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B J T u t o r
Blackjack System Tutor
Copyright 1986/1987 by Stephen A. Jacob
Documentation Copyright March 29, 1987
C O N T E N T S
NOT ANOTHER BLACKJACK PROGRAM!.................................1
INTRODUCTION...................................................1
COPY THE PROGRAMS AND FILES ...................................2
GETTING STARTED................................................2
THE BJTUTOR SYSTEM.............................................5
A Practice Session..........................................5
The House ..................................................5
The Deal and Play...........................................6
The Bets....................................................6
The Score...................................................6
The Tutor...................................................7
THE LESSON PLAN................................................7
Introduction................................................7
Lesson 1: Buy a Blackjack Book and Read It.................7
Lesson 2: Decide on One Casino and One Game................8
Lesson 3: Master the No Count Strategies First.............8
Lesson 3.1: Run Three Sessions..........................8
Lesson 3.2: Review Progress.............................8
Lesson 3.3: Repeat......................................8
Lesson 4: Master the Count Strategy (Optional).............9
THE PROGRAMS...................................................9
BJTUTOR.COM.................................................9
BJRULES.COM................................................10
BJGRAPH.COM................................................11
MAKING A BATCH FILE...........................................11
LIMITATIONS...................................................12
REGISTRATION..................................................13
INDEX.........................................................13
i
NOT ANOTHER BLACKJACK PROGRAM!
Welcome to the exciting world of computerized casino Blackjack. What
makes this Blackjack program different system from the dozen or more
programs on the market and in the public domain is purpose and
execution.
First, the purpose of the BJTutor system is to provide a practice
medium to supplement a commercial Blackjack book. Sure it simulates
a full fledged game with snappy graphics but most of the others do
too. Some programs even offer rules selection and offer advice on
best plays. BJTutor does this and more.
With BJTutor you can change the rules and modify the strategy to
match a known reference, your Blackjack book. With BJTutor you feel
confident of the system you are learning. What's more, BJTutor
maintains and graphs statistics of your play. You can get regular
status reports to improve your game.
Second, BJTutor differs in execution. Other Blackjack programs
consider it a feature to allow more than one player against the
dealer. BJTutor is a one on one game because Blackjack is a one on
one game. Allowing only one player lets the student concentrate on
their own game.
So, if you just want a Blackjack game, BJTutor can be that, but
perhaps any number of Blackjack game programs will do. If you want
to learn and get serious practice, BJTutor is the only choice.
Welcome aboard. You're in for an exciting workout.
INTRODUCTION
BJTutor provides a Blackjack strategy and plus-minus count practice
medium. As with casino Blackjack, BJTutor is player against house.
No other option is available as other players are basically irrelevent
to play.
The computer provides the house, the table, the cards, and keeps
score. The computer optionally provides strategy advice--prompting
the player on Best Play options much like a tutor might.
BJTutor can be run by itself with no other programs or files. Using
it this way, the table rules are Las Vegas Strip and no strategy help
is provided.
BJTutor can also be run with ancillary programs and files. The files
provide Strategy Help and variations on the rules. The programs
allow modification of the Strategy and Rules file and display student
progress. Finally, batch files are included that can simplify your
practice session.
1
This documentation is broken into several parts. As you go deeper
into the manual the more detail you will get. Some users may want to
stop after reading the GETTING STARTED section. To gain greater
insight to the capabilities and limitations of the BJTutor system,
you may wish to read further.
BJTutor is a tutor program. It is not a reference document. The
serious student should buy a respectible Blackjack system book from
the local bookstore. Use that as your reference and tailor BJTutor to
help with the instruction.
One last word, BJTtutor is designed as a system tutor and does not
promote gambling. The authors are in no way responsible for any
losses you may incur or think you incurred from application of the
principles set down here.
COPY THE PROGRAMS AND FILES
1. Copy the following programs onto your default drive or directory:
BJTUTOR.COM
BJRULES.COM
BJGRAPH.COM
2. Copy the data and batch files onto your default drive or
directory: (Using * instead of a name copies all such files.)
*.DTA
*.BAT
GETTING STARTED
1. Choose your TABLE from the list below. Choose from the Counting
Tables or the No Count Tables depending on whether you want to
practice counting strategy or not.
2. Print a copy of the rules.
a. Ensure your printer is ready. Everything will 'hang up' if
the printer is not.
b. From the table you've chosen, type the 'word' under "To print
rules type . . . " and press RETURN.
BE CAREFUL OF BJRULES. IF NOT CAREFUL, YOU MAY INADVERTANTLY ALTER
YOUR STRATEGY FILES.
