Games developed by Villa Crespo Software, Inc.
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Amarillo Slim Dealer's Choice
One of the best - if not THE best - PC poker games ever created, Amarillo Slim Dealer's Choice is a very underrated and rare gem from Villa Crespo, best known for its long-running series of casino games.
Featuring Amarillo Slim, one of the best poker players in history, ASDC not only offers realistic poker play, but was the first poker game to offer a wide range of game options, including scoring rules, ante and bid sizes, and many others. However, the hallmark of the game was the extraordinary 'Tutor' feature: the computer helper that will calculate the exact odds at any time during the game. You can see the odds of the next card improving your high hand with respect to the possible poker hands given your current situation, e. g. 'a pair of tens', the exact and minimum odds for each possibility are displayed, and the Tutor even calculates the probability of winning for you given all the odds, as well as the best possible hand.
The Tutor feature alone elevates ASDC above other poker games, and is the main reason it is still fun and even educational (if you're interested in how professional players play) more than a decade later.
Amarillo Slim's Real Poker: 5 Card Stud
Amarillo Slim's Real Poker: 5 Card Stud, released in 1989, represents a fascinating intersection of gaming, entertainment, and the burgeoning digital landscape of the late 20th century. Rooted in the traditions of poker, particularly the five-card stud variant, this DOS game allows players to engage in a simulated poker environment that captures the thrill of high-stakes gambling without the financial risks. As a title that carries the name of the legendary poker player Amarillo Slim, the game effectively channels the charisma and expertise of its namesake into a digital format.
At its core, Amarillo Slim's Real Poker offers players a straightforward interface that caters to both novices and seasoned poker enthusiasts. The game's design exudes a nostalgic charm typical of early computer games, with pixelated graphics and basic animations that evoke a sense of warmth and simplicity. Players embark on virtual poker sessions against computer opponents, each exhibiting unique playing styles and personalities. This feature not only enhances the gaming experience but also simulates the psychological element of bluffing and strategic decision-making that defines poker itself.
A significant aspect of the game is its adherence to the fundamental principles of poker. As players navigate through various rounds, they are guided in building hands, understanding the importance of betting patterns, and mastering the art of bluffing. By incorporating instructional elements, Amarillo Slim's Real Poker serves as an educational tool for those unfamiliar with the game, fostering an environment where skills can develop and improve over time. The challenge of outmaneuvering opponents, calculating odds, and managing bankrolls creates an exhilarating atmosphere that mirrors the intensity of real-life poker rooms.
Additionally, the inclusion of commentary and voiceovers enriches the immersive experience. Amarillo Slim himself brings an element of authenticity, providing insights and colorful commentary that engage players while they compete for virtual chips. This personal touch not only celebrates the legacy of a poker icon but also creates a connection with players, making them feel as if they are part of an entertaining poker narrative.
Amarillo Slim's Real Poker: 5 Card Stud is more than just an early entry in the digital gaming scene; it serves as a snapshot of the era’s fascination with both technology and traditional pastimes. By bridging the gap between classic gambling culture and computer-assisted gameplay, the title captures the essence of poker while introducing it to a new generation of players. Its legacy continues to resonate, illustrating how games like these can provide not merely entertainment but also a shared social experience that transcends physical limitations.
Combination Lock
Combination Lock is an interesting game based on a never aired game show concept devised by John Ricci. The object of the game is to win the most money in two games, steal the Vault and make a safe getaway.
A game of Combination Lock consists of two rounds: the 'Number Finder' round and the 'Combination Decipherer' round. The Number Finder game board consists of 9 squares, each numbered from 1 to 99. Before selecting a number, players are asked a randomly selected trivia question with three possible answers. The first player to select the correct answer gets to choose one of the numbers from the Number Finder board.
The game will then reveal what is under that number. If it says 'CLOSED', the player receives no money and the game continues. If the box reveals 'OPEN', the player has found one of the three numbers in the (label_12)Combination Lock(label__12) Vault combination, and receives some money. If the box hides the 'CASH', the player receives cash. If the chosen box reveals the 'BURGLAR', the player loses cash.
In the second round, the Combination Cracker game board consists of 6 boxes containing all possible combinations of the numbers revealed in round 1. Here all players must answer more trivia questions to earn the chance to try a combination. The player with the most money at the end of the two games enters the bonus round, called 'Combination Lock Vault'. The Vault game board consists of 15 numbered squares between 1 and 99. The player can continue to select numbers as long as there is money behind them. After each turn, the player has the possibility to make an 'escape', i. e. keep all the money earned in the Vault and end the game.
