
After the partner has agreed upon a suit, a bid of 4NT by either
player asks the other for the number of aces she has.  The responses
to Blackwood are:

  5C   0 or 4 aces
  5D   1 ace
  5H   2 aces
  5S   3 aces

After aces have been shown, a rebid of 5NT by the 4NT bidder asks
for kings.  Responses are the same only one level higher.  Note: As
a practical matter the responder to Blackwood is not going to have 4
aces because the stronger hand usually does the asking.

GERBER
------
A jump to 4C after partner has bid 1NT or 2NT asks partner for aces.
Responses to a Gerber 4C leap are:

   4D   0 or 4 aces
   4H   1 ace
   4S   2 aces
   4NT  3 aces

After aces have been shown, a rebid of 5C by the 4C bidder asks for
kings.  Responses to a 5C king ask are:

   5D   0 or 4 kings
   5H   1 king
   5S   2 kings
   5NT  3 kings

WEAK 2 Bid
----------
An opening bid of 2D, 2H or 2S which describes a hand with a
reasonable six card suit and 7-9 HCP.  It is a preemptive or weak
opening bid meant to obstruct the opponents.  When playing Weak Two
Bids, an opening bid of 2C is reserved for all very strong hands.

   A 2NT response asks partner to describe her hand.
   3 of original suit shows minimum weak 2.
   3NT shows suit headed by AKQ or AKJ.
   3 of new suit shows a feature (A, K).

STRONG 2 Bid
------------
An opening bid of 2C,2D,2H or 2S describes a hand with 21+ points
and is forcing to game.

NEGDBL
------
When a partner's opening bid is overcalled, a double by responder is
similar to a takeout double.  It shows at least 4 cards in the unbid
major(s).  Minimum 7 hcp.

Card Play
---------
The person who first bid the suit that becomes the final bid becomes
the declarer.  To make a contract, you must take 6 tricks, plus the
number you bid.  Thus a 3H contract requires you to take 9 of 13
tricks.  The person to the declarer's left is the leader.

The leader selects a card and places it so that everyone can see it.
At this point, the partner of the declarer lays down his cards for
everyone to see.  Partner is now the 'dummy' and his cards are
played by the declarer.  In MVP Bridge for Windows, when North is
declarer, you get to play as declarer, and your original hand
becomes the dummy.

Play proceeds in a clockwise fashion.  You must follow suit.  If you
are void (have none of that suit), you can play any card.  In a
trump contract, the highest trump played on the trick wins.  The
winner of the trick leads to the following trick.

Rubber Scoring
--------------
A rubber is played until one side has scored 2 games.  Each game
requires 100 points below the line.  If a side has won a game, they
are then 'vulnerable'.  (This increases the penalties if they are
later set in a contract).

Additional points are awarded for honors as follows:

   Either declarer or dummy holds:

      4 of 5 top trump honor cards    +100
      5 top trump honor cards         +150
      all 4 aces, in No Trump         +150

If a slam is bid and made, additional bonuses are awarded as
follows.

                              Not Vulnerable     Vulnerable
   Small slam (12 tricks)            500             750
   Grand slam (13 tricks)           1000            1500

You must win 2 games to end rubber.  Additional bonus points are
then scored: 700 additional points if your opponents won no games,
otherwise 500.

Undertrick Penalties
--------------------
For each trick by which the declarer fails to make the contract,
opponents score the following points (above the line):

                                    Not Vulnerable
                             Undoubled       Doubled    Redoubled
   First undertrick             50             100       200
   For each additional          50             200       400
                                       Vulnerable
                             Undoubled       Doubled    Redoubled
   First undertrick            100             200       400
   For each additional         100             300       600

If declarer makes a doubled contract, he receives an extra 50
points, "for the insult".

Playing a Rubber
----------------
Choosing rubber from the play menu begins a new game of bridge using
Rubber scoring.  For more information, see Rubber Scoring.

Verbose
-------
Verbose adds additional information (display with message boxes) to
describe conventions being used.  It's a good way to learn
unfamiliar conventions but does slow down the game some.  The menu
item display a check mark next to it if verbose mode is on.  Simply
choose the menu item to toggle verbose on and off.

Card Backs
----------
MVP Bridge for Windows provides many card backs from which to
choose.  Simply click on the card back that you would like used
during play.

Kibitz
------
Choose which hands to reveal.  Note that this destroys basic
elements of the game, so should only be used for learning or
practice.  To toggle kibitzing, click on the card next to the side
you wish to change.  The card back will be displayed if the hand is
not to be revealed, and the Ace of Spades will be displayed if that
side is to always be revealed.

Background Music
----------------
The music played in the background can be disabled.  Background
music is the music you hear while bidding and playing a hand.  To
disable the background music, choose the Background Music menu item.
A check mark appears next to the menu item when background music is
enabled.

Event Music
-----------
The music played when a hand is completed can be disabled.  To
disable the event music, choose the Event Music menu item.  A check
mark appears next to the menu item when event music is enabled.

Explain Hand
------------
Choosing explain from the Hand menu explains the current hand from
the view of the current player.  You are given bidding information,
and the estimated HCP and distribution for each player.

Hint
----
If you are bidding, it gives you the suggested bid that you should
make.  If you are playing, it gives you a suggested card to play.
It also places the cursor over the suggested card for you.

You can also obtain a hint by pressing the right mouse button.

Glossary & Abbreviations
-----------------------
  Trick -- one complete play of 4 cards.
  Trump -- the suit of the contract.  highest trump played on a
           trick always wins
  NT -- No trump
  HCP - high card points (A = 4, K = 3, Q= 2, J = 1)
  TCP - total card points (HCP plus distribution)
  Void -- no cards in a suit
  Singleton -- one card in a suit
  Stiff -- a singleton
  Honor -- ten, Jack, Queen, King or Ace
  Doubleton -- 2 cards in a suit
  Tripleton -- 3 cards in a suit
  Major suit -- hearts or spades
  Minor suit -- clubs or diamonds
  Declarer -- the person who plays the hand
  Dummy -- declarer's partner.  After the opening lead, dummy's
           cards are revealed, and played by declarer.

For more information on MVP Bridge for Windows, including audio and
video troubleshooting, scoring, additional conventions and
multiplayer network/modem play, see the online help.