3. Check your printed strategy with your commercial Blackjack
strategy book. See "Changing Strategies" if adjustments to the
strategy are necessary.
4. Run BJTutor by typing the 'word' under "To play type . . ." and
2
press RETURN. Answer the question "Your name please: ". This is
used to save Student Progress.
5. To Graph your progress.
a. Run BJTUTOR at least three times to build a progress file.
Use the same 'name' each session.
b. Type the 'word' under "To graph type . . . " followed by a
space then 'your name' and a RETURN. Example: If you answered MARK
to the BJTutor prompt "Your name please:" then, after three or more
sessions, type BJGRAPH MARK for a progress report.
6. Enjoy.
3
NO COUNT TABLES
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Game To play To print rules To graph
type . . . type . . . type . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Las Vegas Strip
---------------
One Deck VEGAS1N PVEGAS1N BJGRAPH yourname
Four Deck VEGAS4N PVEGAS4N BJGRAPH yourname
Downtown Las Vegas
------------------
One Deck TOWN1N PTOWN1N BJGRAPH yourname
Four Deck TOWN4N PTOWN4N BJGRAPH yourname
Northern Nevada
---------------
One Deck RENO1N PRENO1N BJGRAPH yourname
Four Deck RENO4N PRENO4N BJGRAPH yourname
Atlantic City
-------------
Four Deck CITY4N PCITY4N BJGRAPH yourname
COUNTING TABLES
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Game To play To print rules To graph
type . . . type . . . type . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Las Vegas Strip
---------------
One Deck VEGAS1 PVEGAS1 BJGRAPH yourname
Four Deck VEGAS4 PVEGAS4 BJGRAPH yourname
Downtown Las Vegas
------------------
One Deck TOWN1 PTOWN1 BJGRAPH yourname
Four Deck TOWN4 PTOWN4 BJGRAPH yourname
Northern Nevada
---------------
One Deck RENO1 PRENO1 BJGRAPH yourname
Four Deck RENO4 PRENO4 BJGRAPH yourname
Atlantic City
-------------
Four Deck CITY4 PCITY4 BJGRAPH yourname
4
THE BJTUTOR SYSTEM
A Practice Session
BJTutor does not include a practice session per se. The programs are
easier learned by doing. Read the GETTING STARTED, run BJTutor,
answer the questions and play the game. If you don't want your
practice session saved, just press ENTER or RETURN instead of your
name to the "Your name please:" prompt.
The House
The playing surface shows a textured background. The Dealer's cards
are displayed at the top left of the screen, the Player's at the
bottom. The player is dealt one hand that may be split to form up to
four hands.
Information 'windows' can be toggled on for immediate availability or
off to reduce screen clutter.
During the course of play, all commands are entered through the
Keypad. The Command Keypad has two states which are represented on
the screen. The numbers state is active when bets are being made.
Only numbers can be entered when the keypad is in this state. The
'command state' is active when playing a hand of blackjack. This state
is distinguished by the presence of highlighted keys. The player
does not control these states.
The house rules are Las Vegas Strip if a Strategy and Rules File is
not present. Otherwise they are taken from a specified Strategy and
Rules file. See 'The Rules' for an explanation.
Blackjack pays 3 for 2.
Insurance, if selected, is automatically 1/2 of your bet rounded up.
Insurance is not offered if the rules display both initial dealer
cards. The rationale for making insurance a rounded up 1/2 bet is
simplicity and logic. If you are going to insure you should go for
the total allowed.
Splitting, once selected, continues to split up to the maximum
allowed, bankroll permitting. The rationale for not allowing the
player to control multiple splits is simplicity and logic. If
splitting is good once it is good again.
Depending on the house rules selected, Doubling is allowed.
Player or Dealer bust over 21.
Table minimum and maximum bets are displayed when bets are called
for.
5
Other rules like dealer stand or hit soft 17 appear in the Strategy
and Rules File and are modifiable with BJRules.
The Deal and Play
BJTutor sessions end when your bankroll dips below the minimum bet,
or when you bet '0' to leave the table.
Until that time, the deal proceeds when a bet is made. One card to
player, one up to dealer, a second to player, and a second down or
up--depending on the house rules--to dealer.
The player hits, stands, doubles, splits or takes insurance using the
command keypad. If one or more of these commands are available, the
keypad on the screen will be highlighted.
The current hand in play is marked with 'INPLAY' on the top card.
After a bust, stand or blackjack, that top card displays 'BUST',
'STAND', or 'BLACKJACK' and play continues. Bust and blackjacks are
collected or paid immediately.
