SHEEPSHEAD REVISITED

SHAREWARE EDITION

Copyright 1988 by Sam Gabby




1. LICENSE AGREEMENT

Sheepshead Revisited is the copyrighted property of Sam Gabby.
You are granted a limited license to use, copy, and distribute the
program provided the following conditions are met:

1. No fee above $5.00 may be charged for copying and distribution.
2. Sheepshead may only be distributed in its original unmodified
state.

This software is distributed under the user supported software concept.
Though Sheepshead is copyrighted, you are encouraged to copy and
distribute this program to others. If you like this product and find it
useful, a registration fee of $10.00 is required for continued use.
See the registration and order form elsewhere in this manual.
All registered users receive technical support and upgrade notices.

2. DISCLAIMER

The author makes no representations or warranties with respect to the
contents hereof and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, the
author reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes
from time to time in the content hereof without obligation of the author
to notify any person or organization of such revision or changes.


3. USER SUPPORTED SOFTWARE CONCEPT

Sheepshead Revisited is user supported. This means that you may copy
it freely and give the copies away to anyone you wish. They are in turn
requested to send in a contribution if they decide to use it.

The user supported software concept (also known as "shareware") is an
attempt to provide quality software at low cost. Both the user and
author benefit from this plan. The user will benefit by being able to
"test drive" software thoroughly before purchasing it. The author
benefits by being able to enter the commercial software market while
avoiding the high cost of commercial distribution.

This concept helps many independent authors and small companies that
otherwise would be discouraged from developing and promoting their
ideas. It can only work with your support. If you obtain a user
supported program from a friend and are still using it after a few
weeks, then it is obviously worth something to you, and a contribution
should be sent.

For further information and registration, please send all correspondence
to:
Sam Gabby
3406 S. 11th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53215





4. REGISTRATION AND ORDER FORM

Send to:
Sam Gabby
3406 S. 11th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53215


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Registration of currently used Sheepshead Revisited. . . . $10.00

Version Number: 1.0 Number of copies . . .
------
TOTAL . . .
======
----------------------------------------------------------------------

ORDER FORM

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Name
----------------------------------------------
Company
----------------------------------------------
Address
----------------------------------------------
City, State, Zip
----------------------------------------------
Phone
----------------------------------------------

Where did you hear about Sheepshead Revisited

--------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------

Comments
---------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------




BACKGROUND

The game of Sheepshead is a fast paced gambling card game, originally from
Germany (where it is called "Shafskopf").

There are several variations of the game.

For example: in northern Wisconsin it is common for clubs to be used as
trump, but diamonds are usually trump. Also, some persons play that the one
who has the Jack of Diamonds is the Partner to the Picker, while others
play that the one who has the Called Ace is the Partner. Some allow the
calling of an Unknown card. It is played variously as 3,4, or 5 handed,
and is sometimes played with 32, 48, or 64 card decks. Some play for
Leasters, when everybody passes, others make the next game a Doubler.


THIS VERSION

-- is 5 handed. You and 4 computer controlled players.

-- 32 cards (2 through 6 removed) with Diamonds, Jacks, and Queens as Trump

-- Leasters are not played, instead, automatic doubling of the next hand
occurs when all players pass.

-- You may play Alone, or Call an Ace, Ten, Unknown for a Partner


BASIC RULES

To win, the Picker (and Partner, if one is called) must get at least 61
points total.

Points TRUMPS Points FAIL SUITS
====== ================ ====== ==================
3 Queen of Clubs 4 King of Clubs
3 Queen of Spades 4 King of Spades
3 Queen of Hearts 4 King of Diamonds
10 Ten of Clubs
3 Queen of Diamonds 10 Ten of Spades
2 Jack of Clubs 10 Ten of Hearts
2 Jack of Spades 11 Ace of Clubs
2 Jack of Hearts 11 Ace of Spades
2 Jack of Diamonds 11 Ace of Hearts
11 Ace of Diamonds 0 Nines
10 Ten of Diamonds 0 Eights
4 King of Diamonds 0 Sevens
===== =====
45 75

Total Points Possible = 120.

