
     TO PRINT THIS DOCUMENTATION:
            
     At the DOS prompt type COPY DDPOKER1.TXT PRN 
            
             
     The files included in this package are:
             
     DDPOKER.EXE     --   The program.
     DDPOKER1.TXT    --   DOUBLE  DOWN  VIDEO  POKER  v1.0 text file (this
                          document).
     DDPOKER.SCR     --   SCREEN  DRIVER (do not delete this file) it will
                          load automatically when you type DDPOKER.
     REGISTER.TXT    --   Form  to  send me when you register your copy of
                          DOUBLE DOWN VIDEO POKER.
     README.BAT      --   Simple  batch  file  to  view  the  DDPOKER1.TXT
                          documentation.
     PRINT.BAT       --   Simple  batch  file  to  print  the registration
                          form.
             
      
     What you need:  512k, an EGA or VGA graphics adaptor  and  compatible
     monitor.  A mouse is optional.


     SHAREWARE CONCEPT
     -----------------

     If you received DOUBLE DOWN VIDEO POKER as SHAREWARE (you'll see  the
     SHAREWARE  notice  on  the screen once you start the game) this means
     that you probably downloaded it from a bulletin board, or you  bought
     it  from  a  public software library vendor, or you got a copy from a
     friend.  (That's right, you may distribute this SHAREWARE copy freely
     to  whomever  you  wish).  If you are not familiar with the SHAREWARE
     concept, let me give you a brief introduction.

     SHAREWARE is a try-before-you-buy marketing  concept.    This  allows
     authors  of  computer programs who don't have the huge capitalization
     necessary to introduce a new program into the  computer  marketplace,
     to bring their product to your attention.

     Essentially,  the  author releases a fully working copy of his or her
     program for you to evaluate over a reasonable period  of  time  under
     the  condition that if you should find the program useful or fun, and
     continue using it, then you must register  and  pay  a  nominal  fee.
     It's  an  honor system built on trust between people who have a sense
     of fair play.

     I fully support SHAREWARE, because it allows someone  like  me,  with
     limited  resources,  the  opportunity  to  compete  in  the  computer
     software marketplace while giving you a quality program at  the  best
     price in all software markets.

     BUT  THE  CONCEPT  WILL  NOT  WORK UNLESS YOU DO YOUR PART!  You must
     register this program if you continue to  use  it  after  two  weeks.
     Your  support  will allow me to continue providing and improving upon
     this and other programs I have written.  

     For a $10.00 registration fee, you will receive  the  current  retail
     version  of  DOUBLE  DOWN  VIDEO  POKER  without  the SHAREWARE "time
     countdown", and other SHAREWARE notices within the program.  You will
     also  be  notified as to upgrades of DOUBLE DOWN VIDEO POKER, and you
     will be entitled to a free registered copy of the next update when it
     becomes  available.    Registered users will also be sent information
     concerning other programs in the works.

     Send check or money order in the amount of $10.00 (U.S. funds) to:
             
              Sam Hazan
              11929 Weddington Street #303
              North Hollywood, CA  91607
             
     To simplify the registration process, I have included a  registration
     form  in a text file called REGISTER.TXT.  You may print this form on
     your printer using the DOS commands -- COPY REGISTER.TXT PRN or PRINT
     REGISTER.TXT         You  may  also  import  REGISTER.TXT  into  your
     wordprocessor since it is in ASCII format.



     QUICK START
     -----------

     Special note:  If you do not know how to play poker or  you  need  to
     review the rules please see the heading "HOW TO PLAY VIDEO POKER".

         1.   Do not delete the file DDPOKER.SCR.  This is a screen driver
              file that you will need.  If this file is  not  included  in
              your  package,  consult  the  SHAREWARE vendor you purchased
              this product from, or the SYSOP of the  BBS  you  downloaded
              this product from.

         2.   Load your mouse driver if you have one.  If you don't have a
              mouse, that's OK.  You'll just have to use your  arrow  keys
              in conjunction with your return key.

         3.   Type DDPOKER at the DOS prompt.

         4.   After  the  fancy  graphics and SHAREWARE notice (see above)
              you'll see the main DOUBLE DOWN VIDEO POKER screen.    Place
              your  bet,  and  the  game  starts.  If you're using a mouse
              click only once.  If you are using your keyboard,  move  the
              arrow icon to your appropriate bet and hit the return key.