The dealer automatically plays on a player's bust or stand. If the
player has more than one hand from splitting, the dealer plays on
bust or stand of the last player hand.
The dealer always plays out his hand.
The dealer resuffles when the playing pack gets low. A deck status
is available that shows the '% left at deal' of cards in the pack.
It also indicates when a card is burned for a new deal. The table
background or texture changes on each reshuffle as a subtle reminder.
The Bets
The house asks for, takes, and distributes bets. A '0' bet ends a
BJTutor session. The session may also end when the player's bankroll
dips below the minimum bet.
If you do not have enough bankroll to take insurance, to double, or
to split, these actions will be denied.
The current bet is displayed at the top of the second player card of
each hand.
The Score
The current bankroll is displayed when the dealer asks for bets and
(optionally) throughout the course of play.
6
The Tutor
Three information 'windows' can be toggled on for immediate help, on
and off for tickler reference, or off to eliminate clutter. These
windows are Totals, Strategy Help, and Bankroll and Deck Status.
The player's hand totals can be toggled on/off by pressing the
highlighted Command Keypad key marked 'TOTS' or 'tots'. The dealer
total is displayed at the end of the hand if 'tots' is on.
The Strategy Help window can be toggled on/off by pressing the
highlighted Command Keypad key marked 'HELP' or 'help'. This
provides Best Bet and Best Play Strategy Help as well as the current
plus-minus count. These are based on the Strategy and Rules file of
the type xxx.DTA. This function is disabled if a Strategy and Rules
file is unavailable.
Best Bet prompts based on the following strategy: The Betting Unit
(BU) is the Initial Bankroll (B) divided by 100. BU=B/100.
(1) if Count <= 0 then Best Bet is BU
(2) if Count = 1 then Best Bet is BU x 1.5
(3) first time Count >= 2 Best Bet is BU x 2
(4) subsecquent times Count >= 2 Best Bet is BU x 4
Best Play prompts based on count, dealer up card and player cards.
BJTutor keeps track of each time the player makes, or misses, a Best
Bet or Best Play. Session results are displayed when exiting BJTutor.
BJGraph graphs these results in a visual presentation of performance
over time.
Card Count provides accurate card count based on the Strategy and
Rules file. The player can use this to compare with his mental
total.
The Bankroll and Deck Status window can be toggled on/off by pressing
the highlighted Command Keypad key marked 'STAT' or 'stat'. This
window displays the player's bankroll and the percent remaining at
the deal of the card pack (one or more decks).
THE LESSON PLAN
Introduction
The BJTutor system is designed to provide a Blackjack strategy and
plus-minus count system practice medium. It does not attempt
directly to teach Blackjack rules or etiquette. Instead, BJTutor
supplements your locally purchased Blackjack book. Use it to
practice strategy and counting as presented therein.
Lesson 1: Buy a Blackjack Book and Read It
7
Lesson 2: Decide on One Casino and One Game
Decide what casino or house you will use. You can use one of the
included houses or you may create a custom house with BJRules.
You must also decide on how many decks to use. One and four deck
strategies are available. Use BJRules to create other deck strategies.
Lesson 3: Master the No Count Strategies First
Whatever your choice of house, master the No Count strategies before
you progress to counting. Copy those files needed onto you default
disk or directory. No Count files are of the form xxx1N.xxx or
xxx4N.xxx.
With BJRules, make a printed copy of your strategy. Compare it with your
Blackjack book and use BJRules to modify your Strategy and Rules file
to conform to your book.
Lesson 3.1: Run Three Sessions
On three separate sittings of at least one half hour each, practice
BJTutor. Keep a printed copy of your strategy file next to you and
refer to it as necessay.
When you run BJtutor, always use the same name when asked "Your name
please:". This will allow BJTutor to record your progress and BJGraph
to display it.
Run BJTutor with all help screens on. The Command Keypad top row
should read 'help', 'tots', and 'stat' in lowercase.
When BJTutor signals a not-'Best Play' or not-'Best Bet' with a
double click. If this occurs, check your printed strategy for the
proper play and continue. If the click is annoying or is too quiet,
see BJTUTOR.COM to change it.
Lesson 3.2: Review Progress
After completing three lessons, you may visualize your progress with
BJGraph. The graph presented will indicate areas you need further
practice. If the graph indicates you are deficient, say, in
recognizing split plays, you should play these hands more carefully.
You may wish to concentrate on 'Ace Practice' or 'Splitting Practice.'
If you do, the BJTUTOR.COM section will show you how to do this.
