Card Sharks

first person card game for Commodore 64, 1988

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Computer Card Sharks is a challenging and exciting test of your luck
with the cards (and your ability to know how people think), just like
its television counterpart.  Play with a friend or pit your skills
against a computer-selected opponent.

SETTING UP THE GAME

  After the initial screen is displayed, you are able to select the
number of players.

One Player Game-Press 1
Two Player Game-Press 2

  If you select a one player game, your opponent will be selected by
the computer.

  There are four different characters to choose from.  If you want a
different character, press 1 until you see one you like.  Press 2 to
keep a character.

  After entering your name, press RETURN.

  When prompted to "Insert the Question Disk", take this disk out of
the drive and turn it over.  Put it back in the drive and close the
drive door.  Press RETURN.

PLAYING THE GAME

  The object of the game is to know what people are going to say most
often and how many are going to have the same answer.  If you are
correct (or more right than your opponent) you get the chance to turn
over a card.  Guess if the next card is higher or lower - if you're
right, the card stays turned.  Be the first to turn over five cards
and you win.  Two out of three wins the match and you get a chance to
play the Money Cards.

  The "host" will read a survey question and you must guess how many
people gave the same answer to that question.  Use the Up or Down
cursor arrows to change the numbers (or Up and Down on the joystick). 
Press RETURN when you have selected the desired number (or press the
Fire button on the joystick).

  Your opponent then guesses if the number is higher or lower than the
number you gave.  Press 1 if you think the number is higher (or press
Fire on the joystick).  Press 2 if you think the number is lower (or
move the joystick to the right and press Fire).  If you are correct,
or your opponent is wrong (if he says the number is higher and it was
lower, etc.) then you get to see the game board.

  When you get a question right, you have the option of changing the
card that is showing.  This is a good move if you have a mid-range
card, like a 7, 8 or 9. You then guess if the next card will be higher
or lower.

  Press 1 if you think the card is higher (or press Fire on the
joystick).  Press 2 if you think the card is lower (or move the
joystick to the right and press Fire).

  If you are right, you go on to the next card.

  If you are wrong, you lose your turn and the card is discarded and
another card is placed face down for your next turn.  If you have
turned over more than one card, all of the cards are discarded.  Your
opponent gets a chance at his cards now.

  If you turn over a mid-range card (6,7,8,etc.) you can elect to
freeze.  This saves your position and, if you win a question, you'll
have the chance to change the card.

  The first person to get all 5 cards turned-over wins the game.

  Two out of three games wins the match.  The winner gets $200 to bet
with on the Money Cards.

PLAYING THE MONEY CARDS

The Money Cards are played in the same manner, but now you have the
opportunity to bet on the cards being higher or lower.

You can change cards if you wish, but you can only have three changes. 
You don't have to change a card if you are happy with it.

If you turn over all four cards on the bottom row, the last card
turned over is moved to the middle row and $400 is added to your
winnings.

If you turn over all three cards on the middle row, the last card
turned over is moved to the top row.  You must bet at least half of
your winnings.  Here's the chance to win a fortune!

If you correctly guess the last card on top, you have won at Money
Cards and will be placed on the Champions List.

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Some useful keyboard shortcuts
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       [PAUSE] - stop/continue game
          [F9] - quick load game state
         [F12] - quick save game state (still stored after leaving the site)
         [F10] - toggle performance meter
         [F11] - toggle fullscreen mode
  [ScrollLock] - quick switch control ports
    [PageDown] - make a screenshot (320x200)