Hearts for Palm OS
Version: 2.0
Date: October 28, 2002
Users Manual
©2002 Stand Alone, Inc. All rights reserved.
1.4.2 Entering the Registration Code
1.5 Contacting Stand Alone, Inc.
2.2 Multiple Players, Single Handheld
2.3 Multiple Players, Multiple Handhelds
2.3.1 Connecting via Bluetooth
2.3.2 Connecting via Infrared Beam
4.2 Using Multi-Player Mode on a Single Handheld
4.2.1 Passing and Playing Face-Down Cards
Hearts is an electronic version of the card game for Palm Powered™ handhelds.
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
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Internet: info@standalone.com
Fax: (773) 477-2579
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:
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.
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
A single-player game pits you against three computer opponents. Do the following steps to start a single-player game:
Figure 2 New Game Screen: Player Names
Read Section 4.1 for instructions to use the game table.
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:
Figure 3 New Game Screen: Players List
Read Section 4.2, Using Multi-Player Mode on a Single Handheld.
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.
Doing the Initial Setup
Do the following steps to install Hearts on the handhelds of the other players and create a network:
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:
Figure 5 New Game Screen: Players List
Connecting the Players
After starting the multi-player game on your handheld, ask each player do the following steps on his/her handheld:
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.
Doing the Initial Setup
Do the following steps to install Hearts on the handhelds of the other players:
Starting the Game
Figure 7 New Game Screen: Players List
Figure 8 Dialog Message to Send Game Setup Data
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.
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.
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
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
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
The section explains how to use the card table and controls.
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.
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.
To pass or play a face-down card:
To avoid passing or playing any card, drag the stylus to an empty area of the screen before releasing it.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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 |
-26 points |
Table 12 Omnibus Scoring
Additional rules are as in Black Lady.
Do the following steps to save the current game:
Figure 13 Manage Game Files Screen
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.
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.
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
Additional files included in the Hearts installation folder enable you to customize the appearance of the game table. (Table 1)
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 Options → Card 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.
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 Options → Next 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.
HotSync, Palm Powered, and Palm OS are registered trademarks of Palm, Inc.