4-7-11.PRG v.1.04 ==================== Copyright EasyPill Software 1992 4_7_11.PRG is SHAREWARE and may be distributed freely provided that the associated file 4_7_11.ASC is kept intact. Registered users will also receive a program which will allow them to design their own set of personalised cards, PLUS THE REAL BONUS, a Desk accessory version. The D.A. is accessible from within any GEM application (any program that uses menus), making it possible to play a quick game at the click of a button. You can return to whatever it was you were doing, exactly as you left it. See SHAREWARE section for details. 4_7_11 runs in Medium and High resolution only, Low res. isn't really up to the job. The standard (.PRG), and Desk Acc (.ACC) versions are almost identical, any differences will be shown in the text. Notice that this makes 4_7_11.ACC a very rare beast indeed, a Desk Acc that uses menus. A WALK THROUGH THE MENUS ======================== Desk Info ... Just that. Desk Accs Only the .PRG version of course. In the .ACC version any other D.A.s can be reached by clicking on Exit. See Quit below. -------------------- Games Four The four card game, also known as Russian patience Seven The seven card game, the one everyone knows Eleven You guessed it, the twelve card game, also known as 'Casting out Elevens'. Redeal Allows you to retry the previous game. (Depends on scoring system). See also KEYBOARD. Quit Return to desktop. In the .ACC version this is shown as 'Exit'. You can never really quit a D.A. but you can close it down and re-open it whenever you please. The state of the game will be exactly as you left it. ------------------- The items in the next menu only refer to the 7-card game Options Auto finish Move cards to piles at end of game. Auto turn Turn cards as they become exposed Part moves Allows parts of runs to be moved. Also allows cards to be moved from the piles back on to the table. (Depends on scoring system). 3 card draw Allows cards to be drawn in singles or threes. ------------------- Scoring Display Displays the scoring system of the current game in the top right hand corner. Since this is also a favourite place for corner clocks, 4-7-11 has been designed to work transparently with Neodesk in 24 hour mode. Most other clocks are similar but this option can be turned off to avoid conflict if required. The score itself is always displayed, either above or below the pack. System Selects the scoring system, either Vegas or Basic. Clear score Just that. Pull down Allows the use of normal or pull down menus. Pull down menus are slightly harder to get used to but interfere less. Click and hold down over the menu title, move pointer to highlight the required item, release button to select. Available in .ACC version only. Go back Undoes the previous move, but there is a points penalty.. (Depends on scoring system). -------------------- HOW TO PLAY =========== NOTE. The Aces always count low (value 1). This applies to all games. The 4-card game. The aim here is to finish with just the four Kings left on the table. Cards are dealt four at a time, one to each column. Play depends on the four cards at the bottom of each column. A card can be removed (by clicking) if it has a lower value and is the same suit as one of the others. Any empty column can be filled by moving a card from the bottom of another. When no more cards can be removed four more cards are dealt (Click on the pack). A bonus of 20 points is available if four cards of the same value are exposed and a bonus of 52 if the game works out. The 7-card game. The aim here is to remove all the cards to four piles, according to suit. There are many ways of playing this game, what some people consider quite legal others will say is blatant cheating. The scoring system that you choose, and the options selected, will determine what you can get away with. The principle behind the scoring systems is this: If you have set Vegas you will not be allowed to use any option or 'Go back' that gives you an advantage or lets you have a peek. For example there is no 'Go back' if 'Auto turn' is selected, no part moves or redeals, and no changing from triple to single draw in the middle of a game. Setting Basic scoring lets you get away with whatever you can. The 11-card game. The aim here is to remove all the cards. Twelve piles of four cards are laid out, leaving four cards spare. Cards can then be removed in pairs if they add up to 11 Cards are selected by clicking and can then be removed by either double clicking on one of them, or using the O.K box. As well as pairs, a Jack, Queen and King can also be removed in the same way. Any piles that become vacant can be filled from the spares. In the Basic scoring system you will get a visual guide to how many cards remain in each pile. SCORING ======= VEGAS scoring is cumulative and you pay 52 points for each deck you use. BASIC scoring is reset each game and the decks are free. you earn points for removing cards as follows : 4 card 1 point 7 card 5 points 11 card 1 point Penalty points for using 'Go back' are the same but note the extra penalty for cards that are put back after they have already scored. KEYBOARD ENTRIES ================ 4_7_11 is unashamedly mouse based. If ever you need an excuse, it's an excellent mouse trainer and gives good practice in most of the mouse techniques, just the thing to try out a new mouse accelerator. There are, however, a couple of features left over from the development stages that are useful. Press and to save a particular deck to memory, it can then be replayed or issued as a challenge by pressing and . Rigged decks are available for all three games at start up, but anything you have saved yourself will be lost after a reset. A WORD ABOUT MEMORY =================== 4_7_11 is full screen and graphics intensive so it uses quite a lot of memory. This is never a problem with the .PRG version, but if you can't spare about 180K for the .ACC version you should disable it by renaming to 4_7_11.ACX. On a basic 520 machine memory will be a bit tight using the D.A. it all depends on what else you want to run at the same time. WHAT PROBLEM ? ============== P. The menus have stopped working. A. PRG version - The menus will be disabled if a Desk Acc. has been opened. Since 4_7_11 is full screen there is little point in doing anything while a D.A. is active, it would just get completely buried anyway. Better to close it down before continuing with the game. ACC version - Make sure you have not selected 'Pull down' from the Scoring menu. Click and hold down over 'Scoring'. Is there a tick against 'Pull down' ? P. I can't select the 'Redeal' option. A. Certain options are only available if the Basic scoring system is selected first. A WORD ABOUT SPEED ================== Only one set of data is used for the cards. This is held in medium resolution format and converted 'on the fly' if the program is run in monochrome. This gives a slightly more leisurely feel in High res, but it saves on memory and avoids keeping RSC files on the same disc. This might not be so apparent to Blitter users. For the same reason monochrome graphics don't do full justice to the resolution available. (NOTE for registered users, this means you will need Medium res. to use the Card Designer). SHAREWARE ========= 4-7-11 is SHAREWARE and contributions are invited. Anything between 5 and 10 pounds sounds reasonable. As an incentive you will receive by return the most excellent Desk Accessory version, and a program that will allow you to design and install your own pack of cards. Available from EasyPill Software 20 Hawkesworth House Cavendish Road LONDON SW4 8NA Feedback, bugs and news of incompatibilities always welcome. If you have a favourite type of patience you would like to see incorporated let me know and I'll see what can be done. Best regards John Phillips.