Stone's Throw Help

Introduction

Requirements

Order

Installation

Uninstall

Game Play

10,000

Poker Dice

Shut The Box


Introduction

Stone's Throw is a collection of three dice games: 10,000, Poker Dice and Shut The Box.  With beautiful 3D rendered graphics, sound effects and background music, Stone's Throw provides dice games to play with a friend or against a computer opponent.


Requirements

256-color video, Windows 95, sound card, mouse


Order

The ordered program contains full functionality of all three dice games: Apprentice, Mage and Wizard levels in 10,000 and Poker Dice; the ability to bet large amounts in Poker Dice; the ability to close all nine boxes in Shut The Box.  Secure online ordering is available at our web site:  http://www.latticeworksw.com.   By ordering online, you not only save shipping/handling charges, but also download the full version immediately.  To order by mail click on the Order icon on the main screen and following the instructions, or by locating the file order.txt, filling in the order blank, and choosing File/Print.  Send the order form (printed by click on "Order" on the front screen of the program, and a check or money order in US funds, DRAWN on a US bank for $14.95, plus $3.00 shipping and handling to:

LatticeWork Software, Inc.

P.O. Box 362

Lafayette Hill, PA  19444

USA


Installation

Click on Start/Settings/Control Panel.  Double-click on "Add/Remove Programs" and click on the "Install" button.  You will see the message "Insert the program's first installation floppy disk or CD-ROM, and then click Next."  Whether the program is on a floppy disk or on your hard drive, click on "Next".  To find the install program on your hard drive, on the next screen click on "Browse" and select the directory or disk where your file is located (e.g., if you downloaded this program from the internet and saved it in the temp directory on your C: drive, search for c:\temp\stone.exe or if the files are on a disk on a: or b: drive, select a: or b: ).  Double-click on stone.exe for the shareware version, or on setup.exe for the full, registered version, and click on "Finish.".  If the program is on a disk, Windows 95 will find the install program, then click on "Finish."  Once the files have been copied, install will place the program in  Start Menu Programs.  To start the program click on Start/Programs/Stone's Throw/Stone's Throw.


Uninstall

Click on Start/Settings/Control Panel.  Double-click on "Add/Remove Programs".  Scroll down the list of programs and click once on Stone's Throw.  Click on the Add/Remove button to uninstall this program.


Game Play

The first time in Stone's Throw, you will be requested to enter two players' names.  Only letters are accepted for player names.  These names may be changed at any time by clicking on a name within any game.  Click on one of the game icons to start that dice game.  Also available on the main menu page are options to view or clear the top scores of all games, the option to view the help file, and directions for ordering  All user preferences are saved for use in subsequent games.


10,000

The shareware version of 10,000 allows play against the Apprentice only.  See Order  for information on ordering the full program allowing play against the Mage, Wizard or against a friend.

Object of the Game

Keyboard Shortcuts

Selecting Players and Levels

Game Play

Undo

Scoring

Passing

Disaster!

Bonus Points!

Animation Speed

Music

Sound Effects

Back to Main Menu


Poker Dice

The shareware version of Poker Dice allows play against the Apprentice only.  In addition, only bets of one coin are available.  See Order for information on ordering the full program allowing play against the Mage, Wizard or against a friend, and for betting up to 9,999,999 coins.

Object of the Game

Keyboard Shortcuts

Selecting Players and Levels

Game Play

Undo

Scoring

Passing

Betting

Aces Wild!

Animation Speed

Music

Sound Effects

Back to Main Menu


Shut The Box

The shareware version of Shut The Box does not allow boxes 7, 8 or 9 to be closed.  In addition, the Two-Player option is available only in the full orderedversion.

Object of the Game

Keyboard Shortcuts

Selecting Players

Game Play

Undo

Scoring

One Die vs Two Dice

Animation Speed

Music

Sound Effects

Gremlin

Back to Main Menu


Object of the Game

The object of  Shut the Box is to try to close all nine boxes, or as many of the nine boxes as possible, to score the lowest score possible.


