Patent Application
20130020766
This application relates to the field of games, in particular, math education games.
Learning is easier in the context of game playing. Games are typically more fun than studying. Educational methods that resemble games are more attractive to children, who are bored by the more traditional forms of education. This is particularly true when it comes to learning mathematics.
Various games are used to assist children in the learning of mathematics. Flash cards represent one of the earliest attempts, but flash cards rely on memorization rather than a true understanding.
There is no shortage of other mathematical games in the prior art trying to improve upon the flash card idea. Many of those attempts require devices other than the cards themselves.
One example of such a game is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,658 wherein a game board is used in addition to a deck of cards. Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,779 wherein the method for playing requires a deck of cards, three dice and a timing device. A further example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,220,126 wherein there are two different sets of cards and a die.
The present invention is an improvement of the flash card idea because it represents many flash cards at once. It is a very simple game requiring a single deck of cards.
The game described in this invention uses a very simple deck and the four basic mathematical operations to create a game that is both challenging and fun. Although the game uses small numbers, there are many possibilities the player has to consider when attempting to make a play. The game is similar to “Rummy” games in which play ends when one player runs out of cards.
Play begins with the selection of the dealer. The cards are shuffled and eight cards are distributed to each player. The next card in the deck is then placed face-up on the discard pile. The remaining cards are placed in the draw pile. The player to the dealer's immediate left begins play. If that player holds cards that can be used in a simple mathematical operation with the top card in the discard pile, he or she places those cards in the discard pile. The player completes the play by discarding an additional card. If, on the other hand, the player does not hold any cards that could be used with the top card in the discard pile, that player is required to draw two cards from the draw pile. With those two additional cards, if the player now holds cards which can be used with the top card in the discard pile, he or she places those cards in the discard pile. Whether or not the player is successful, the play is completed by discarding a card from the player's hand. Play continues in a clockwise direction.
When any player runs out of cards the game is over. That player is awarded one point for the value of each card in all remaining player's hands. There is a new game. The dealer for the new game is the first player of the previous game. In other words, the deal passes to the left. Play continues until one player reaches a predetermined number of points.
Special consideration must be given to scoring the solitaire (one-player) version of the game described in this invention. Since there are no other players, the score is based upon the number of cards remaining in the draw pile.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. It will be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed. All variations and alternative constructions are within the scope of this invention. The invention may also be embodied in computerized form.
The game requires a deck of 100 cards, their faces imprinted with the numbers 1 through 100 and their backs indistinguishable.
The deck is shuffled by any of the players and spread face-down. Each player selects one card from the spread deck. The player selecting the card of highest numerical value is the dealer.
The dealer shuffles the deck and distributes eight cards, one at a time, to all players, inclusively. The dealer then places the next card in the deck in a discard pile face-up. The dealer places all remaining cards face-down in a draw pile.
The player on the dealer's left begins play by examining his or her cards. If the player holds cards which could be used in a basic mathematical operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication or division) with the card now on top of the discard pile, the player announces the mathematical equality, displays the cards that result in the equality and then discards those cards on top of the discard pile face-up. The player then finishes play by discarding an additional card face-up on the discard pile. As an example, consider if the original discard pile card was 64. The player's cards are 2, 5, 6, 11, 32, 53, 82, and 96. All of the following equations are true and the basis for discarding the cards involved. 2×32 =64. 53+11=64. 53+6+5=64. 96−32=64. 64+11 +5+2=82.
If a player does not hold any cards which can be used in conjunction with the card in the discard pile, that player must first draw two cards from the draw pile.
Then the player may make a play if the new cards allow. Whether or not the new cards allow a play, the player discards another card to finish the play.
Play continues in a clockwise direction. The game finishes when one player runs out of cards. That player is declared the winner and receives points equal in value to the value of each unplayed card in all other player's hands. After the score is noted, the player to the left of the previous dealer is the new dealer and a new game is begun.
Scores are noted for each player and each game. An overall winner is crowned when a certain predetermined number is reached, normally 500 or 1000.
Another preferred embodiment is the solitaire version of this invention. In this version, a single player shuffles the deck, deals eight cards and turns the next card face-up in the discard pile. The player examines the eight cards and is challenged to find any of those cards that can be used in a basic mathematical operation with the card in the discard pile. If such cards exist, the player discards those cards onto the discard pile. The player then discards one more card.
If the eight cards that are dealt cannot be used with the top card in the discard pile, the player must draw two cards from the draw pile. With the new cards, the player may find that a play can now be made. If so, the player discards the appropriate cards. The player then discards one other card. If, with the addition of the new cards, a play cannot be made, the player simply discards a card.
In the solitaire game, the player is able to set the discard to his or her advantage.
If the player runs out of cards, the game is over and the score is the number of cards remaining in the draw pile. If the player still has cards when the draw pile has only one card remaining, the game is over and the player's score is 1.
