Topics

What is Shareware

Ordering the registered version

>	Rules of the game

Keys and Mousebuttons

Options

player options

Rule options

other options


order informations
Ordering the registered version of WCanasta for Windows

I wrote this program for you to have more fun with Windows. I have released it as shareware for you and your friends and associates to try it out at your leisure. Please respect my confidence and acknowledge my efforts by paying for them.

Your payment will let me know that my work is appreciated as well as help to support my efforts in providing the best products for you, so that I can continue to improve this program and write new ones.

You can easily order from PSL with your MC, Visa AmEx, or Discover card

by calling 800-242-4 PSL (from overseas: 713-524-6394)

or by FAX to 713-524-6398

or by CompuServe to 71355 470  or  SWREG (Go SWREG , enter id 4183).

Please order Item #11642

Thank You for your support

For only $22 +$4 S&H you get a 3,5" Disk with the newest release of the registered version of WCanasta and :

 - no reminder screens and hints

 - all game options are available

 - you can see the cards of the computer

 - You get a new midi-music (f you have a soundcard)

The PSL numbers are for ordering only. To contact the author for information or suggestions or comments, please write to my address below. Returns are not allowed.

   Wilfried Lottermoser

   Spechtweg 7

   D-66287 Quierschied

   Germany

CIS: 100517,3313

Email: 100517.3313@compuserve.com

I will deliver as fast as possible (normally the same day I get the order)


Shareware

This program is offered as shareware, but no freeware or public domain software.

Please order the program if you appreciate it .

I wrote this program for you to have more fun with Windows. I have released it as shareware for you and your friends and associates to try it out at your leisure.  Please respect my confidence and acknowledge my efforts by paying for them.

Your payment will let me know that my work is appreciated as well as help to support my efforts in providing the best products for you, so that I can continue to improve this program and write new ones.

by ordering you get the newest version on a 3,5" disk and :

 - no reminder screens and hints

 - all game options are available

 - you can see the cards of the computer

 - you can play a new background-sound (f you have a midi-driver for your card)

Please feel free to give copies of the sharewareversion to all of your friends and associates.


Rules of the game

Canasta is played with 2 sets of cards (2*52) .

The goal is to reach 5000 points. Therefore series (cards of the same value) must be laid out.

e.g. :

Course

Each player first takes a card from the hidden pile, then can lay out something if he wants and must drop a last card on the open pile. (To take a card click on the hidden pile. When you let go the mousebutton the card goes on the hand)

One round is finished, when a player has no more cards. You play as many rounds until someone reaches the 5000 points.

Values of the cards

4,5,6,7	5 Points

8,9,10,J,D,K	10 Points

As	20 Points

2 (are Joker too!)	20 Points

Joker	50 Points

laying out

You only lay out cards of the same series.

Therefore you can use jokers, real jokers as well as twos (note: all twos are wildcards like real jokers!).

You can never use more jokers as "pure cards" and never more than 3 jokers in a series.

Each new series must have at least 3 cards

To lay out at the first time you need 50 points

A series with at least 7 cards is a Canasta and is worth 500 points if it contains no jokers, else 300 points (A Canasta only with jokers is worth 1000 points)

a canasta for 300 points is e.g.. :

Taking the open pile

Instead of taking a card from the hidden pile you can take the whole open pile, if you can take the topmost card. Either to add it to cards you already laid out, or to lay out with at least 2 pure cards from your hand (the first time you need 50 points and the value of the topmost card is included).

To take the pile, just move the topmost card from the open pile to your addwindow (left from the pile).

blocking the pile with joker

You can block the pile by dropping a joker(or a two). From now on you cannot take the pile if you could add the topmost card, you must have 2 pure cards of the series on the hand.

Finishing

>	Finishing means dropping the remaining cards. You can drop a last card on the open pile, but you don't must do it.

>	You must have at least one Canasta

>	All points are calculated and fixed

>	All cards remaining on the hand of any player will be subtracted from the score

>	You get 100 points for finishing. If you finish by laying out at the first time you get 200 points (=handcanasta)

Threes

Red threes are always laid out immediately and are worth 100 points (all four 800 points).

Black threes cannot be laid out to a canasta and are only useful for blocking the pile for the next player.


playeroptions
Options : player

You can give up to 4 player a name and activate them by clicking the "active"-box.

All 4 players can be activated in the registered version.

All but the first player can be simulated by the computer, therefore click "computer".

A game can only be played with at least 2 players.

For a doublegame all 4 players must be activated. Player 1 is together with 3 and 2 with 4.


Rule options
Options : rules of the game

Take cards only when cards are laid out : You can take the open pile only when you already laid out some cards

Pile is completely frozen :  the pile cannot be taken anymore

Jokercanasta are allowed : You can lay out series only with jokers. A jokercanasta is worth 1000 points.

Can take open pile with one joker and one pure card : You don't need two pure cards and can take the pile with one joker and one pure card.

Add no cards at completed canasta : adding cards at finished canasta is not allowed

Joker in each set : with 3 joker in each set you have 6 pure Joker in the two sets and the game is easier.


other options
Options : other options

Animation : the move of the cards is always shown when clicked

fast cards : you can slow down the animation if it is not clicked

fast uncover : if it is not clicked you can see the cards coming from the pile

Sounds : Sounds of the cards and of other player

music : a MIDI-File is played as background music only in the registered version. For some soundcards you should start the control panel, choose the midi-mapper and change in the setup the connections to something like OPL3-synthese

pause between each player : there is a message box between each player, not only between humans

Automark when taking pile : if enabled, the matching cards on your hand will be marked and layed out, if you take the open pile


Keys and Mousebuttons

>	with the keys 1,2,3,4 you can switch to the corresponding player

>	with a click on the right mousebutton in the Addwindow or the handwindow you can switch to the next player. If the Mouse is on a card in the handwindow this card will be selected

>	with a click on the left mousebutton you take a card or all selected cards in the handwindow. If the mouse is not on a card you can switch to the previous player

>	with a double-click on the right mousebutton in the handwindow you can select a hole series

>	with a double-click on the left mousebutton in the handwindow you can add the card to the addwindow.