Patent Application
20120235355
The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concepts generally relate to an apparatus and method for playing a game, and more particularly to a board game and an apparatus of playing a board game.
Board games are very popular in today's society. There are many different board games that exist in society. These games have rules and varying game board setups that involve a variety of different pieces and rules. The Applicant, through, this application discloses a novel board game that is enjoyable to play.
The purpose of the Summary is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Summary is neither intended to define the inventive concept(s) of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the inventive concept(s) in any way.
Disclosed is a board game having a game board that, in a preferred embodiment, has two columns that intersect generally perpendicular and form the shape of an X. The X shape has four leg extensions that form the X with a center where the four leg extensions meet. Each of the leg extensions has three rows of spots that are configured for a game board piece to be placed. Each of these columns has a first outer row, an inner row, and a second outer row. The inner row is between the first outer row and the second outer row. Around the perimeter of the X is a path for game board pieces to be placed along. This perimeter follows the outside perimeter of the X shape. Along the inside row, generally excluding the furthest out game board piece playing spot, is a finish row. Located outside of the X shape are four home areas that are generally configured with a different marker that corresponds with the marker at the series of game pieces provided with the game board. Located on the outside perimeter of each of the leg extensions is a starting point for a players game board pieces. The starting point is generally an interruption in the continuous path around the X shaped portion of the game board, although the starting point can be of a varying shape, color, or other indicator that does not interrupt the continuous path around the board game.
The leg extensions generally intersect at a rectangular series of game board playing piece spots that are overlapping between the columns. In the very center of the intersection of the legs is generally a blank spot that is not configured for a game board piece to be played on.
The game is to be played with four sets of game pieces, each of which has a marker that corresponds to one of the markers in the start areas. The game also includes a set of action cards. In a preferred embodiment, the action cards have a front and a back, the front having an action statement directing the player to move a piece a certain distance. The game board markers and game board piece can have a variety of different corresponding markers that indicates to a player were his or her game board pieces are going to start and finish. Additionally, the game board home areas each correspond to a set of markers. These markers can include a variety of shapes, colors, or other indicators that can be used to correspond to a game board piece to a certain area.
The game board action cards can come in a variety of different shapes or different styles. These include standard poker playing cards or can include playing cards in any general format. The standard playing cards can be played without the joker. In a preferred embodiment, each of the different playing cards directs a player to move a different number of spaces. In a preferred embodiment, the action cards include an ace, king, queen, jack, and cards 2-10, as found in a standard playing card deck. In this embodiment, the ace has a dual meaning. It can be used for starting a card or for moving a card one space. The king is used for starting a players piece from the home area to the start, a queen can be used for starting or as a twelve, a jack can be used to trade a players piece with another players piece, a three is used to move players piece three spaces backwards, and all other cards are used to move a players piece the number of spaces shown on the card.
The board game can be made with a variety of different embodiments that are configured for a players playing piece to be played on. For example, these can include peg and hole embodiments, spaces for placement of a players playing piece, or male receptacles on to which a female playing piece is placed. The peg and hole combination is an example of what can be included in a male playing piece and a female receptacle on the playing board.
In a preferred embodiment, the game board is used by starting each player's playing pieces in the home area. The first set of cards is dealt to each player. When three or four players are playing the board game, five action cards are generally dealt in the first group to each player. After each player plays the five action cards, sets of four action cards are dealt until all cards are played. Then deal generally shifts to the second player who shuffles the cards and deals. This is a preferred embodiment only and is not required that the number of cards dealt are set at five and four or that the deal shifts after a first player deals all of the cards. In a preferred embodiment, when two players are playing the board game five of the action cards are dealt in the first group to each player and after the first set of cards have been played a second set of five cards are dealt in a second group to each player. After all the cards are dealt, a player shuffles the cards and proceeds with further card dealing, preferably matching the first round of dealing.
Action cards, as stated above, allow a player to move the number of spaces shown on the card in a first direction around a path. Several of the cards are directed such that they are played to allow a player to proceed one game piece from the home area to the start area. A series of other cards are played to allow a player to exchange the location of one of the player's game pieces with one of a second player's game pieces. The cards also involve a card that is played to allow a player to start or move twelve spaces in a first direction. A second series of cards allows a player to move a piece three spaces in the second direction around the perimeter of the X shaped path.
The game is typically played by each player playing a card and moving a game board piece. Play then moves to the next player to play. In a preferred embodiment a player can pass on playing by laying down an action card and not moving any pieces. In a preferred embodiment a player cannot pass using any card that is chosen to move a players pieces three spaces in the second direction. The player wins the game by getting all of the player's pieces into the home area.
In a preferred embodiment, when a player's piece lands on the piece of another player, that player that landed on the other player's piece is returned to the home area. A player can pass by laying his or her cards face up on the table and stating that he or she passes. Generally this occurs by a player laying down one of his cards and waiting until the next series of cards is played.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the game can be played with teams of two players. Generally, in this embodiment, players on opposite sides of the board game are in teams and each plays its own game board pieces until they are all in the finish area. When this occurs, the player whose pieces have all reached the home area is allowed to use his or her cards to advance his or her teammates cards. Once both members of the team get all of their pieces into a home area the game is over. In a preferred embodiment, when a player has multiple game board pieces on the continuous path, the player's pieces are not allowed to pass his or her own pieces or his or her partner's pieces.
Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.
While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.
In a preferred embodiment, the game board is used by starting each player's playing pieces in the home area. The first set of cards is dealt to each player. When three or four players are playing the board game, five action cards are generally dealt in the first group to each player. After each player plays the five action cards, sets of four action cards are dealt until all cards are played. Then deal generally shifts to the second player who shuffles the cards and deals. This is a preferred embodiment only and is not required that the number of cards dealt are set at five and four or that the deal shifts after a first player deals all of the cards. In a preferred embodiment, when two players are playing the board game five of the action cards are dealt in the first group to each player and after the first set of cards have been played a second set of five cards are dealt in a second group to each player. After all the cards have been dealt, a player shuffles the cards and proceeds with further card dealing, preferably matching the first round of dealing.
Action cards, as stated above, allow a player to move the number of spaces shown on the card in a first direction around a path. Several of the cards are directed such that they are played to allow a player to proceed one game piece from the home area to the start area. A series of other cards are played to allow a player to exchange the location of one of the player's game pieces with one of a second player's game pieces. The cards also involve a card that is played to allow a player to start or move twelve spaces in a first direction. A second series of cards allows a player to move a piece three spaces in the second direction around the perimeter of the X shaped path.
The game is typically played by each player playing a card and moving a game board piece. Play then moves to the next player to play. In a preferred embodiment a player can pass on playing by laying down an action card and not moving any pieces. In a preferred embodiment a player cannot pass using any card that is chosen to move a players pieces three spaces in the second direction. The player wins the game by getting all of the player's pieces into the home area.
In a preferred embodiment, when a player's piece lands on the piece of another player, the player that landed on the other player's piece returns the other player's piece to his home area. A player can pass by laying his or her cards face up on the table and stating that he or she passes. Generally this occurs by a player laying down one of his cards and waiting until the next series of cards is dealt.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the game can be played with teams of two players. Generally, in this embodiment, players on opposite sides of the board game are in teams and each plays its own game board pieces until they are all in the finish area. When this occurs, the player whose pieces have all reached the home area is allowed to use his or her cards to advance his or her teammates cards. Once both members of the team get all of their pieces into a home area the game is over. In a preferred embodiment, when a player has multiple game board pieces on the continuous path, the players pieces are not allowed to pass his or her own pieces or the pieces of his or hers partner.
While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.
