GB2068239A - Betting game - Google Patents

Abstract

At least one cube (1, 2) has three faces (5 or 8) provided with identical identifying means (3a or 3d), two (6 or 9) provided with identical identifying means (3b or 3e) and the last (7 or 10) provided with identifying means (3c or 3f), the identifying means (3a to 3f) all being different. In addition some faces (5, 6 or 8, 9) have secondary identifying means (4). A playing surface is provided having areas corresponding to bets which can be placed on the throw of the cubes, together with chips, markers for indicating winning bets and a shaker. The identifying means may be colours, letters, numerals, projections, indentations, etc. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Game apparatus This invention relates to game apparatus.

The invention has as its object to provide game apparatus which enables a game of chance to be played wherein there are a variety of different bets which can be placed at a. variety of different odds.

The invention provides game apparatus comprising at least one cube the different aces of which are provided with identifying means, three of said faces being provided with first identical identifying means, two of said faces being provided with second identical identifying means different from said first identifying means and the last of said faces being provided with third identifying means different from said first and second identifying means.

Thus when said one cube is thrown or rolled on a horizontal surface the probability of it coming to rest with a face provided with said first identifying means uppermost will be 3:6, with a face provided with said second identifying means uppermost 2:6 and with the face provided with said third identifying means uppermost 1:6.

To provide further interest and increase the number of probabilities, the apparatus preferably comprises two cubes one of which is as aforesaid and the other of which is similar to said one cube except that the faces thereof are provided with identifying means different from those used on said one cube. Thus said other cube preferably has three of its faces provided with fourth identical identifying means different from said first, second and third identifying means, two of its faces provided with fifth identical identifying means different from said first, second, third and fourth identifying means, and the last of its faces provided with sixth identifying means different to said first, second, third, fourth and fifth identifying means.The probabilities of said other cube when rolled or thrown coming to rest with the uppermost face showing either said fourth, fifth or sixth identifying means is the same as for said one cube. When both cubes are used the probabilities are increased by the different combinations of identifying means which can be shown by the faces which can be uppermost as follows:- Identifying Means Probability First Face Second Face First Fourth 9:36 First or Fourth Fifth or Second 6:36 First or Fourth Sixth or Third 3:36 Second Fifth 4:36 Second or Fifth Sixth or Third 2:36 Third Sixth 1:36 To increase yet further the number of probabilities, secondary identifying means may be provided on at least some of those faces which are provided with said (primary) identical identifying means to enable these faces to be distinguished from one another.Preferably said secondary identifying means are such that each face of each cube will be unique and will be distinguishable from all of the other faces of the two cubes. The minimum number of secondary identifying means necessary to render the different faces of the two cubes unique is two and it is preferred to limit the number of secondary indentifying means to two, although a larger number could be used if desired. With two secondary identifying means, one each of the faces provided with said first and fourth primary identifying means will also be provided with a first secondary identifying means and a second each of said faces with a second secondary identifying means. Likewise one each of said faces provided with said second and fifth primary identifying means will also be provided with either a first or a second secondary identifying means.Preferably, so as to provide an even number of first and second secondary identifying means, one of said faces provided with a said second primary identifying means is provided with a first secondary identifying means and one of said faces provided with a said fifth primary identifying means is provided with a second secondary identifying means.

When first and second secondary identifying means are provided in even numbers as aforesaid then, taking the total number of faces provided by the two cubes, nine faces will be provided with said first secondary identifying means to give a probability of one of these faces showing uppermost when the cubes are rolled or thrown of 9:36, nine faces will be provided with said second secondary identifying means to give a probability of 9:36, nine faces will have no secondary identifying means to give a probability of 9:36. In addition there will be five ways in which the two uppermost faces can show a first and a second secondary identifying means to give a probability of 5:36, two ways in which two first secondary identifying means can show to give a probability of 2:36 and two ways in which two second secondary identifying means can show to give a probability of 2:36.Additionally, since each face is rendered unique by virtue of the primary and secondary identifying means, the probability of two particular faces showing uppermost will be 1:36.

