COMMENT ⊗   VALID 00005 PAGES
C REC  PAGE   DESCRIPTION
C00001 00001
C00002 00002	Command mode
C00004 00003	Play mode
C00007 00004	Meaning of the various flags
C00009 00005	Additional information and bugs
C00010 ENDMK
C⊗;
Command mode


BJ simulates playing blackjack at a casino. It can be used on a DataDisk
or on any Display-like terminal.

In "Command mode", the user can enter the following commands:

<number>        bet <number> amount of dollars on each hand
<alt>           bet again, using same bet as last time

C               give the "count" of the rest of the deck [see C flag]
Q               quit (will ask for confirmation)
D <number>      use <number> of decks
H <number>	play <number> hands at a time (1 <= number <= 5)
S               reshuffle the deck (don't you wish Tahoe had this command)
A <number>      add <number> to the your total stash [useful when losing big].
A -<number>     subtract <number> from stash.  Not very useful, unless you're
			feeling guilty for having cheated.

F <sw>....      toggle the value of <switch>.  See later for more info
?               Print a help message

Entering either a number or <alt> causes the program to enter "play mode."



Unlike some of the author's other card-playing programs, there is 
no "cheat" command.
Play mode


After you indicate a bet by typing either a number or <alt>,
the system prints out your and the dealer's hands.

If the dealer's up card is an Ace, it will ask whether you want insurance.
Unfortunately, the program only allows you to get insurance for all or
none of the hands.  This may or may not be fixed in the future.

If the dealer does not have blackjack, you will then be given an opportunity
to play each hand in turn.  An arrow at the top of the screen will
indicate which hand is currently being dealt to.

The following commands are accepted.

S or <cr>       Stand
H or <alt>      Hit
D               Double down (see the V flag)
P               Split a pair
R               Redraw the screen 
?		Help

Be careful.  The program accepts the first character you type, without
waiting for an end-of-line character.  If you accidentally type the wrong
command and feel that you are gypped, feel free to use the "A" command
documented earlier.  It's your conscience.

If a hand busts or is a blackjack, an appropriate message is printed, 
the total is adjusted, and the cards are removed [just like in a casino].

After all hands have been taken care of, the dealer's down card is
turned over, and his hand is played (automatically).
The system then prints for each hand one of the following
	win, lose, push, (blackjack), (bust)
The parentheses indicate that the total has already been adjusted.

In addition, a "!!" after any of the five indicates that the hand
was doubled down, and that you win or lose double the bet.
Meaning of the various flags

A	[Do not / Do] automatically stand on hard 19 or higher.

C	[Do not print / Print] a "count" of the deck at the beginning 
	     of each deal

D	When doubling down or splitting aces, the last card is dealt
	    [face up / face down].

S	Dealer [hits / stands] on soft seventeen.

T	You [are not / are] given a running total of each hand.

U	[Only first hand / All hands] will be dealt face up.

V	[Reno / Vegas] rules on doubling down.  Doubling down is permitted
	    [only on original two cards, which total 10 or eleven 
	    / on any total and after splitting].

?   Print this info



Type	F <flag><flag>....   in command mode to toggle <flag>s.

In each case, the first value given is the initial value.
Additional information and bugs


This program was written by Frank Yellin.  Please send all bugs, comments, etc.
to him.

The code to display cards on the screen was written by Don Woods, and
is used by permission.




Known bugs:

1)  There is a chance that the deck might run out during the play.  Behavior
of the program at this point will probably be unpredicatable.

2)  Bizarreness may occur if, because of splitting, there are more than
nine hands.  This may or may not be fixed in the future.