AU2004311479A1

AU2004311479A1 - A numerical board game

Info

Publication number: AU2004311479A1
Application number: AU2004311479A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David William Ettridge
Original assignee: DAVID ETTRIDGE
Current assignee: DAVID ETTRIDGE
Priority date: 2004-01-12
Filing date: 2004-02-13
Publication date: 2005-07-21

Description

WO 2005/065792 PCT/AU2004/000167 1 A NUMERICAL BOARD GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: The idea for the invention arose from the need for a game which did not depend on literacy skills or language skills to compete. It is believed that most people over the age of 5 years can count from 1 to 10 and a game based upon this simple mathematical sequence has merit for people of all ages. This invention also can be easily modified by changing the language of the rules so the game can be played by non English speaking people. A popular game like Scrabble might encourage argument as players may disagree over how to spell a word for example, and other games such as Monopoly simply take too much playing time. A game which has a simple non controversial basis being the numerical sequence 1 to 10 should not arouse argument and TENSATION can be played quickly which will suit people with short attention spans, or who like quick games. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: It is a simple game which can be played by people from 5 to 95 who can count from 1 to 10. The game components are a board and playing pieces. The placement upon the board of score enhancing squares provides for increased scoring. The placement of some squares named as 'Take 5, Add 5' provides an element of chance and danger to excite the game, and for a variety of applications of that device which will affect who wins the game. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: The attached figures, numbered 1 through 5, provide a clear description of the essential elements of uniqueness of this invention. Figure 1 illustrates the playing board component which is a distinct grid design which runs diagonally across the face of the playing board. Figure 2 illustrates the numbered playing pieces, numbered from 1 to 10.

WO 2005/065792 PCT/AU2004/000167 2 The numbered playing pieces are simple and essential components of the game. Figure 3 illustrates the various ways playing pieces can be placed on the board to enhance scoring. This is a unique feature of the scoring method which applies to the game. Figure 4 illustrates how placement of a single playing piece alongside another playing piece which is already on the board can increase a players score. Figure 5 illustrates the starting feature of the game, namely the numbered squares located in the centre of the playing board and numbered 4, 5, 6 and 7, the placement of the numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8 to start the game. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS: The playing board is described as being a plurality of equal size squares, each square being approximately 18mm by 19mm square. Some squares are enhanced with words which describe score rewards when a player can place a numbered playing piece on any of those squares. Scoring enhancements result from such a placement. The playing board is rigid and folds into half its surface area when packed in the game box.

Claims

1. A board game that can be played by up to 4 people and each player may select 6, 7 or 8* playing pieces from a bag which contains approximately 125 playing pieces. The numbered playing pieces are placed onto a stand so players can see their numbered pieces easily and arrange them in an order that will assist them to play more effectively. * The number of playing pieces used in any game (6, 7 or 8) may be decided by the players at the time of playing the game, and that choice is likely to be the result of how many players are playing and how quickly they might wish the game to run.

2. After placing any of their numbered playing pieces on the playing board of unique design and configuration in the correct numerical sequence, each player replaces spent playing pieces until eventually the bag containing the numbered playing pieces is emptied. When that occurs, the players continue to play with just the numbered playing pieces they have left on their pieces stand. The game is over when any player places their last playing piece on the board. If any other player still holds any unused numbered playing pieces those pieces are deducted from their score. Each playing piece has a value of one point for score deduction purposes.

3. The playing board has the numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7 printed at its centre. To start the game the player who has picked the highest numbered playing piece must also have any one of the numbers 4, 5, 6, or 7 in order that they can start the game. If they do not have 4, 5, 6 or 7 they forfeit their turn which goes clockwise to the next player who also must have any one of the pieces 4, 5, 6 or 7. The starting rule continues until a player can start. If no player can start, the game will stop and be restarted. At least one of the 4 starting pieces numbered 4, 5, 6 or 7 must be placed on the corresponding numbered space on the playing board to start the game.

4. The player who starts the game may place their numbers vertically or horizontally as they choose for maximum scoring advantage. Any one or more of the starting pieces will attract double points if placed upon the 4, 5, 6 or 7 starting section. This double points bonus applies only to the starting player, not to subsequent players who place pieces on the numbered starting section.

5. There are no dice or playing tokens used in this game. WO 2005/065792 PCT/AU2004/000167 4 UNIQUE INVENTION and COMPONENTS OF THE GAME:

6. A board game which consists of a playing board of original and distinct design. See attached example of the design as figure 1.

7. Plus, numbered playing pieces which feature on their face the numbers I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. See attached example being figure 2.

8. The sequentially numbered playing pieces are placed upon the board in a manner designed to maximise a players score and this unique format is an original invention which is not used by any other board game. See attached figure 3.

9. The manner whereby the placing of a single numbered playing piece alongside another single numbered playing piece can result in an increased score. See attached figure 4.

10. The method of starting this game whereby the starting player must have any one of the numbers 4, 5, 6 or 7, is a unique feature of this invention. See attached figure 5.

11. This game is limited to the use ofonly the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, and this is also a unique feature of this invention.

12. The design of the playing board includes a pattern of double score, triple score and 'Take 5, add 5' bonus scoring squares.

13. The unique feature whereby players can choose whether they play with 6, 7 or 8 numbered playing pieces is also an invention of this game. This unique feature can impact on the time it takes to play the game and the scores which result from playing the game.

14. The game consists of approximately 125 playing pieces which are supplied as; * 11 pieces of the number One. * 12 pieces of the number Two. * 13 pieces of the number Three. * 14 pieces of the number Four. * 15 pieces of the number Five. * 14 pieces of the number Six. * 13 pieces of the number Seven. * 12 pieces of the number Eight. * 11 pieces of the number Nine. * 10 pieces of the number Ten. The number of playing pieces is an invention, unique to the game.

15. The scoring method is an original invention and consists of scoring one point for each playing piece placed on the board and adding a score of one point for each playing piece which sits alongside the piece placed on the board. By placing as many playing pieces as possible in numerical sequence, a player may increase their score from any one turn.

16. In placing the numbered playing piece on the playing board a player may choose the most advantageous location for their numbered playing pieces so that scoring is maximised. This feature makes TENSATION a game of skill.

17. 6 of the board squares are marked as 'take 5, Add 5' which is a unique invention of this game. It makes the number 5 a valuable scoring piece which can be used strategically to win or to influence who does win the game. Any player who places a numbered playing piece on any of these squares may deduct 5 points from another player and add those 5 points to their own score or to the score of another player.