Pilot Blackjack, Version 1.0 By Stu Slack (C) Copyright 1996 by Stu Slack *********************** BLACKJACK is Shareware Please Register! *********************** Ever play one of those cheesy, handheld versions of Blackjack or Poker? Did you notice that they deal out of an infinite deck? Did it bother you that your favorite casino lets you split Aces, but this little jobbie from Fry's Electronics, that you had to wait an hour in line for, doesn't? Why can't I double after splitting? And how do I change that bet? We'll, I was a little more than bothered, so I wrote this much more realistic version of Blackjack. Here's the deal (pardon the pun): Features of Pilot Blackjack: =========================== o Configurable number of decks: 1-6 decks available. o Double Down - You can configure blackjack to double down on 9,10,11 or 10,11 or Never. o Double down after split - This is configurable, some house rules don't allow you to double down AFTER you split your hand. o Split any pair - You can split any pair, with up to 3 hands being played. When splitting Aces, you only get one more card per hand. Good luck! o Changable bet, between 5 and 25 dollars. o Blackjack saves your last game, including last bet played and your bank. o Option for turning off your card total display during the deal. This will give you practice at counting those cards faster (gotta watch those dealers, I've caught them 3 times counting the cards wrong!). Installation: ============ So you wantta play a little Blackjack, eh? First of all, you should install it, so I can swiftly take all your money away. So place this application file (Blkjack.prc) in your pilot's add-on directory (probably c:\pilot\add-on). Then run the program called instapp.exe that resides in c:\pilot. In the File Name edit box, enter "add-on\blkjack.prc" (without quotes) or for you typing challenged, mouse motivated people, press on the browse button and find that file. Press the Install button. Now this is important: The app will get installed during your NEXT hotsync. So put the unit in the cradle, press the HotSync button and prey (Oh, I mean, wait). What is Blackjack ================= A very cool game that is easy to play (and easy to lose!). Basically, you're trying to beat the dealers hand without going over 21 (which is, of course, the highest hand). The dealer must hit when his hand is 16 or less. When you win, you get paid the amount of your bet. If you receive an Ace and face card (or 10) on your first two cards, you have Blackjack and you are paid 1.5 times your bet. To start the play, hit the "Deal" button. This will deal out four cards, two to you and two to the dealer. The second card to the dealer is dealt down, so you don't know the dealer's total. You now have up to three options, depending on the cards you got dealt. Normally, you'll only be able to hit or stand. But, you will occasionally be able to Double Down or Split, which is explained below. You'll know when you can DD or Split when the appropriate button appears: Double Down is "Dbl" and Split is "Split". BLACKJACK Terminology ===================== DOUBLE DOWN: Only offered after your first two cards are dealt and they total 9, 10 or 11 (depending on preferences set). When you DOUBLE, you're doubling your current bet and you receive only one more card down. Why do that? Because the dealer may have a really bad hand (like a 6 showing) and you've got 6/4. The chances are that he'll bust and/or you'll probably end up with a nice hand. SPLIT: You can split any pairs. When you split, the cards are moved into two hands (you can only play one hand at a time) and your bet is doubled (you're really playing two hands, each with their own bet). You can split two times, for a total of three hands being played. BET: You can change your bet anytime between hands. Just press anywhere on the Blackjack play surface and a Bet listbox will pop-up. Select the desired bet (between $5-$25) and that will be used for the next hand. Good luck! Shareware Notice: ================ So, here's the release version of Blackjack. Let me encourage you to register this fine piece of software. Why should you register? Well, first of all, this is the only means by which I get paid for my efforts. Second, you'll just feel better about youself, knowing that your contributing to the cause (the More Pilot Software Movement). Lastly, you'll get the release version which doesn't have that annoying "UNREGISTERED VERSION" reminder that comes up everytime the dealer shuffles. So, how much is this thing worth? If you use it all the time, it probably worth 10 bucks. Hey, maybe you learned how to play Blackjack with this, you went to Vegas and subsequently won a million bucks. Isn't that worth at least half? If you never use it, never use the Pilot, never do nothing but watch Friends and eat Cheetos, then please send your entire paycheck, minus what you'll need to pay the cable guy and buy Mac n Cheese... Mail checks and homebrew to: ============================ Stu Slack 718 University Ave #100 Los Gatos, CA 95030 Got a good suggestion for an app? Love this game? Just want to talk? Email me at: slack@wwg.com Mail your unused Pilots to: See above