Last One 1.0

Last One is a multi-player version of the Crazy Eights card game (similar to Uno) for Palm OS®. Dozens of game variations (including the one that this game is named after) are possible through a unique game options system.

Installation

Last One requires Palm OS 3.0 or later.

Follow these steps to get started:

1. Run the Install Tool from your Palm™ Desktop directory.
2. Click Add, and add the LastOne.prc file to your HotSync® list.
3. HotSync your Palm OS handheld.

How to Play

Last One is a game for two to four players, in which the object is to get rid of the cards in your hand onto a discard pile by matching the number or suit of the previous discard. Each player may be a human or the computer, but at least one human player is required.

For two player games, each player starts with 7 cards. For three and four player games, each player starts with 5 cards.

Before a human player's turn, the screen displays whose turn it is, as well as the last card played and score and number of cards for all players. To play, click Continue from this screen. Your hand will be displayed, as well as the last card played. You must then either play a legal card from your hand (by tapping on it) or draw a card. When you are done with your turn, tap the Next button to proceed.

A legal card is:

• Any card that matches either number or suit of the current top discard.
• A wild card (8 by default) in which case you get to pick a suit.

If there are no cards left to draw, the discard pile will be "recycled", and game play continues.

The first player to get rid of all their cards wins that round, and the other players score penalty points for the cards remaining in their hand.

Game Options

The game options system allows for several game options, as well as redefining the special meanings and scores of any card in the deck. The options editor is accessible via the Game Options button on the title screen.

The following meanings can be assigned to cards:

• Wild (any suit)
  This card is playable on top of any card. When it is played, a dialog will appear prompting for a new current suit.
• Wild (same suit)
  This card is playable on top of any card. When it is played, the card's suit becomes the current suit.
• Skip
  Skips the next player.
• Reverse
  Reverses the direction of game play.
• Draw Two
  Forces the next player to draw two cards and forfeit their turn.
• Draw Two (cont.)
  If draw card accumulation is enabled, this card adds two cards to the number to be drawn. This card may not be used to start such a sequence, though.
• Play Again
  Allows the player to play another card in the same turn.
• Start Melee
  Starts a "melee" with the next player. If the next player plays the next card in the same suit, the player starting the melee must draw a number of cards equal to the number of the second card. If not, that player must draw a number of cards equal to the card that started the melee. This special action is only usable with card numbers 2 through 9.

By default, the only card with a special action assigned is 8, which is a Wild (any suit) card. It's score is 50, the face cards are scored 10, and the other cards are scored by their face value (1 for Ace, 2 for 2, etc). These settings can be returned to at any time by selecting Reset Game from this form's Option menu.

The following game options are also available:

• Must play card to continue
  Normally, a turn can be ended after playing or drawing a card. This option forces the player to play a card before the turn can end.
• Wild card must match discard
  This option forces a wild card to match the last card discarded, by number or suit.
• Allow draw card accumulation
  A draw card will normally force the next player to draw a certain number of cards. With this option enabled, the next player may play another draw card to add to the number of cards to draw and pass it onto the player after him.
• Allow play after drawing card
  Normally, after a card has been drawn, the player may not play a card in the same turn. This option allows such a play to take place.
• Double deck
  This option starts the game with a 104-card deck (2 standard decks of 52 cards). This option is recommended if any card higher than 6 (or more than one card) is assigned the Start Melee special function, to avoid having no cards to draw.

To play the "Last One" variation of Crazy Eights, set the following special cards:

• Ace - Reverse
• 2 - Draw Two
• 3 - Play Again
• 4 - Start Melee
• 8 - Wild (any suit)
• Jack - Skip

Change History

Version 1.0

* Initial release