The Game Master (3rd Edition)

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Text File | 1989-05-18 | 12.9 KB | 265 lines

KDPoker KD Poker (40 & 80) - Version 2.0 - February 1989 A Product of KD Ranch Enterprises (c) [Written in Turbo Pascal 5.0] NOTE: Most of the information and instructions needed to use these programs is summarized in the online help and/or is displayed on screen when pertinent. This .DOC file simply provides elaboration for clarity. HISTORY: Version 1.0 - in Turbo Pascal 3.0 (not released) Version 2.0 - upgrade to Turbo 5.0 (initial release) GENERAL: KDpoker is designed to emulate those extremely popular (and addictive) video poker machines found all over the place in legal gambling areas. If KDPoker.arc is intact, it should include the following: KDPok40.exe - 40 column mode version. KDPok80.exe - 80 column mode version. KDpoker.doc - This documentation file. KDPok40 and KDPok80 play identically. I have included both versions because of different preferences. The 40 column version makes better use of the whole screen (larger cards, better suit symbols, etc.). The 80 column version will play somewhat faster and is a bit less obtrusive. I personally prefer the 40 column version to play at home and the 80 column version for work. These are not graphics programs and should play fine on a monochrome system although they are much better in color. The intent of the programming was to emulate as closely as possible the real video poker games that I love to play in Vegas and Reno when I get a chance to get out there. I think these come close except for the fancy graphics and background music found on the real machines and, of course, these are a lot cheaper! The various setup options (discussed in detail later) have been included to make play more enjoyable and to allow configuration to match the wide variety of video poker machines that one may encounter. Sound effects can be switched on and off; speed can be reduced if you have a fast machine; payoff multiples can be changed; the "style" in which cards are dealt can be chosen from 6 options; and the lowest payoff hand can be toggled between Jacks or Better and Tens or Better. Set this one up just like the one(s) that took all your money the last time you were in Vegas. COMMAND SYNTAX: >KDPOKn [PFRSTEM] [On] [0-9] [X] Where: n - 40 or 80 depending on the program (e.g. KDPOK40 or KDPOK80). PFRSTEM - Deal styles (P)ut, (F)lip, (R)oll, (S)lide, (T)hrow, (E)xplode or (M)ixed -- Mixed is the default. Note: Mixed will randomly select a different style from the list for each hand dealt. On - SOUND on -- Sound off is the default. 0-9 - SPEED reducer -- 0 (fastest) is the default. X - TENS or Better -- JACKS or Better is the default. No parameters are required. If you use any, put NO spaces or delimeters between them. Case and order are of no significance. EXAMPLE: > KDPOK40 x2pO (Tens or Better,Speed Reducer of 2, Put Deal Style and Sound On.) Deal Style, Sound, Speed Reducer and Jacks/Tens can all be reset from within the program. Since you must execute separate programs for 40 or 80 column modes, it cannot be changed from within. SETTINGS: There are three methods to access most settings - the command line as described above; selecting "M" (no quotes) for MENU at the BET prompt; or selecting the KeyLetter for each choice from the BET prompt. If you use "M", a menu will appear which allows you to select: (P)ayoff Multiples (opens a window for viewing or setting) (H)elp (opens a scrollable help window) (D)eal Styles (steps through the 7 choices) (S)ound (toggles Sound on/off) (R)educe speed (steps through Reducers - goes to 0 after 9) (X)Jacks/Tens (toggles Jacks or Better/Tens or Better) Or, use any of the KeyLetters (in parenthesis above) directly from the BET prompt. "P" or "H" (Payoff Multiples and Help) will open windows just like they were accessed from the MENU. "S" or "X" (Sound and Tens) are direct toggles - a quick window will tell you how you just set them. "D" or "R" (Deal Styles and Reduce Speed) will open windows allowing specific selection. Tens or Better vs.Jacks or Better: The lowest value hand that most video poker games will provide a payoff is usually Jacks or Better. There are some machines that will payback on Tens or Better. You should note, however, that generally, the payoff multiples (described below) tend to decrease considerably on Tens or Better machines. Payoff Multiples: The Payoff Multiples is a table that will be found on all machines in one form or another. Regardless of the form used, they all serve the same function -- determine how much to return to the player on a "winning" hand. KDPoker uses a table that looks like this: HAND NAME PAYOFF JACKS OR BETTER 1 for 1 (Bet Returned) TWO PAIR 2 for 1 THREE OF A KIND 3 for 1 STRAIGHT 5 for 1 FLUSH 7 for 1 FULL HOUSE 9 for 1 FOUR OF A KIND 25 for 1 STRAIGHT FLUSH 100 for 1 ROYAL FLUSH 1000 for 1 Notice that the table uses the term "for" (e.g. 3 FOR 1). That means that if you have put in 1 unit (read coin), and your final hand is Three of a Kind, the machine will payoff 3 units. Your actual net "win" is only 2 units. By the way, 3 "FOR" 1 and 2 "TO" 1 mean the same thing. Something worth watching for as you search for machines in a casino! In case you are wondering what the big deal is about Payoff Multiples, you should be aware that all video poker machines are not created equal. The Payoff Multiples will vary from machine to machine even in the same casino (even in the same row of machines sometimes!). Because of this, KDPoker allows you to set these multiples. The default multiples (above) are probably about the best you'll find anywhere. Speed: Speed affects only one thing -- how fast the cards are dealt. It does not affect calculations, shuffle speed, etc. It is included in these programs simply to make play more comfortable on fast machines. Speed is controlled by setting the Reducer. 