The primary and secondary identifying means may be of any suitable kind or of any suitable form, e.g., may be suitable different colours or markings, different letters or numerals, different patterns or geometric shapes, different patterns or numbers of projections or identations on or in said faces, or any other distinctive marking or indication. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the primary identifying means comprise different colours on the different faces of the cubes whilst said secondary identifying means comprise two different "spot" markings, e.g., one a dense area of colour and the other an outline only resembling a letter "0".

The game apparatus may further comprise means providing a playing surface, such as a board or table, having marked thereon various bets or wagers which can be made by the players and positions for placing such bets or wagers. Said means providing a playing surface may also have thereon an area where said cubes can be thrown or rolled. The apparatus may also comprise chips of one or more different denominations or values, e.g., indicated by different colouring thereof, for use in placing bets or wagers. The apparatus may further comprise a cup or other receptacle for use in shaking and throwing or rolling the cubes. Markers, e.g., two markers, may be provided for use by a Banker to indicate on the playing surface the winning bets or wagers after the cubes have been thrown or rolled.

The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1A and 1B are developed views showing all six faces of each of two cubes according to a preferred embodiment of game apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the different throws possible with the two cubes of Figs. 1A and 1 B, Figure 3 is a diagram similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the different throws possible with the "spot" markings on the cubes of Figs. 1 A and 1 B, and Figure 4 illustrates a playing surface, or part thereof, forming part of the preferred embodiment of game apparatus according to the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 A and 1 B of the drawings it will be seen that the apparatus of the present invention comprises two cubes 1 and 2 each of the faces of each of which has primary indicating means 3 thereon and some of which faces have secondary indicating means 4 thereon. In the illustrated embodiment the primary indicating means 3 comprise circular markings of different colours whilst the secondary indicating means 4 comprise two different kinds of "spot" marking, namely a "dark" spot 4a comprising a dense area of colour, e.g., black, and a "pale" spot 4b comprising an outline only which resembles a letter "0".

The different colours of the primary indicating means 3 have been indicated in the drawings according to the Heraldic Convention. As will be seen the cube 1 comprises three faces 5 each of which has a red marking 3athereon, two faces 6 each of which has a blue marking 3b thereon and one face 7 which has a yellow marking 3cthereon. The cube 2 comprises three faces 8 each of which has a green marking 3dthereon, two faces 9 each of which has an orange marking 3ethereon and one face 10 which has a mauve marking 3fthereon. Of the three faces 5 having red markings 3 a thereon, one is provided with a dark spot 4a and another is provided with a pale spot 4b.Likewise of the three faces 8 provided with green markings 3d, one is provided with a dark spot 4a and another with a pale spot 4h One of the two faces 6 provided with blue markings 3b is provided with a pale spot 4b whilst one of the two faces 9 provided with orange markings 3e is provided with a dark spot 4a. In this way each of the faces of the two cubes 1 and 2 is rendered distinctive and an even number of spot markings are provided, namely three dark spots 4a and three pale spots 4b.

It will be understood that the particular primary indicating means 3 and secondary indicating means 4 shown in the drawings, whilst presently preferred, are given by way of example only and could be of any other suitable kind or form. For example, for the primary indicating means different colours could be used for the markings to those indicated, the markings could be of different geometric forms or the colours could extend over the whole of each face of each cube.

Likewise, the secondary indicating means 4 need not comprise spot markings as shown but could be of other forms or could even be combined with the primary indicating means 3, such as by making the primary indicating means 3 of the same colour of different geometric shapes so that they are distinguishable from one another.

Turning now to Fig. 2 it will be seen that thirtysix different throws are possible with the two cubes 1 and 2 of Fig. 1. By the term "throw" is meant the two faces of the cubes 1 and 2 which show uppermost after the cubes have been shaken, then rolled or thrown on a horizontal surface and have come to rest. Disregarding for the time being the spot markings 4, the different colour combinations possible at each throw can occur in different numbers of ways, as indicated by the groupings indicated by the letters A to I inclusive, to give various different probabilities.Thus, it will be seen that a red marking 3a and a green marking 3d (group A) can occur in combination in nine different ways to give a probability of 9:36; a red marking 3a and an orange marking 3e(group B) or a blue marking 3b and a green marking 3d(group C) in six different ways to give a probability of 6:36; a blue marking 3b and an orange marking 3e (group F) in four different ways to give a probability of 4:36; a red marking 3a and a mauve marking 3f(group D) or a yellow marking 3cand a green marking 3d(group E) in three different ways to give a probability of 3:36; a blue marking 3b and a mauve marking 3f(group G) or an orange marking 3e and a yellow marking 3c (group H) in two different ways to give a probability of 2:36 and the yellow marking 3cand the mauve marking 3f(group I) in one way only to give a probability of 1:36.

