Handheld Blackjack Game
(600-2679)                 Operation                  Faxback Doc. # 49504

TURNING THE GAME ON/OFF

To turn the game on or off, press ON/OFF.

To conserve battery power, the computer automatically turns off after
about 3 minutes if you do not press any keys.

With one fresh battery installed, the computer can save the game status
and scores for months, so you can pick up where you left off in a game.

PLAYING WITH OR WITHOUT SOUND EFFECTS

Press SOUND to turn off the sound effects. (((.))) disappears from the
display.

Press SOUND again to add sound effects.  A tone sounds and (((.))) appears
on the display.

Before you play the game, you should know the basic rules of Blackjack.

OBJECT OF THE GAME

The object of Blackjack is to defeat the dealer by getting a higher point
total than the dealer without going over 21 points.

COUNTING THE DECK

The computer plays Blackjack with a standard 52-card deck, consisting of
four cards of each value, from Ace through King.

The card values are very straightforward and easy to remember.  Each card
is counted at its face value.  For example, a 4 is worth 4 points, and an
8 is worth 8 points.  The 10 and face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) count
as 10 points each, and are often called the 10-count cards.  You can count
an Ace as either 1 or 11 points, depending on which is more advantageous
to your game.

BETTING

The blackjack game automatically sets a 20-point bet before each hand.
Whoever wins the hand collects the bet.

Bets are paid off evenly.  For example, a 20-point bet wins 20 points.
There are only four exceptions.

  If you Blackjack (get a total of 21 points on the first draw), you get
  a 3-to-2 payoff - you win 30 points for your 20-point bet.

  If you double your bet, you can win double stakes (you bet an additional
  20 and win 40).

  If you split your hand, you can win double stakes (you bet an additional
  20 on the second hand and win both hands for a total of 40).

  If you surrender your hand, you only lose half of your bet.

WINNING, LOSING, AND PUSHING

You win your bet in the following cases:

  if your total is 21 points or less, and is more than the dealer's total.

  if the dealer's total is more than 21 points.

  if the first two cards you are dealt are an Ace and a 10-count card
  (Blackjack), and the dealer does not have a Black jack.

You lose your bet in the following cases:

  if your total is 21 points or less, and is less than the dealer's total.

  if at any time your total is more than 21 points.

  if the dealer gets Blackjack and you do not.

You push (tie) when you and the dealer have the same total hand (21 or
less).  Your bet is returned to you and play continues with the next hand.

PLAYING THE GAME

1.  If the game is off, press ON/OFF to turn it on.

2.  Press HIT/DEAL.  A 20-point bet is automatically subtracted from your
    total points.  Then the game deals two cards to you and two cards to
    the dealer.

    The display prompts you with your play options.

    Notes:  One of the dealer's cards is dealt face up and is called the
            exposed card.  The other is dealt face down and is known as
            the downcard or hole card.
 
            When the game does not have enough cards to deal the next
            hand, it shuffles the cards.  Cards flash on the display as
            they are shuffled.

3.  Choose your option: Stand, Hit, Double Down, Surrender, or Split.  See
    "Choosing Your Options", below.

4.  After each round, the display shows the game status:

    If you win, your winnings and WIN flash on the display.

    If you lose, the computer subtracts your losses.  Your total points
    and loss flash on the display.

    Notes:  You get a 20-point bonus if you get 7-7-7  or 6-7-8 (which
            totals 21 points).

            The maximum score is 3,990.  When you reach 3,990, the score
            flashes on the display.  Press HIT/DEAL to restart the game.

5.  Repeat Steps 2-3 to play the next round.

CHOOSING YOUR OPTIONS

Stand

Press STAND if you are satisfied with your hand and do not want to hit,
split, or double.  Play goes to the dealer.

Hit

Press HIT to request an additional card if you are not satisfied with your
current hand.  The game deals a card each time you press HIT until you
stand, reach 21 points, or have a total of more than 21 (bust).  The game
automatically updates your running total and shows it on the display.

Double Down

If you think you can beat the dealer's hand with only one more card, you
can press DOUBLE to double your bet (double down) on any initial two-card
combination.  Your bet automatically doubles and you receive one more
card.

Note:  You cannot double down if your point score is less than your bet.

Split

If your first two cards are a pair, SPLIT appears on the display.  Press
SPLIT to split the cards and play two hands, which are indicated by H1 and
H2.

Your bet automatically doubles and the bet is subtracted from your score.

Note:  You cannot split if your point score is less than your bet.

Surrender

If you do not think you can beat the dealer's hand, you can press
SURRENDER to give up your hand.  SURRENDER appears on the display.  The
hand ends and you lose half your bet.

(BR/eb 8/28/98)