
                                7 CARD RUMMY            Page 1 of 1
                                ============

        This is one of  the many  variations of the game  Rummy.  It is played
with the full pack of fifty-two cards,  ranking from King (high) to Ace (low).
The players cut to determine the first deal, and take turns to deal subsequent
hands.  Each player is dealt seven cards,  and the next card is placed face-up
between the two players, forming the basis for the discard heap. The remainder
of the pack is placed face-down next to the discard heap.

        The object of the game is to  form sets of three or four  cards of the 
same  rank,  or sequences of  three or more  cards of the same suit.  For this
purpose the Ace is low.  A-2-3 is a valid sequence,  whilst Q-K-A or K-A-2 are
not. The sets and sequences must be independent - one card cannot form part of
two sets or sequences.

        The non-dealer plays first,  choosing to take either the top card from
the discard heap,  or the top card of the pack.  Once a card has been taken, a
card must be discarded.  This may be the drawn card,  or a card from the hand.
The players continue  like this until either one of them has formed their hand
completely into sets, or the pack only contains two cards. If this is the case
whoever's turn  it is may play,  but if they  discard without going "out", the 
hand is drawn, and neither player scores.

        When a player  goes out,  by completing  their hand,  both  hands  are 
displayed. The player who went out scores 25 points, plus the pip value of all 
the un-grouped cards  in their opponent's hand.  The deal changes and the next
hand is played.  The game ends when either player reaches a total score of 200
points.

        In this computer simulation,  the computer controls the game flow, and
takes care of dealing the hands and the scoring.  It also sorts the hands into
valid groups,  leaving as few  unused cards  as possible.  Groups of cards are 
marked with a coloured bar to aid identification.  You may,  however,  discard
one of these marked cards, if you think that you can make a better combination
later. the remainder of the group will, of course, then be un-marked.  To play
a card you can point  the mouse cursor to it and "click",  or you can click on 
the appropriate  button.  Either will  perform  the  same function.  Any other 
instructions will be given on-screen as required.

        Contrary to any impression that may be given, the computer cannot, and
does not, cheat. It does not look at your hand,  the pack or the discard heap,
but makes its decisions purely according to pre-programmed algorithms. In fact,
it is dis-advantaged  in that it cannot  remember what cards have already been 
played,  and will not,  therefore,  be able to consider  options  that a human 
player might decide to try.
