STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention described in this application relates to original turn-based card games, namely those that use custom-designed cards, that are intended for entertainment purposes for two or more players. This invention provides the players with a mix of strategy and random chance and employs a play style which keeps the attention of all players in the game by requiring specified actions for all players at each turn.
Most custom card games feature cards which consist of a card back, often featuring the game's logo, which is the same on all cards, and a card front which will vary in design based on the parameters of game play. A common method of play is for players to take turns, proceeding clockwise or counter-clockwise around the table, and either playing from their hand or drawing from a stack of cards in the center. Cards being played or discarded will follow the rules of game play and will affect the choices of succeeding players.
In many games, the playing method will require techniques such as, but not limited to, matching symbols, numbers, colors, or pictures, playing cards in a sequential manner, switching cards between players, performing actions based on the instructions on a card, or collecting cards of a specific kind. It is up to the players to determine the strategy they will employ and to balance that strategy with the randomness of shuffled cards in their hand or the draw pile.
There are numerous variations on the play style, procedures and rules of card games. This invention describes a unique approach to custom card games that will provide a new play style using a novel addition of new methods and card playing strategies not seen in existing games.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This card game is comprised of a plurality of standard size custom playing cards comprising a plurality of numbered cards and a plurality of action cards; a plurality of numbered disks; a plurality of immunity tiles; and a direction of play disk. Said plurality of playing cards are also identified by an assigned color and/or shape to aid persons with colorblindness in identifying cards during play. The preferred embodiment is comprised of a set of 200 standard size (3.5″×2.5″) custom playing cards, 36 numbered 1¼″ disks, four hexagonal 2.5″ immunity tiles, and one 2.5″ direction of play disk. All of the cards share the same design on the back of the card. Players deal a plurality of cards into a plurality of stacks indicated by a plurality of numbered disks in front of the player. In the preferred embodiment, players deal 4 cards into each of 9 stacks in front of each player's 9 numbered disks. Said numbered disks are also identified by a color. The remaining cards are placed in the center of the table as a draw stack. The goal of the game is to eliminate the cards in all 9 of a player's stacks. It is possible to have more than 9 stacks on the table at one time or to have new stacks added once a player has eliminated stacks (see “Attack” card description). The first player to discard their last card, without any stacks remaining on the table, is the winner.
This game involves a combination of random chance and strategy. Sometimes a player's strategy is quickly derailed by the chance aspect of the game; however, it is also possible to impede other players or obtain an advantage through play strategy. As such, the combination of random chance and play strategy of this game is novel over existing card games.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view of numbered playing cards which feature numbers on the face of the card. Playing cards are assigned the colors blue, red, green, and purple. The playing cards also feature an assigned shape encompassing the card number to allow colorblind persons to distinguish between colored card sets. FIG. 1 depicts preferred embodiment blue cards identified by a square 11 encompassing the card number.
FIG. 2 Shows the remaining numbered card coloring, and shape, configurations. FIG. 2A depicts a number card set with distinguishing circle 22 shape and red color. FIG. 2B depicts a number card set with distinguishing hexagon 23 shape and green color. FIG. 2C depicts distinguishing diamond 24 shape with purple color.
FIG. 3 Shows the action cards utilized in the game. FIG. 3A depicts an “Attack” action card. FIG. 3B depicts a “Discard” action card. FIG. 3C depicts a “Peek” action card. FIG. 3D depicts a “Reveal” action card. FIG. 3E depicts a “Swap” action card. FIG. 3F depicts a “Reverse” action card. FIG. 3G depicts a “Free Discard” action card. FIG. 3H depicts a “Color Shift” action card.
FIG. 4 is a view of the common back of the numbered playing cards.
FIG. 5 depicts the numbered disks utilized in the game. FIG. 5A depicts the number side of the disks. FIG. 5B depicts the common back of the disks.
FIG. 6 depicts the direction of play disk utilized in the game.
FIG. 7 depicts the immunity tiles utilized in the game.
FIG. 8 depicts the various initial set up formats for the game. FIG. 8A shows game set up with all card stacks set up in one row. FIG. 8B shows alternative initial game set up with two rows of card stacks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Although only certain embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, the figures and explanations should be understood as illustrations only and are not intended to limit the invention in its scope. Also, in describing the embodiments, specific terminology may be used, but it should be understood that specific terms include all technical equivalents that operate in similar manners to accomplish similar purposes.