Note: Cards are listed from high to low (All Trumps, then Fail) in terms of
taking power. Any trump can overtake any fail. Queen of clubs is the most
powerful card in the deck. Seven of hearts is the weakest. NOTE: the Ten
is higher than the King.


Each person is dealt six cards and two cards are placed face down (called
the blind). Starting with the person left of the dealer, each person is
given the chance to Pick the blind. The first person to do so becomes the
Picker.

The Picker is shown the blind and must then discard two cards. The point
value of the discards will be included in the pickers total points.

The Picker has the option of playing the hand Alone or calling a Partner.
The Picker and Partner play against the other 3 Opponents.

CALLING A PARTNER

Normally you will Call a FAIL Ace, that is, an Ace of either Hearts, Clubs,
or Spades. In order to do this, you MUST have at least one card in your
hand in the called fail suit, and not have the called ace yourself, either
in your hand or in the blind. You are not allowed to discard the fail card
during play unless the fail suit was led.

If you have all 3 aces then you can call a Ten and you MUST keep the ace of
the called Ten suit in your hand. When the called suit is led, if it is not
trumped, the Ten will take the trick.

If you have the ace in each of your fail suits, then you can call an Unknown
Ace in another fail suit. You must pick an Under card which will be played
face down when the called suit is first led. The Under card has no trick
taking power.

THE PLAY

The person to the left of the dealer goes first. You must follow suit if you
can, if not, you can trump the trick. Highest card takes the trick.
Remember that all diamonds, all jacks, and all queens are TRUMP.

BASIC STRATEGY

If you are the Picker or Partner, and on the lead, you generally lead trump,
to force the trump out of the opponents hands... it is assumed that the
Picker has several trump.

If you are an opponent (not Picker nor Partner) and you have the lead and
the call suit has not been lead, if you have the call suit you should
generally lead it. The partner will have to play the called ace, and
thereby become known, the Picker will have to play the required fail card,
and hopefully one of the other opponents will trump the trick, ideally with
a ten or ace of diamonds.

An opponent generally does not lead trump, as this usually helps the Picker.

SCORING

If the Picker takes no tricks the opponents are each paid +6
0 - 30 points +4
31 - 60 points +2
61 - 90 points -1
91 - 120 points -2
all tricks -3

Note that the Partner makes (or receives) one of the opponent payments.

PROGRAM OPERATION

Follow the prompts. If you decide to Pick, and you want to call a partner,
according to the rules above, enter a letter for the call ace: S spades, H
hearts, C clubs. A T is entered to call a ten, and then the suit as
prompted. U is entered to call Unknown. When prompted to choose your bury
cards or to choose the unknown card, you position the cursor over the
desired cards and press return.

You are always player # 1.

Pressing F1 when you are being prompted to play a card, will display all
hands for players #1 through #5. The right hand window displays the number
of trump in the hand, point value, and a power factor the program uses to
evaluate "pickability".

Pressing F2 will return you to the playing table.

Pressing ESC when you are being prompted for a card to play will allow you
to exit the program and return to DOS.

After each game you will be shown the Current Statistics. The lower right
hand column shows the players winnings (+/-). Multiply these numbers times
whatever amount you typically play for, (dimes, quarters, dollars, etc.)


NOTE:

I hope you enjoy playing Sheepshead. I think the program plays a fairly
good game -- but not perfect Sheepshead; the program makes mistakes, just
like we humans do, in actual play. I chose Sheepshead because I could not
find an IBM compatible version in Shareware, and I wanted to learn how to
play the game better. I consider myself a new comer to the game, and
playing this program has helped improve my game.

This is the first game I have ever written. The program is written in Turbo
Pascal and uses several routines from the "Technojocks Turbo Toolkit",
available in shareware from R.D.Ainsbury, Houston, Texas.

==========================================================================
If you would like to see enhancements to the program, please encourage me by
registering.
==========================================================================

HAVE FUN !!