Montana Solitaire for Windows Version 1.3 Copyright © 1995 Steve Schroedl OVERVIEW -------- A solitaire card game for Windows 3.x. INSTALLATION ------------ The only file required is MONTANA.EXE. It may be copied to any directory. When you play Montana Solitaire, game scores and settings will be saved in a file called MONTANA.INI, in the directory that contains MONTANA.EXE. Montana Solitaire can optionally use the CARDS.DLL file from the Microsoft Entertainment Pack for Windows. This file is used only when the "big cards" option is selected. Because all 52 cards must be visible at once, this feature is best suited for screen resolutions of 800x600 or higher. PLAYING THE GAME ---------------- All 52 cards are dealt face-up into four rows. The aces are then removed. Cards may only be moved into the gaps left when the aces are removed. Only one card is eligible to be moved to a given gap - the card that is of the same suit and next highest in sequence to the card immediately to the left of the gap. A two may only be moved if a gap exists at the left side of a row. No cards may be moved to a gap following a king. For example, if a gap follows the 7 of Hearts, clicking on the 8 of Hearts will move it into the gap. This will leave behind a new gap into which a different card can be moved. Once a 2 is moved to the first column, it is considered in home position. As cards of the same suit are moved in sequence behind a 2, they are also in home position. The game is over when all cards are in home position. The cards may be shuffled at any time. Cards which are in home position are left on the table. All other cards, including the aces, are shuffled and redealt. The aces are then removed and the game continues. A maximum of 15 shuffles is allowed. For non-mouse users, the game may be played using the keyboard. Use the arrow keys to position the pointer on the card to be moved, then press ENTER or the space bar. To shuffle, use ALT-S. SCORING ------- Scoring is based on the number of shuffles and moves. The "Best Scores" option keeps track of both the fewest number of shuffles and fewest number of moves. This allows for two distinctly different playing strategies. What constitutes a good score? Any game completed with no shuffles is an excellent score. With a few well-timed shuffles, it is also possible to complete a game in as few as 70 moves or less. REGISTRATION ------------ Montana Solitaire for Windows is shareware. It may be freely copied, distributed, or uploaded to a BBS provided it includes both MONTANA.EXE and MONTANA.TXT. Try the game for a few weeks. If you decide to keep it, please register by sending $5.00 to: Steve Schroedl 2328 Hemlock Circle Clayton, NC 27520 Please include your name, mailing address, and email address. In return I will send you a personal registration code which will allow you to suppress the friendly nag screen that appears when you exit Montana Solitaire. Please send any suggestions, questions, or comments to Steve Schroedl at CompuServe 75533,3601 (Internet 75533.3601@compuserve.com).