         5.   Your cards have now been dealt.  With the mouse or keyboard,
              move the arrow icon over the cards you wish to  discard  and
              click  once  with  the  mouse  or hit the return key on your
              keyboard.  If you accidently discard a  card,  don't  panic!
              You  can  bring  it  back into play by moving the arrow icon
              over the card back and click the mouse  button  or  hit  the
              return  key  --  the card is now back in play.  When you are
              happy with your selection, move  the  arrow  icon  over  the
              "Deal" button.  You will notice this button in the top right
              hand corner box.  Click the mouse button or the  return  key
              and  new  cards  will  be  dealt  in place of your discarded
              cards.

         6.   If you win, you'll see what you've won, and how much  you've
              won.    If  you lose, try your luck again.  Now, once you've
              won a poker hand you'll have the option to double down.  The
              box  in  the  top  right  hand corner will tell you how much
              you've won and how much you stand to win if you double down.
              This  will  always be double what you've won.  If you select
              "No" you return to poker and collect your winnings.  If  you
              select "Yes" you are taken to the DOUBLE DOWN game.  

         7.   DOUBLE  DOWN  is  similar  to hi-low with a twist.  The game
              deals five cards, like poker, except the first  card  --  to
              the far left -- is dealt face up.  This is the card you want
              to beat -- you must beat this card to win  at  DOUBLE  DOWN.
              Select  your choice by moving the arrow icon over one of the
              four remaining cards and click once, or hit your return key.
              If  you  win,  you  may  double  down  again or collect your
              winnings and return to the poker game.  If you lose, you are
              taken  back  to  the  poker  game.   If you tie, the hand is
              automatically re-dealt.

     That's all there is to it!  If you desire more  information  continue
     reading, otherwise, have fun and enjoy the game!


     OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE GAME
     ------------------------------------

     You undoubtedly will notice a button in  the  top  left  hand  corner
     named  "Options".  Selecting this button will take you to the options
     box which will appear in place of the cards box.  Here you  have  the
     option  to change the screen colors to a gray (mono systems) theme, a
     yellow, blue, red, or green theme, or if you like,  a  random  theme.
     You can have lots of fun with this random color option.  

     Other  options include Sound "On" or "Off" which is useful if you are
     playing and wish not to disturb others -- like late at  night  or  at
     work!    Also  included  here  is  an information button which simply
     reminds you that the program is SHAREWARE  and  pleads  with  you  to
     support  the  cause,  and finally, the card back button when selected
     will display some neat graphics and credit to the author.


     HOW TO PLAY VIDEO POKER
     -----------------------

     If you don't know how to play  poker,  I'll  give  you  a  brief  but
     informative lesson on poker as it pertains to this game.

     You  are dealt five cards.  You may keep all five cards or discard up
     to and including all five cards.  What you are trying to do  is  win!
     The  following  table  summarizes  what  you are trying to win in the
     order of highest payoff to lowest payoff.

         Royal Flush --  A hand that contains an Ace, and all the  picture
         cards  (a King, a Queen, and a Jack) and a Ten.  These cards must
         be of the same suit.    That  is,  all  hearts,  all  clubs,  all
         diamonds, or all spades.

         Straight Flush -- A hand that is all in sequence (ex: 2, 3, 4, 5,
         6) and all of the same suit.  Note that the cards do not have  to
         be in order on the screen.

         Four  of  A  Kind  -- A hand that contains four cards of the same
         rank (ex: all sevens).

         Full House -- A hand that contains three cards of  one  rank  and
         two cards of another rank.

         Flush -- A hand that contains five cards all of the same suit.

         Straight  --  A  hand  that contains two or more suits ranking in
         sequence.

         Three of A Kind -- A hand that contains three cards of  the  same
         rank.

         Two Pair -- Two cards of one rank, and two cards of another rank,
         with an unmatched fifth card.

         One Pair (Jacks or Better) -- A hand that contains two Jacks, two
         Queens, two Kings, or two Aces, and three unmatched cards.

     Thanks  for  choosing  to  play  DOUBLE  DOWN VIDEO POKER, and please
     remember  to  register.    If  you  have  any  problems,  complaints,
     comments,  praises,  or  suggestions  you  can  reach me at the above
     address, but remember, registered users will receive first  priority.
     You can also reach me via Compuserve my I.D. # is 73617,570.

     Thanks  again  and  I  hope  you have found this program an enjoyable
     experience!


(End of documentation)
