Big Two

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By Heitor Chang - Last updated August 5, 2000

The current version of this Big Two Java applet displays a working four-player Big Two Applet which correctly evaluates plays and ranks, and then sends all information to the Java Console (access it on Netscape under Communicator -> Tools -> Java Console). The latest version includes a small display at the bottom showing how many cards other players have left.

Unfortunately, on this current version all four players must share the same computer screen (which is a big hassle). It is much better to play with real cards. My hopes is to someday extend the applet to handle play over the Internet or perhaps you can do it. All source links are included at the bottom of the page.

The objective of the game is to get rid of all your cards first. You must play either one, two, three, or five cards at once. Valid two-card plays are always two of a kind, three-card plays are always three of a kind, and five-card plays are poker hands (excluding two pair). The next player must always play a hand with the same number of cards or may choose to pass. Playing is not mandatory, and a player may choose to pass strategically to save certain cards. New plays must always be of a higher strength (rank). If the new play has the same strength of the previous play, its leading card must be higher for the play to be valid.

The ranking of suits is, from high to low, spades, hearts, clubs, diamonds. The console equivalent is !, @, #, $. Also, a T on the console represents a "10."

The strength (rank) of plays, which are all derived from poker, goes like this (high to low):

Strength (rank)	Type of Play	Name of Play	Example (Leading card is bold)
9	Five-card	Straight Flush	5# 6# 7# 8# 9#
7	Five-card	Four of a Kind	7$ 7# 7@ 7! 9!
6	Five-card	Full House	3# 3@ 3! 5@ 5!
5	Five-card	Flush	4@ 6@ T@ J@ A@
4	Five-card	Straight	7! 8@ 9$ T# J!
3	Three-card	Triple	3# 3@ 3!
2	Two-card	Double	K$ K!
1	One-card	Single	T@

Check out Woo Kok Tong's Big Two page. His Palm OS software is a big inspiration. My cards look like his, I have to admit, and maybe I should change that.

Here's the current applet code: Big2AppletLocal.java
Here's the one-player applet code: Big2Applet.java
Here's the card class code (necessary for both applets): Big2card.java
You can do whatever you want with these.
In fact, I would be very happy to see anyone if you've got the skills to come up with a decent multi-player Internet Big Two game so anyone can play on different computers and not have the next player staring at your cards.

Comments? [email protected]

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