0 reduction is fastest and a reduction factor of 9 is the slowest. You will probably have to play with this to get it where you like it. Sound: There are some elementary sound effects included (coins falling, cards being turned,etc.). These sounds are of no particular significance to to game. If you want them fine, if not that's fine too. Deal Styles: Different video poker machines "deal" cards in a variety of ways. This is done purely for the entertainment value. [After all, that's what playing these machines is all about -- I hope you don't play the real things planning to win a bunch of money!] KDPoker offers six of these "styles". I won't try to describe these styles - try them for yourself. If you like a particular style, set it as previously described. The default style, Mixed, is not really a style at all. It simply selects at random from the other six styles for each new hand. It is possible that on a 4.77 mhz machine that two of the styles (Slide and Throw) will be too slow in 40 column mode. The other styles should be just fine and even those two should be OK in 80 column mode. PLAYING: Believe it or not ........ we have finally gotten to the part that talks about how to play the game! Specific playing instructions are displayed on screen when relevant, but here is a quick synopsis: BET: At the BET prompt, just hit the number representing the amount you would like to wager. The options are 1 - 5 coins. Real machines will ask you to "INSERT 1 - 5 COINS". Fortunately, it is extremely unlikely that your computer has a coin slot, it won't take you money (or give any back!). Your bankroll will be automatically reduced by the amount of your bet. [Remember, the other settings are also accessed at the BET prompt. Hit the key letter instead of a 1 - 5.] DISCARD: After you have placed your bet, the initial 5 cards will be dealt. You will then have to indicate which of these 5 cards (if any) you want to HOLD. Press the key(s) (1 - 5) that correspond to the card(s) you wish to keep. An indicator will be displayed under each card to HOLD. The keys are toggles -- if you make a mistake, just hit it again. Hit ENTER when you are satisfied. Any card not marked HOLD will be discarded and replaced. PAYOFF: Upon completion of the discard, the payoff (if any) is automatically calculated based on the payoff multiples table (see above) and your current bankroll is supplemented accordingly. At this point you are ready to place another bet and restart the sequence. The game uses a regular 52 card deck and is shuffled before each hand is dealt. Discards will not be replaced by the same cards. I have to assume that this is the way real video poker machines work -- although, I cannot guarantee that. If they don't, I would certainly be interested in what they do instead. REQUISITE DISCLAIMER and OTHER STUFF: Every reasonable attempt has been made to offer a fun product that may be of some use and be "bug" free. I (the author) can, however, offer no guarantees as to the suitability or use of this program. Therefore (here we go)... THIS PRODUCT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. THE USER ASSUMES ALL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF THIS PROGRAM. *** I certainly disavow any responsibility for gambling losses! *** You may copy and distribute these programs freely. Please don't charge for them and please provide this .DOC file with them. Anyone who is interested, can send the author (me) $5.00 or so. (Mainly, I'm curious to see if anyone is interested!) David A. Befort KD Ranch Enterprises (c) Rt.3, Box 8080 Bartlesville, Ok. 74003 P.S. While I'm not a programmer by profession, I have written a few other things -- usually because I can't find or buy precisely what I'm looking for. You may see some of these floating around. KDQwik - a small, easy word processor. Extremely straight forward for a beginner or an executive. This is not currently in general release. KDGraph - a pull-down menu driven graphics package for EGA/VGA. It's fast and does some 3D stuff along with your basic bars,lines and pies. KDCalcG - an EGA/VGA graphics implementation of a hand held calculator. It has list, print, and does some neat stuff with its nine memory registers. KDCalc - a non-graphics version of KDCalcG. Has a few more functions and can be made memory resident for pop-up capability. KDLogic - a set of 5 brain teaser logic puzzles (HiQ,Minefield, Mastermind,Fifteen Squares and Towers). Program can made memory resident for quick pop up and down. KDPokanl- This is kind of a companion program to KDPoker. It has two modes - one, a PLAY mode which will play much like the games included herein and the other - ANALYSIS mode which allows you to set up any hand, hold the cards you want and draw to it repeatedly to help determine the best strategies to play video poker.