U.S. patent application number 13/237891 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-12 for card game.
Invention is credited to John Hanlon.
Application Number | 20120086170 13/237891 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45924518 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120086170 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hanlon; John |
April 12, 2012 |
Card Game
Abstract
The method for playing cards provides a high scoring option and
a low scoring option during each hand. Players take turns drawing a
card from a master stack or a discard stack, and discarding a card
in return. The cards have point designations. A High Game tally
adds points to the winner's tally and a Low Game tally subtracts
points from the winner's initial pool of points. The deck of card
embodiments for use with the card game method can include indicia
that can indicate point values for the card. A score card for use
with the card game method includes a High Game tally column and a
Low Game tally column. The deck of cards includes new designs.
Inventors: |
Hanlon; John; (Concordville,
PA) |
Family ID: |
45924518 |
Appl. No.: |
13/237891 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61384708 |
Sep 20, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20130101; A63F
2001/0475 20130101; A63F 11/0051 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A method for playing cards, said method comprising providing
more than one scoring process option during each hand.
2. The method of claim 1, said method further comprising providing
a high scoring option and a low scoring option during each
hand.
3. The method of claim 2, said method further comprising: providing
a scoring method, said scoring method comprising providing for each
player a possible high scoring tally and a possible low scoring
tally.
4. The method of claim 3, said method further comprising starting
said tally for said high scoring game at zero points, and starting
said tally for said low scoring game at 200 points.
5. The method of claim 4, said method further comprising
determining the winner of a game to be the first player to
accumulate 400 points in the high scoring tally or have all 200
points deducted in the low scoring tally.
6. The method of claim 2, said method further comprising providing
a deck of cards, wherein said deck of cards further comprise one
set of cards comprising a first indicia, one set of cards
comprising a second indicia, one set of cards comprising a third
indicia, one set of cards comprising a fourth indicia, and one set
of cards comprising a fifth indicia.
7. The method of claim 6, said method further comprising
attributing five points to each card having a first indicia,
attributing 10 points to each card having a second indicia,
attributing five points to each card having a third indicia,
attributing 10 points to each card having a fourth indicia and
attributing 12 points to each card having a fifth indicia.
8. The method of claim 7, said method further comprising
designating said first indicia to be at least one red diamond;
designating said second indicia to be at least one black square,
designating said third indicia to be at least one red circle,
designating said fourth indicia to be at least one black dot, and
designating said fifth indicia to be the word GAME.
9. The method of claim 8, said method further comprising
identifying the winner of a scoring segment and providing a 25
point bonus to said winner of a scoring segment when said winner
has all black cards, excluding the GAME card, and providing a 10
point bonus to said winner of a scoring segment when said winner
has all red cards, excluding the GAME card.
10. The method of claim 6, said method further comprising providing
52 cards, wherein said cards further comprise one set of 12 cards
comprising a first indicia, one set of 12 cards comprising a second
indicia, one set of 12 cards comprising a third indicia, one set of
12 cards comprising a fourth indicia, and one set of 4 cards
comprising a fifth indicia.
11. The method of claim 2, said method further comprising
determining the winner of a scoring segment and identifying the
caller for the scoring segment, and when said winner is not said
caller: in a scoring segment utilizing the low scoring option,
crediting said caller with all of the points in said caller's hand
at the time that said caller called an end to said scoring segment;
and in a scoring segment utilizing the high scoring option,
deducting from said caller all of the points in said caller's hand
at the time that said caller called an end to said scoring
segment.
12. The method of claim 2, said method further comprising:
providing at least three players; enabling at least two of said at
least three players to play as partners in partnerships comprising
two players in a scoring segment; requiring said partners to
declare themselves as partners before the cards are dealt in said
scoring segment.
13. The method of claim 12, said method further comprising
determining the winner of said scoring segment and identifying the
caller for said scoring segment, and further comprising when said
winner is a partner and is the caller: in a scoring segment
utilizing the high scoring option, crediting said caller with all
of the points in said caller's hand and all the points in the
caller's partner's hand at the time that said caller called an end
to said scoring segment, or in a scoring segment utilizing the low
scoring option, deducting from said caller all of the points in
said caller's hand and the points in the caller's partner's hand at
the time that said caller called an end to said scoring segment;
and, in a scoring segment utilizing the high scoring option,
crediting the partner of the caller with all of the points in said
caller's hand at the time that said caller called an end to said
scoring segment, or in a scoring segment utilizing the low scoring
option, deducting from the partner of the caller all of the points
in said caller's hand at the time that said caller called an end to
said scoring segment.
14. The method of claim 12, said method further comprising
determining the winner of a scoring segment and identifying the
caller for said scoring segment, and said method further comprising
when said winner is not the caller and when the caller is a
partner: in a scoring segment utilizing the low scoring option,
crediting said caller with all of the points in said caller's hand
at the time that said caller called an end to said scoring segment,
and crediting the partner of the caller with all of the points in
said caller's hand at the time that said caller called an end to
said scoring segment; and in a scoring segment utilizing the high
scoring option, deducting from said caller all of the points in
said caller's hand at the time that said caller called an end to
said scoring segment, and deducting from the partner of the caller
all of the points in said caller's hand at the time that said
caller called an end to the scoring segment.
15. A deck of cards, said deck of cards further comprising one set
of cards comprising a first indicia, one set of cards comprising a
second indicia, one set of cards comprising a third indicia, one
set of cards comprising a fourth indicia, and one set of cards
comprising a fifth indicia.
