FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the field of recreational and strategic card games. More specifically, it relates to a shedding card game. The game employs a custom deck of 111 cards and incorporates unique Action cards to introduce dynamic rule changes during gameplay. This field of invention encompasses the rules, components, and methods for the game.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
In the realm of card games, particularly shedding card games, there exists a rich history of diverse games that share some common elements with the card game described herein. While the card game described herein is a unique and innovative game, it is important to acknowledge related card games and variations within this genre. Here are some notable aspects of the related art:
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,727,800A relates to card decks for playing games and particularly to playing cards.
- U.S. Pat. No. 821,781A relates to playing-cards, and has for its object the production of a pack or set of cards in which the number of combinations desired in playing a game may be materially. increased without increasing the number of cards in an ordinary pack.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,798,672A shows a pack of cards having a diagonal strip dividing them into two areas, but each area represents the same denomination of card.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,873A entitled “Unique Deck of Playing Cards” relates to card games, specifically the packs of cards or tiles used to play such games.
- U.S. Pat. No. 2,265,334A relates generally to a card game and more specifically to a word and sentence forming game played with cards representing initial and final consonants and consonant combinations, and vowels and vowel combinations.
- U.S. Pat. No. US20070063441A1 relates to playing cards. More particularly, this invention relates to a set of playing cards in which some of the individual cards represent two different values and/or suits.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,656A relates to playing cards, and more particularly to a deck of playing cards useful for playing both conventional card games and word games.
New card games have been introduced and have been around for centuries and consequently the need has been felt to provide a new and improved card game for family enjoyment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention introduces a card game which offers a captivating and versatile gaming experience. The card game described herein is played using a specialized deck of 111 cards as referenced in FIG. 1, featuring distinct Action cards as referenced in FIG. 5 that empower players to adapt the game's rules dynamically. It is designed for 2-4 players but can easily accommodate larger groups by combining decks, allowing for an almost infinite number of players. The primary goal of the card game described herein is to avoid being the last player holding cards, making it an engaging and strategic shedding card game.
The game begins with a dealer distributing 12 cards face down into 4 piles of 3 cards to each player, then 1 card face up to each pile. These piles are referred to as Ground cards. Four additional cards are dealt to each player to form their initial hand, with the remaining cards forming the draw pile.
Gameplay unfolds as players take turns, with the first player discarding a card to the central discard pile. Continuing in a clockwise direction, the next player must either play a card of equal or higher value or a wild card, each of which carries rule-altering properties through Action cards. Failure to meet these requirements necessitates picking up all cards in the discard pile.
Key rules encompass the use of the VETO card, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to avert drawing extra cards when a player matches a card, the incorporation of Wild cards as illustrated in FIG. 4, Action cards as illustrated in FIG. 5 to modify the game's dynamics, and a structured order for playing cards from one's hand and Ground cards. The game progresses until only one player retains cards in hand, designating them as the game's loser.
This invention exemplifies the creation of an entertaining and strategic card game that combines skill, adaptability, and a dynamic gaming environment. Its versatility and engaging nature make it a suitable choice for players of all ages and proficiencies, providing an enjoyable gaming experience that can be further customized or adapted as desired.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The card game described herein is a distinct and innovative shedding card game, designed to provide players with an engaging and adaptable gaming experience. The game employs a unique deck of 111 cards, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The name of the game may appear on the back side of all cards as illustrated in FIG. 1b as an example, which may vary in actual implementation and is not limited to the name shown. Additionally, the card game described herein introduces an Action Card system featuring special Wild cards, as shown in FIG. 4a and Action cards, as shown in FIG. 5a, which dynamically influence the game's rules. These cards promote strategic decision-making and creative gameplay. The Action cards illustrated in FIG. 5a may also include a numerical value for gameplay, as illustrated in FIG. 5c. The game also employs a special VETO card as shown in FIG. 3a. The term ‘VETO,’ as used to describe this card, is provided as an example, and is not intended to limit the name of the card to ‘VETO’ in all embodiments of the invention. Various alternative names or designations may be used to refer to this card while preserving its functionality.
