Hearts for Palm OS

Version: 2.0

Date: October 28, 2002

 

Users Manual

 

©2002 Stand Alone, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

1.     Welcome and Registration. 2

1.1       Included Files. 2

1.2       System Requirements. 2

1.3       Installing Hearts. 3

1.3.1        Windows Installation. 3

1.3.2        Macintosh Installation. 3

1.4       Registering Hearts. 3

1.4.1        Necessary Information. 4

1.4.2        Entering the Registration Code. 4

1.5       Contacting Stand Alone, Inc. 4

1.5.1        Business Hours. 5

1.5.2        E-mail 5

1.5.3        Fax. 5

1.5.4        World Wide Web. 5

1.6       Customer Support 5

2.     Overview of Features. 5

2      Starting a Game. 6

2.1       Single Player 6

2.2       Multiple Players, Single Handheld. 7

2.3       Multiple Players, Multiple Handhelds. 7

2.3.1        Connecting via Bluetooth. 7

2.3.2        Connecting via Infrared Beam.. 9

3      Hearts Menus. 10

3.1       Game Menu. 10

3.2       Options Menu. 11

3.3       Network Menu. 11

4      Playing Hearts. 12

4.1       Using the Game Table. 12

4.2       Using Multi-Player Mode on a Single Handheld. 12

4.2.1        Passing and Playing Face-Down Cards. 13

5      Hearts Variations. 13

5.1       Standard. 14

5.2       Passing. 14

5.3       Joker 14

5.4       Black Lady. 15

5.5       Greek. 15

5.6       Black Maria. 15

5.7       Spot 16

5.8       Omnibus. 16

6      Saving Games. 16

7      Viewing Statistics. 17

8      Changing Advanced Settings. 17

9      Changing Graphical Elements. 18

9.1       Changing Card Backs. 18

9.2       Changing Backgrounds. 19

 

1.                        Welcome and Registration

Hearts is an electronic version of the card game for Palm Powered™ handhelds.

1.1    Included Files

The archive includes the following files and folders:

 

File/Folder

Purpose

Readme.txt

Explains how to register and order the software.

Hearts.prc

Installs Hearts on your Palm Powered™ handheld.

CardEngine.prc

Installs additional software required to run Hearts.

Skins*.prc

Installs custom background images.  Separate skins files are included for motifs such, as nature, flowers, and outer space. 

Blue_Card_Backs.prc

Installs realistic, blue images for the card backs.

Red_Card_Backs.prc

Installs realistic, red images for the card backs.

order.html

Automatically establishes link with Standalone, Inc. website.  Places Hearts in your shopping cart. (If this does not happen automatically, click the Click to order link to go to our website.)

license.txt

Contains the software license agreement. Please read this before using the software. By installing, copying, or otherwise using this software, you agree to be bound by the terms of the license agreement.

manual

This folder contains the HTML version of this manual. The images subfolder contains the graphics for this manual.

Table 1  Hearts Files and Folders

1.2    System Requirements

Palm OS version 3.0 is required. Visit http://www.standalone.com/palmos/ to obtain an updated list of supported Palm Powered™ devices. This manual refers to any compatible device as a “Palm Powered™ handheld.”

1.3    Installing Hearts

Software such as the Palm Desktop™ enables your Palm Powered handheld to receive Hearts installation data from your desktop computer.  Read the documentation that came with your Palm Powered handheld to ensure that the Palm Desktop or similar software is properly installed.

1.3.1   Windows Installation

Do the following steps to install Hearts using a Windows-compatible desktop computer:

 

1.      Download the Hearts installer (.exe file) from www.standalone.com , saving it to an easily accessible location such as the desktop.

2.      Click the executable icon. The installation wizard opens on the screen.

3.      Complete the steps specified by the installation wizard.

4.      Perform a Hot Sync operation with your Palm Powered handheld.  Hearts is automatically installed on your Palm Powered handheld.

1.3.2   Macintosh Installation

Do the following steps to install Hearts using a Macintosh computer:

 

1.      Download the Hearts installation file (.hqx file) from www.standalone.com, saving it to an easily accessible location such as the desktop.

2.      Run a program such as StuffIt to decompress the Hearts installation file. A new folder appears containing the files Hearts.prc and CardEngine.prc.

