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MVP Bridge for Windows
by Steve Estvanik
Windows programming by Craig Kellog
An MVP Software Production
version 3.4
Copyright 1994-1999 Cascoloy Software
Portions Copyright 1999 MVP Software, Inc.
This game is shareware. You will have a trial period of 30 days or
20 uses, whichever comes later, to evaluate this program. During
this evaluation period all of the program's features are available.
After the evaluation period has elapsed, the software will no longer
work.
If you like this software or find it useful, then you must register
with MVP Software. To "register" a shareware game means to purchase
it directly from the developer. (Shareware games are evaluation
versions only, which means you have the right to try them, but after
trying them you must either register them with the author or delete
them from your system.) When you register you will receive MVP
Bridge Deluxe ver 3.4 for Windows, which includes all of the features
found in the evaluation version, plus:
* The full functioning software with no time limits
* The latest version of the software (we update this program
regularly)
* Full-screen display at three different resolutions
* Six background musical selections
* Two different card face graphics
* 20 different card back graphics
* 27-page printed manual
To order, call 800-968-9684 toll-free 24 hours a day. Please have
your Master Card or Visa ready when you call. Or fill out the order
form in this manual and fax it to: 616-831-7982. Make sure your
credit card number and expiration date are legible. Or if you
prefer mail the order form and your check to: MVP Software, 1035
Dallas SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507. The price is $39.95 plus
shipping.
How to Register Online and Receive
MVP Bridge Deluxe for Windows Immediately!
MVP is pleased that MVP Bridge Deluxe for Windows can now be
registered online, with immediate download of the registered
version. This service is available to anyone who has access to the
World Wide Web and has a Master Card, Visa or American Express. To
register MVP Bridge Deluxe online, set your web browser to:
http://www.mvpsoft.com
Once you are connected, go to the Station Exchange. There you may
purchase MVP Bridge Deluxe for Windows and download it immediately.
While you are there check out the monthly specials in the Station
Exchange, as well as download any other MVP shareware game you want
from our Web Page.
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
Steve Estvanik is a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can
help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does
not provide technical support for members' products. Please write
to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 or
send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman at
70007,3536.
--------------------------------------
MVP is on the Internet and the World Wide Web!
You can get all of the latest MVP shareware releases, find out news
of future activities, and give feedback to MVP on the Internet. To
visit our new home page, just set your WWW browser to this URL:
http://www.mvpsoft.com
While there, you can see descriptions of all our releases, download
the shareware versions with a click of your mouse button, and check
out full color screen shots for all of our games. Be sure to leave
feedback telling us how you like our page!
If you prefer using direct ftp to get our files, you can find them
at the following site: ftp.mvpsoft.com
Ordering Information
MVP Bridge ver 3.4 for Windows is available from the following
authorized distributors:
In the United States:
--------------------
MVP Software
1035 Dallas SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
phone: 800-968-9684 24-hour order line only.
616-831-7985 24-hour overseas order line only.
616-831-7981 information and techinical support.
fax: (616) 831-7982
order price: $39.95 plus $4.00 shipping in the US, $5.00 shipping to
Canada, $6.00 shipping everywhere else. Michigan residents please
add appropriate sales tax.
In the United Kingdom:
---------------------
Atlantic Coast Plc.
Station Rd.
Colyton, Devon, EX13 6HA
phone: 1297 552222 Fax: 1297 553366
order price: L34 (includes shipping and taxes)
Dealers please enquire.
In Denmark and all of Scandanavia:
---------------------------------
Pro-Soft
Benloese Skel 4 G
DK 4100 Ringsted
phone: 53 61 90 42 Fax: 53 61 93 91
order price: 295,00 kr. + VAT 25% + s/h 25,00
The Netherlands and Belgium
---------------------------
CSD -- Computer Solutions Dorth
Postbus 59
NL-7213 ZH Gorssel
THE NETHERLANDS
phone: (+31)0575.494.545 Fax: (+31)0575.491.222
order price: fl. 93,00 (includes VAT and shipping)
MVP Bridge Deluxe ver 3.4 for Windows Order Form
Name ___________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
City _______________________________ State ______ ZIP __________
Country (if outside USA) _______________________________________
Price of MVP Bridge Deluxe for Windows $39.95
Shipping and Handling (US) 4.00
Shipping and Handling (Canada) 5.00
Shipping and Handling (all other countries) 6.00
Michigan residents add sales tax 2.64
-----
Make check payable to "MVP Software" Total enclosed: $
Master Card/Visa information (credit card orders only)
Card number __________________________________________
Expiration date ______________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------
Where did you get the MVP Bridge for Windows evaluation version?
