Help Topics
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Introduction
Canasta is a card game typically played by 2 players (sometimes 4) - two teams waging a sophisticated, intellectual war to score
canastas and meld out first. Though the gameplay itself may seem simple, it can prove very challenging as players try to use
cunning and strategy to the best of their abilities. Those who want to focus more on strategy and FUN and less on wondering if they
see all the melds and moves, use Canasta Buddy.
Canasta Buddy scans the Canasta game then automatically begins keeping track of the gameplay itself thus eliminating players need to
stare at their cards to try and determine if they can meld or not. Additionally, Canasta Buddy can automatically play the game, and/or show hints per the user's request. |
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The Interface (GUI)
Getting to know the Canasta Buddy interface is easy. The Display area provides a visual
a visual reference to what's happening on the game itself. This is also where users are shown hints.
Below the main display is the Stats area where you can see how many games have been played,
how many tokens have been earned, and what your best score currently is. That leads us to the interactive button area.
What makes Play Buddy programs unique is their plethora of interactive buttons. As with all Buddies,
Canasta Buddy boasts an Autoplay button which will begin the autoplay and can be stopped at any time.
Similarly, the GUI can be collapsed to save space or expanded again at any time. The Show hint and Play Hint buttons will do exactly that.
Canasta Buddy also offers an arrangement of menu options: Options, Rooms and
Help. You can learn more about these by reading below. |
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Menu Options
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The Options menu allows you to access Canasta Buddy's settings and change them to suit your needs (see below). It also offers an opportunity to refer a buddy (tell a friend) about Canasta Buddy and/or request a new feature. |
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The Rooms menu has one of most valuable features of Canasta Buddy. It contains backdoors to each of Pogo's Canasta rooms topics. |
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The Help menu provides instructions on how to use Canasta Buddy, a link to the Play Buddy Help Center, shortcuts to buy and register your copy, and a valuable Bug Report feature to use when Canasta Buddy isn't working. But perhaps the most valuable feature here is the auto check at startup which automatically checks for any updates. |
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| Settings
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| Settings |
Action |
| Always on top |
Keeps Canasta Buddy on top of all windows all the time. |
| Always hint |
Overrides the Show Hint button and displays the hint automatically. |
| Minimize to tray |
Sends the Buddy to the tray (instead of the taskbar) when the minimize button is pressed. |
| Always play again |
Keeps Canasta Buddy starting new games automatically when autoplay is on. |
| Play time |
Sets the autoplay game time for X number of hours to infinite. |
| Play sound on startup |
Turns the "Welcome to Play Buddy" greeting on and off. Also lets users insert their own sound file. |
| Play Speed |
Adjusts how slow or fast rounds are completed during autoplay. |
| Meld cards immediately |
Instead of waiting to meld out, this option melds the cards as soon as a meld is available and immediately thereafter. |
| Always use 2s as wilds |
Tells Canasta Buddy to never melds the 2s as 2s, but to use them as wilds. |
| Never pick up pile |
Tells Canasta Buddy to never pick up the pile during play. |
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How To Use
- Log on to Pogo games with your username and password, or select a room topic from Canasta Buddy's Rooms menu.
- If you haven't already done so, launch Canasta Buddy when your game opens. It automatically recognizes it and is ready to work.
- Manual players can use the play hint and show hint options.
- Autoplayers need only press the autoplay button to have Canasta Buddy complete the games automatically.
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Optimizing Performance
- Collapse / Expand: If you don't care about watching the history of hands or Stats, use this handy-dandy feature to save space.
- Badging: If you're using the Buddy to acquire a specific badge, check the Settings to see if any of the options help or hinder your goal.
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HELP!
It won't recognize the game window
Double-check that you have the newest version available. Do this by using the check for update feature under the Help menu on the Buddy. Also, the "News" section at the top of this page has a link to "Updated Buddies." Here you can see if the Buddy has been recently updated and why.
Now make sure that all the system requirements for the Buddy are met. These include Windows, Internet Explorer, and appropriate display settings.
It won't work
Select the Bug Report feature under the HELP tab on the Buddy. Fill in the required fields, capture the screen, and then send it. Play Buddy Support will receive it and respond to you via e-mail.
Miscellaneous / Other
Don't see an answer to your question, or do you think something else needs to be added to this help file? If so, e-mail support@playbuddy.com with your suggestion. |
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Registering your software
Canasta Buddy is trialware and it cannot be used once the seven day trial period has expired. To avoid losing a great buddy, buy your copy by using the Buy Now option in the HELP menu. If you have already purchased and need help registering, please click here.
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Download Canasta Buddy
| Requirements |
| Windows |
| Internet Explorer |
| Found a bug? |
| Help us squash it! Report it using your buddy's HELP menu option |
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