 ****************************************************************
 *  BLACKJACK PLUS  USER MANUAL                   (MANUAL.TXT)  *
 *                                                              *
 *                  Copyright 1991-1996    All Rights Reserved  *
 *                                                              *
 *                  MUSICODE SOFTWARE                           *
 *                  40108 Highway 49, Suite C-280               *
 *                  Oakhurst, CA 93644                          *
 *                  USA                         (209) 966-3477  *
 ****************************************************************

            This program is produced by a member of the 
            Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP).
            For the IBM PC & Compatibles with EGA/VGA Graphics.

----------------------------------------------------------------
**  BLACKJACK PLUS is a Shareware Product                     **
----------------------------------------------------------------

  Try it free!  To use it after 30 days, you must pay for it!

    To register, see:  REGISTER.TXT 
    Program features:  BJP_INFO.TXT
    
  To share this program, copy BJPLUS40.ZIP
  Unzip to decompress the following files:

   BJPLUS40.EXE       BJP_INFO.TXT       MANUAL.TXT
   BJPLUS40.RSC       REGISTER.TXT       VENDOR.TXT

  ** Remember:  This shareware version will not allow you to
                SPLIT, DOUBLE DOWN or edit the strategy table.
                Register to receive these features!

 -----------------------------------------------------------------
 **  BLACKJACK PLUS    Keyboard Functions & Program Navigation  **
 -----------------------------------------------------------------

 If the cursor behaves erratically and you do not have a joystick
 connected to your system, press 'J' to disable the joystick port.

  Q   - Quits program from three main screens:  TABLE Screen
                                                DEALER Screen
                                                GAME SETUP Screen

  Esc - Returns to a main screen from any of the other screens.

  H   - HELP screens


                                                CHANGE VALUES &
  CONTROLLER          NAVIGATE & SELECT         EXECUTE FUNCTIONS
  ----------------------------------------------------------------
  Keyboard            Arrow keys                Enter or Space bar
  Mouse               Left, right, up, down     Left button
  Joystick            Left, right, up, down     Fire button
 
 
 WHILE PLAYING THE GAME:
   C  - Cycle Mode toggles ON or OFF.  Cycle Mode allows you to 
        take your time and step through the game action at your
        own speed, advancing only when you hit the space bar.

   P  - Pause option ON or OFF.  Press any time during play.  
        At the end of the current hand, you will be given the
        option to quit or continue playing. 
  

 -----------------------------------------------------------------
 **  BLACKJACK PLUS      Program Flow                           **
 -----------------------------------------------------------------


                             --------------
                            | TABLE SCREEN |
                             --------------
                                   |
                 ---------------------------------------
                |                                       |
           ------------                          ----------
          | GAME SETUP |                        |  DEALER  |
          |   Screen   |                        |  Screen  |
           ------------                          ----------
                |                                    |
      ---------------------                  ----------------
     |                     |                 |               |
  -------          -----------         ------------      --------
 | HOUSE |        |  PLAYER   |       | STATISTICS |    |  START |
 | RULES |        |STRATEGIES |       |            |    |  Game  |
  -------          -----------         ------------      --------

 


 -----------------------------------------------------------------
 **  BLACKJACK PLUS      First Time Tutorial                    **
 -----------------------------------------------------------------

 Execute program:  Double click on BJP40.EXE

 All selections may be made using the mouse, keyboard arrow keys 
 or joysticks.  This tutorial uses the keyboard. 

 When 'TABLE' screen appears, select the BLACKJACK PLUS logo 
 (using arrow keys), then press Enter to access the 'GAME SETUP'
 screen.

 Use arrow keys to select player #1 mode, use Enter key to change 
 to MANUAL mode.  Select player #6 and set to AUTO.  Use the arrow 
 keys to move to TABLE STAKE columns, then use the Enter key to
 increment each column value.  Any number of players may be set up
 to play the game.  Remember, in order to play, players must have 
 a table stake and be set to a playing mode (not OFF).  
 
 Use arrow keys and Enter key to move to & change each any of the  
 selections at the bottom of the Game Setup screen.

 Return to the 'TABLE' screen by pressing the Esc key or select 
 the 'GAME SETUP' title (using arrow keys) and then press Enter.

 Select the 'DEALER' title (using arrow keys), then press Enter to
 access the 'DEALER' screen.

 Set the number of hands you wish to play:  select each column by
 using the arrow keys and increment by pressing the Enter key.  
 You may play 1 to 999,999 hands!

 Select 'START' (using arrow keys) and press Enter to begin play.

 Each player that is set to the MANUAL mode will present a screen
 where you specify your bet. Use the arrow keys to move to each 
 column and then the Enter key to scroll values. When you have
 specified the bet, use the arrow keys to move to the player #
 at the top and press Enter. Players set to AUTO mode will 
 automatically bet the unit bet specified on the STRATEGIES
 screen (accessed from GAME SETUP screen: 'PLAYER STRATEGIES').

 Play will continue until the specified amount of hands has been 
 dealt (or until players do not have a stake).
 You may pause play by pressing P any time during play. At the end
 of the hand you are given the option to quit play or continue.
 
 Press H to access HELP screen.

 A fully detailed printed manual, with examples & illustrations,
 will be sent to you when you register!

 -----------------------------------------------------------------
 **  BLACKJACK PLUS      GAME SETUP Screen                      **
 -----------------------------------------------------------------
 Enter the 'GAME SETUP' screen from the 'TABLE' screen by pressing
 the Enter key when the 'BLACKJACK PLUS' logo is selected.