Friend CompuServe AOL Exec-PC MVP's WWW Page ZDNet C-Net
Shareware Distributor (name): __________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------
Send this order form and your check to:
MVP Software, 1035 Dallas SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Checks must be in US funds and drawn on a US or Canadian bank.
phone: 800-968-9684 24-hour order line only.
616-831-7985 24-hour overseas order line only.
616-831-7981 information and technical support.
fax: (616) 831-7982
Installation
------------
To install MVP Bridge for Windows, run Setup from your Windows 3.1
file or program manager or Windows95 Start.
Brief Summary of the Rules
--------------------------
Bridge is played by 4 players. All cards are dealt so each player
has 13 cards that are kept hidden from the other players. Bridge is
played with 2 teams. NORTH and SOUTH form one team, while EAST and
WEST form the other. In MVP Bridge for Windows, you will always
play SOUTH. A hand of bridge is divided into 2 parts: bidding and
play. During bidding you try to describe your hand to your partner
and make a claim to the number of tricks you can take. During play
you try to make the contract that you bid.
Evaluation of the Hand
----------------------
To decide how strong your hand is, we assign points to certain
cards. These are called high card points or 'HCP'. We rate an Ace
(A) at 4 points, a King (K) at 3, a Queen (Q) at 2, and a Jack (J)
at 1.
Some examples:
Kx 3 points
AKx 7 points
AQx 6 points
KJXX 4 points
In addition, add points for length when bidding a long suit.
1 point for the 5th card in a suit
1 additional point for 6th in a suit
2 additional points for 7th card in a suit.
When raising partner's suit with 4 card support, add:
5 points for a void
3 points for a singleton
1 point for a doubleton
With 3 card trump support, add:
3 points for a void
2 points for a singleton
1 point for a doubleton
Hand value = high card points + distribution points
When opening the bid add HCP and length points. For deciding
whether your partnership has enough points for game, you can use
total points as follows:
Points required for game:
3NT or major suit 26
minor suit 29
small slam 33
grand slam 37
Bidding Primer
-------------
Bidding start with the dealer and proceeds clockwise around the
table. The suits are arranged in the following order: CLUBS,
DIAMONDS, HEARTS, SPADES. Thus 1S can be bid over 1H, but over 1S,
you must bid 2H. Bidding a suit usually says that you wish to use
that suit as trump. Bidding normally starts at the lowest level
possible, but there are also times when the bidder jumps the bidding
(For example, an opening bid of 2H or 3H shows a very different hand
from 1H.)
Playing in a suit contract makes that suit the 'trump' suit. During
play, you must follow the suit played. But if you lack any cards in
the suit played (this called a 'void'), you may play a trump, and
win the trick. You want to play in trump if you and your partner
have at least 8 of the cards in a suit. You may also play without
trump (NOTRUMP or NT).
Bidding continues until everyone has had a chance to bid and there
are 3 passes in a row. The person who first bid the suit of the
final bid becomes 'declarer'. The person to the left of declarer is
the leader for the first trick. The declarer's partner is dummy -
her cards are turned over for everyone to see, after the opening
lead. Your goal in rubber bridge is to win 2 games to make a
rubber. A game is 100 points made by bidding. This can be the
result of one or more hands. Scores vary by suit. CLUBS and
DIAMONDS are the minor suits, and are worth only 20 points each.
HEARTS and SPADES are the major suits and are worth 30 points each.
Thus a contract of 4H would give you 120 points, which is a game,
but a contract of 4D gives you only 80 points.
No trump is a special case. The first NT level is worth 40 points,
and successive levels are worth 30 each. Thus 2NT is worth 70
points, and 3NT is 100, a game. If your contract does not give you
a game, it remains a partial score until one side makes game. If a
contract is set, the defenders gain points.
The following sections offer some simple advice for bidding.
Opening Bids
------------
You have:
HCP Distribution of hand Bid
--------- ------------------------------------ -----------------
12-20 5+ card suit 1 of the suit
16-18 flat (no singleton or void) 1 NT
20-21 flat (no singleton or void) 2 NT
13+ flat, but good 4 card major 1 of a major
13+ no previous bid possible 1 of better minor
5-9 7 card suit 3 of the long suit
5-9 8 card suit 4 of the long suit
In actual practice, the tendency is not to bid 4 card majors, unless
the suit is strong (eg, AKJx) and there is no alternative. This
allows partner to assume that the opener has 5 in the major and to
support with only 3. If the suit is good, a 4-3 fit is acceptable.