Lesson 3.3: Repeat
Repeat Lessons 3.1 through 3.2 until you feel proficient or wish to go
on to counting strategies.
8
Lesson 4: Master the Count Strategy (Optional)
Count Strategy practice will be the same as No Count Strategy. Copy
those Count files needed onto you default disk or directory. Count
files are of the form xxx1.xxx or xxx4.xxx.
Make a printed copy of your strategy. Compare it with your Blackjack
book. Use BJRules to adjust your Strategy and Rules file if
necessary.
When you run BJTutor always use the same name when asked "Your name
please:". This will allow BJTutor to record your progress and BJGraph to
display it.
Proceed as in Lessons 3.1 through 3.3
THE PROGRAMS
The BJTutor System consists of three programs and several data and
batch files. Each program runs under MSDOS 2.11 or higher and
requires a Z120 (z in release number) or a PC compatible (pc in
release number).
Each program stands alone. No other program or file is required.
However, to make full use of the system, certain files are available.
To select from a menu, move the selection arrows ( -> <- ) by
pressing the first letter of your choice or by pressing an up or down
cursor key. Select by pressing RETURN.
Each program can be run from the Commandline. This means the program
can be run and options set, questions answered, by invoking the
program name followed by a space and one or more parameters separated
by spaces.
When the programs pause for you to read a screen, you may let this
time out or you may press any key to continue. This happens with the
BJTutor opening card fan and with 'insurance' messages.
BJTUTOR.COM
BJTUTOR.COM is the main program. This is the simulated casino, the
Blackjack table and the tutor.
Run BJTUTOR.COM by calling its name . . .
Type BJTUTOR then press RETURN, and answer the questions provided.
BJTUTOR will search for the Strategy and Rules file BJx.DTA where x is
1, 2, 3 or 4 based on how many decks you wish to play. If the file is
found it is loaded, the rules therein are used and Strategy Help is
available. If the file is not found the default Las Vegas rules are
9
used and Strategy Help is disabled.
Run BJTUTOR.COM from the Commandline . . .
Type BJTUTOR followed by any or all of the available options then
press RETURN. The form is as follows:
BJTUTOR infile outfile # N K A S Q L c
Infile is the input strategy file. A file with .DTA extension.
Outfile, usually the player's name, is the progress file used by BJGraph.
It has a file extension .BJ. You cannot enter an outfile from the
Commandline without entering an infile.
# is 1, 2, 3, or 4, the number of decks to use.
N is NoCount strategy. It disables card counting and, if no infile is
given, defaults to a strategy of the form BJxN.DTA where x is the
number of decks.
K is maximum bankroll (1000). Avoids asking.
A is an Ace rich deck for Ace Practice.
S is a Split prone deck for Split Practice.
Q is Quiet. This turns off the double click signal on not-'Best
Plays' and not-'Best Bets'. Enter only Q or L. Not both.
L is Loud. This turns the double click signal to a double beep on
not-'Best Plays' and not-'Best Bests'. Enter only Q or L. Not both.
c is one of the following foreground colors: B = Blue, G = green, M =
Magenta, C = Cyan and Y = Yellow.
BJRULES.COM
BJRULES.COM creates, modifies, and prints Strategy and Rules file.
BE CAREFUL OF BJRULES. IF NOT CAREFUL, YOU MAY INADVERTANTLY ALTER
YOUR STRATEGY FILES.
Run BJRULES.COM by calling its name . . .
Type BJRULES, press RETURN and answer the questions provided.
BJRULES will prompt the user for an input Strategy and Rules file.
If the file is found it is loaded. If it is not found, BJRules will
ask the user if a skeleton file should be created.
Run BJRULES.COM from the Commandline . . .
10
Type BJTUTOR followed by any or all of the available options then
press RETURN. The form is as follows:
BJRULES infile outfile P c
Infile is the input Strategy and Rules file. A file with .DTA
extension.
Outfile is the output Strategy and Rules file. A file with .DTA
extension.
P is Print. It bypasses the BJRules menus and prints infile.
c is one of the following foreground colors: B = Blue, G = green, M =
Magenta, C = Cyan and Y = Yellow.
BJGRAPH.COM
BJGRAPH.COM displays Student Progress. Assuming three or more
sessions have been completed by the student.
Run BJGRAPH.COM by calling its name . . .
Type BJGRAPH then press RETURN, and answer the questions provided.
BJGRAPH will search the logged disk or directory for progress files of
the type xxx.BJ. A menu of those found is displayed.
Run BJGRAPH.COM from the Commandline . . .
