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1.3 Settings Menu Choice
This dialog box allows the user to set the general rules under which the games are played:
The specific choices have the following meanings:
- Official Rules
This section determines the rules that will be used during play. Clicking "official rules" uses the official rules of the German Doppelkopf Association (see Appendix A: Official Rules). This mainly limits the number of solo types and extra points that can be earned.
For those who don't want a "friendly reminder" when they misplay a card, the item "misplay - > lost" can be selected. This plays according to the actual rules by which a misplay means a lost game.
- 'Regulars' Rules
People who play Doppelkopf together frequently, often make up rules that are not officially permited by the Doppelkopf Association. An example would be having the second Heart 10 played to a trick capturing the first ("second Heart 10 High").
In the same way, you can play "without 9s." In this case, all 9s are removed from the pack and the total number of cards is 40 rather than the usual 48.
Selecting "With Contra/Re... "- allows you to increase the scoring values by indicating the team to which you belong.
By, "Throw in with at least..." is meant the minimum number of 9s and/or Kings that can be held by a player who calls for a new deal. In many locations, 3 points are subtracted from a player's score when s/he calls for a new deal. Note the difference between the terms "and" and "or" in the sentence above. "And" means that both conditions must be met while "or" means one or the other.
In order to request a new deal, you must bid "Reservation." This is because Solo games have preference and the opportunity to request a new deal takes place in the program at the point where you have a choice between a Solo game, marriage, etc..
You can announce "Card Exchange" when you hold at most three trumps. Each of the other players then states whether s/he wants to exchange for trump. If so, then the two exchanging players become partners. All of the trumps from the announcing player are exchanged for an equal number of side suit cards from his/her partner. In the event that the partner holds so many trumps that some of them must be returned to the announcing player, the number of trumps returned must be announced.
In order to announce "Card Exchange," you must bid "Reservation." This is because Solo games have preference and the opportunity to request a new deal takes place in the program at the point where you have a choice between a Solo game, marriage, etc..
There are a couple of additional options that can be turned on in the Settings Menu: Sau and supersau. When one holds both foxes (Diamond Aces), one can announce "Sau" when playing one of them to a trick. This makes the two Diamond Aces the highest trumps, even higher than the Heart 10s.
This can then be continued with the announcement of "Supersau." This can be announced when holding either 2 Diamond 9s, 2 Diamond Kings, or 2 Diamond 10s, but only after someone has first announced "Sau."
Please note that these options have more to do with the chance distribution of the cards than they do with the skills of the card players.
Under "More..." are various additional options such as a variety of solo types and extra points.
Under "Strategy..." you can specify the playing convention (Essener System) that you want to use yourself. The computer will determine, if it also wants to play by the same conventions.
- Playing Mode
This section gives you the opportunity to switch between a normal 4-person game and Practice/Analysis Mode.
"Practice Mode" provides a couple of extra windows not available in a normal game.
Additional functions are also available including:
In "4-Person" mode you can enter separate names for the individual players. More important, however, is to set a playing style for each of the computer opponents using the popup menu.
You can see from the picture above that Rasche's Doppelkopf 3.0 or higher allows you to choose from 6 different playing styles for the computer players. Rasche's Doppelkopf 2.0/Tom`s Doppelkopf Express includes only the first 3 styles.
"Mechanical" as the name suggests, simply bids to the highest possible level without regard for the likelihood of winning. "Very Cautious" on the other hand, means a very conservative style of play that will undertake no great risk.
The main differences between the other types has to do with the skill of the computer players in using the Essener System. Aside from that the categories can be described as follows:
The first group comes from our first Doppelkopf version and represents the average home player.
The "expert" routines play better and represent a more advanced player. This skill level was introduced in Doppelkopf 1.5 and won us the approval of the German Doppelkopf Association.
The Group "E-Ans.Opt." improves the Contra/Re announcements. In part, this has to do with the Essener System. You don't have to know the Essener System yourself to select this style.
For those who want to play at a more sophisticated level, but don't want to deal with the "Pauses" during the play, the "P-langfr." is a good choice.
The next group "P-Ans.Opt." encompasses the full Essener System. This gives you more information about your partner and your partner more informaiton about your cards.
The last group "Profi" contains an artificial intelligence algorithm that learns from your play over time. In general, these routines play best of all, but try them all out and see what combination suits you best.
- Suggestion Type
This popup menu allows you to enter the playing style that the computer uses when making a suggestion for you.
- "Mrs."
Enter how you wish to be addressed.
- "Your Name"
Please enter your name here.
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