Responses to partner's opening bid
----------------------------------
Partner bid one of a suit
-------------------------
You have:
HCP Distribution of hand Bid
--------- ------------------------------------ -----------------
< 6 Pass
6-9 support for partner's suit* 2 of partner's suit
10-12 support for partner's suit* 3 of partner's suit
13-15 strong major suit trump support Bid a new suit, then
game in partner's suit
13-15 balanced 2 NT
16-18 balanced 3 NT
6-18 4 card suit suit at 1 level
18+ 5 card suit Jump shift one level
in long suit
10+ 5 card suit suit at 1 or 2 level
6-9 flat hand, no 1 level bid available 1 NT
* Support is 3 cards for partner's major or 4 cards for partner's
minor.
** Jump shift: a bid that skips a level of bidding. E.g., 1H -- 2S
is a jump shift because you could have bid 1S.
Partner bid 1NT
---------------
You have:
HCP Distribution of hand Bid
--------- ------------------------------------ -----------------
8-9 Balanced 2 NT
10-14 Balanced 3 NT
< 8 5 or 6 card suit 2 of the suit
< 8 Pass
10+ 5 of a major, 5 or 6 of a minor 3 of the suit (forcing)
7+ 6 card major 4 of the major
10+ no 5 card major 3 NT
Note: Most players use the Stayman convention which allows the
partnership to find a 4-4 major suit fit.
Opener's rebids
---------------
This next bid lets opener more completely describe her hand.
Opener started with 1NT
------------------------
Partner Bid Opener's hand Bid
----------- ---------------------- -----------
2 NT 17-18 3 NT
3 of major 3+ cards in partner's suit 4 of partner's suit
3 of major 2 cards in partner's suit 3 NT
Opener started with a suit bid
------------------------------
Partner Bid Opener's hand Bid
----------- ---------------------- -----------
New suit: 1 level 12-15, no support for partner 1 NT
6 cards in original suit rebid original suit
second suit of at least 4 show new suit
12-15, 4 card support raise of partner
15-17, 6+ card suit jump in original suit
16-18, 3+ support jump raise of partner
19-20, 4 card support 4 of partner's major
19-20 2 NT
New suit: 2 level 15-18 2 NT (forcing)
12-15, usually 6 card suit rebid original
< 16 show second suit
< 16, support for parter single raise
17+ reverse*
17+ jump rebid of opener's
17+ 6 card suit jump to game in opener's
17+ 3+ support for partner jump raise in responder's
18+, second suit jump shift (forcing)
19-20 3 NT
Bidding continues, with opener and responder describing their hands.
Look to bid a game contract with about 25+ points between the 2
hands.
This completes the overview of bidding. Once someone opens, the
opponents can still compete, usually by bidding a new suit or making
a takeout double. For more information on defensive bidding consult
any of the many books available in stores and libraries.
Conventions
-----------
A convention is an artificial bid that does necessarily promise
anything in the suit that has been bid. For example, when
responding to 1NT, a response of 2C, Stayman, asks partner for a
four card major and is a completely artificial bid. Responder may
have a singleton club! Conventions are decided upon between the
partners BEFORE play begins. All such agreements must be announced
to the opponents. NO SECRETS.
The following are very brief descriptions of the conventions
available in MVP Bridge for Windows.
THE TAKEOUT DOUBLE
------------------
The most common usage of this bid is by second hand after the
bidding has been opened. The bid "double" announces opening bid
values, with support for the unbid suits. The range in HCP for a
takeout double is 11+.
STAYMAN
-------
A 2C response to an opening bid of 1NT or a 3C response to an
opening bid of 2NT asking opener for a four card major.
BLACKWOOD
---------
After the partner has agreed upon a suit, a bid of 4NT by either
player asks the other for the number of aces she has. The responses
to Blackwood are:
5C 0 or 4 aces
5D 1 ace
5H 2 aces
5S 3 aces
After aces have been shown, a rebid of 5NT by the 4NT bidder asks
for kings. Responses are the same only one level higher. Note: As
a practical matter the responder to Blackwood is not going to have 4
aces because the stronger hand usually does the asking.
GERBER
------
A jump to 4C after partner has bid 1NT or 2NT asks partner for aces.
Responses to a Gerber 4C leap are:
4D 0 or 4 aces
4H 1 ace
4S 2 aces
4NT 3 aces
After aces have been shown, a rebid of 5C by the 4C bidder asks for
kings. Responses to a 5C king ask are:
5D 0 or 4 kings
5H 1 king
5S 2 kings
5NT 3 kings
WEAK 2 Bid
----------
An opening bid of 2D, 2H or 2S which describes a hand with a
reasonable six card suit and 7-9 HCP. It is a preemptive or weak
opening bid meant to obstruct the opponents. When playing Weak Two
Bids, an opening bid of 2C is reserved for all very strong hands.
A 2NT response asks partner to describe her hand.
3 of original suit shows minimum weak 2.
3NT shows suit headed by AKQ or AKJ.