16. The deck of cards of claim 15, said deck of cards further
comprising attributing five points to each card having a first
indicia, attributing 10 points to each card having a second
indicia, attributing five points to each card having a third
indicia, attributing 10 points to each card having a fourth indicia
and attributing 12 points to each card having a fifth indicia.
17. The deck of cards of claim 16, said deck of cards further
comprising designating said first indicia to be at least one red
diamond; designating said second indicia to be at least one black
square, designating said third indicia to be at least one red
circle, designating said fourth indicia to be at least one black
dot, and designating said fifth indicia to be the word GAME.
18. The deck of cards of claim 15, said deck of cards further
comprising 52 cards, wherein said cards further comprise one set of
12 cards comprising a first indicia, one set of 12 cards comprising
a second indicia, one set of 12 cards comprising a third indicia,
one set of 12 cards comprising a fourth indicia, and one set of 4
cards comprising a fifth indicia.
19. A scoring sheet for a card game, said scoring sheet comprising
more than one scoring process option during each hand.
20. The scoring sheet of claim 19, said scoring sheet further
comprising providing a high scoring option and a low scoring option
for each player for each hand.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM, CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] This application is related to, claims priority under and
claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing dates
from the following listed applications: Provisional application of
John Hanlon, Ser. No. 61/384,708, filed on Sep. 20, 2010, entitled:
Card Game. The entire disclosure of Provisional application of John
Hanlon, Ser. No. 61/384,708, filed on Sep. 20, 2010, entitled: Card
Game, is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention includes but is not limited to card games,
playing cards, score sheets and playing card designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The method of the card game of the current invention
provides a high scoring option and a low scoring option during each
hand. In a Beginning Declaration Game, all of the players indicate
whether they will be playing a High Game or a Low Game before
viewing their cards. In an Ending Declaration Game the player who
calls the end of a game, the "caller", indicates whether that
player is playing a High Game or a Low Game before the caller can
know the contents of the hands of any of the other players.
[0004] Players take turns drawing a card from a master stack or a
discard stack, and discarding a card in return. The cards have
point designations.
[0005] The score for each player is tallied for a High Game or a
Low Game, and if a game is for more than one hand, each player can
have separate high game and low game scores. The High Game tally
adds points to the winner's tally. The Low Game tally subtracts
points from the winner's initial pool of points.
[0006] Players can decide to play as partners.
[0007] The invention includes embodiments of a deck of cards for
use with the card game method of the invention. The embodiments of
a deck of cards can include indicia that can indicate point values
for the card.
[0008] The invention includes embodiments of a score card for use
with the card game method of the invention. The score card includes
a High Game tally column and a Low Game tally column.
[0009] The invention includes designs for embodiments of decks of
cards for use with the card game method of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the
present invention and, together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the invention.
[0011] FIGS. 1 and 1A are illustrations are score sheet embodiments
of the invention.
[0012] FIGS. 2A-4 are flow chart of embodiments of the
invention.
[0013] FIGS. 5-9 are embodiments of the face indicia of playing
cards of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a pagination outline of the drawing sheets
10-1-10-8 that together make up drawing 10.
[0015] Design Drawings:
[0016] FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of a playing card showing
a new design;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view thereof;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a side view thereof;
[0019] FIG. 14 is a top view thereof.
[0020] FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of a playing card showing
a new design;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a front elevational view thereof;
[0022] FIG. 17 is a side view thereof;
[0023] FIG. 18 is a top view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-18, wherein embodiments of
the invention are exemplarily illustrated. Although the invention
has been exemplarily illustrated by reference to specific
embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that various changes and modifications may be made which
clearly fall within the scope of the invention. The invention is
intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the
appended claims.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, representative cards 128 which
comprise a deck of cards are illustrated. It is to be understood
that the deck may be made of any of the physical materials
currently known or to be discovered in the art for making a deck of
cards and may include electronic representations of a deck of cards
for use in conjunction with a machine currently known in the art,
such as a computer, or to be discovered.
[0026] In some embodiments the deck of cards comprises 52 cards.
Each deck includes one set of 12 cards having a first indicia, one
set of 12 cards having a second indicia, one set of 12 cards having
a third indicia, one set of 12 cards having a fourth indicia, and
one set of 4 cards having a fifth indicia. However, it is to be
understood that in some embodiments, the deck of cards could have
more or less than 52 cards with a plurality of sets of cards, or in
some embodiments four sets of equal numbers of cards and one set of
cards with fewer cards than the other sets, as long as there were
sufficient cards for each player to have at least 3 cards in the
player's hands and there would be sufficient cards left over so
that there would be enough cards in the master stack, which is
explained in more detail below, to allow the players to play a
plurality of hands before the discard stack, which is explained in
more detail below, would have to be recycled. In some embodiments,
there would be enough cards left over in the master stack to enable
each player to be able to play nine hands while drawing from the
master stack rather than from the discard stack before the discard
stack would have to be recycled.
[0027] The card indicia can indicate point value designations 192.
The point value designations for some indicia may be identical to
the point value designations for other indicia, and the point value
designations for some indicia must be different than the point
value designations for other indicia.
[0028] In some embodiments, the point value designations for two of
the indicia will be identical, the point value designations for two
other of the indicia will be identical, and the point value
designation for the remaining indicia will be different than the
other four indicia.
[0029] In some embodiments the point value designation for two of
the indicia will be ten points, the point value designations for
two of the indicia will be five points, and the point value
designation for the remaining indicia will be 12 points.
[0030] In addition, in some embodiments, the indicia can have color
designations that can vary depending on the indicia. In some
embodiments, the color designations for two of the indicia will be
identical, the color designations for two other of the indicia will
be identical, and the remaining indicia will not have a color
designation.
