This ReadMe file accompanies shareware version 1.02 of RiverBoat™ Poker. It presents the required legal notices, developers comments, an order form, and license agreement.
It also includes a brief description of Texas Hold'em poker for players who may not be familiar with the game.
This shareware includes no user manual or help facility. But, a description of the poker hand analysis feature is included below since it is not obvious how to interpret the graphic data.
You may receive this shareware distributed with a product (e.g., a CD-ROM drive) or from a commercial distributer. It may appear that the fee for this shareware was paid by the vendor or distributer. This is not so. The distribution method does not change the obligation to pay the shareware fee.
Copyright and Legal Notices
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SHAREWARE AUTHORS, INC. owns the exclusive rights to the sale and distribution of this program on CD-ROM and all other high capacity (over 2MB) media. All other such distribution is strictly prohibited. Distribution by BBSs, Information Services and Nonprofit User Groups is permitted on media of 2MB capacity or less.
This program is shareware. Continued use, beyond testing and evaluation requires payment of a $20.00 shareware fee to the author. Paid users receive a 40 page instruction book, limited support and information on updates. This program has restrictions in some advanced features; an unrestricted, "professional" version is available for $30.00. See the "Order Form" at the end of this file to register this shareware or purchase the professional version.
The copyright includes all display formats and graphics generated by this software. Permission is granted to reproduce RiverBoat™ outputs for publication in paper or other "hard copy" media, provided that credit is conspicuously given to RiverBoat™ as the source, and copyright is attributed to Libra SoftWare.
WARRANTY Limitations
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APPLE COMPUTER, INC. MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE ENCLOSED COMPUTER SOFTWARE PACKAGE, ITS MERCHANTABILITY OR ITS FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES IS NOT PERMITTED BY SOME STATES. THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY PROVIDES YOU WITH SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS. THERE MAY BE OTHER RIGHTS THAT YOU MAY HAVE WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
Libra Software makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, regarding the enclosed computer software package, its merchantability or its fitness for any particular purpose. The exclusion of implied warranties is not permitted by some states. The above exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty provides you with specific legal rights. There may be other rights that you may have which vary from state to state.
Although Libra Software strives to provide products of the highest quality, no guarantee of fault free operation is made. Your cooperation in detecting and reporting faults is truly appreciated, however such notification cannot assure that the fault will be corrected.
The RiverBoat software was designed to work on your computer system if all the hardware and software components of your system are fully compatible with the computer you are using. Compatibility is determined by the computer manufacturer (Apple Computer, Inc.). Accordingly, we are unable to guarantee that RiverBoat will work properly on systems that do not meet the standards of compatibility set by the manufacturer of your computer.
Libra SoftWare will replace the original RiverBoat distribution disk if it becomes unreadable within 90 days of purchase. You must return the disk with product and Serial Number labels intact to Libra SoftWare before replacement can be made. If you return a current version of RiverBoat then the replacement is at no charge. If you return an out of date version then an update fee is charged.
Quality Assurance
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Libra SoftWare wants to provide programs of the highest quality, and requests your assistance in doing so. Please report any software problems to one of the above addresses. When reporting problems be sure to indicate the following:
What type of Macintosh are you using:
How much memory (RAM):
What version of the operating system (e.g., 6.0.7, 7.0):
Are you using MultiFinder or the regular Finder:
What INIT's are installed that may be interfering:
The first person to report any correctable RiverBoat problem will receive a free professional version, or a free upgrade.
If you experience severe problems try removing some INIT's. "Automenus 4.0" is suspected of causing problems.
Libra SoftWare is interested in your involvement with poker. Please let us know how often you play, at what stakes, where (home games, or casino), and anything else that may help define the RiverBoat™ user community.
Thank you for your interest in RiverBoat™ Poker.
Version 1.02 Changes
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The first release of RiverBoat™ Poker was considered a demonstrator for the professional version. It had more restrictions than this version and was freeware. It was first uploaded to America On Line and Compuserve in September 1991.
This shareware version has restrictions only in the poker hand analysis section: no more than 400 sample hands will be tested to find the projected odds (probability) that a specific hand will win. Analysis is considered a "professional" feature, and is therefore restricted in this "entertainment" or game version.
Several other major changes have been introduced in version 1.02:
* You can now save and restore the game to and from disk.
* You have control over the sounds made for most game actions. (Sounds are 'snd ' resources from your system file; RiverBoat has only a few built-in sounds. You are invited to send your favorite poker sounds to the author, however, no compensation can be provided and all sounds become the property of Libra SoftWare.)
* You can choose what hands are shown at showdown.
* You can choose whether players who go broke are replaced or buy more chips.
Playing Texas Hold'em Poker
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RiverBoat only plays Texas Hold'em poker. Although this is the most popular game in professional cardrooms, it is often unknown to "home players."
Texas hold'em is a 7-card, "community" poker game played with a standard 52 card deck (no wild cards). Each player is dealt 2 "hole cards," face down. A 5-card "flop" is dealt, face up, in the middle of the table. The flop is shared equally by all players. Each player determines the value of his/her hand by using the best combination of any five cards from the flop and the private hole cards. The player with the best 5-card hand wins (ties share the pot equally).
There are four betting rounds, and an optional ante. Betting occurs after the hole cards are dealt, after the first three flop cards, after the fourth flop card (called the "turn" card), and after the fifth flop card (called the "river" card). The first betting round usually begins with one or two "blind" (required) bets.
Hold'em is often played with structured, limited betting. In California cardrooms there is usually only one allowed bet (or raise) amount at any given time; a player cannot choose how much to bet, but only whether to bet at all. This amount is usually doubled for the last two betting rounds. Las Vegas casinos typically offer a little more flexibility by allowing a range of bets. RiverBoat Poker supports both betting styles and also pot-limit and no-limit.