 For each player:  Set desired mode and strategy (explained below)
                   and a table stake (1-99999). A player must have
                   at least 1 unit to play.  
                   Note:  Player's stakes will roll over to 0 when
                   winnings push the stake total past 99999 units.

 PLAY MODES - There are four play modes. Each of the seven players
 can be individually set to any one of the following play modes:

   MANUAL - Play an accurate simulation of casino blackjack.  You
   decide when to Stand, Hit, Double, Split, Surrender and take
   insurance.  You may select 'HINT' to get help based on the 
   chosen strategy.

   AUTO - Players set to this mode will play unassisted according
   to the strategy assigned to that player.  Play under the exact
   conditions you will find in the casino.  Put the desired number
   of players at the table with you at the position you choose!

   FEEDBACK - Use the Feedback mode to learn and practice your
   strategies.  You play manually, and if you select a play or
   bet that is not in agreement with the chosen strategy, you will
   receive a warning message.  You will be given a chance to make
   the correct play or you may override the strategy and make any
   play you choose.

   BACKGROUND - Background is a powerful tool, most useful as an
   aid in the evaluation of different strategies, and how they
   perform over the long run.  Evaluate the results of playing
   blackjack using basic strategies included with this program.

  Players set to Background mode will play automatically with no 
  step-by-step play shown on the screen.  When all the players
  (with a stake) are set to Background, the entire game is played
  without any screen action (FAST!!).  Hundreds of hands can be 
  played in seconds! Extensive statistics are accumulated and may
  be viewed and/or printed when play is completed.

  NUMBER OF DECKS - to be used:  1 to 9.

  PENETRATION     - Dealing depth (when dealer shuffles): 0 to 99%.

  GAME SPEED      - 0 to 9 (0 is slowest speed, 9 is the fastest).

  HOUSE RULES (displays the HOUSE RULES Screen) -

   SOFT 17      (HIT or STAND)  Determines dealer action.
   DOUBLE DOWN  (ANY, 9 10 11, or 10 11) Hands you may double on.
   AFTER SPLIT  (YES or NO)  Can you double after you split?
   SURRENDER    (YES or NO)  Allows the surrender option.

 PLAYER STRATEGIES (displays the PLAYER STRATEGY Screen) -
 The specified strategy table is displayed on the right side of 
 the screen. The settings in the table determine the action a 
 player takes in every game situation. The top row represents the
 dealer's up card.  The column on the left side represents the 
 current total for the player's hand. The intersection of the row
 & column shows what player's action should be in that situation:

    S = STAND   H = HIT   D = DOUBLE   P = SPLIT   R = SURRENDER

 The strategy table assigned (by number) to a player on the SETUP
 screen will be used during play regardless of the play mode.
 Two basic strategies are provided for you; one for single deck
 play and one for multiple decks. 
 These strategies may not be edited 
 Note: The registered version allows editing and the addition of
       new strategies.

   NBR (1 - 7) - Number of the strategy table currently displayed.
   SINGL/MULTI - Single deck strategy or Multi deck strategy.
   INSURANCE   - Yes or No, may be overridden in manual play mode.
   UNIT BET    - 0 to 9999 Bet made at start of session, also used
                 to determine a new bet (see betting strategy below).
   MAX BET     - 0 to 9999  Maximum allowed bet.

 WIN/LOSE BETTING STRATEGY -  Determines the next bet based on the
                              result of the last hand.

                UNIT          Unit bet, see above.
                MAX           Maximum bet, see above.
                +UNIT x .00   Last bet + (unit bet x n.nn)
                -UNIT x .00   Last bet - (unit bet x n.nn)
                BET x n.nn    Last bet x n.nn

   Changing the betting factor (n.nn)

        '+' on the keypad             Increments
        '-' on the keypad             Decrements
        '+' or '-' with Left Shift    Coarse adjustment
        '0' on the keypad             Default
  
 To return to 'GAME SETUP' screen, press the ESC key or select the
 title 'STRATEGIES' (using arrow keys) and press Enter.

 RESET JOYSTICKS - Re-calibrates joystick (in DOS version).
  
 To return to 'TABLE' screen, press the ESC key or select the
 title 'GAME SETUP' (using arrow keys) and press Enter.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------
 **  BLACKJACK PLUS      DEALER Screen                          **
 -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
 Access the 'DEALER' screen from the 'TABLE' screen:  
 Select the title 'DEALER' using the arrow keys and then press 
 the Enter key.

  HANDS  - Set number of hand to be played:  1 to 999999
  TOTALS - Set ON or OFF.  Display card totals during play?
  START  - Playing the game!

 STATISTICS  
    RESET - The statistics may be reset or they will continue
            to accumulate during the playing session.

    VIEW  - (displays the STATISTICS Screen) - After a playing 
            session you may view the accumulated statistics.

    PRINT - Print the accumulated statistics for evaluation.
  
  To return to 'TABLE' screen, press the ESC key or select 
  the title 'DEALER' using the arrow keys & press Enter.
  
 
  ** Remember:  The shareware version will not allow you to
                SPLIT, DOUBLE DOWN or edit the strategy table.
                Register to receive these features!
 

     ********************************************************
     *   MUSICODE SOFTWARE hopes you enjoy BLACKJACK PLUS   * 
     *      and welcomes all comments and suggestions.      *
     *          SEND YOUR REGISTRATION FEE TODAY!           *
     ********************************************************

       **********   END OF FILE:   MANUAL.TXT   **********