[0031] In some embodiments the color designation for two of the
indicia will be red, and the color designation for two of the
indicia will be black, and the remaining indicia will not have a
color designation.
[0032] In some embodiments the point value designation for the
first indicia is five points, the point value designation for the
second indicia is ten points, the point value designation for the
third indicia is five points, the point value designation for the
fourth indicia is ten points, and the point value designation for
the fifth indicia is twelve points.
[0033] In some embodiments first indicia has a red color
designation, the second in indicia has black color designation, the
third indicia a red color designation, the fourth indicia has a
black color designation and the fifth indicia does not have a color
designation.
[0034] In some embodiments of a deck of cards the deck comprises a
first indicia 194 that is at least one red diamond having a five
point value, a second indicia 196 that is at least one black square
having a ten point value, a third indicia 198 that is at least one
red circle having a five point value, a fourth indicia 200 that is
at least one black dot having a ten point value, and a fifth
indicia 202 that is the word GAME having a twelve point value.
[0035] Specifically referring now to FIGS. 5-9 that illustrate a
deck of cards comprising a first set of indicia 204 that is one red
diamond and the number 5, a second set of indicia 206 that is one
black square and a the number 10, a third set of indicia 208 that
is one red circle and the number 5, a fourth set of indicia 210
that is three black dots and the number 10, and a fifth set of
indicia 212 that is the word GAME and the number 12.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-4 and 10-10-8, embodiments of a
method for playing cards are exemplarily illustrated. Some
embodiments of the method includes providing at least two players.
It is to be understood that one or more of the players can be human
beings or they can be electronic devices, such as but not limited
to computers, currently known in the art or to be discovered that
are specially programmable to play the card game of the current
invention.
[0037] Each game includes at least one scoring segment, referred to
as a "hand". In some embodiments, as is explained in more detail
below, the points from each hand are calculated until one player
reaches a score that has been predetermined to be a winning score
for the game. It is to be understood that a game can include more
than one hand. In other embodiments, as is explained in more detail
below, the game can last for a predetermined amount of time, and
the score can be a tally of the points each player achieves during
one or more hands during the predetermined amount of time. In other
embodiments, each game can consist of one or more predetermined
number of hands, and the score can be a tally of the points each
player achieves during one or more hands during the predetermined
amount of time.
[0038] As known in the art, the dealer for more than one hand can
rotate among the players. In some embodiments, the rotation of the
dealer is predetermined by the players. In some embodiments, the
dealer rotates in a clockwise direction among the players. In some
embodiments, the dealer can remain the same person, player or
entity for more than one hand.
[0039] Reference is now made to FIG. 2A, which exemplarily
illustrates the method for embodiments of a "Beginning Declaration"
game. "Beginning Declaration" refers to the declaration of a high
or low game, which is described in more detail below, during the
beginning of the hand.
[0040] Before each hand is dealt, when there are at least three
players the players have the opportunity to declare that they will
be playing the hand as partners. See Block 130. To play as
partners, two players have to declare themselves partners for a
hand before that hand is dealt. When there are at least four
players, there can be more than one set of partners, and there can
be as many partners as the number of players allow. A player can
only be partners with one other player for each hand. Not all
players have to play as partners.
[0041] Further rules for partners include the following, which will
be explained in further detail below: Partners are required to
declare if either will play High Game or Low Game, and partners do
not have to play in the same mode as each other. When a player
declares High Game, the player must have in their hand the most
points compared to all the other players, including the player's
partner. When a player declares Low Game, the player must have in
their hand the fewest points compared to all the other players,
including the player's partner.
[0042] Each player is dealt an equal number of random cards
providing there are sufficient cards for each player to have at
least 3 cards in each player's hands and for enough cards left to
be over so that there are enough cards in the balance of the deck,
which is referred to as the "master stack" to allow the players to
play a plurality of hands before the discard stack, which is
described in more detail below, will have to be recycled. See block
132. In some embodiments, there would be enough cards left over in
the master stack to enable each player to be able to play nine
hands while drawing from the master stack rather than from the
discard stack before the discard stack would have to be recycled.
The cards are dealt such that none of the players know what cards
the other players have been dealt.
[0043] In some embodiments, each player is dealt four cards.
[0044] In some embodiments, each player is dealt four cards and the
deck has 52 cards.
[0045] In some embodiments there are four players, each player is
dealt four cards and the deck has 52 cards.
[0046] After the cards have been dealt to the players, the
non-dealt cards, referred to as the "master stack" are placed face
down such that they are accessible to all of the players, and one
card from the master stack is placed face-up, near but not on top
of the master stack, to start a discard stack such that all of the
players can view the face-up card. See block 134. In some
embodiments, the top card in the master deck is the card that is
placed face up.
[0047] When the game, which can be called "Beginning Declaration",
involves the declaration of high or low game, which are described
in more detail below, at the beginning of the hand, the dealt cards
remain face down and unknown to each player until each player
declares whether that player is playing the hand in high game or
low game. See block in FIG. 136. Partners do not have to play in
the same mode.
[0048] After declaring either High or Low Game, each player may
then view the cards that they have been dealt in a manner whereby
no player can see the contents of any other player's hand. See
Block 138. Partners are not allowed to see each other's cards, and
are not allowed to otherwise communicate to each other what cards
they have or strategy they might be using. After announcing
themselves to be partners for a hand, any time during the playing
of the hand, if any partner (referred to as the "communicating
partner" or "communicating partners") tries to communicate to their
partner about the cards in their hand or hands or their playing
strategy for the hand, the communicating partner is or
communicating partners are ineligible to play the remainder of the
hand.