This game is similar to 7-card stud since each player makes the best 5-card hand from 7 cards. But, the similarity ends there. Since most of the cards are shared the estimation of hand potential during play is actually very different from 7-card stud. Also, there are usually more players than in stud because fewer cards are dealt; typical games have between 8 and 10 players.
Poker Hand Analysis Graph Description
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This shareware version of RiverBoat contains no player documentation or help facility. (You will receive a complete, illustrated User's Manual when you register this shareware.) Yet, a brief note on the analysis graph is in order since it is not obvious how to interpret it.
Many poker programs can show the total odds against winning with any given starting cards, and RiverBoat is no exception. But, RiverBoat shows more than just a single composite probability, it shows the statistics for each probable hand that can be generated.
The upper part of the Analysis window shows a graph of the hands that can be generated from the given starting cards (hole cards, and partial flop). During play this graph shows your cards and probabilities. Also, you can setup and analyze any desired hole cards and flop. Just click the "zoom" box in the upper right corner to expose the card entry area.
The graph shows many dots with lines connecting them to the bottom of the window. Each dot and line represents a specific hand type. You might think of these as flowers that grow out of a row of pots on the bottom of the graph; there is one pot for each type of poker hand (e.g., pair, flush, full house) sorted in order from bust, to straight flush. If a hand type is possible then its pot sprouts a flower.
The flower's position on the graph shows how likely it is that you will get the hand, and if you do get it, how likely it is to win. Flowers near the top are easy to get, and those near the right side are most likely to win.
Both of these factors are important. Players often think "its 6 to 1 that I'll make my straight." So they bet or call assuming 6 to 1 odds. But, they forget that there may be better hands that could beat them. The complete odds of winning, that have to be used in evaluating bets, might be more than 20 to 1, depending on the specific situation.
Often the graph shows a "stronger" hand (e.g., flush) that is less likely to win for you than other weaker hands (e.g., 3 of a kind). For example, if you hold a 5 of clubs and a 5 of harts, and the flop has three clubs (no 5's), then your odds of winning are about even if another 5 turns up (giving you three 5's), but the odds are about 15 to 1 against you if you "make your flush" (someone will have a higher club than your 5). This sort of "reversal" is unique to hold'em because of the way the flop is shared; 7 card stud does not have this problem.
During play, curved lines are drawn in the upper right part of the graph. These are the "pot odds curves"; there is one curve for each allowed bet or raise amount (up to a limit of 3). If the "flower" for a hand is above one of these lines then that hand alone is strong enough to justify the bet or raise.
The statistics for the graph and reported odds are generated by dealing random cards to all the players at the table and tabulating the results. Of course, known cards such as your hole cards and the flop are left unchanged.
This shareware, "entertainment" version of RiverBoat restricts the number of sampled deals to 400 (the "professional" version is unrestricted). This is sufficient to show the capability and principles, and provide reasonable estimates of the "true" statistics.
Order Form
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If you wish to register your shareware version of RiverBoat, or to order the "professional" version, please complete this order form. You may edit it in your word processor and print it; or, if you have no printer, e-mail the form and send your payment by post. Make checks payable to Libra SoftWare, and mail to the address at the top of this file.
The professional version of RiverBoat is the same as the shareware that is currently available on the BBS's, except that there are no restrictions or limitations. The price includes the program disk and 40 page user's manual.
Again, thank you for your interest in RiverBoat.
-------------------- Order Form -------------------------------------
RiverBoat Poker
Price List and Order Form
Description Quantity Price Amount
RiverBoat Poker 1.02 Shareware _______ $17.50 _______
RiverBoat Poker 2.02 Professional _______ $27.50 _______
Sales Tax per copy (California residents only: 7.75% ) _______
Shipping and Handling 2.50
Total _______
Please, mail this order with payment; make check payable to
Please send the User's Manual for "RiverBoat™ Texas Hold'em Poker" and either register my shareware copy, or send the professional version of RiverBoat™ Poker for the Apple Macintosh computer, as indicated above. If ordering the professional version, I have read and understand the License Agreement and consent to its terms.
This is a legal agreement between you, the end user, and Libra Software ("Libra"). The RiverBoat™ Poker program ("SOFTWARE") is licensed by Libra to the original customer and any subsequent transferee of the product for use only on the terms set forth here.
* GRANT OF SINGLE USER LICENSE. Libra grants to you the right to use one copy of the SOFTWARE on a single terminal connected to a single computer (i.e., with a single CPU).
* COPYRIGHT. The SOFTWARE is owned by Libra or its suppliers and is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions. You may either (a) make two copies of the SOFTWARE solely for backup or archival purposes provided that you reproduce all copyright and other proprietary notices that are on the original copy of the SOFTWARE provided to you, or (b) transfer the SOFTWARE to a single hard disk provided you keep the original solely for backup or archival purposes. You may not copy written materials accompanying the SOFTWARE.
* USE. The SOFTWARE is provided for educational and entertainment use only.
* OTHER RESTRICTIONS. You may not rent or lease the SOFTWARE, but you may transfer the SOFTWARE and accompanying written materials on a permanent basis provided you retain no copies and the recipient agrees to the terms of this Agreement. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or create derivative works from the SOFTWARE.
* GENERAL. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California.
The SOFTWARE includes a unique Serial Number and Security Key which are subject to the terms of this license. Specifically, the Security Key may not be divulged to anyone except as part of a permanent transfer as provided in the OTHER RESTRICTIONS paragraph of this license.
