Help Topics

	Introduction
	The Interface (GUI)
	Menu Options (Options, View, Help)
	How To Use
	Optimizing Performance
	HELP!
	Registering your software

Introduction

Spades is a card game typically played by 4 players. The two teams attempt to outplay eachother by reaching 500 points first. Though the game itself may seem simple, it can prove very tricky as players try to estimate and bid how many tricks they expect to take. Spades requires a good memory, the ability to make strategic maneuvers, and a bit of speed. Those who want to focus less on the concentration part and more on the FUN part, use Spade Buddy.

Spade Buddy scans the Spades game then automatically begins keeping track of the gameplay itself thus eliminating players need to recall (or jot down) who played what, when.

Menu Options

	The Options menu allows you to access Spade 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 Spade Buddy and/or request a new feature.
	The View menu is similar to the Shrink option. Here you may choose to hide the History of hands and/or the Out of suit sections.
	The Help menu provides instructions on how to use Spade 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 Spade Buddy isn't working. But perhaps the most valuable feature here is the auto check at startup which automatically checks for any updates.

How To Use

• Log on to MSN games with your username and password.
• Launch Spade Buddy and manually enter a game room.
• When your game opens, Spade Buddy automatically recognizes it and is ready to work. The interface has two prominent elements: The deck illustrates the status of each card (whether or not it has been played), while the History of hands shows which cards were played by whom during which hand.

Optimizing Performance

• Versatility: You can play manually or while watching another game via marking the cards. When a card is clicked on in the interface it will turn blue. Click it again and it returns to white.
• Shrink / Expand: If you don't care about watching the History of hands or Out of suit, use this handy-dandy feature to save space.
• Switching rooms: Pay attention if you switch to another room or game during play, because the Buddy may not automatically reset.

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 XP or Vista, Internet Explorer, Sun Java, and appropriate display settings.

It won't work

Spade Buddy for MSN is currently a manual tracker only (it doesn't automatically track). This means that users must click on the cards to change them color.

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. 

Registering your software

Spade 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 or use the link given below. If you have already purchased and need help registering, please click here.