SAMANTHA FOX STRIP POKER
(React / Software Communications)

SPECTRUM 48K/128K
AMSTRAD 464/664/6128


What sort of player is SAM? We are not going to give you any clues.
It's for you to find out.
	Sam's so confident that your play will not be good enough,
that she has agreed to shed her clothing one article at a time, if you
should start to beat her. However, if she starts to win again she is
allowed to retrieve some or all of the articles she has lost.

The cards are dealt after each player has put in the required starting
stake called the ANTE. This is done automatically by the program and
'1' is deducted from each player in the game and placed in the POT
which is in the centre of the screen.
	Two cards are then dealt to each player, face down, these
being known as the HOLE cards. Each player can only see their own HOLE
cards. To distinguish them from the rest of your hand your HOLE cards
will appear grey.
	A third card is then dealt face up. The first BET is made by
the player who has the LOWEST face up card, an ACE being counted HIGH.
The first bet is called the BLIND. If the numerical values of two or
more players face up cards are the same, then the suits are used for
further discrimination, with the order from highest down of SPADES,
HEARTS, DIAMONDS then CLUBS. The betting always goes in a clockwise
direction around the table.
	On each player's turn there are various options which are
allowable. These options can vary depending on the situation and what
has gone before. Seven Card Stud is usually played with a referee who
can keep a check on what is happening and advise on the options
available. In this game the computer is the referee and it will only
present you with the options which are allowable. These may be two or
more of the following:

1.PASS  If a player thinks their hand is no good and does not want to
        stake any more money on it, then the player may PASS and take
        no further part in the HAND.
2.CHECK The player stays in the game without staking any money.
3.BET   The player puts his stake into the POT.
4.CALL  This means the player will put into the POT a stake equal to
        the last player to BET or RAISE. If the last player in that
        round CALLS then either a further card will be dealt or if
        seven cards have been dealt the winning hand is decided.
5.RAISE The player will put in the stake so far and RAISE. If the 
        other players wish to stay in, they must equal this new level,
        or drop out.

Only options which are allowable will be given to you by the referee
(computer). You can see what these options are by pressing the space
bar to rotate through the choices. To select your choice press ENTER.
	The amounts needed to BET, CALL or RAISE are displayed when a
player has to make his choice.
	The decision made by each player is left on the screen until
either the round of betting ends or the player makes a fresh bid.
	After the betting is done the next round of cards is dealt.
From now on, the first player is deemed to be the player with the
highest hand value actually showing (HOLE cards obviously discounted)
and betting continues clockwise as before.
	The game then continues with a further two cards dealt face-up
and subsequent betting between each one.
	The final card, if the game gets this far, is also a HOLE card
and is dealt face down. You will see your own HOLE card coloured grey.
	When and if the cards of the remaining players are finally
displayed they will be sorted to display the best possible hand that
can be made.
	The winner takes the POT and their money will be displayed in
GREEN. If at any time a player should go BUST then the game continues
as if he can meet the bets, but when the hand is done the game is
deemed over and the program restarts.


NINE CLASSES OF POKER HANDS (Ascending order)

You will notice that there are never more than five cards involved in
a winning hand. The best hand is sorted from all the cards available.

1. Nothing
   If two or more players have this type of hand then the top card is
   is used to separate them and, if this is the same, then the second
   highest, etc.
2. A Pair
   The same method as above is used to separate hands.
3. Two Pairs
   Assessment is by high pair then low pairs then high cards.
4. Threes (triplets or trips)
   Three cards of the same denomination.
5. Straight
   Five cards in a sequence but not of the same suit.
6. Flush
   Five cards of the same suit but not in sequence.
7. Full House
   Three cards of the same denomination plus a pair.
8. Fours
   Four cards of the same denomination plus one odd card.
9. Straight Flush
   Five cards in sequence and of the same suit.
   Royal Straight Flush
   The best hand there is: A K Q J 10.


(c) Software Communications Ltd. 1986