Keyboard Shortcuts

There are a number of keyboard shortcuts for convenience:

Key 	Operation

spacebar                 rolls the dice

1 - 9	closes that box

+ or =	speeds up the animation

- or _	slows the animation

S or s	displays the top scores


Selecting Players

To change player options, such as playing against the computer or playing against a friend, or to change the name of a player, click on either player name, and follow the directions of the dialog box.  Only letters are accepted for players' names.


Game Play

The object of Shut The Box is to try to close all nine boxes, or as many of the nine boxes as possible,  to score the lowest score possible.  The round score initially is 45 (the sum of one through 9).  The current players'  turn is indicated by an arrow next to their name in the scoring area.  The dice are rolled by clicking in the cup area or by pressing the spacebar.  One, two, three, or four boxes may be closed on each throw of the dice.  The total of the numbers on the boxes closed must be equal to the total number of pips on the two dice.  For example, if all boxes are open, and a 6 and a 5 are rolled, one of the following sets of boxes may be closed:

1.)  box 9 and box 2

2.)  box 8 and box 3

3.)  box 8, box 2 and box 1

4.)  box 7 and box 4

5.)  box 7, box 3, and box 1

6.)  box 6 and box 5

7.)  box 6, box 4 and box 1

8.)  box 6, box 3 and box 2

9.)  box 5, box 4 and box 2

10.) box 5, box 3, box 2 and box 1

After all necessary boxes are closed, the dice will be placed back into the cup for the next throw.  There is a limited undo.  option.  Play continues until there are no more possible moves.  After clicking on the cup or pressing the spacebar, play moves to the next player.  The sum of the numbers of the boxes left open is the round score


Undo

Shut The Box has a limited undo option.  If only one box is needed to be closed to complete a throw of the dice, after closing that box there is no way to undo that play.  However, if two or more boxes need to be closed to complete a throw of the dice, and if only one of those boxes has been closed, clicking on that box again will open it.  Or, clicking on that box with the right mouse button will also re-open the box.  For example, if a 6 and 3 are thrown, and a player clicks on the 7 box to close that box, before clicking on the 2 box, the 7 box may be clicked again to re-open it.  Then, if desired, boxes 5 and 4 may be closed.


Scoring

Two sets of scores are kept in Shut the Box.  Below each player name you will see two numbers.  The number on the left is the current round score.  That score starts at 45, and is decremented by the number of each box which is closed.  The best score for a round is zero, when all boxes have been closed.

The second number, to the right of the current round score is the game score, which is zero initially.  After both players have completed a round, each round score is added to the players' game score.

Finally, when either player's game score is 100 or greater, that game is over.  The winner is the player with the smallest score.  The final score for that player is the difference between the two players'  scores.  Thus the greater the difference, the greater the win.  The top ten final scores, with player names, are saved.  To view the top scores press the s key.


One Die vs Two Dice

If boxes 7, 8, and 9 are closed, there is the option, if you desire, to continue playing that round using only one die.  To do so, click on the graphic of the single die below the cup.  Please note that until the end of that round, only one die will be used in play.  When the next player or next round starts, two dice will once again be used.  The one die option is not available for the shareware version of the game.


Animation Speed

To speed up the animation of the dice and closing of the box, click on the plus sign icon, or press the + or = key.  To slow down the animation speed, click on the minus sign icon, or press the - or _ key.


Music

Background music may be turned on and off by pressing the music note icon.   This icon is highlighted when music is on, and is dimmed when music is turned off.

Stone's Throw will play one music file repeatedly.  Three midi files are provided for you.  However, you may play any midi file on your hard drive.  To choose a different midi file as background music, click on the disk icon [image].  Search your hard drive for the midi file you would like to play.  Please note that there are many midi files on the internet for download and use with this program.  Using your favorite search engine (such as: http://www.hotbot.com), search for "midi".  Most midi files on the internet and major online services may be downloaded and enjoyed for your personal use at no charge to you.


Sound Effects

The sound effects may be turned on and off by pressing the speaker icon [image].  This icon is highlighted when the sound effects are on, and dimmed when the sound effects are off.  This option is saved as a user preference for subsequent games.