[0049] Each player plays his, her or its hand in a sequential
order. The order may be any predetermined sequence. In some
embodiments, the player to the left of the dealer will start
playing his, her or its hand and each player in a clockwise
rotation will play his, her or its hand next.
[0050] The hand is played according to the "Beginning Declaration"
embodiment, see Block 140, as set forth in more detail below and as
exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0051] If during the playing of the hand the cards in the master
stack become exhausted, and the player playing his, her or its hand
does not want to draw the top discarded card, the discard stack
will be shuffled and then placed face down on the playing area to
create another master stack, while taking one card from the master
stack and placing it face up to create another discard stack. See
Block 142.
[0052] When a player declares game as described in more detail
below, in addition to the caller, see FIG. 4, all players who
challenge the caller as the winner reveal the cards in their hands.
See block 144. The points in each individual revealed hand are
tallied, see block 146, the point values are compared and the
winner is determined. As described in more detail below, if a
challenger has more points than the caller in a high game or if the
challenger has fewer points than the caller in a low game, the
challenger will be the winner, and is also referred to as the "real
winner". See block 148. Finally, the score or scores are tallied,
see block 150, which is described in more detail below.
[0053] Reference is now made to FIG. 2B, which exemplarily
illustrates the general method for an "Ending Declaration" game.
"Ending Declaration" refers to the declaration of a High or Low
Game during the end of the play of the hand and is described in
more detail below.
[0054] Before each hand is dealt, when there are at least three
players the players have the opportunity to declare partners. See
block 130. To play as partners, two players have to declare
themselves partners for a hand before that hand is dealt. When
there are at least four players, there can be more than one set of
partners, and there can be as many partners as the number of
players allow. A player can only be partners with one other player
for each hand. Not all players have to play as partners.
[0055] Further rules for partners include the following, which will
be explained in further detail below: Partners are required to
declare if either will play High Game or Low Game, and partners do
not have to play in the same mode as each other. When a player
declares High Game, the player must have in their hand the most
points compared to all the other players, including the player's
partner. When a player declares Low Game, the player must have in
their hand the fewest points compared to all the other players,
including the player's partner.
[0056] Each player is dealt an equal number of random cards
providing there are sufficient cards for each player to have at
least 3 cards in each player's hands and for enough cards left to
be over so that there are enough cards in the balance of the deck,
which is referred to as the "master stack" to allow the players to
play a plurality of hands before the discard stack will have to be
recycled. In some embodiments, there would be enough cards left
over in the master stack to enable each player to be able to play
nine hands while drawing from the master stack rather than from the
discard stack before the discard stack would have to be recycled.
The cards are dealt such that the other at least one player is not
does not know what are the other at least one player's cards.
[0057] In some embodiments, each player is dealt four cards.
[0058] In some embodiments, each player is dealt four cards and the
deck has 52 cards.
[0059] In some embodiments there are four players, each player is
dealt four cards and the deck has 52 cards.
[0060] After the cards have been dealt to the players, the
non-dealt cards, referred to as the "master stack" are placed face
down such that they are accessible to all of the players, and one
card from the master stack is placed face-up, near but not on top
of the master stack, to start a discard stack such that all of the
players can view the face-up card. In some embodiments, the top
card in the master deck is the card that is placed face up.
[0061] Each player may immediately view the cards that they have
been dealt in a manner whereby no player can see the contents of
any other player's hand. See block 152. Partners are not allowed to
see each other's cards, and are not allowed to otherwise
communicate to each other what cards they have or strategy they
might be using. After announcing themselves to be partners for a
hand, any time during the playing of the hand, if any partner
(referred to as the "communicating partner" or "communicating
partners") tries to communicate to their partner about the cards in
their hand or hands or their playing strategy for the hand, the
communicating partner is or communicating partners are ineligible
to play the remainder of the hand.
[0062] Each player plays his, her or its hand in a sequential
order. The order may be any predetermined sequence. In some
embodiments, the player to the left of the dealer will start
playing his, her or its hand and each player in a clockwise
rotation will play his, her or its hand next.
[0063] The hand is played according to the "Ending Declaration"
embodiment, see block 154, as exemplarily set forth in more detail
below and as illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0064] If during the playing of the hand the cards in the master
stack become exhausted, and the player playing his, her or its hand
does not want to draw the top discarded card, the discard stack
will be shuffled and then placed face down on the playing area to
create another master stack, while taking the one card from the
master stack and placing it face up to create another discard
stack. See Block 142. In some embodiments, the top card in the
master deck will be the face-up card.
[0065] When a player declares game as described in more detail
below, in addition to the caller, see FIG. 3, all players who
challenge the caller as the winner reveal the cards in their hands.
See block 144. The points in each individual revealed hand are
tallied, see block 146, the point values are compared and the
winner is determined. As described in more detail below, if a
challenger has more points than the caller in a high game or if the
challenger has fewer points than the caller in a low game, the
challenger will be the winner, and is also referred to as the "real
winner". See block 148. Finally, the score or scores are tallied,
see block 150, which is described in more detail below.