This card game is comprised of a plurality of standard size custom cards comprising a plurality of numbered cards and a plurality of action cards; a plurality of numbered disks; a plurality of immunity tiles; and a direction of play disk. Referring now to the figures, the preferred embodiment of the invention is further described in detail below. A plurality of custom playing cards comprising the game are described as follows:
- (4) Blue cards featuring the number 1 (FIG. 1);
- (4) Red cards featuring the number 1 (FIG. 2A);
- (4) Green cards featuring the number 1 (FIG. 2B);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the number 1 (FIG. 2C);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the number 2 (FIG. 1);
- (4) Red cards featuring the number 2 (FIG. 2A);
- (4) Green cards featuring the number 2 (FIG. 2B);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the number 2 (FIG. 2C);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the number 3 (FIG. 1);
- (4) Red cards featuring the number 3 (FIG. 2A);
- (4) Green cards featuring the number 3 (FIG. 2B);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the number 3 (FIG. 2C);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the number 4 (FIG. 1);
- (4) Red cards featuring the number 4 (FIG. 2A);
- (4) Green cards featuring the number 4 (FIG. 2B);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the number 4 (FIG. 2C);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the number 5 (FIG. 1);
- (4) Red cards featuring the number 5 (FIG. 2A);
- (4) Green cards featuring the number 5 (FIG. 2B);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the number 5 (FIG. 2C);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the number 6 (FIG. 1);
- (4) Red cards featuring the number 6 (FIG. 2A);
- (4) Green cards featuring the number 6 (FIG. 2B);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the number 6 (FIG. 2C);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the number 7 (FIG. 1);
- (4) Red cards featuring the number 7 (FIG. 2A);
- (4) Green cards featuring the number 7 (FIG. 2B);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the number 7 (FIG. 2C);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the number 8 (FIG. 1);
- (4) Red cards featuring the number 8 (FIG. 2A);
- (4) Green cards featuring the number 8 (FIG. 2B);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the number 8 (FIG. 2C);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the number 9 (FIG. 1);
- (4) Red cards featuring the number 9 (FIG. 2A);
- (4) Green cards featuring the number 9 (FIG. 2B);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the number 9 (FIG. 2C);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the word “Attack” and instructions for play (FIG. 3A);
- (4) Red cards featuring the word “Attack” and instructions for play (FIG. 3A);
- (4) Green cards featuring the word “Attack” and instructions for play (FIG. 3A);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the word “Attack” and instructions for play (FIG. 3A);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the word “Discard” and instructions for play (FIG. 3B);
- (4) Red cards featuring the word “Discard” and instructions for play (FIG. 3B);
- (4) Green cards featuring the word “Discard” and instructions for play (FIG. 3B);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the word “Discard” and instructions for play (FIG. 3B);
- (2) Blue cards featuring the word “Peek” and instructions for play (FIG. 3C);
- (2) Red cards featuring the word “Peek” and instructions for play (FIG. 3C);
- (2) Green cards featuring the word “Peek” and instructions for play (FIG. 3C);
- (2) Purple cards featuring the word “Peek” and instructions for play (FIG. 3C);
- (2) Blue cards featuring the word “Reveal” and instructions for play (FIG. 3D);
- (2) Red cards featuring the word “Reveal” and instructions for play (FIG. 3D);
- (2) Green cards featuring the word “Reveal” and instructions for play (FIG. 3D);
- (2) Purple cards featuring the word “Reveal” and instructions for play (FIG. 3D);
- (4) Blue cards featuring the word “Swap” and instructions for play (FIG. 3E);
- (4) Red cards featuring the word “Swap” and instructions for play (FIG. 3E);
- (4) Green cards featuring the word “Swap” and instructions for play (FIG. 3E);
- (4) Purple cards featuring the word “Swap” and instructions for play (FIG. 3E);
- (2) Blue cards featuring the word “Reverse” and instructions for play (FIG. 3F);
- (2) Red cards featuring the word “Reverse” and instructions for play (FIG. 3F);
- (2) Green cards featuring the word “Reverse” and instructions for play (FIG. 3F);
- (2) Purple cards featuring the word “Reverse” and instructions for play (FIG. 3F);
- (12) Silver cards featuring the words “Free Discard” and instructions for play (FIG. 3G);
- (12) Multi-colored cards featuring the words “Color Shift” and instructions for play (FIG. 3H).
While the make-up of playing cards comprising a deck of cards for the preferred embodiment is set forth above, one skilled in the art would recognize that this novel card game could be scaled up by adding sets of prescribed cards to accommodate more players. Each of the numbered playing cards is also comprised of a common back as shown in FIG. 4.
The preferred embodiment of the game is further comprised of a plurality of numbered discs described as follows:
- (9) Blue disks assigned the numbers 1-9, one number in the sequence on each disk (FIG. 5A);
- (9) Red disks assigned the numbers 1-9, one number in the sequence on each disk (FIG. 5A);
- (9) Green disks assigned the numbers 1-9, one number in the sequence on each disk (FIG. 5A); and
- (9) Purple disks assigned the numbers 1-9, one number in the sequence on each disk (FIG. 5A).