Gremlin

This option is available in the full registered version only.  Gremlin mischief may be turned on and off by pressing the exclamation point icon .  When this option is turned on, the exclamation point is highlighted.  Whenever this option is turned on or turned off, the game is reset to a new game.  The gremlin will then occasionally close or open a box, accompanied by a creaking sound, while a game is in play.  This may be an advantage or a detriment to a particular round of a game depending on which boxes are open, which dice are thrown, and how close it is to the end of a round.

Note that if a round is close enough to the end so that only one die is being used, and if the gremlin reopens boxes 7, 8, or 9, there will be no way to close them during this round, since the one-die option is in effect until the end of that round.


Back to Main Menu

Click on the arrow [image] to go back to the main menu.


  Object of the Game

The object of 10,000 is to be the first player to score 10,000 points.  In order for each player to have an equal chance, both players will play the same number of turns.  If both players score above 10,000, the highest score wins.


 Keyboard Shortcuts

Key 	Operation

spacebar	rolls the dice

P or p	passes play to other player

+ or =	speeds up the animation

- or _	slows the animation

S or s	displays the top scores


Selecting Players and Levels

To change player options, such as playing against the apprentice, mage or wizard levels or playing against a friend, or to change the name of a player, click on either player name, and follow the directions of the dialog box.  Only letters are accepted for names.

Only play against the Apprentice is available in the shareware version.  The ordered version allows play against the Apprentice, Mage and Wizard levels and play against a friend.


Game Play

The goal of 10,000 is to be the first player to score 10,000 points.  In order for each player to have an equal chance, both players will play the same number of turns.  If both players score above 10,000, the highest score wins.

The first time the game is played, the player taking the first turn is randomly chosen.  Thereafter, the first player alternates.  A visual clue indicating which player has the first turn for the current game is shown by an asterisk in the upper right hand corner of the plaque of the first turn player

Click on the Roll window pane to roll the dice.  Then click on a score category window pane to score a single die or multiple dice combination (see Scoring) .  Your turn score will be displayed on the top of the cauldron.  As many scoring combinations may be scored with one throw of the dice as you wish, but not all of the scoring combinations are required to be scored.  For example, if you rolled a 1 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5, you may wish to score the two Single-Ones, but choose not to score the Single-Five score.  In this way, there are more dice available for attempting a second good scoring roll.  The dice which have been scored will disappear underground.  You may decide, based on your turn score, and on your and your opponents total scores, and how close you are to 10,000, whether to reroll the remaining four dice to try to score more points, or to pass to your opponent.  If you roll no scoring combination on the remaining four dice, your turn score is zeroed and not added to your total score.  As long as you score one time per roll of the dice, even if only 1 or two of the dice are rolled, your turn score will be added to your total score at the end of your turn.

You may undo a score or more than one score if you have not yet rolled the dice again.  To undo, right-click the window pane category you wish to undo.

If you have scored using all six of the dice rolled, regardless of the number of rolls needed to do so, you may roll the dice again and continue scoring.  Or, with two exceptions, you may pass to the next player.  Only if you have scored a straight, or three pairs, are you required to roll all six dice again.  Note that a straight or three pairs requires all six dice for scoring.

When you have finished your turn, either because you have no scoring combinations, and so must pass, or because you are satisfied with your turn score, click on the Pass window pane to pass to your opponent.  If you have scored during the last roll of the dice, your turn score will be added to your total score.  If you have not scored during the last roll of the dice, your turn score is zeroed and not added to your total score.

You may not pass if you have not scored yet on the current roll of the dice, and there is a scoring die or set of dice.


  Undo

You may undo a score or more than one score if you have not yet rolled the dice again by clicking on the appropriate window pane category with the right mouse button.  For example, if you roll 1 - 2 - 5 - 1 - 1 - 6, and clicked on the Single-One score category three times, and then realized the Triple-One category is worth a lot more points, just right-click on the Single-One category three times.  Each time a die will reappear and the 100-point score will be subtracted from your turn score.  Once you have rolled the dice after scoring, however, it is too late to undo.


