U.S. patent application number 10/754649 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-09 for card game, method of play: there's a moose in the house.
Invention is credited to Scott K. Anderson.
Application Number | 20060049582 10/754649 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35995418 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060049582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Scott K. |
March 9, 2006 |
Card game, method of play: There's a Moose in the House
Abstract
Card game. This method of play employs unique variations of
matching cards. Players alternately take turns, playing one card at
a time populating their opponent's play area with one leading card
to initiate the matching process. This is like an ante up. Once in
place, players alternately take turns, playing one card at a time,
populating their opponent's play area with the first of two
matching cards, while limiting the number of matched cards played
against themselves. To limit the number of matched cards played
against a player, players may use, on their turn, one card at a
time, a card-type to block matching cards and a card-type to void a
played matching card. Ultimately, many matched cards are played
without being blocked or voided. The player with the fewest matched
cards, once the last card is played, wins.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Scott K.; (West
Chester, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCOTT K. ANDERSON
620 N. SPEAKMAN LANE
WEST CHESTER
PA
19380
US
|
Family ID: |
35995418 |
Appl. No.: |
10/754649 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 ;
273/296; 273/308 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 ;
273/296; 273/308 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. What I claim as my invention is a matching card game-variant
utilizing a unique deck of playing cards incorporating an original
theme and a novel method of play. The card game employs 66 playing
cards divided into 5 types; Empty Rooms, (Bathroom, Kitchen, Den,
Bedroom, Exercise Room), Matching Rooms but with a Moose in it,
Closed door cards, Goose Goosed Moose cards and, There's a Moose in
the House cards. It is the goal of each player to populate as many
moose cards into your opponents play area while limiting your play
area from receiving moose cards by way of the following steps: a.
Each player is dealt an initial hand of 4 cards. The rest of the
deck is placed face down between players and is used each turn as
the draw deck so that players alternately pick up from a reservoir
of the remaining cards and play or discard a card from their hand.
Play begins to the left of the dealer. b. On each turn, players
attempt populate their opponents play area with one card at a time,
beginning with a There's A Moose in the House card. c. Once a
player is given this card, opponents may choose to populate such
play areas with Empty Room cards (one card each turn). d. With this
Empty Room card in place, players may choose to "top" the card with
a Matching Room with a Moose in it. e. The players with the Empty
Rooms cards may choose, on their turn, to "top" the one such card
with a Closed Door card, preventing an opponent from putting a
Matching Room card that has a Moose in it. f. A player may
otherwise choose to void a matched card by playing the Goose Goosed
Moose card. This effectively removes a Matching Room with a Moose
in it and it's accompanying Empty Room card from your play area. g.
Once the last card is drawn from the deck, a shuffled discard pile
becomes the new draw pile. Eventually the last card from the
discard/draw deck is used. h. Players continue to "play out" from
the remaining cards in their hands. Players may have to temporarily
"pass" until a card from their hand becomes playable based upon a
newly played card. Playing out continues until all players are out
of cards or the remaining cards are deemed unplayable. At that
point, the player with the fewest cards with a Moose in it wins! i.
While this card game is only one embodiment of the invention,
playability and functionality, substituted or combined with; dice,
tokens, playing pieces, electronic display, Internet play, on a
game board, all with or without cards, and in combination of any or
all of the above mediums, is reserved as my invention. j.
Enhancements and or alterations made with respect to the rules,
without departing from the spirit and scope of the game, include; a
different character, adding a character(s), actions, rules, images,
number of cards, and other editions are reserved as my invention.
k. The "moose in the house" theme or any other relative theme found
in the spirit and scope of the game, or method of play, derived
from, adapted for, or graduated to other mediums including, but not
limited to, publishable and presentable storytelling mediums;
electronic or printable (books or film for example), living arts
(live or taped interpretations for example), and or artistic
representation, are also reserved as my invention.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION AND
[0001] This card game bears Provisional Patent Application No.
60/438,268, dated Jan. 7, 2003, and has since been successfully
licensed to a game manufacturer for release in late 2003/2004. The
"Drawings" (images) were printed on 8.5.times.11 paper and bear
formatted cardstock sheets that also measure 8.5.times.11. Each
sheet provides for 8 perforated images measuring 2.35.times.3.50
each.
[0002] These images, when torn from their perforation and compiled,
formed a demo-deck for play-testing. Play-testing enabled me to
further develop the game's rules and playability among family and
friends and once finished, provided manufacturers the opportunity
to see if the game was something they wanted to manufacture with
their own original art.
[0003] The yellow card that bears the title name, "There's a Moose
in the House", appears on the back of each card.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The game was developed for the purpose of family fun,
gathering friends, a way to make new friends and for those who
enjoy playing cards. The game employs an enjoyable mix of strategy
and luck for children.
[0005] The game market is flooded with rummy-type games,
trick-taking games, matching games, card-slapping games and numeric
sequencing games. You won't find any melds here or artsy cards with
mystical connotations that value and favor collection over
game-play.
[0006] There's a Moose in the House employs a different kind of
game-play and fresh playability that is unique among card games.
