                            HOUSE RULES

     While draw poker is played differently in various places, this
program generally follows the rules and procedures described in the
book ACCORDING TO HOYLE by Richard L. Frey, (Ballantine Books, 1983).
Some minor changes in these rules and procedures have been made
because of the limited display space of the computer terminal, or in
order to keep the game moving at an interesting pace.
1.  The game is limited to four players.  Three of them are controlled
by the computer.  You are player 4 and must make your own decisions.
The cards and chips of the four players are shown on the screen in four
different colored areas.  Below your area is a message zone where you
and the computer can talk to each other.
2.  Each white chip is worth 1, a red chip is 5, and a blue is 10.
Each player gets 25 of each color at the start.  You can choose to
have a white chip be worth a penny, a dime, or a dollar.  If any
player runs low, the banker will provide more chips (for a price).
The computer prints a running record of each player's chip value as
well as any excess winnings or losses that can't be shown in the
chip display areas.  It also transfers chips from one colored stack
to another to keep enough chips in the white stack for betting
purposes.  Don't be surprised to see this going on.
3.  The cards used in this game are the typical new pack which comes
with two jokers.  These jokers are completely wild and can be used as
any card you choose.  There are no other wild cards.
4.  Due to the space limitations of the display screen, we draw for
deal instead of using the first jack dealt to name the first dealer.
High draw deals, and we all draw again if there is a tie.  Every player
antes 1 (puts one chip in the pot) before the deal begins.
5.  A pair of jacks or better is needed to open the betting.  If no
one can open, everyone antes 1 again, the next player shuffles and
redeals the cards, and jacks are again needed.  If this happens four
times without anyone opening, a pair of any size will then be accepted
as openers.
6.  The size of your stack of chips is the only limitation on the
amount you can bet.  You can't bet more than the number of chips you
have.  The other players won't stay with you long if you get wild
though.  They tend to drop out early, but they are hard to bluff if
they do decide to stay in.  They are generally conservative in the 
way they bet and the cards they keep, but they will sometimes overbet
their hand or keep a useless card when drawing.  Don't expect them to
be consistent all the time.
7.  The game will continue, one hand after another, until you tell
the computer you won't play any longer.  A final report of each
player's standing is printed out before closing.
l you tell
the computer you won't play any longer.  A final report of each
player's standing is printed out before closing.
