Testimonials
HALSCRIB is proud of the comments that we've received over the years. Those comments help drive our goal of providing the world's best cribbage program - no matter the platform.
Here is just a sample of the letters that we've received.
I am thoroughly enjoying my new cribbage trainer - REX CRIBBAGE. It takes a bit of getting used to, but works well once you figure out the software. All in all it is the best game available today, and well worth the price. Keep up the good work...best regards...
Edwin Higginbotham of Shreveport, LA, USA, in January 2012
REX Cribbage
I can't begin to tell you how much education and entertainment I've had from REX so far. Thank you so much for making such a great program. I'm only batting 48% against him but I'm learning a lot and keeping a database of discards and pegging sequences that I learned from. As a result, I went from 51.5% wins on Game Colony to 53% wins and am approaching the top 25 players. While many of the high rated players use other names and play down in the lower ratings while waiting for a game, I'm playing REX and taking notes while I wait. What an advantage! Playing human opponents after REX is like taking candy from a baby!
In addition to enjoying REX, I directly attribute it to me rapidly gaining about 250 points in rating in a few weeks. Some of the concepts I've learned were even at my disposal but are now easier to see and retain in the context of a game. For example, take the hand A 5 6 9 Q J as pone. My natural inclination is to discard A 9, when REX showed me the proper play is Q A. After running the possible combinations through Kessler's hand evaluator, I deduced the concept that A 5 6 9 beats 5 6 9 x. Going back through RAS's newsletters (he subscribed me to them), I saw the same hand evaluated. But it doesn't stick in the memory like seeing it visually in a game.
John Smith of Johnstown, NY, USA, in October 2010
REX Cribbage
Congratulations on a fabulous bit of software. My mum loves it. Thought I was a decent player until I played the Grand Master. I used to own a software company. You have a product at the top end worth $150-$200.
Steve Williams from Bondi Junction, NSW, Australia in January 2010
HALSCRIB v8
I want to say how amazed I am. It is far and away superior to any (cribbage) program that I have used. The features are incredible, although I have not figured them all out as of yet.
The discarding and the play are astonishingly accurate. When to play on or off. I'm certainly no master, but I appreciate the brute force algorithm. I have been mostly experimenting with the training aspect, and find that I discard about 90% of the time as HAL recommends. I am able to see certain flaws in my discarding that I thought accurate, but HAL made me rethink that; and I happen to agree with the logic.
Anyway I am thoroughly a happy camper, and unfortunately, HAL has kept me up to wee hours in the morning, because I am hooked ... LOL!
Robert Hansen of Park Ridge, IL, USA in December 2009
HALSCRIB v8
Happy to relate my fourth tournament win since August '08. That HALSCRIB knows what he's talking about!
Playing HALSCRIB repeatedly and studying the probability charts for both discards and pegging decisions and also studying his hands and playing choices has truly sharpened my awareness of what's happening in my games. Psychologically, when I sit down to play an opponent, regardless of their skill level, I am very comfortable because I anticipate that they will not make as good choices as does your program.
Dr. Harvey Glass from West Hartford, CT, USA in August 2009
HALSCRIB v4 Feb 1999, updated v5-v8
Since I've been playing HALSCRIB, my play has improved measurably. Currently, I am rated the #1 player in my Grass Roots club. I have moved from 4th in our club to 1st in less than two months.
I have a much better understanding of offense and defense, playing on and off thanks to HALSCRIB. I've read almost all the books that are available but HALSCRIB gives better and quicker feedback.
The "view" feature is an excellent instructor and feedback mechanism. "CRIBBAGE explorer - HALSCRIB" has been my best investment for improving my cribbage play.
Harold Hilbert of Beaumont, CA, USA in November 2005
CRIBBAGE explorer - HALSCRIB v6.95
HAL is the toughest player I face by far (including tournament and grass roots players on average). Believe practice with HAL is a major factor in my qualifying for All-American team 2005, having entered only 27 tournaments, in one of which suffered a moderate stroke.
ACC Life Master - 2 Stars Ras Rasmussen from Centralia, WA, USA in August 2005
EXPLORER v6.80, a follow-up to Feb 2005 comment below
My first impression: Wonderful! Although I have just begun the program, the approach looks sophisticated and exactly the program that I had hoped to find on cribbage.
I am VERY pleased with this program.
B. A. Franklin, MD of Topeka, KS, USA in August 2005
My winning record against HALSCRIB after 1,000 games is 51% and against ACC tournament players is 60%.
Keep up the good work.
ACC Life Master - 2 Stars Ras Rasmussen from Centralia, WA, USA in February 2005
EXPLORER v6.80, a follow-up to Jan 2004 comment below
Thank you!!! Your program is great. I'm so happy that I found you and the Club WEB! I look forward to a lot more pegging with you all!
Mike Wyatt of Lancaster, TX, USA in October 2004
LITE version then upgraded to EXPLORER WEB CLUB Edition v5
Playing HALSCRIB has improved my cribbage game. The knowledge I have gained by using the "query" option along with the "keep toss" and "peg" analysis that is available when playing has helped me make good cribbage decisions in ACC tournaments.
Also, the same game "replay" and "swap" hands options that allow different crib tosses and/or pegging scenarios has also helped me make better cribbage decisions.
Thank you Hal for all your time and effort necessary to develop and improve HALSCRIB.
Roland Hall, winner of JPW Open, Reno 2004 in March 2004
EXPLORER v5.0 July 2003, upgraded to WEB CLUB Edition v2
It works great. It's an outstanding program. Thanks for all your help, and lots of luck playing.
Frank Zbozny from Claysville, PA, USA in February 2004
LITE version then quickly upgraded to EXPLORER WEB CLUB Edition v1
Guess am gonna break down and buy your program. It's quite obviously the best.
Have reviewed several programs and turned in pages of problems to the designer. Some are unbelievably weak.
Unless one is observant, some of the problems are not so apparent in a single game. Need to play several games.
Discarding to dealer crib is a great weakness in many.
ACC Life Master - 2 Stars Ras Rasmussen of Centralia, WA, USA in January 2004
EXPLORER v4.84 for evaluation Jul 2002, upgraded to WEB CLUB Edition v1
HALSCRIB is certainly THE killer cribbage program.
Thanx for the sterling service!
Kevin Schanile from Bainbridge Island, WA, USA in October 2003
EXPLORER v6.00
For the record I consider HALSCRIB to be the best of a long series of other cribbage games.
I'm sure you have spent many hours honing this program.
The many options you provide make it easy to switch to a different challenge if desired.
I appreciate all the assistance and time that you have spent helping me update. You have a lot of talent and patience too.
Thank you for the many hours I have spent trying to beat HAL.
ACC Life Master Henry de Long of Woburn, MA, USA in August 2002
DOS v2.0 Feb 1991 upgraded to EXPLORER v 4.40
Congratulations on your program's success. I think you've really crossed a hump with v4.81, and I'm glad you got to try it out against "Ras" Rasmussen.
Michael Schell from Seattle, WA, USA in July 2002
EXPLORER v4.00 Apr 2001, upgraded to v6.10
This is simply the BEST cribbage game on the market today! And it will be tomorrow too!
The program takes into consideration such things as end-game pegging which separates it from its weaker brethren.
Obviously, Professor Mueller, himself a veteran of the Cribbage tournament trail, has spent considerable time and effort into creating an opponent that will challenge you, teach you, and help make you a better player, and is always ready to play!
Enjoy this wonderful game!
David Gerke of Battle Creek, MI, USA in August 2002
using EXPLORER v4.30 Feb 2002, upgraded to v5.10