  Scoring

A turn score and a total score are kept for each player.  Your turn score is your score for the current turn, until you pass to your opponent.  Your turn score is added to your total score if you have scored during the last throw of the dice.

The scoring dice and their corresponding points are:

Straight (1-2-3-4-5-6)	3000 points	(MUST reroll)

Three Pairs (or a pair and four of a kind)	1500 points	(MUST reroll)

Triple-Ones (111)	1000 points

Triple-Sixes (666)	600 points

Triple-Fives (555)	500 points

Triple-Fours (444)	400 points

Triple-Threes (333)	300 points

Triple-Twos (222)	200 points

Single-One (1)	100 points

Single-Five (5)	50 points


  Passing

When you are satisfied with your roll, click on the Pass window pane.  Also, if you do not have any scoring dice combinations during the current throw of the dice, click Pass to pass to your opponent.  If you have a possible score and have not yet scored during this throw of the dice, and are trying to pass, you will not be allowed to do so until you have scored at least one of the possible scores.

When the Apprentice, Mage or Wizard passes to you, the arrow on your cauldron will blink a few times indicating your turn.


  Disaster!

A player rolling four or more twos loses all points, turn and total.  Sorry.  But read about bonus points.


  Bonus Points!

If you have only a single die left to roll, you have two chances at rolling a scoring die (a one or a five).  If you roll a one or a five during one of those two chances, bonus points will be added to your score.  The first time this happens during a turn, the bonus will be 500 points.  Each additional time this occurs, during a single turn, the bonus will be incremented by 500 points.


  Object of the Game

The object of Poker Dice is to win the bet amount by rolling the highest hand.  Scores are not kept for the three levels of computer player.  Players may quit the game and play again later, and their coin tally is saved from game to game.  Similarly, players may play against a human opponent, then switch to play against a computer opponent, and, after a time, switch back to playing against the same initial human opponent.  The number of coins held by that human opponent has been saved to be used in subsequent games.  Up to ten players' names and number of coins are saved.


 Keyboard Shortcuts

Key 	Operation

spacebar	rolls the dice (also used to start a game)

U or u	Undo - this brings back the dice intended to be rolled

P or p	passes play to other player

+ or =	speeds up the animation

- or _	slows the animation

S or s	displays the top scores


Selecting Players and Levels

To change player options, such as playing against the apprentice, mage or wizard levels or playing against a friend, or to change the name of a player, or to change the maximum number of rolls, set aces wild or not wild, or reset both players' scores to 5,000, click on either player name, and follow the directions of the dialog box.  Only letters are accepted for names.

Only play against the Apprentice is available in the shareware version.  The ordered version allows play against the Apprentice, Mage and Wizard levels and play against a friend.


Game Play

The goal of Poker Dice is to win the bet amount by rolling the highest hand.  Scores are not kept for the three levels of computer player.  Players may quit the game and play again the next day, and their coin tally is saved from game to game.  Similarly, players may play against a human opponent, then switch to play against a computer opponent, and, after a time, switch back to playing against the same initial human opponent.  The number of coins held by that human opponent has been saved to be used in subsequent games.  Up to ten players names and number of coins are saved.

The first time the game is played, the player taking the first turn is randomly closen.  Thereafter, the first player alternates.  The small dice below the abacus are a visual clue indicating which player has the first turn for the current game.  When either player has completed a hand, and passed, the completed hand of dice is placed below the abacus.  The top row of small dice is always for the top player whose name is shown at the top above the fireplace.  The bottom row of small dice is always for the computer player (Apprentice, Mage, or Wizard) or for player 2 whose name is shown on the second row above the fireplace..

Before beginning each hand, you have the option to set your bet.  If you are playing against a computer opponent you have full control of the bet.  If you are playing against a friend, you must decide your bet cooperatively.  You may bet a maximum of the lower score of the two human players, or if playing against a computer opponent, you may bet at most your score.  The maximum overall bet  is 9,999,999.  The bet amount is indicated on the abacus.  Click on the abacus beads or numbers to change your bet.