The thirtysix throws possible using the spot markings 4 only, i.e., disregarding the colour markings 3, is shown in Fig. 4. As will be seen a single dark spot 4a only or a single pale spot 4b only can be thrown in nine different ways to give a probability of 9:36; "No Spots" can be thrown in nine different ways to give a probability of 9:36; one dark spot 4a and one pale spot 4b can be thrown in five different ways to give a probability of 5:36; and two dark spots 4a or two pale spots 4b can be thrown in two different ways to give a probability of 2:36.

In addition to the foregoing each of the faces of the two cubes 1 and 2 is rendered distinct by the markings 3 and 4 to give a probability of any two particular faces being thrown of 1:36.

The game apparatus of the present invention is intended for use in a game in which the players can gamble on the throw of the cubes 1 and 2, i.e., place wagers "bets" on the various probabilities described hereinbefore in relation to Figs. 2 and 3, the wagers or bets being at odds determined by the various probabilities. The wagers or bets are preferably placed using chips (not shown). The chips may be of various different kinds, e.g., of various different colours, sizes and/or shapes, to indicate various different unit values therefor and/or so as to be individuals to the players. To play the game a "Banker" will be necessary who may be selected, e.g., elected, from the players.The Banker will sell chips to and buy chips from the players, will collect the chips placed on losing bets and will pay the appropriate unit value of chips to winning players on winning bets and will attend to or control the throwing or rolling of the two cubes 1 and 2. The game apparatus preferably includes a cup or "shaker" (not shown) in which the cubes 1 and 2 can be shaken and from which the cubes can be thrown or rolled.

Because the Banker runs the risk of losing as well as winning it is usual in games of chance, such as Roulette, for the Banker to work on a percentage and the same may be true of the game played with the apparatus of the present invention. For example, the Banker may work on a percentage of from 2% to 5%, or any other percentage which may be decided or agreed between the players. Having decided or agreed the percentage the players will then buy chips from the Banker as follows: At 2% a player pays 50 units for 49 chips.

" 21% " " 40 " " 39 " " 3.3% " " 30 4% " " 25 " " 24 11 5% " " 20 " " 19 " 9 Similarly, when cashing in their chips, the players will sell their chips back to the Banker as follows:- At 2% the Banker pays 50 units for 51 chips.

21% " " " 40 " " 41 3 3.3%" " " 30 " " 31 " II 4% it " " " 25 " " 26 I 5% " " " 20 " " 2 1 " The above percentages do not all work out precisely but any differences are so small that they can be considered negligible. If, at the end of play, a player has the same number of chips or less than when he started then these will be bought back by the Banker at their net value.

A "unit" as set out in the tables above may be any monetary or other value stake the players decide to play for. For example, when playing for money, each unit may have a value which can be anything from a fraction of a penny (Sterling) upwards.

In addition to chips of various different unit values, chips or discs may be provided which are worth fractions of a unit, e.g., which are worth 1 /4, 1/2 or 3/4 of a unit. These fraction of a unit chips or discs can be used, for example, when with a Bankers percentage of 21% a player only wishes to purchase chips to the value of 20 units, in which case he would receive chips the value of 19 2 units, or to the value of 10 units, in which case he would receive chips to the value of 9i units.Said fraction of a unit chips or discs may be used to place bets providing the odds are right, To facilitate the playing of the game, the game apparatus preferably includes a playing surface, e.g., provided by a board or table, which is divided into areas each of which corresponds to a bet which can be made by the players and each of which has the bet indicated thereon, the players placing their bets by placing chips on the appropriate areas.

With the two cubes illustrated in Figs. 1 A and 1 B a total of 11 3 different bets are possible all or only some of which may be used when playing the game.

Fig. 4 illustrates a playing surface according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention which utilizes 84 of the 11 3 different bets possible, 41 being true bets and 43 split bets.

Referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the playing surface is divided into five panels 11, 12, 13, 14 and 1 5 each of which is sub-divided into areas 11 a, 11 bet cetera.

The side panel 11 provides for bets on the cube 1 only and is divided into nine main areas 11 a two 11 iand one sub-area 1 j. The nine main areas have indicated thereon the bets they represent and the odds for that bet. Thus area 11 a is for a bet on a red marking 3a and the odds given are evens, area 11 b is for either a blue marking 3 b or yellow marking 3 c and the odds are again evens, area 11 c is for either a red marking 3a or yellow marking 3c and the odds given are 1-2 ON, area 11 dis for a blue marking 3b and the odds are 2-1 whilst area 11 e is for the yellow marking only and the odds are 5-1. Area 11 fis for a dark spot 4a at 5-1, area 11 g for a pale spot 4b at 2-1, whilst areas 11 hand 11 i are for "Any Spot" and "No Spot" respectively and both pay evens.The subarea 1 1j provides for a split bet between areas 11 e and 11 f, i.e., the player wins if either the yellow marking 3 c or the dark spot 3 a of cube 1 is thrown, at odds of 2-1.

The other side panel 1 2 is similar to the panel 11 except that it provides for bets on the cube 2 and is accordingly modified by the substitution of the appropriate markings 3dto 3fand 4a and 4bin the appropriate areas 12ato 12ias shown.

The top panel 13 provides for bets on the spots 4 and comprises five main areas 1 3a to 1 3e providing for five true bets and three sub-areas 1 3 fto 1 3 h providing for three split bets. Thus area 1 3a provides for a bet on any dark spot 4a at odds of 3-1, area 1 3b any pale spot 4b at odds of 3-1, area 1 3c one dark spot 4a and one pale spot 4b at odds of 6-1, and areas 1 3d and 1 3e for two pale spots 4b and two dark spots 4a respectively at odds of 17-1. The true odds for the area 13cwould be 31-5 but for convenience has been set at 6-1.Sub-area 1 3f provides for a split bet between areas 13a and l3bat odds of evens, sub-area 13g for a split bet between areas 13dand 13e at odds of 8-1 and sub-area 13h provides for a split bet between all of the areas 13ato 13eat odds of 1-3 ON.

The upper centre panel 14 is divided into nine main areas 14ato 14iand nine sub-areas 14j to 1 4rand provides for nine true bets on the nine possible combinations of the six colour markings 3ato 3fon the cubes 1 and 2, and for nine split bets as shown, the spot markings 4 being totally disregarded.

The lower centre panel 15 is divided into nine main areas 1 5a and 1 5iand again provides for bets on the nine possible combinations of the six colour markings 3ato 3fon the cubes 1 and 2, but only in respect of those faces which do not have a spot marking 4 thereon.Thus the panel 1 5 differs from the panel 14 in that whereas on the panel 14 the spot markings 4 are totally disregarded and the players bet on the fall of the colour markings only, i.e., the player will win if a throw of the cubes 1 and 2 shows the colour combination in which he has placed his bet whether or not the two faces having the colour markings thereon also have spot markings 4 thereon, for the purposes of the panel 1 5 the spot markings 4 are taken into account and only a throw showing the correct combination of colours and no spot markings 4 will win. Because of the much lower probability provided by the panel 1 5 bets on all nine areas iSato iSiare at odds of 35-1.

To provide for split bets on the panel 1 5 breaks 1 6 are provided in the lines outlining the areas 1 5ate 1 Sito indicate where chips will be placed for such split bets. Thus to place a split bet covering two adjacent areas 1 5 a to 1 Si a chip or chips is placed on one of the breaks 1 6 a, to cover three areas on one of the breaks 1 6 b, to cover four areas on one of the breaks 1 6 c and to cover six areas on one of the breaks 16d. In addition a sub-area 15j is provided on which a chip or chips can be placed for a split bet on all nine areas 15a to 15i.The odds given for split bets as aforesaid are 1 7-1 for two areas, 11-1 for three areas, 8-1 for four areas, 5-1 for six areas and 3-1 for all nine areas 1 5 a to 1 Si. As will be seen from the drawing there are twelve breaks 1 6 a, eight breaks 1 6 b four breaks 1 6 c and four breaks 1 6 d as well as the one sub-area 15j. Thus the panel 1 5 provides for nine true bets at odds of 35-1, twelve split bets at 17-1 eight split bets at 11-1, four split bets at 8-1, four split bets at 5-1 and one split bet at 3-1.