While the make-up of numbered disks comprising the preferred embodiment is set forth above, one skilled in the art would recognize that this novel card game could be scaled up by adding sets of prescribed numbered disks to accommodate more players. Each of the numbered disks are comprised of the common back of the disks shown in FIG. 5B.
The preferred embodiment of the game is further comprised of a direction of play disk, which is a 2.5″ round disk (FIG. 6) which has the game's logo in the center and arrows depicting clockwise movement on a first side 61 and the game's logo and arrows depicting counter-clockwise movement on the second reverse side 62.
The preferred embodiment of the game is further comprised of (4) hexagon shaped “Immunity” tiles (FIG. 7) comprised of an first immunity side 71 and a second common back side 72.
The method and steps in playing the herein described novel card game are described in detail below. The game can be played by two to four players. It is designed for players age 8 and older. Each player selects a set of colored disks (FIG. 5A) numbered 1-9. These should be placed on the table in front of the player, with enough space between them to place a stack 80 of cards in front of each disk as shown in FIG. 8A or FIG. 8B.
“Immunity” tiles (FIG. 7) should be located and one provided to each player. The “Immunity” tile should be placed with the immunity side 71 up on the table somewhere in front of the player. The direction of play disk (FIG. 6) should be located and placed near the center of the table. The starting direction of play will be clockwise so the direction of play disk will be placed with its first side 61 up.
The deck of cards should be shuffled thoroughly and each player provided approximately one fourth of the cards (the number of cards does not need to be exact). Players deal 4 cards into each of the 9 stacks 80 in front of their numbered disks. The remaining cards from each player are placed in the center of the table as a draw stack. Players may not look at the cards once they are dealt.
All players will begin with stack #1 81. The starting player will be the player who finished dealing their 9 stacks first, and they may play any card from stack #1. The first card will determine the active color and the first action of the game. As cards are played, the following rules apply:
- Players must match either the color or the number/text of the active card;
- When an action card is played, the instructions on the card will determine the action taken;
- When a numbered card is played, all players must switch to the stack matching that number (i.e., if a blue 7 is played, all players will switch to their stack #7 and the active color will be blue). As stacks are eliminated, a player does not need to switch stacks if they no longer have a stack of that number. They stay on the stack they are holding.
- If a stack is eliminated, the player will move all their stacks down to fill the gap and then restart in stack #1. If the last card played in a stack is an action card, the player should return to stack #1 and then complete the instructions of the action card (i.e. if the player draws a “Peek” card, they would follow the instructions on that card before ending their turn).
- If a player cannot play a card on their turn, they must take one card from the draw pile. If they can play the drawn card, they may do so. If not, it goes into their active stack and their turn is over.
- A player is not required to play a card on their turn—even if they have one in their hand that can be played. That player may choose to draw a new card instead.
As play proceeds, any time a new numbered card is played, all players must return their current hand to the table and move to the stack indicated by the number played (i.e. if play started on a blue 3 and the next card played is a blue 7, all players return their #3 stack to its place on the table and pick up their #7 stack). If an action card is played (“Peek, Swap, Color Shift, etc.), the active stack number does not change. Players move to a new stack only when a new numbered card is played.
The exception to this rule is when a player plays the last card in a stack or discards the entire stack. Any time this happens, the player moves stacks so there are no gaps between their remaining stacks (i.e. If the player discards stack #5, the stacks #6-9 would move down to become #5-8). After moving the cards, the player picks up stack #1. They would then return to normal game play. As players eliminate stacks, they do not change hands if a card is played showing a stack number they no longer have (i.e. if a player has only 6 stacks remaining, they do not have to switch stacks when cards 7, 8, and 9 are played).
The goal of the game is for a player to eliminate the cards in all 9 of their stacks. It is possible to have more than 9 stacks on the table at one time or to have new stacks added after stacks have been eliminated (see “Attack” card description FIG. 3A). The first player to discard their last card, without any stacks remaining on the table, is the winner.
This game involves a combination of random chance and strategy. Sometimes a player's strategy is quickly derailed by the chance aspect, but it is possible to impede other players' progress or turn an advantage to a player's own benefit. The action cards are the best way to gain knowledge and make use of advantages.
The “Immunity” tile (FIG. 7) can be played at any time to avoid the results of any card that has been played against a player. When the Immunity tile is played, the player will state they are taking immunity and will turn the immunity side 71 face down on the table so the common back side 72 is facing up to indicate the player has utilized their Immunity tile. A player can only play their Immunity tile once per game. The Immunity tile can be very useful late in the game when a player may not want to change to a new stack or need to block another player's “Attack,” etc.