3 of new suit shows a feature (A, K).
STRONG 2 Bid
------------
An opening bid of 2C,2D,2H or 2S describes a hand with 21+ points
and is forcing to game.
NEGDBL
------
When a partner's opening bid is overcalled, a double by responder is
similar to a takeout double. It shows at least 4 cards in the unbid
major(s). Minimum 7 hcp.
Card Play
---------
The person who first bid the suit that becomes the final bid becomes
the declarer. To make a contract, you must take 6 tricks, plus the
number you bid. Thus a 3H contract requires you to take 9 of 13
tricks. The person to the declarer's left is the leader.
The leader selects a card and places it so that everyone can see it.
At this point, the partner of the declarer lays down his cards for
everyone to see. Partner is now the 'dummy' and his cards are
played by the declarer. In MVP Bridge for Windows, when North is
declarer, you get to play as declarer, and your original hand
becomes the dummy.
Play proceeds in a clockwise fashion. You must follow suit. If you
are void (have none of that suit), you can play any card. In a
trump contract, the highest trump played on the trick wins. The
winner of the trick leads to the following trick.
Rubber Scoring
--------------
A rubber is played until one side has scored 2 games. Each game
requires 100 points below the line. If a side has won a game, they
are then 'vulnerable'. (This increases the penalties if they are
later set in a contract).
Additional points are awarded for honors as follows:
Either declarer or dummy holds:
4 of 5 top trump honor cards +100
5 top trump honor cards +150
all 4 aces, in No Trump +150
If a slam is bid and made, additional bonuses are awarded as
follows.
Not Vulnerable Vulnerable
Small slam (12 tricks) 500 750
Grand slam (13 tricks) 1000 1500
You must win 2 games to end rubber. Additional bonus points are
then scored: 700 additional points if your opponents won no games,
otherwise 500.
Undertrick Penalties
--------------------
For each trick by which the declarer fails to make the contract,
opponents score the following points (above the line):
Not Vulnerable
Undoubled Doubled Redoubled
First undertrick 50 100 200
For each additional 50 200 400
Vulnerable
Undoubled Doubled Redoubled
First undertrick 100 200 400
For each additional 100 300 600
If declarer makes a doubled contract, he receives an extra 50
points, "for the insult".
Playing a Rubber
----------------
Choosing rubber from the play menu begins a new game of bridge using
Rubber scoring. For more information, see Rubber Scoring.
Verbose
-------
Verbose adds additional information (display with message boxes) to
describe conventions being used. It's a good way to learn
unfamiliar conventions but does slow down the game some. The menu
item display a check mark next to it if verbose mode is on. Simply
choose the menu item to toggle verbose on and off.
Card Backs
----------
MVP Bridge for Windows provides many card backs from which to
choose. Simply click on the card back that you would like used
during play.
Kibitz
------
Choose which hands to reveal. Note that this destroys basic
elements of the game, so should only be used for learning or
practice. To toggle kibitzing, click on the card next to the side
you wish to change. The card back will be displayed if the hand is
not to be revealed, and the Ace of Spades will be displayed if that
side is to always be revealed.
Background Music
----------------
The music played in the background can be disabled. Background
music is the music you hear while bidding and playing a hand. To
disable the background music, choose the Background Music menu item.
A check mark appears next to the menu item when background music is
enabled.
Event Music
-----------
The music played when a hand is completed can be disabled. To
disable the event music, choose the Event Music menu item. A check
mark appears next to the menu item when event music is enabled.
Explain Hand
------------
Choosing explain from the Hand menu explains the current hand from
the view of the current player. You are given bidding information,
and the estimated HCP and distribution for each player.
Hint
----
If you are bidding, it gives you the suggested bid that you should
make. If you are playing, it gives you a suggested card to play.
It also places the cursor over the suggested card for you.
You can also obtain a hint by pressing the right mouse button.
Glossary & Abbreviations
-----------------------
Trick -- one complete play of 4 cards.
Trump -- the suit of the contract. highest trump played on a
trick always wins
NT -- No trump
HCP - high card points (A = 4, K = 3, Q= 2, J = 1)
TCP - total card points (HCP plus distribution)
Void -- no cards in a suit
Singleton -- one card in a suit
Stiff -- a singleton
Honor -- ten, Jack, Queen, King or Ace
Doubleton -- 2 cards in a suit
Tripleton -- 3 cards in a suit
Major suit -- hearts or spades
Minor suit -- clubs or diamonds
Declarer -- the person who plays the hand
Dummy -- declarer's partner. After the opening lead, dummy's
cards are revealed, and played by declarer.
For more information on MVP Bridge for Windows, including audio and
video troubleshooting, scoring, additional conventions and
multiplayer network/modem play, see the online help.