[0066] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which exemplarily
illustrates each player's options when playing a hand in a
Beginning Declaration game. Initially, the player can decide
whether or not the player wants to call an end to the hand. In some
embodiments, the declaration of the end of the hand is in the form
of the player declaring the word "game". Declaring the end of the
hand will be referred to as "calling game" whether or not the
player actually uses the word "game." See block 156. The player who
calls game will be called the "caller" herein. If the player
decides to call game, the caller must reveal the contents of his,
her or its hand. See block 158. In some embodiments, the disclosure
is done by the caller laying down his, her or its cards face up. In
addition, the points in the caller's hand will be counted. See
block 160. (Thereafter, as illustrated in block 144 in FIG. 2A any
challengers to the caller being the winner will also reveal his,
her or its hand.)
[0067] If the player decides not to call game, the player must draw
one card. The player must decide whether to draw either the top
card from the master stack, see block 162, or the top card on the
discard stack, see block 164.
[0068] A player cannot have more than the dealt number of cards in
his, her or its hand. In some embodiments, when four cards are
dealt, a player cannot have more than four cards in his, her or its
hand. After the player draws a card, the player may keep the drawn
card or may discard the drawn card. If the player keeps the drawn
card, the player must discard one of the cards that was already in
the player's hand before having drawn the drawn card. See blocks
166 and 168. The discarded card is placed face up on the top of the
discard stack.
[0069] After discarding a card and before the next player either
calls game or draws a card from the master stack or from the
discard stack, again the player can decide whether or not the
player wants to call game. See block 170. If the player decides to
call game, the caller must reveal the contents of the caller's
hand. See block 158. In some embodiments, the disclosure is done by
the caller laying down his, her or its cards face up. In addition,
the points in the caller's hand will be counted. See block 160.
(Thereafter, as illustrated in block 144 in FIG. 2A any challengers
to the caller being the winner will also reveal his, her or its
hand.)
[0070] If the player does not call game after discarding a card and
before the next player either calls game or draws a card from the
master stack or from the discard stack, the player must then wait
to have an opportunity to play his, her or its hand again until the
player's turn comes up again in sequential order, unless another
player calls game in the interim and thereby ends the hand. See
block 172.
[0071] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which exemplarily
illustrates each player's options when playing a hand in an Ending
Declaration game. Initially, the player can decide whether or not
the player wants to call an end to the hand. In some embodiments,
the declaration of the end of the hand is in the form of the player
declaring the word "game". Declaring the end of the hand will be
referred to as "calling game" whether or not the player actually
uses the word "game." See block 174. The player who calls game will
be called the "caller" herein. If the player decides to call game,
that player, referred to at the "caller" must also commit to and
disclose whether the caller is declaring a high game or a low game
and the caller must reveal the cards in the caller's hand. See
blocks 176 and 178. In some embodiments, the disclosure is done by
the caller laying down his, her or its cards face up. In addition,
the points in the caller's hand will be counted. See block 180.
(Thereafter, as illustrated in block 144 in FIG. 2B any challengers
to the caller being the winner will also reveal his, her or its
hand.)
[0072] If the player decides not to call game, the player must draw
one card. The player must decide whether to draw either the top
card from the master stack or the top card on the discard stack.
See blocks 182 and 184.
[0073] A player cannot have more than the dealt number of cards in
his, her or its hand. In some embodiments, when four cards are
dealt, a player cannot have more than four cards in his, her or its
hand. After the player draws a card, the player may keep the drawn
card or may discard the drawn card. If the player keeps the drawn
card, the player must discard one of the cards that was already in
the player's hand before having drawn the drawn card. See blocks
186 and 188. The discarded card is placed face up on the top of the
discard stack.
[0074] After discarding a card and before the next player either
calls game or draws a card from the master stack or from the
discard stack, again the player can decide whether or not the
player wants to call game. See block 190. If the player decides to
call game, that player, referred to at the "caller" must also
commit to and disclose whether the caller is declaring a high game
or a low game and the caller must reveal the cards in the caller's
hand. See blocks 176 and 178. In some embodiments, the disclosure
is done by the caller laying down his, her or its cards face up. In
addition, the points in the caller's hand will be counted. See
block 180. (Thereafter, as illustrated in block 144 in FIG. 2B any
challengers to the caller being the winner will also reveal his,
her or its hand.)
[0075] If the player does not call game after discarding a card and
before the next player either calls game or draws a card from the
master stack or from the discard stack, the player must then wait
to have an opportunity to play his, her or its hand again until the
player's turn comes up again in sequential order, unless another
player calls game in the interim and thereby ends the hand. See
block 172
[0076] When determining the winner and scoring a hand, generally,
if the caller has declared a low game, the caller will win the hand
if the sum of the points in the caller's hand is lower than the
individual sums of the points in the other player's hands; for
purposes of description, the caller in such a situation can be
called the "winner". However, if another player has fewer points in
his, her or its hand than the caller, then the player with the
least number of points in his, her or its hand is the winner of the
hand; for purposes of description, the player with the least number
of points in his, her or its hand in such a situation can be called
the "winner" or the "real winner". Similarly, if the caller has
declared a high game, the caller will win the hand if the sum of
the points in the caller's hand is higher than the individual sums
of the points in the other player's hands; for purposes of
description, the caller in such a situation can be called the
"winner". However, if another player has more points in his, her or
its hand than the caller, then the player with the most number of
points in his, her or its hand is the winner of the hand; for
purposes of description, the player with the most number of points
in his, her or its hand in such a situation can be called the
"winner" or the "real winner".
[0077] During the course of the game, unless the game consists of
only one hand, the score of the players can be tallied in both a
high game tally and a low game tally. For each hand, depending on
whether the caller declares a high game or a low game, the tally
will be either under the high game tally or the low game tally.
Specifically, if the caller declares a high game, the winner will
have his, her or its points added to his, her or its High Game
tally. If the caller declares a low game, the winner will have his,
her or its points subtracted from his, her or its Low Game tally.