3.      Double click the files MathLib.prc and CardEngine.prc. The install tool opens.

4.      Perform a Hot Sync operation with your Palm Powered handheld.

1.4    Registering Hearts

Hearts is shareware, software that you can download and try for free. The time-limited demo version of Hearts includes all of the features available in the licensed version. After 30 days, the demo version will only work with a valid registration code. Registration includes free upgrades to any future version of Hearts.

 

There are several ways to order your registration code:

·        Order online at [WebPage]. This is the easiest way to register. The secure online shopping cart requires a current Netscape or Internet Explorer browser (version 4.0 or higher).

·        E-mail your registration information to sales@standalone.com. We will send the registration code.

·        Fax your order to us at (773) 477-2579.

1.4.1   Necessary Information

Have the following information ready before you register:

·        Your exact name as it is entered in your Palm Powered™ handheld, including spaces.

·        The complete list of programs that you wish to register.

·        Payment information. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and personal checks.  To pay with a credit card, provide the card number, the expiration date, and the type of card.

·        Contact information. Please provide an e-mail address, mailing address, and phone number.

1.4.2   Entering the Registration Code

Do the following to enter the registration code before the 30 day evaluation period has expired:

1.      Open Hearts from the Applications menu.  The start screen appears.

2.      Select Options → Enter Registration Code from the menu. The Enter Reg Code screen containing a numerical keypad appears.  The Name field shows your name as it is entered into your Palm Powered™ handheld.

3.      Tap the numerical keypad to enter the registration code.

4.      Tap the Register button.

Do the following to enter the registration code after the 30-day evaluation period has expired:

1.      Open Hearts from the Applications menu.  The registration information screen appears.

2.      Tap Enter Registration.  The Enter Reg Code screen containing a numerical keypad appears. The Name field shows your name as it is entered into your Palm Powered™ handheld.

3.      Tap the numerical keypad to enter the registration code.

4.      Tap the Register button.

Please e-mail us at sales@standalone.com if you have any questions about registering.

1.5    Contacting Stand Alone, Inc.

There are several ways to get in touch with us. E-mail is preferred. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

1.5.1   Business Hours

Stand Alone is open from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday. We are closed on Saturday and Sunday. These times are CST and GMT -5.

1.5.2   E-mail

Internet: info@standalone.com

1.5.3   Fax

Fax: (773) 477-2579

1.5.4   World Wide Web

http://www.standalone.com

1.6    Customer Support

Please e-mail us at techsupport@standalone.com if you have problems starting or running Hearts. Include the following information to help us isolate and identify the problem:

 

2.                        Overview of Features

Eight Variations of Hearts

Hearts for Palm OS includes eight variations of the card game. 

 

Multi-Player Mode

One to four players can join a game.  Computer opponents can be added or removed from the table as desired.

 

Bluetooth™ and Infrared Support for Multi-Player Games

Connect up to four Palm Powered handhelds in multi-player mode.  Players with Bluetooth support can interact in real time.  Players in the same room can send and receive game data via the infrared port. 

 

Custom Graphics

Use skins and card backs files to customize the appearance of the game.

 

Player Statistics

Statistics track each player’s performance over a series of games.

2       Starting a Game

Use the New Game screen to start a new game of Hearts. (Figure 1)  To go to the New Game screen at any time, select Game New Game from the main menu, or enter N in the graffiti area.

 

Figure 1 New Game Screen: Game Types

2.1    Single Player

A single-player game pits you against three computer opponents.  Do the following steps to start a single-player game:

 

  1. Select Game New Game from the main menu, or enter N in the graffiti area. The New Game screen appears.
  2. Tap Single-Player. The New Game screen shows the players entering the game. You appear as the Human player. (Figure 2)

 

Figure 2 New Game Screen: Player Names

 

  1. Tap Play to begin the game.  The game table appears.

 

Read Section 4.1 for instructions to use the game table.

2.2    Multiple Players, Single Handheld

A multi-player game can include two, three, or four human players.  Computer opponents take the remaining seats at the table.  Do the following steps to start a multi-player game on a single Palm Powered handheld:

 

  1. Select Game New Game from the main menu, or enter N in the graffiti area. The New Game screen appears.
  2. Tap Multi-player. Additional options appear.
  3. Tap Here (on this handheld). A list of players appears. Selectors enable you to designate each player as Human or Palm. (Figure 3)

 

Figure 3 New Game Screen: Players List

  1. Tap Human for each human player entering the game.
  2. Use the stylus to edit the names of the human players.
  3. Leave Palm selected to assign a computer opponent to any empty seats at the table.
  4. Tap Play.