For use with the playing surface, two markers may be provided for use by the Banker to indicate on the playing surface the colours and spot markings (if any) resulting from each throw.

Thus when the cubes 1 and 2 have been thrown the Banker will name the two colours and the number and type of spots (if any) resulting from that throw. As he is naming the two colours he will place on the markers on the appropriate area 14ato 14iof the upper centre panel 14 if one or both of the cubes is also showing a spot marking 4 or on the appropriate area 1 5 a to 1Siof the lower centre panel 1 5 if neither cube is also showing a spot marking 4. If one or both of the cubes 1, 2 is also showing a spot marking 4 then as he is naming the number and type of spots showing he will place the second marker on the appropriate area 1 3 a to 1 3 e of the top panel 1 3. In this way all of the players can clearly see whether they have won or lost-on that particular throw. The Banker will then gather in the losing bets and will pay out those bets which have won, which latter will include the original stake.

Said playing surface may include a throwing area not shown where the cubes 1 and 2 can be rolled or thrown and such throwing area may be bounded by an upstanding wall or flange to prevent the cubes being rolled or thrown beyond said area.

Claims (9)

1. Game apparatus comprising at least one cube the different faces of which are provided with identifying means, three of said faces being provided with first identical identifying means, two of said faces being provided with second identical identifying means different from said first identifying means and the last of said faces being provided with third identifying means different from said first and second identifying means.

2. Game apparatus according to claim 1, comprising two said cubes, the second cube having three of its faces provided with fourth identical identifying means different from said first, second and third identifying means, two of its faces provided with fifth identical identifying means different from said first, second, third and fourth identifying means, and the last of its faces provide with sixth identifying means different from said first, second, third, fourth and fifth identifying means.

3. Game apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein secondary identifying means are provided on at least some of those faces provided with said identical identifying means to enable said faces with identical identifying means to be distinguished from one another.

4. Game apparatus according to claim 3,wherein said secondary identifying means are such that each face of the cube or cubes is unique and can be distinguished from all of the other faces of the cube or cubes.

5. Game apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein first and second secondary identifying means only are provided.

6. Game apparatus according to claim 5, insofar as this is dependent upon claim 2, wherein one of the faces provided with said fourth primary identifying means is also provided with a said first secondary identifying means and a second of the faces provided with said fourth primary identifying means is also provided with a said second secondary identifying means and wherein one of the faces provided with said fifth primary identifying means is provided also with either a first or second secondary identifying means.

6. Game apparatus according to claim 5, insofar as this is dependent upon claim 4, wherein one of the faces provided with said first identifying means is also provided with a said first secondary identifying means and a second of the faces provided with said first identifying means is also provided with a second secondary identifying means and wherein one of the faces provided with said second identifying means is provided also with either a first or second secondary identifying means.

7. Game apparatus according to claim 6, insofar as this is dependent upon claim 2, wherein one of the faces provided with said fourth identifying means is also provided with a said first secondary identifying means and a second of the faces provided with said fourth identifying means is also provided with a said second secondary identifying means and wherein one of the faces provided with said fifth identifying means is provided also with either a first or second secondary identifying means.

8. Game apparatus according to claim 7, wherein one of the faces provided with said second identifying means is provided with a first secondary identifying means and one of the faces provided with said fifth identifying means is provided with a second secondary identifying means so that between the two cubes an even number of faces are provided with first and second secondary identifying means.

9. Game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 8, wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth identifying means comprise different colours or colour markings on said faces.

1 0. Game apparatus according to claim 5, or any one of claims 6 to 9 when dependent on claim 5, wherein said first and second secondary identifying means comprise two different spot markings.

11. Game apparatus according to claim 10, wherein one of said spot markings is a dark spot comprising a dense area of colour and the other is a pale spot comprising an outline only similar to a letter "0".

1 2. Game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising a playing surface having areas defined thereon corresponding to bets or wagers which can be placed on the throw of said cube or cubes.

1 3. Game apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said areas each have indicia or markings thereon corresponding to the different identifying means on one or more faces of the cube or cubes.