And if the caller is not the winner, the caller will have the
caller's points added to the caller's Low Game tally if low game
was declared and the caller will have the caller's points
subtracted from the caller's High Game tally if high game was
declared.
[0078] In some embodiments, bonus points can be added to the
winner's points for specific types of card combinations. In some
embodiments, bonus points can be added if the winner has cards that
are all the same color. In some embodiments, bonus points can be
added if the winner has all red cards or all black cards. In some
embodiments, 25 bonus points can be added if the winner has all
black cards. In some embodiments, 10 bonus points can be added if
the winner has all red cards. In some embodiments, 25 bonus points
can be added if the winner has all black cards and no Game cards.
In some embodiments, 10 bonus points can be added if the winner has
all red cards and no Game cards.
[0079] It is to be noted that the points in the hands are
determined by counting the points designated to the various cards
in the deck. In some embodiments, the points 192 are listed on the
face of the cards, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-9. In some
embodiments, the point designations of the cards will be determined
in some other manner and/or agreed upon by the players in some
other manner before playing the hand.
[0080] In some embodiments, the tally for a high scoring game
starts at zero points, and the tally for a low scoring game starts
at 200 points. In some embodiments, the winner of a game is the
first player to accumulate 400 points from a starting point of zero
in the high game scoring tally or the first player to have all 200
points deducted in the low game scoring tally. In another similar
embodiment, the winner of the game is the player who is closest to
either 400 high game points or zero low game points when the game
ends (such as when time runs out or when a designated number of
hands have been played.) For example, if one player has 10 low game
points and another player has 380 high game points, the player with
10 low game points would win the game.
[0081] In some embodiments, the player who has had the most points
added to or subtracted from the player's tally when have the game
ends (such as when time runs out or when a designated number of
hands been played) is the winner of the game. For example if one
player has added 100 points in the high game tally and has
subtracted 199 points in the low game tally, and no other player
has either added or subtracted more than 198 points, the player who
has subtracted 199 points is the winner of the game. In another
similar embodiment, the player who has had the most total points
added to or subtracted from the player's tally when the game ends
(such as when time runs out or when a designated number of hands
have been played) is the winner of the game. For example if one
player has added 100 points in the high game tally and has
subtracted 199 points in the low game tally, and no other player
has either added or subtracted more than 298 points, the player who
has added 100 points and subtracted 199 points is the winner of the
game.
[0082] Reference is now made to FIG. 10-10-6, which exemplarily
illustrates the scoring method in embodiments of the invention and
further describes the relevance of the players' declarations of a
high or low game. In addition, reference is made to FIG. 1, which
exemplarily illustrates an exemplary scorecard 220 that can be used
with the embodiments of the method of the current invention.
[0083] Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a score sheet 220
for scoring embodiments of the game of the invention is exemplarily
illustrated. It is to be understood that other types of scoring
sheets, displays and tally methods can be used. Specifically
referring to FIG. 1, it may be seen that there is a low 214, which
can be designated as "L" and a high 216, which can be designated as
"H", column for each player. Further there is a "Mode" 222, "Score"
224 and "Balance" 226 column for each hand that is played. As is
described in more detail below, the Mode column designates the mode
each player has selected for each hand 230; which can be either Low
Game, which can be designated by "L" or High Game, which can be
designated by "H". It is to be noted that if a Beginning
Declaration game is being played all of the players will declare
whether they will be playing a High Game or a Low Game before
viewing their cards. In this embodiment, the High or Low Game
designations can be indicated on the score card by circling the H
or L for each player for each hand, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
However, if an Ending Declaration Game is being played, only the
caller will declare High Game or Low Game when calling Game, and
only the caller (not shown on FIG. 1) will have the H or L circled
on the score sheet for that hand.
[0084] In addition on the score sheet, there is a score column that
records the score of the player for each hand if the player
actually receives a score for the hand 230 in question. Further,
there is a balance column that tallies the score of the player from
hand to hand. It is to be noted that if a single player wins or
loses some High Game hands and some Low Game hands, that player
will have a score both under the Low "L" column and a separate
score under the High "H" column for one game.
[0085] Referring also now to FIG. 10-10-8, to score the game, the
initial determination is whether the caller has designated High or
Low Game. See Block 30.
[0086] If the caller has designated High Game 32, the next step is
to determine if the caller has the most points in the caller's hand
or if another player has the most points in his, her or its hand
34.
[0087] If the caller has the most points 36, and the caller does
not have a partner 38, the caller receives all of the points in the
caller's hand 40 under the caller's High Game tally. In addition,
if the caller has all black cards 42, and does not have a Game
Card, the caller receives an additional 25 points in the caller's
High Game tally 44. Further if the caller has all red cards 46, and
does not have a Game Card, the caller receives an additional 10
points in the caller's High Game tally 48.
[0088] If the caller has the most points, and the caller does have
a partner 50, the caller receives all of the points in the caller's
hand and all the points in the caller's partner's hand in the
caller's High Game tally 52. In addition, if the caller has all
black cards 42, and does not have a Game Card, the caller receives
an additional 25 points in the caller's High Game tally 44. Further
if the caller has all red cards 46, and does not have a Game Card,
the caller receives an additional 10 points in the caller's High
Game tally 48.
[0089] If the caller has the most points, and the caller has a
partner, the caller's partner receives all of the points in the
caller's hand in the caller's partner's High Game tally 54 for that
hand.