 

Read Section 4.2, Using Multi-Player Mode on a Single Handheld.

2.3    Multiple Players, Multiple Handhelds

Up to four Palm Powered handhelds can connect to the same game.  Players can interact in real time using handhelds equipped with Bluetooth wireless capability.  If all players do not have Bluetooth capability, the infrared beam that comes standard on many Palm Powered handhelds can be used to manually transmit game data.

2.3.1   Connecting via Bluetooth

Doing the Initial Setup

Do the following steps to install Hearts on the handhelds of the other players and create a network:

 

  1. Ensure that the receiving handhelds are physically within range of your handheld.
  2. Select Network Send Game from the menu. A dialog box gives the status of the installation.
  3. Select Network Create Network from the menu. Your handheld connects to the other players’ handhelds.  A dialog box gives the status of the installation.

 

Setting up the Game

After Hearts is installed on each player’s handheld and the network is established, follow the familiar procedure to set up a multi-player game:

 

  1. Select Game New Game from the main menu, or enter N in the graffiti area. The New Game screen appears.
  2. Tap Multi-player. Additional options appear.
  3. Tap Via Bluetooth. A list of players appears. Selectors enable you to designate each player as Human or Palm. (Figure 3)

 

Figure 5 New Game Screen: Players List

  1. Tap Human for each human player connecting to the game.  Hearts automatically updates the names of the players in the network.
  2. Leave Palm selected to fill any empty spots at the table with computer opponents.
  3. Tap Play. The game table appears.

 

Connecting the Players

After starting the multi-player game on your handheld, ask each player do the following steps on his/her handheld:

 

  1. Select Game New Game from the main menu, or enter N in the graffiti area. The New Game screen appears.
  2. Tap Join existing. The game table appears.

 

Each player sees her cards at the bottom of the screen.  The appearance of the table is similar to that of a single-player game.

2.3.2   Connecting via Infrared Beam

Doing the Initial Setup

Do the following steps to install Hearts on the handhelds of the other players:

 

  1. Ensure that the receiving handhelds are physically within range of your handheld.
  2. Select Options Beam Game from the main menu. A dialog box gives the status of the installation.

 

Starting the Game

  1. Select Game New Game from the main menu, or enter N in the graffiti area. The New Game screen appears.
  2. Tap Multi-player. Additional options appear.
  3. Tap via Infrared (beaming). A dialog box appears asking you to set up each player’s name.
  4. Tap Continue. The list of players appears. Selectors enable you to designate each player as Human or Palm. (Figure 7)

 

Figure 7 New Game Screen: Players List

 

  1. Tap Human for each human player entering the game.
  2. Use the stylus to edit the names of the human players.
  3. Leave Palm selected to fill an empty spot at the table with a computer opponent.
  4. Tap Play. The game table appears with a dialog asking you to send game setup data to the specified player. (Figure 8)

 

Figure 8 Dialog Message to Send Game Setup Data

 

  1. Tap the Beam button to send setup data to the next player.

 

The Beam dialog enables each player beam setup data to the next player before taking a turn.  Select Network Beam Game to All Players to beam the game setup information to all players at the same time. 

3       Hearts Menus

To access the menus, tap the menu bar at the top of the screen or the Menu button to the left of the graffiti pad.

3.1    Game Menu

Game  →

Action

Comments

Undo

Undo the last move.

 

Redo

Redo last move.

 

Suggest

Highlight the best card to play.

 

Auto Play

Enable the computer to play the human player’s cards.

This causes the game to “play itself” because all of the players are computer opponents.

Hearts Variations

Show the Game Variations screen.

Read Section 5, Hearts Variations.

Statistics

Show the Statistics screen.

Read Section 7, Viewing Statistics.

New Game

Begin a new game.

 

Table 2 Game Menu

3.2    Options Menu

Options  →

Action

Comments

Advanced Settings

Show the Advanced Settings screen

Read Section

Saved Games

Show the Manage Game Files screen.

Read Section 6, Saving Games.

Beam Game

Beam the current game information to receiving handhelds.

 

Card Backs

Show the Select Card Backs screen.

 

Next Background

Load the next background image.

 

Help

Show help topics.

 

Enter Registration Code

Show the Enter Registration Code screen.

Read Section 1.4.2, Entering the Registration Code.

About

Show information about Hearts for Palm OS.