Deck Composition: The card game described herein employs a custom deck comprising 111 cards, each with its unique characteristics and values. These cards include numeric cards as illustrated in FIG. 2a representing values from 1 to 17 as illustrated in FIG. 2b, VETO cards as illustrated in FIG. 3, Wild cards as illustrated in FIG. 4 and Action cards as illustrated in FIG. 5. The invention includes a set of Wild and Action cards, such as, but not limited to, the following examples: Wild Action Pile Remover which can be played at any time and will remove all cards from the discard pile; Wild Play Again which allows a player to play another card of their choice; Wild Free Play which allows the next player to play any card of their choice; Wild Hand Cleaner which allows the player to play all cards in their hand at one time, not including Ground cards and then removing the discard pile; 11 Back One Action card is played as a numeric 11 and results in the previous player to play again, then back to the player who played said 11 Action card; 13 Back One Action card is played as a numeric 13 and results in the previous player to play again, then back to the player who played said 13 Action card; 2 Action card results in all players showing the highest card in their hand and the player with the lowest card value picks up the discard pile, leaving the 2 Action card; VETO low Action card is played as a numeric 3 and changes the dynamics of the game by making a new rule that low cards win, meaning each subsequent card played must match or be lower; VETO Action card stops a player from picking up three cards and VETO cards are the only cards that will not result in the picking up of three cards when subsequent matching cards are played; Lower/Higher Action card: If high cards win then the next player must play lower than 8 and the following player must play higher than 8. If low cards win, then the next player must play higher than 8 and the following player must play lower than 8. If a second Lower/Higher card is played by the following player, the previous player draws three and the direction of the Lower/Higher is reversed. Example: high cards win and player 1 plays the Lower/Higher card. Player 2 must play lower than an 8 but plays another Lower/Higher card. Player 1 must pick up three and now the cards must be played as higher than 8, lower than 8). Play then continues as normal; 15 Action card: this action is played as a numeric 15 with the action that the player must play again. If the player cannot play, then they have to pick up the discard pile; 4 Action Low card is played as a numeric 4 with the action that low cards win. All cards played must be equal to or lower than the previous card. This action will stay in effect until another action is played that changes the game back to high cards winning; 4 Action High card is played as a numeric 4 with the action that high cards win. All cards played must be equal to or higher than the previous card. This action will stay in effect until another action is played that changes the game to low cards winning; 9 Action card is played as a numeric 9 with the action that high cards win. All cards played must be equal to or higher than the previous card. This action will stay in effect until another action is played that changes the game to low cards winning. Instructions for VETO cards may be displayed on the playing cards as illustrated in FIG. 3b, instructions for Wild cards may be displayed on the playing cards as illustrated in FIG. 4b and instructions for Action cards may be displayed on the playing cards as illustrated in FIG. 5b.
These are illustrative of the types of actions that can be incorporated into the game, and the invention is not limited solely to these examples. For 2-4 players, a single deck is used. However, for larger player groups, additional decks may be combined. For example, if there are 6 players, two decks totaling 222 cards can be used, and for 12 players, three decks are required, providing an adaptable gaming experience.
Game Setup: The game begins with a dealer distributing 12 cards face down into 4 piles of 3 cards to each player, then 1 card face up to each pile. These piles are referred to as Ground cards. Four additional cards are dealt to each player to form their initial hand, with the remaining cards forming the draw pile.
Gameplay Mechanics: Players take turns in a clockwise direction, with the first player, typically to the dealer's left, initiating the game by discarding a card from their hand to establish the central discard pile. Players must adhere to specific rules when playing their cards. Players can either match the previous card's value or play a card of a higher value, unless following the rules of a played Action card. In addition, Wild cards may be played at any time. If subsequent Wild cards of the same card are played, this will result in a player drawing three cards from the draw pile as well if the player does not have a VETO card to play. When combining decks to accommodate a greater number of players, the gameplay structure remains the same, with players adhering to the rules and sequences defined for 2-4 player games.
Action cards introduce an intriguing element to the game. These cards have the power to modify the game's rules and mechanics.
Special rules apply when players play the same card in succession. If a player matches the previous card played, the player who played the previous card must draw three cards from the draw pile. However, the VETO card can be played by that player to avoid this penalty, making it a valuable tool in the game.
The game introduces a concept of a “clear pile.” If four or more cards of the same value are played consecutively, all cards in the discard pile are removed, ensuring a fresh start in the game. The presence of a VETO card in the sequence does not affect this rule.
If a player has multiple cards of the same value, the player may choose to play them all at the same time. Players are required to play all cards from their hand before playing the Ground cards. Ground cards may be played in any order, but the top card must be played before accessing the cards beneath it. The cards beneath have to be played blind, meaning the player plays the card without looking at it first. If the card does not comply with the rules of the game, the player must pick up all cards in the discard pile. The player must then play all cards in their hand before returning to the Ground cards.
Additionally, players must play a card to the discard pile before collecting the cards already in the pile. This rule ensures a strategic balance between playing cards and accumulating potential penalties.
Winning and Conclusion: The primary objective of the card game described herein is to avoid being the last player with cards remaining in their hand. The game continues until only one player retains cards, making them the loser.
In summary, the card game described herein offers a unique and versatile gaming experience, combining skill, strategy, and adaptability. The diverse card types, rule-changing action cards, and nuanced gameplay mechanics make it an ideal choice for players seeking an enjoyable and dynamic card game. The game's rules and components can be customized and adapted to suit the preferences and expertise of the players, ensuring that the card game described herein remains a captivating and ever-evolving gaming experience.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 provides an overview of the invention, displaying a deck 1a comprising 111 cards. Additionally, it offers a perspective view of an example name of the card game 1b, which may vary in actual implementation and is not limited to the name shown.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a numeric card 2a from the deck. The card displays a numerical value, which is shown as 2b.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a VETO card 3a. The card features area 3b, which may contain instructions or additional information related to the card's gameplay.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a Wild card 4a. The card features area 4b, which may contain instructions or additional information related to the card's gameplay.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an Action card 5a. The card features area 4b, which may contain instructions or additional information related to the card's gameplay. The card may also display a numerical value, which is shown as 5c.
Patent Application
20250099841