1 4. Game apparatus according to claim 1 2 or 13, wherein said areas each have indicated thereon the odds which will be given on a bet or wager represented thereby.

1 5. Game apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said odds are calculated according to the probability of a particular face of the each said cube being uppermost when the at least one cube has been thrown or rolled on a horizontal surface and has come to rest.

1 6. Game apparatus according to any one of claims 1 2 to 15, insofar as these are dependent upon claim 9, wherein at least some of said areas have different colour indications thereon corresponding to the colours or colour markings on the faces of said cubes.

1

7. Game apparatus according to claim 16, wherein at least some of said areas have two different colour indications thereon corresponding to the two different colours or colour markings on a face of each of said cubes.

1

8. Game apparatus according to claim 1 5 or 16, wherein some of said areas each have different single colour indications thereon corresponding to the different colours or colour markings on the faces of said cubes whilst others of said areas each have different pairs of colour indications thereon corresponding to the two different colours or colour markings on different faces of each of said cubes.

1

9. Game apparatus according to any one of claims 16, 1 7 or 18, insofar as these are dependent upon claim 10 or 11, wherein at least some of said areas have spot markings or indications thereon corresponding to the spot markings on said cubes.

20. Game apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said areas are arranged in groups, one group providing for bets or wagers on the throw of one of said cubes, a second group providing for bets or wagers on the throw of the other of said cubes, a third group providing for bets or wagers on the different combinations of colours or colour markings on the two cubes taken together without reference to said spot markings, a fourth group providing for bets or wagers on the different combinations of colours or colour markings on the two cubes taken together but with reference to said spot markings or the absence thereof, and a fifth group providing for bets or wagers on said spot markings only on the two cubes taken together.

21. Game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 2 to 20, wherein said playing surface has sub-areas or sub-indications thereon corresponding to split bets or wagers covering a plurality of said areas.

22. Game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 12 to 21, and further comprising chips for use in placing wagers or bets on the fall of said cubes, each of said areas being such that a chip or chips can be placed thereon.

23. Game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 2 to 22, and further comprising markers which can be placed on said arreas to indicate winning bets or wagers.

24. Game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 2 to 23, wherein said playing surface further comprises a throwing area where said cubes can be thrown or rolled.

25. Game apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said throwing area is bounded by an upstanding peripheral wall or flange.

26. Game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 2 to 25, wherein said playing surface is provided by a surface of a board or table.

27. Game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising a cup or shaker in which said at least one cube can be shaken and from which the at least one cube can be rolled or thrown.

28. Game apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising rules for the playing of a game of chance using the apparatus.

29. Game apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said chips comprise chips of different unit values, or fractions thereof, and which have different markings, shapes, colours or other distinguishing means.

30. Game apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS (6 Oct 1980)

1. Game apparatus comprising at least one cube the different faces of which are provided with identifying means, three of said faces being provided with first identical primary identifying means, two of said faces being provided with second identical primary identifying means different from said first identifying means and the last of said faces being provided with third primary identifying means different from said first and second identifying means, secondary identifying means being provided on at least some of those faces provided with said identical primary identifying means to enable said faces with identical primary identifying means to be distinguished from one another.

2. Game apparatus according to claim 1, comprising two said cubes, the second cube having three of its faces provided with fourth identical primary identifying means different from said first, second and third primary identifying means, two of its faces provided with fifth identical primary identifying means different from said first, second, third and fourth primary identifying means, and the last of its faces provided with sixth primary identifying means different from said first, second, third, fourth and fifth primary identifying means, secondary identifying means being provided on at least some of those faces provided with said fourth or fifth identical primary identifying means to enable said faces with said fourth or fifth identical primary identifying means to be distinguished from one another.

3. Game apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said secondary identifying means are such that each face of the cube or cubes is unique and can be distinguished from all of the other faces of the cube or cubes.

4. Game apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein first and second secondary identifying means only are provided.

5. Game apparatus according to claim 4, wherein one of the faces provided with said first primary identifying means is also provided with a said first secondary identifying means and a second of the faces provided with said first primary identifying means is also provided with a second secondary identifying means and wherein one of the faces provided with said second primary identifying means is provided also with either a first or second secondary identifying means.