 

Table 3 Options Menu

3.3    Network Menu

Network  →

Action

Comments

Send Game

Transmit Hearts software to other handhelds using Bluetooth connectivity.

 

Create Network

Locate other Palm Powered handhelds in the vicinity and create a network between them.

 

Leave Network

Leave a network of Bluetooth-connected handhelds.

 

Beam Game to All Players

Send data regarding current status of the game to all players.

Dialog boxes appear throughout the game to beam data to individual players.  Use this menu option in situations where all players need to be updated.

Table 4 Network Menu

4       Playing Hearts

The section explains how to use the card table and controls.

4.1    Using the Game Table

Each player begins with thirteen cards.  The cards of the current player are always shown along the bottom edge of the table.  Computer opponents and human players connected via other handhelds cannot see your cards.

 

Figure 9 Hearts Table

Tap a card to pass it to the next player.  After passing cards, the cards that were passed to you appear with your cards, highlighted in black.

 

Figure 10 Passed Cards Highlighted in Black

The bar at the top of the screen identifies each player in a clockwise order, beginning with the current player at the bottom edge of the table. In Figure 10, Robert is the player at the bottom. Jenny is the left-hand player. Neil is the top player.  Chuck is the right-hand player.

 

4.2    Using Multi-Player Mode on a Single Handheld

In single-player games and games played on networked handhelds, the orientation of players does not change.  In a multi-player game played on a single handheld, however, the orientation of the table rotates so that the current player is always at the bottom of the screen.  For example, when it is Jenny’s turn to play a card, her cards appear at the bottom of the screen. (Figure 11)

 

Figure 11 Multi-Player Mode on Single Handheld

The screen shows the current players’ hand face-down for privacy.

4.2.1   Passing and Playing Face-Down Cards

To pass or play a face-down card:

 

  1. Hold the stylus down on any of the face-down cards. The faces of the cards appear.
  2. Drag the stylus to the card that you want to pass or play. 
  3. Release the stylus.

 

To avoid passing or playing any card, drag the stylus to an empty area of the screen before releasing it.

5       Hearts Variations

Select Game → Hearts Variations… from the menu to view the Game Variations screen. (Figure 12)

 

Figure 12 Game Variations Screen

Tap the name of a Hearts variation in the selector to see its description. After selecting the desired variation, tap OK. The next new game will use the rules in the selected variation.

5.1    Standard

The player with the fewest points wins when any player reaches 50 points.

 

Card

Penalty

Heart Card

1 point

Table 5 Standard Scoring

 

The player holding the 2 of Clubs plays that card to lead off after the cards are dealt. Each player after the lead must follow suit if he can.  If he cannot, he may play any card he desires.  Tricks are won by the highest card played of the suit led.  The winner of a trick leads the next. Hearts cannot be led until hearts have been broken (a heart has been discarded on a previous trick). If a player only has hearts in his hand, he can lead a heart even if they have not been broken.

5.2    Passing

The player with the fewest points wins when any player reaches 100 points.

 

Card

Penalty

Heart Card

1 point

Queen of Spades

13 points

Two of Hearts

5 points

Shooting the Moon
(take all 13 hearts and queen of spades)

26 points for each of the three opposing players

Table 6 Passing Scoring

After the deal each player must select three cards from his hand to pass to an opponent.  The cards must be selected before looking at the cards being received from an opponent.  The direction of the pass alternates for each deal. The first deal is passed left.  Second deal is passed right. Third deal is passed across.  The fourth deal has no pass and players are stuck with what they are dealt.  The next deal then restarts the cycle.

5.3    Joker

The player with the fewest points wins when any player reaches 50 points.

 

The 2 of Hearts ranks between the Jack of Hearts and the 10 of Hearts.  It is the only trump and wins any trick it is played on, regardless of the suit led, unless a higher Heart appears in the trick (in which case the higher Heart takes the trick).

 

Card

Penalty

Two of Hearts

5 points

Heart Card

1 point

Queen of Spades

13 points

Table 7 Joker Scoring

Additional rules are as in Standard Hearts.

5.4    Black Lady

The player with the fewest points wins when any player reaches 100 points.

 

Card

Penalty

Heart Card

1 point

Queen of Spades

13 points

Shooting the Moon
(take all 13 hearts and queen of spades)

26 points for each of the three opposing players, OR -26 points for the player shooting the moon.

Table 8 Black Lady Scoring

Additional rules are as in Standard Hearts.