Combination Lock the PC game features hundreds of trivia questions, decent EGA graphics and the possibility to compete against other human players. The game itself isn't as fun as Jeopardy!!!, but if you're trivia fans, you'll probably have a lot of fun.
First published by Villa Crespo in 1992, the game has been released into the public domain by its designer and copyright holder, John Ricci. So here's your chance to try one of the rarest and most fun games. Recommended, but not a Top Dog.
Dr. Thorp's Mini Blackjack
Dr. Thorp's Mini Blackjack is another solid entry in Villa Crespo's long line of casino games. One of the most accurate blackjack games ever released, DTMBM allows you to play blackjack with authentic casino rules. You can also alter the house rules, and learn the basics of blackjack strategy and card counting with a helpful hint feature.
In addition to the basic blackjack game, DTMBM includes some interesting features designed to help beginners understand how the pros play. For example, you can press the [F10] key at any time to listen to tips from the computer tutor. The computer will tell you the best course of action from a statistical point of view, telling you whether to stand, hit, double, split or surrender.
This tutor bases its advice on statistically derived tables created by Dr. Edward Thorp in the early 1960s (hence the name of the game) that have been compiled and reviewed over the years by mathematicians and professional blackjack players. If you want to study these tables, you can access them in the game. Playing with the computer tutor will help you learn the strategy that professionals use in real casinos.
There are also other good options that make the game much more of a 'realistic casino blackjack simulation' than a simple blackjack game. One example is the 'insurance' option. If the dealer's card is an ace, the dealer will ask each player if they wish to insure against the possibility of a blackjack from the dealer. To 'insure' means to make a side bet, equal to half the original bet, that the dealer has blackjack. Therefore, if the dealer does indeed have blackjack and you do not, you get back the insurance bet at 2 to 1, but lose your original bet.
Overall, Dr. Thorp's Mini Blackjack is a fun blackjack game that comes very close to the real casino experience. The graphics are not superlative, but they are more than adequate for the purpose. Whether you're a hardcore gambler or a casual blackjack player who wants to learn more about how the pros play, this small-time game fits the bill. Highly recommended.
Dr. Wong's Jacks+ Video Poker
Dr. Wong's Jacks+ Video Poker is a fun video poker simulation: not the parlor poker game, but the popular high stakes game played in most casinos.
Like other Villa Crespo casino games, DWJVP features an excellent online tutor, full statistics and all the variants and options that make it better than most casino games on the market. DWJVP doesn't just give you a computer tutor: it gives you one with 'Tolerance Level': adjustable level of help based on your skill/familiarity with video poker. If you set the tutor to 'Warn', it will warn you whenever you are about to do something other than what it considers the best play, even if that play is only slightly better than the one you have chosen. If you are confident in your skills, you can set the computer to notify you of big mistakes and ignore small ones. This setting is based solely on intelligent use of statistics: The Tolerance Level is given as percentage points of deviation from the best play.
For example, if the cards you have have an expected return of 88. 6% of your bet amount, and the best play has an expected return of 91. 0%, the difference is 2. 4%. If the Tolerance Level is 2 or less, the tutor will notify you that the expected return of the hand can be improved by having different cards. If the Tolerance Level is 3 or more, the tutor will not notify you of the error. This means that you can rely on the computer tutor in DWJVP to give you statistically sound advice all the time - a far cry from the generic tutor in most other games who can only issue canned comments like 'good job' or 'you can do better'.
The neat level of tolerance alone makes DWJVP more than deserving of the Top Dog award. But it's also a very good game with decent graphics, competent AI and plenty of customizable options. Whether you're a casual or serious gamer, DWJVP has something for everyone. Highly recommended.
Hearts
Hearts is a shareware implementation of the four-person card game, it is the second version of the game from this developer. As usual, the player competes against three AI opponents in the standard game, although, unusually, there is an option to compete against another program.
The standard game will be familiar to anyone who has played the game that comes free with Windows, all cards are dealt, three cards are passed to an opponent and the object of the game is to avoid winning a trick containing a heart or the queen of spades. Many optional rule variations are contemplated in this game, some of which are listed below:
- Jack of diamonds: this card can be worth minus ten points.
- Exact points: the game ends with a certain number of points, by default it is one hundred, if a player's score is exactly the number that ends the game his score is reset to zero.
- Moon shot: this is a common variant in which scores can be changed if a player wins all penalty cards in a round. In some implementations the player can reset his score to zero or double his opponent's score, in this game the player's score is reduced by twenty-six.
- Queen of Spades: if this rule is activated the player must get rid of his Queen of Spades, the highest penalty card, at the first opportunity.
