everett@hpcvlx.HP.COM (Everett Kaser) (01/20/89)
I apologize for not reading the .DOC file that is with the 4-player mahjong
game that I posted about earlier. I just ran the program and reported on
what the "welcome" screen said. As it turns out, the program IS shareware,
actually "free shareware", unless you want a copy of the booklet that he
offers. If someone will tell me where to send things to Rahul, I'll send the
package off to c.b.i.p.
Everett Kaser
!hplabs!hp-pcd!everett
everett%hpcvlx@hplabs.hp.com
Here's the readme file:
****** MAHJONG by P.E. King ******
You are encouraged to copy and pass on the program to others.
However, should you find the MAHJONG program useful and/or would
like full details on how to play the game please send an
international bank cheque or money order for $20 U.S. ($25 Aust.
from within Australia) to the following address:
Procon Software
P.O. Box 43
Essendon, 3040
Australia
You will receive, by return mail, a 40 page booklet (with
illustrations) explaining in full detail; how to play the game,
game strategy, scoring and other special features (saving-
restoring the game and changing the game characteristics).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Also included with the MAHJONG documentation are details on how
to construct a special colour enhancement adapter for your RGB
monitor costing less than $5 U.S. to build. This adapter allows
the colour CYAN to be replaced by either GREEN or BLUE at the
flick of a switch. It's perfect for Games programs and graphics.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION
============
The game of Mahjong is similiar to the card game rummy. Each
player picks up a card (or TILE as it is called in Mahjong) and
then discards one until four complete sets and a pair are
obtained. The sets are called PUNGs, KONGs and CHOWs.
TILE FAMILIARIZATION
====================
After invoking the game by entering MAHJONG and selecting the
colour or B&W display, you should study the tile faces shown on
the screen. Note, there are three suits: Characters, Circles and
Bamboos. Each suit has tiles numbered from one to nine. Pay
particular attention to the one of Bamboo - it is a sparrow. The
special tiles at the bottom are the four winds (East, South, West
and North) and the three dragons (White, Green and Red). There
are four of each tile shown, making a total of 136 in all.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
===================
CALL A player is one tile away from declaring 'Mahjong'
CHOW Is a run or sequence of three suit tiles. A chow
of winds or dragons is not allowed. Example:
5,6,7 of Characters, 1,2,3 of Circles.
EAST WIND The person who is allocated the East Wind always
starts first, pays and receives double and remains
East if they win the hand.
HAND There are four hands per Round in Mahjong. If a
draw occurs or the East Wind wins the hand, then
it is repeated.
KONG A set of four identical tiles. Example: Four 8s
of Circles, four West Winds, four Green Dragons.
PUNG A set of three identical tiles. Example: three
6s of Bamboo, three North Winds, three Red Dragons
ROUND There are four rounds per game: East, South, West
and North (only two rounds for beginners).
HOW TO PLAY
===========
There are four participants; the PLAYER, who's hand is controlled
by you, and LOWER, OPPOSITE and UPPER your three computerized
opponents. The East wind starts first, they are given a tile and
then they discard one; this tile is displayed on the screen.
Your concealed hand is shown at the bottom of the screen and your
options (which keys may be pressed) are always shown just above
your hand. You are dealt 13 tiles, which are automatically
arranged in order. When your turn arrives you will be given a
tile on the right (shown projecting). You may either throw this
tile out (discard it) by pressing the SPACE BAR or keep it and
discard another by pressing the appropriate letter (A to N). You
must press the letter twice in the beginners game.
To DECLARE 'Mahjong' you must have at least fourteen tiles,
consisting of four sets of PUNG, KONG or CHOW and ONE PAIR only.
The last tile is either given to you, when it is your turn, by
SELFDRAW or it may be obtained by CLAIMing the discarded tile
from any other player. This tile may complete a PUNG, CHOW or
PAIR. Press Function key F1 when ready to declare. Be careful,
a penalty is suffered if you declare when the correct set of
tiles has not been obtained. Note, the special hands shown by
the computer are also recognised. These are difficult to obtain
and consequently they provide high scores.
Start by trying to collect PUNGs and CHOWs only. These may be
HIDDEN within your hand or obtained by CLAIMing the third tile
from anothers immediate discard. When this is done the three
tiles are then EXPOSED on the bottom right hand side of the
screen. Press the 'Tab' key to CLAIM the discard and then press
F2 for a CHOW or F3 for a PUNG. A CHOW may only be claimed from
the UPPER player. Should you have pressed the 'Tab' key by
mistake then simply press the 'Esc' key, above it, to continue.
Scoring is determined by adding up the number of points obtained
and then doubling this base score depending on whether certain
tiles or combinations of tiles are held in the hand. This total
is then deducted from each player and given to the winner of the
hand. Note however, East Wind pays and receives double this
total. A LIMIT is imposed of 1000 points because some hands
would otherwise provide excessively high scores. For further
details about scoring refer to the full documentation.
To PAUSE the game press the Function key F10. To continue press
any key. Strict time delays control each stage of the game,
should you fail to respond within this time then the computer
will simply continue and you will forfeit any opportunity you may
have had.
To QUIT the current game press Ctrl-Break or Ctrl-C. After
pressing 'Y' for Yes to the question 'QUIT(Y/N)?' you will be
returned to the main menu display.
THE CHALLENGE
=============
There is no limit to the maximum possible score in Mahjong.
The following table gives some idea of the scores attainable and
their classification when playing at the Advanced level (One
chow) or the Professional level (All Chow).
FINAL - SCORE CLASSIFICATION
2000 to 2990 Novice
3000 to 4990 Amateur
5000 to 9990 Professional
10000 to ????? Expert
GOOD LUCK!