5.5    Greek

The player with the fewest points wins when any player reaches 500 points.

 

Card

Penalty

Queen of Hearts

50 points

King of Hearts

13 points

Jack of Hearts

11 points

Numbered Hearts

Face Value

Shooting the Moon
(take all 13 hearts and queen of spades)

150 points for each of the three opposing players.

Table 9 Greek Scoring

After the deal each player must select three cards from his hand to pass to the player on his right.

 

Additional rules are as in Standard Hearts.

5.6    Black Maria

The player with the fewest points wins when any player reaches 100 points.

 

Card

Penalty

Heart Card

1 point

Queen of Spades

13 points

King of Spades

10 points

Ace of Spades

7 points

Table 10 Black Maria Scoring

Passing rules are as in Greek Hearts.

 

Additional rules are as in Standard Hearts.

5.7    Spot

The player with the fewest points wins when any player reaches 500 points.

 

Card

Penalty

King of Hearts

13 points

Queen of Hearts

12 points

Jack of Hearts

11 points

Numbered Hearts

Face Value

Queen of Spades

13 points

Table 11 Spot Scoring

Additional rules are as in Standard Hearts.

5.8    Omnibus

The player with the fewest points wins when any player reaches 100 points.

 

Card

Penalty

Heart Card

1 point

Jack of Diamonds

-10 points

Queen of Spades

13 points

Shooting the Moon
(take all 13 hearts, all queens, and the 10 of diamonds)

-26 points

Table 12 Omnibus Scoring

Additional rules are as in Black Lady.

6       Saving Games

Do the following steps to save the current game:

 

  1. Select Options → Saved Games… from the menu. The Manage Game Files screen appears. (Figure 13) The Current Game field shows the name of the current game.  By default, the name is the current date and time.

 

Figure 13 Manage Game Files Screen

 

  1. If desired, use the stylus to edit the name of the current game. For example, enter Black Maria Thurs for a game of Black Maria played on a Thursday.
  2. Tap any slot in the file list. The Save button appears at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Tap Save. The current game is added to the list.

 

Do the following steps to load a previously saved game:

 

1.      Select Options → Saved Games… from the menu. The Manage Game Files screen appears.

2.      Tap the file in the list that you want to load. The Load button appears at the bottom of the screen.

3.      Tap Load. The selected game is loaded as the current game.

4.      Tap OK.

7       Viewing Statistics

To view player statistics, select Game → Statistics… from the menu, or enter T in the graffiti area. (Figure 14)

 

Figure 14 Statistics Screen

Tap Reset Stats to reset each player’s amount of won games back to zero.

 

8       Changing Advanced Settings

To change advanced settings, select Options Advanced Settings… from the menu, or enter S in the graffiti area.

 

Figure 15 Advanced Settings Screen

 

Setting

Purpose

Comments

Show Score

Turns the scores on or off.

 

Show Commentary

Turns the comments at the bottom of the screen on or off.

 

Show Title Bar

Shows the application title bar that reads Hearts.

 

Player Selector

Select a player(s) to begin configuring his/her settings.

Each player’s settings are separately configurable. Select Table to configure all of the players’ settings at the same time.

Card Size Pull-Down Selector

Sets the size of the player’s cards as small, medium, or large.

 

Card Order Pull-Down Selector

Sets the order of card suits in the player’s hand, from left to right.

 

Name

Edit the player’s name.

 

Table Color

Opens a color selector screen to change the color of the game table background.

Tap a color from the selector and tap OK.

Table 13 Advanced Settings

9       Changing Graphical Elements

Additional files included in the Hearts installation folder enable you to customize the appearance of the game table. (Table 1)

9.1    Changing Card Backs

To change card backs:

 

1.      Install the files Red_Card_Backs.prc and Blue_Card_Backs.prc according to the instructions in Section 1.3, Installing Hearts.

2.      Select OptionsCard Backs… from the menu.  The Select Card Backs screen appears. (Figure 16)

 

Figure 16 Select Card Backs Screen

3.      Tap the up or down arrows above the preview image to examine the available styles.

4.      Tap Select to change the card backs to the selected style.

9.2    Changing Backgrounds

To change the background image on the card table:

 

1.      Install one or more skins files included in the installation folder. (Table 1)

2.      Select OptionsNext Background… from the menu. The next background is loaded behind the screen.

3.      Repeat the previous step to try different backgrounds.  The background returns to a solid color after reaching the end of the list.

 

 

 

 

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