The “Free Discard” card (FIG. 3G) is one of the most powerful cards in the game. This card allows a player to discard any one of the player's stacks, not just the one they are holding. It is not limited by color, number, or text and can be played freely on a player's turn. When played, the player discards the stack they select into the discard stack with the “Free Discard” on top. When this card is played, the turn player does not have to return to stack #1 after discarding one of their stacks unless the discarded stack was the one they were holding. Play resumes with the next player, who may choose any card in their hand to resume play.
The direction of play disk, which has a clockwise first side 61 and counterclockwise second side 62, is placed on the table near the draw and discard piles. It should be placed showing the clockwise direction first side 61 when play starts. When a “Reverse” card (FIG. 3F) is played, the player who plays the card should flip the direction of play disk over to the second side 62 to indicate the new counter-clockwise direction of play. It is not essential to use this disk, but it can be hard to remember the direction of play if various action cards are played immediately after a Reverse card.
The “Attack” card (FIG. 3A) allows a player to select any other player and force them to create a new stack. The targeted player must return to the table the stack they are holding and draw a card, creating a new stack. If they can immediately play the card they are holding, they may do so. Any card played would be treated the same as if it were their normal turn. They would then return to the stack they were holding when the Attack card was played. If they cannot play the drawn card, they set it down next to their last stack and return to the previous stack. If they already have 9 stacks, the new stack would be #10; if they had 7 stacks remaining, the new stack would become stack # 8 and so on.
After settling the results of an “Attack” card being played, play resumes from the player targeted by the “Attack,” in the indicated direction. Players may choose to use this card to target players who have fewer remaining stacks or target the player immediately before them, in the direction of play, thus giving themselves another turn and skipping other players at the table.
Playing the “Color Shift” card (FIG. 3H) allows a player to change the active color to a color more beneficial regarding the color of cards that player is holding. One advantage to playing this card is that after playing the card, the player may play one additional card to establish the new color. It is possible to play more than one of these in the same turn, so long as the last card played establishes the new active color.
The “Discard” card (FIG. 3B) allows a player to discard all the cards in the stack they are holding, provided that the Discard card matches the active color being played. A player may play a Discard card of a different color if the previous card played was also a Discard card to match the action of the card rather than the color.
Using a “Peek” card (FIG. 3C) allows a player to develop a strategy for how other action cards can benefit their game. When played, the player asks to see one of the stacks of an opponent. The opponent passes that stack to the player of the Peek card who is the only player who may inspect the cards. The player can either remember the cards for later use or may exchange one of the opponent's cards for one of their own. It is not required to exchange a card. The stack is handed back to the opponent when the player is finished with their peek.
The “Reveal” card (FIG. 3D) also helps to develop strategy; however, it does so for everyone at the table rather than just one player. The person who plays the Reveal card asks to see any numbered stack. All of their opponents then turn that stack over and leave it face up for everyone to see. Playing the Reveal card does not change the active stack number that is being played (i.e. If the active stack is #3 and the Reveal is indicated for stack #5, players would Reveal stack #5 and then resume play from #3). The revealed stack will remain face up until the next Reveal card is played. At that point, the previously revealed stack will be concealed by turning it back over and the new Reveal stack will be revealed. The corresponding number disks can also be flipped over appropriately.
While a stack is subject to a Reveal card, it is helpful to turn the numbered disk (FIG. 5A) for the Revealed stack over to the numbered disk logo side (FIG. 5B). That way, as game play resumes, players can remember which stack is subject to the Reveal card play. Also, if a player discards or plays all of the cards in the Reveal card stack, the stack that moves down to occupy the discarded stack number is then subject to the Reveal. The only exception is if the Reveal card stack is a player's highest numbered stack and no stack moves down to occupy that place upon discarding that stack.
The “Swap” card (FIG. 3E) allows a player to swap any two stacks on the table. That player may choose to swap the stack they are holding with another player's stack or they may select two other players and have them swap any of their stacks. The use of Reveal and Peek cards might play a role in deciding which stacks the player chooses to swap. A player might also use this card to affect the game play of another player who is getting close to winning the game.
If a player does not switch to the correct stack when a number card is played, and instead plays from the previous active stack, they must retrieve the card they played and are assessed a penalty requiring them to draw a card and create a new stack. The player may not look at the card they draw. The drawn card will be become a new stack next to the player's highest numbered stack (i.e., if the highest stack is 7, the drawn card will become stack 8). Play resumes with the next person in order and the penalized player loses their turn. The penalty is the same for a player who plays the wrong color card, plays out of turn, or does not match the number or action of the active card.
If the draw stack is depleted, reshuffle the discard stack, and create a new draw stack.
The game concludes when a player discards their last card, thus depleting all of the cards from their stacks.
It is understood that the foregoing examples are merely illustrative of the present invention. Certain modifications of the articles and/or methods may be made and still achieve the objectives of the invention. Such modifications are contemplated as within the scope of the claimed invention.
Patent Application
20240165491