Type BJGRAPH followed by any or all of the available options then
press RETURN. The form is as follows:
BJGRAPH infile A c
Infile is the Student Progress File. A file with .BJ extension.
A is All. It displays the All lessons up to the maximum of 100.
c is one of the following foreground colors: B = Blue, G = green, M =
Magenta, C = Cyan and Y = Yellow.
MAKING A BATCH FILE
Files of the type filename.BAT are called 'batch files.' They are
used to save key strokes. To create a batch file type the following:
See BAT files on your distribution disk for an example.
COPY CON xxx.BAT COPY CON STEVE.BAT
PROGRAM xxx xxx x x x x BJTUTOR RENO1 STEVE 1 K^Z
and end with CTRL Z and RETURN
11
LIMITATIONS
Typing Ctrl 'C'--holding CTRL key down while pressing 'C'--may
disturb the screen display in all programs. Done 24 times, may make
the display unreadable.
You are limited to twenty student files for BJRules. This allows
twenty separate students or twenty different records. If you exceed
this number, only twenty will be displayed. Consecquently, you
should delete all test and unused files.
You may not interupt printing of BJRules.
If you delete the supplied Strategy and Rules files, you must hand tailor
new files. The skeleton BJRules creates is INSUFFICIENT FOR PLAY as
is. Check the rules you are using against a reputable source BEFORE
using the BJTutor system for the first time. The rules may have been
destroyed or altered.
BE CAREFUL OF BJRULES. IF NOT CAREFUL, YOU MAY INADVERTANTLY ALTER
YOUR STRATEGY FILES.
12
REGISTRATION
The BJTutor system is distributed as Shareware. You may copy and
distribute it at will. You may not alter any of the programs or
documentation. You may alter the .DTA files for your own use. You
may distribute new .DTA files but, please do not distribute altered
original .DTA files. If you wish to support this product, register
it with the authors using the form below. We will make a reasonable
effort to provide updates or update information to registered owners.
Thank you.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Registration for
BJTUTOR: Blackjack System Tutor
Please print or type . . .
BJTutor Release :____________ (example: Rel 2.0pc)
Version Date:____________ (example: March 29, 1987)
Name :______________________________
Mailing Address :______________________________
________________ Zip _________
Computer System: ____________________(example: Zenith Z100)
Remarks and Suggestions: _______________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Send $25 registration to: Stephen A. Jacob
103 B Fourth St
Honolulu, Hi 96818
13
INDEX
A
A Practice Session, 5
Atlantic City, 4
B
BATCH File, 11
Best Bet, 7, 8
Best Play, 1, 7, 8
Bets, 6
BJGRAPH.COM, 11
BJRULES.COM, 10
BJTUTOR SYSTEM, 5
BJTUTOR.COM, 9
Blackjack Book, 7
C
Command Keypad, 5, 7, 8
Commandline, 9, 10, 11
Copy the Programs and Files, 2
Count Strategy, 9
D
Deal and Play, 6
Doubling, 5
Downtown Las Vegas, 4
G
Getting Started, 2
H
House, 5
I
Insurance, 5, 6
INTRODUCTION, 1, 7
L
Las Vegas Strip, 1, 4, 5
Lesson 1, 7
Lesson 1: Buy a Blackjack Book and Read It, 8
Lesson 2, 8
Lesson 2: Decide on One Casino and One Game, 8
Lesson 3, 8
Lesson 3.1, 8
Lesson 3.1: Run Three Sessions, 8
Lesson 3.2, 8
Lesson 3.2: Review Progress, 8
Lesson 3.3, 8
Lesson 3.3: Repeat, 8
Lesson 3: Master the No Count Strategies First, 8
14
Lesson 4, 9
Lesson 4: Master the Count Strategy (Optional), 9
Lesson Plan, 7
LIMITATIONS, 12
M
MAKING A BATCH FILE, 11
MSDOS 2.11, 9
N
No Count, 8, 9
No Count Strategies, 8
Northern Nevada, 4
NOT ANOTHER BLACKJACK PROGRAM!, 1
P
Plus-minus count, 1, 7
Practice Session, 5
Practice Sessions, 8
Programs, 9
Progress Report, 8
R
REGISTRATION, 13
S
Score, 6
Some Limitations, 12
Strategy and Rules file, 1, 7, 9, 10, 11
Strategy Help, 1, 7, 9, 10
Student Progress File, 11
T
The Bets, 6
THE BJTUTOR SYSTEM, 5
The Deal and Play, 6
The House, 5
THE LESSON PLAN, 7
THE PROGRAMS, 9
The Score, 6
The Tutor, 7
Totals, 7
Tutor, 7
15