Silly situations and fin is the goal of this game. Mathematically,
the number of cards work out correctly and since children are the
audience, I have each player holding just 4 cards making it very
user-friendly for their little hands.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
10 There's a Moose in the House Cards
[0007] Let's begin with the main card called THERE'S A MOOSE IN THE
HOUSE. This is the one with the moose's head pushing open the door.
The game begins as each player trys to give another player this
card during their turn. When you get this card from another player,
it is placed face-up in front of you. When you get a moose in the
house, it doesn't leave. Players must shout out "THERE'S A MOOSE IN
THE HOUSE" every time this card is played. You can't stop anyone
from giving you this card. Once you get this card, you now can be
given EMPTY ROOM cards. Each player can get only one THERE'S A
MOOSE IN THE HOUSE-card.
25 Empty Room Cards
[0008] Kitchen (5 cards), Bathroom (5 cards), Den (5 cards),
Bedroom (5 cards), Exercise room (5 cards) Players try to give one
of these cards away during their turn to another player. These
cards are placed next to a THERE'S A MOOSE IN THE HOUSE-card,
face-up, in front of other players. Once a player gets an EMPTY
ROOM card, they can get MOOSE cards for the same room from any
player during their turn
20 Rooms with a Moose Cards
[0009] Kitchen (4 cards), Bathroom (4 cards), Den (4 cards),
Bedroom (4 cards), Exercise room (4 cards) Match up the EMPTY ROOM
cards with your MOOSE card from your hand and place one face-up on
top during your turn. These are counted at the end of the game.
5 Goose Goosed Moose Cards
[0010] When someone gives you a room with a moose in it, you may
play this card from your hand on top of the moose card to get rid
of the moose. Once played you must say "GOOSE GOOSED MOOSE".
6 CLOSED DOOR Cards
[0011] During your turn, you may play a CLOSED DOOR card on top of
an EMPTY ROOM card that someone gave you. This will stop someone
from giving you a MOOSE card for that room. On the back of all
cards is the game name, There's a Moose in the House.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The following text has been taken directly from the "rules"
that accompany the game. [0013] Directions and Instructions [0014]
THERE'S A MOOSE IN THE HOUSE! [0015] A fun and silly card game for
ages 6 and up. [0016] For 2, 3 or 4 players. The Object of the
Same:
[0017] To have the fewest number of moose CARDS when the last card
is played.
66 cards:
[0018] 25 EMPTY ROOM cards (Kitchen, Bathroom, Den, Bedroom and
Exercise room) [0019] 20 MOOSE cards, (same as above but with
MOOSES!) [0020] 10 There's a Moose in the House cards [0021] 5
Goose Goosed Moose cards [0022] 6 CLOSED DOOR cards. Overview:
[0023] Take a look at the cards. There are 5 different rooms; some
with a moose, some without. It is up to you to give someone MOOSE
CARDS. Whoever has the least MOOSE cards at the end wins!
Set Up and Taking Turns
[0024] Each player is dealt 4 cards. The rest of the deck is placed
face down in the middle of the players. Play begins to the dealers
left. The first player picks up one card from the deck and plays
one card from their hand each turn. Once you play a card, turn goes
to the person on your left. Cards must be played as follows:
The Cards:
THERE'S A MOOSE IN THE HOUSE Cards:
[0025] Let's begin with the main card called THERE'S A MOOSE IN THE
HOUSE. This is the one with the moose's head pushing open the door.
The game begins as each player trys to give another player this
card during their turn. When you get this card from another player,
it is placed face-up in front of you. When you get a moose in the
house, it doesn't leave. Players must shout out "THERE'S A MOOSE IN
THE HOUSE" every time this card is played. You can't stop anyone
from giving you this card. Once you get this card, you now can be
given EMPTY ROOM cards. Each player can get only one THERE'S A
MOOSE IN THE HOUSE-card.
EMPTY ROOM Cards:
[0026] Players try to give one of these cards away during their
turn to another player. These cards are placed next to a THERE'S A
MOOSE IN THE HOUSE-card, face-up, in front of other players. Once a
player gets an EMPTY ROOM card, they can get MOOSE cards for the
same room from any player during their turn.
MOOSE Cards:
[0027] Take a look at the EMPTY ROOM cards that others have in
front of them. Match up the EMPTY ROOM cards with your MOOSE card
from your hand and place one face-up on top during your turn. These
are counted at the end of the game.
CLOSED DOOR Cards:
[0028] During your turn, you may play a CLOSED DOOR card on top of
an EMPTY ROOM card that someone gave you. This will stop someone
from giving you a MOOSE card for that room.
GOOSE GOOSED MOOSE Cards:
[0029] When someone gives you a room with a moose in it, you may
play this card from your hand on top of the moose card to get rid
of the moose. Once played you must say "GOOSE GOOSED MOOSE".
[0030] Can't play any cards from your hand? Simply discard it in a
pile next to the pick-up deck. Turn then goes to the next
player.
Playing Out at the End:
[0031] Once the last card is drawn from the deck, play continues
from the cards in the player's hands. Each player gets a chance to
use one card at a time or discard. Play continues until the last
card is used. Once the last card is used . . . . whoever has the
fewest MOOSES in the house wins!
* * * * *