When the game first starts, you will be informed who is the first player this hand.  To play with the current options either click on "Play" on the crystal ball, or click on the Roll Candle.  To reset your opponent or change a player name, or to change the maximum number of rolls (2 or 3), set aces wild or not wild, or reset both players scores to 5,000, click on "Reset Players."  To quit Poker Dice and return to the main screen click on "Quit."

The current player is shown by the arrow next to that player's name.

If you are first this hand, click on the individual dice in the crystal ball you wish to re-roll.  When you have selected all the dice you wish to re-roll (up to a maximum of three dice), click on the Roll Candle.  You have two or three rolls (depending on the option you have selected - three rolls is the default) to obtain the best hand.  The size of the flame on the Roll Candle is an indication of the number of rolls left.  If you have a hand you are satisfied with before rolling the maximum number of times, click on the Pass Candle.  If not, after you have rolled the dice the maximum number of times, your turn will pass automatically for you.  After you have passed, the crystal ball will clear, and your completed hand will be shown in the small dice under the abacus.

After both players have passed, the bet amount is added to the score of the winner, if the winner is not a computer opponent (Apprentice, Mage or Wizard) and is subtracted from the score of the loser, if the loser is not a computer opponentl.  Your score (number of coins) will be displayed below your name above the fireplace.

You may undo your selection of which dice are to be re-rolled only if you have not yet pressed the Roll Candle or the Pass Candle.  Undo by pressing the letter 'u' or by right-clicking anywhere with the mouse.

Top scores are kept for the ten best scores.  Top scores are calculated when you switch your opponent, and when you exit Poker Dice.


  Undo

You may undo  your selection of which dice are to be re-rolled only if you have not yet pressed the Roll Candle or the Pass Candle.  Undo by pressing the letter 'u' on the keyboard, or by right-clicking anywhere on the screen with the mouse.


  Scoring

A coin tally is saved for up to ten players.  Scores are not kept for the three levels of computer player (Apprentice, Mage, Wizard).  Players may quit the game and play again the next day,and their coin tally is kept.

After both players have passed, the bet amount is added to the score of the winner, if the winner is not a computer opponent (Apprentice, Mage or Wizard), and is subtraced from the score of the loser, if the loser is not a computer opponent.  Your turn score will be displayed below your name above the fireplace.

Players who lose all of their coins are automatically awarded an additional 5,000l

Hands are ranked as follows:

Five of a kind

Four of a kind

Full House (three of a kind and a pair)

Straight (A-K-Q-J-10  or  K-Q-J-10-9)

Three pairs

Two pairs

One pair

High card

If two players have the same hand, they do not necessarily tie.  If, for example, both players have three of a kiind, but one player also has a queen and a jack, whereas the second player has also a jack and a ten, the  player with the queen and jack wins.


  Passing

When you are satisfied with your roll, click on the Pass Candle.  If you have rolled the maximum number of rolls, your turn is passed automatically for your convenience.

When the Apprentice, Mage or Wizard passes to you, the arrow on your cauldron will blink a few times indicating your turn.


  Betting

In the shareware version of the game, only bets of one or zero are accepted.

Place your bet by clicking on the abacus beads or on the upper or lower half of the number at the top of the abacus.  When you click on the beads, the number at the top of the abacus will change to reflect the change in your bet.  Clicking on the bead in the upper part of the abacus will either add five to that column (if you are moving the bead down) or subtract five from that column (if you are moving the bead up).  Similarly, moving a bead in the lower part of the abacus will increment or decrement that column by one.  A bead may be moved only if it is above or below a space.  When you click on the upper half of a number (or even where a number would be, if that area is blank) that number is incremented by one.  When you click on the lower half of a number, that numjber is decremented by one.

Please note that you may not bet more than the amount of your score.  If two human players are opponents, the bet must not be greater than either score.  If you try to bet more than either score, the abacus and number will change to the maximum bet allowed.  The maximum bet overall, if the scores are large enough, is 9,999,999.


  Aces Wild!

Click on the A! icon to the left of the fireplace to turn the aces wild option on and off.  When the aces wild icon is highlighted, aces wild is active, and aces may be scored as any other die.