[0090] If the caller does not have the most points 56, the player
with the most points is identified, which will be called the "real
winner" herein 58. If the caller does not have a partner 60, the
caller has all of the points in the caller's hand subtracted under
the caller's High Game tally 62.
[0091] If the caller does not have the most points 56, and the
caller has a partner 64, the caller has all of the points in the
caller's hand subtracted under the caller's High Game tally.
[0092] If the caller does not have the most points 56, and the
caller has a partner, the caller's partner has all of the points in
the caller's hand subtracted under the caller's partner's High Game
tally 68.
[0093] If the real winner does not have a partner 70, the real
winner receives all of the points in the real winner's hand in the
real winner's High Game tally 72. In addition, if the real winner
has all black cards 42, and does not have a Game Card, the real
winner receives an additional 25 points in the real winner's High
Game tally 44. Further if the real winner has all red cards 46, and
does not have a Game Card, the real winner receives an additional
10 points in the real winner's High Game tally 48.
[0094] If the real winner has a partner 74, the real winner
receives all of the points in the real winner's hand and all the
points in the real winner's partner's hand in the real winner's
High Game tally 76. In addition, if the real winner has all black
cards 42, and does not have a Game Card, the real winner receives
an additional 25 points in the real winner's High Game tally 44.
Further if the real winner has all red cards 46, and does not have
a Game Card, the real winner receives an additional 10 points in
the real winner's High Game tally 48. In addition, the real
winner's partner receives all of the points in the real winner's
hand under the real winner's partner's High Game tally 78 for that
hand.
[0095] If the caller has designated Low Game 80, the next step is
to determine if the caller has the least number of points in the
caller's hand or if another player has the least number of points
in his, her or its hand 82.
[0096] If the caller has the least number of points 84, and the
caller does not have a partner 86, the caller subtracts all of the
points in the caller's hand under the caller's Low Game tally 88.
In addition, if the caller has all black cards 90, and does not
have a Game Card, the caller subtracts an additional 25 points in
the caller's Low Game tally 92. Further if the caller has all red
cards 94, and does not have a Game Card, the caller subtracts an
additional 10 points in the caller's Low Game column 96.
[0097] If the caller has the least number of points, and the caller
has a partner 98, the caller subtracts all of the points in the
caller's hand and all the points in the caller's partner's hand
under the caller's Low Game tally 100. In addition, if the caller
has all black cards 90, and does not have a Game Card, the caller
subtracts an additional 25 points in the caller's Low Game tally
92. Further if the caller has all red cards 94, and does not have a
Game Card, the caller subtracts an additional 10 points in the
caller's Low Game column 96.
[0098] If the caller has the least number of points, and the caller
has a partner 98, the caller's partner subtracts all of the points
in the caller's hand under the caller's partner's Low Game tally
102 for that hand.
[0099] If the caller does not have the least number of points 104,
the player with the least number of points is identified, which
will be called the "real winner" herein 106. If the caller does not
have a partner 108, the caller has all of the points in the
caller's hand added to the caller's Low Game tally 110.
[0100] If the caller does not have the least number of points 104,
and the caller has a partner 112, the caller has all of the points
in the caller's hand added to the caller's Low Game tally 114.
[0101] If the caller does not have the least number of points 104,
and the caller has a partner, the caller's partner has all of the
points in the caller's hand added to the caller's partner's Low
Game tally for that hand 116.
[0102] If the real winner does not have a partner 118, the real
winner subtracts all of the points in the real winner's hand under
the real winner's Low Game tally 120. In addition, if the real
winner has all black cards 90, and does not have a Game Card, the
real winner subtracts an additional 25 points in the real winner's
Low Game tally 92. Further if the real winner has all red cards 94,
and does not have a Game Card, the real winner subtracts an
additional 10 points in the real winner's Low Game tally 96.
[0103] If the real winner has a partner 122, the real winner
subtracts all of the points in the real winner's hand and all the
points in the real winner's partner's hand under the real winner's
Low Game tally 124. In addition, if the real winner has all black
cards 90, and does not have a Game Card, the real winner subtracts
an additional 25 points in the real winner's Low Game tally 92.
Further if the real winner has all red cards 94, and does not have
a Game Card, the real winner subtracts an additional 10 points in
the real winner's Low Game tally 96. In addition, the real winner's
partner subtracts all of the points in the real winner's hand under
the real winner's partner's Low Game tally 126 for that hand.
[0104] The following list will further describe the scoring
embodiments for the invention based on the following usage of the
following terms: 1) "winner" is the real winner, and the caller
when the caller calls high game and has the most points in the
caller's hand or when the caller calls low game and has the fewest
points in the caller's hand; 2) "the player who erroneously
declared game" is the caller when the caller calls high game and
the caller does not have the most points in the caller's hand or
when the caller calls low game and the caller does not have the
fewest points in the caller's hand.
[0105] 1. Non-partner High Game scoring: [0106] A. The winner will
be credited with the value of the cards in their own hand. [0107]
B. The player who erroneously declared Game will have a deduction
in their score equal to the value of the cards in their hand.
[0108] C. There is no score for the other players.
[0109] 2. Non-partner Low Game scoring: [0110] A. The winner will
have the points in their hand deducted from their pool of points,
which in some embodiments starts at 200 points. [0111] B. The
player who erroneously declared Game will have the points in their
hand added to their pool of points, which in some embodiments
starts at 200 points. [0112] C. There is no score for the other
players.
[0113] 3. Partner High Game Scoring: [0114] A. The winner will be
credited with the points in their hand plus those in the partner's
hand. [0115] B. The partner is credited with the winner's points
only. [0116] C. The player who erroneously declared Game will have
a deduction in their score equal to the value of the cards in their
hand. [0117] D. The partner of the player who erroneously declared
Game will have a deduction in their score equal to the value of the
cards in the player who erroneously declared Game's hand.
[0118] 4. Partner Low Game Scoring: [0119] A. The winner will have
the points in their hand plus those in their partner's hand
deducted from their pool of points, which in some embodiments
starts at 200 points. [0120] B. The partner will have only the
points in the winner's hand deducted from their pool of points,
which in some embodiments starts at 200 points. [0121] C. The
player who erroneously declared Game will have the points in their
hand added to their pool of points, which in some embodiments
starts at 200 points. [0122] D. The partner of the player who
erroneously declared game will have the value of the points in the
hand of the player who erroneously declared Game added to their
pool of points, which in some embodiments starts at 200 points.
[0123] Reference is now made to FIG. 1A, which exemplarily
illustrates a score sheet for five exemplary fictional hands, where
the Low Game tally starts at 200 points and wins at zero and the
High Game tally starts at zero and wins at 400, as follows:
1. First Hand: Mike calls High Game. Mike has the most points in
his hand, which are 32 points. Mike receives 32 points in the High
Game tally. None of the other players receives any points. 2.
Second Hand: Ann calls Low Game. Ann has 25 points in her hand and
Mike has the least number of points, 20 points, in his hand. Ann
has 25 points added to her Low Game tally and Mike has 20 points
subtracted from his Low Game tally. None of the other players
receives any points. 3. Third Hand: Patricia and Mike are partners.
Patricia calls High Game and has the most points, 40 points, in her
hand. Mike has 25 points in his hand. Patricia gets the value of
the points in her hand and in Mike's hand added to her High Game
tally. Patricia gets 65 points added to her High Game tally. Mike
gets the value of Patricia's hand, 40 points, added to his High
Game tally. Since Mike already had 32 points in his High Game
tally, his new High Game balance is 72. 4. Fourth Hand: Bill and
Ann are partners and Patricia and Mike are partners. Ann calls Low
Game. Mike has the fewest points in his hand, at 20 points. The
following players have the following points: Patricia has 35
points, Ann has 25 points and Bill has 30 points. Mike has the
value of his hand and the value of Patricia's hand subtracted from
his Low Game tally. Mike has 55 points subtracted from his low game
tally. Since he had 20 points subtracted in a previous hand, Mike's
Low Game balance from a starting point of 200 points is 125.
Patricia has the value of Mike's hand, 20 points, subtracted from
her Low Game tally. Ann and Bill both have the value of the points
in Ann's hand added to their respective Low Game tallies. 5. Fifth
Hand: Ann and Mike are partners and Patricia and Bill are partners.
Ann calls Low Game. Mike has the fewest points in his hand, at 20
points. The following players have the following points: Patricia
has 35 points, Ann has 25 points and Bill has 30 points. As the
player that erroneously called Game, Ann has the value of her hand
added her Low Game tally, but as the partner of the real winner,
Mike, Ann also has the value of the points in Mike's hand, 20
points, subtracted from her Low Game tally. Ann's net point change
in her Low Game tally is the addition of five points. Mike, as the
real winner, gets the value of the points in his hand, 20 points,
and the value of the points in his partner Ann's hand, 25 points,
subtracted from his Low Game tally. However, because he is also the
partner of the player who erroneously called Game, he also has the
value of Ann's hand, 25 points, added to his Low Game tally. Mike's
net point change in his Low Game tally is the subtraction of 20
points.
[0124] One embodiment of the invention is as follows: The deck of
cards comprises 52 cards. Each deck includes one set of 12 cards
having a first indicia, one set of 12 cards having a second
indicia, one set of 12 cards having a third indicia, one set of 12
cards having a fourth indicia, and one set of 4 cards having a
fifth indicia. Specifically as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5-9
a deck of cards comprises a first set of indicia 204 that is one
red diamond and the number 5, a second set of indicia 206 that is
one black square and a the number 10, a third set of indicia 208
that is one red circle and the number 5, a fourth set of indicia
210 that is three black dots and the number 10, and a fifth set of
indicia 212 that is the word GAME and the number 12. There are four
players, each player is dealt four cards from the deck. The dealer
rotates between the players in a clockwise rotation. The player to
the left of the dealer will start playing his, her or its hand and
each player in a clockwise rotation will play his, her or its hand
next. Beginning Declaration hands are played. After Game is called,
the caller and any challengers to the caller lay their hands on the
playing surface face up. The players may choose to play as
partners. The tally for a high scoring game starts at zero points,
and the tally for a low scoring game starts at 200 points. The
winner of a game is the first player to accumulate 400 points from
a starting point of zero in the high game scoring tally or the
first player to have all 200 points deducted in the low game
scoring tally. Twenty-five bonus points are added if the winner has
all black cards and no Game cards. Ten bonus points are added if
the winner has all red cards and no Game cards.
[0125] Reference is now made to FIGS. 11-14.
[0126] I, John Hanlon, have invented a new design for a playing
card as set forth in the following specification:
FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of a playing card showing my new
design; FIG. 11 is a front elevational view thereof; FIG. 13 is a
side view thereof; FIG. 14 is a top view thereof. Reference is now
made to FIGS. 15-18.
[0127] I, John Hanlon, have invented a new design for a playing
card as set forth in the following specification:
FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of a playing card showing my new
design; FIG. 15 is a front elevational view thereof; FIG. 17 is a
side view thereof; FIG. 18 is a top view thereof.
* * * * *