GB2116437A - Pools game - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a football pools game includes a board marked as shown and a match-result strip 10. Markers 4 are provided for placing by each player in zones of his selection column to signify forecast results. A roulette-type indicator permits the ascertaining of goals scored for entry of results on the match-result strip 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A board game This invention relates to a board game for a plurality of players, its object being to provide a game which simulates the selection by each player of certain matches, between opponents, as having a predetermined forecast result so that a selection made by each player can then be compared with results determined by use of a random number indicator. By way of indication only, and without restriction thereto, the game apparatus is particularly adapted to the forecasting of scores on a national "pools coupon".

According to the present invention apparatus, for playing a board game, comrises a board having a playing surface carrying, in side by side position, indications denoting respectively a column of pairs of named match opponents, respective match-result selection columns for each of two or more players and having zones aligned with the pairs of match opponents, a match-result column having zones aligned with the pairs of match opponents, a plurality of markers for placing by each player in zones of his match-result selection column to signify a forecast result of the match appertaining to that zone, and a random number indicator.

The match-result column may be provided on a part of the game board itself, but in a preferred arrangement there is provided a discrete matchresult carrier, e.g. a strip of paper or cardboard, adapted to be placed on or adjacent to the board such that its column has its zones aligned with the pairs of match opponents. Conveniently, means are included for releasably securing the discrete match-result carrier in a predetermined position on the board, e.g. fixing pegs for placing through a match-result strip and into openings provided in the board.

The board and the markers are advantageously shaped to cooperate physically such that the markers are releasably engaged at predetermined positions on the board, both for accurate location of the markers and for ensuring that the markers will not become accidentally shifted by a jerk or vibration of the board. In a convenient arrangement, the board has a series of openings in each match-result selection column, and the markers are pegs including a portion adapted to be inserted in the openings.

Any convenient form of random number indicator may be utilised, provided that it gives an indication of a number which is suitable for, or can be identified with, a score to be expected in the game. The indicator may be for example a dice, or a numbered polygonal spinner, or a pointer spinning relative to a series of numbers.

However, in a preferred form, the selector comprises a stator e.g. a base, bounding a circular ball run, a rotor rotatable on the stator within the ball run and having score-denoting recesses, and a ball capable of running in the ball run and of seating unpredictably into any score-denoting recess.

To facilitate play, there may be provided a receptacle having compartments for prize items, such as "Pools". In a preferred arrangement, the board and the receptacle are included in a common structure, i.e. the board may have a peripheral flange or an extension in which compartments are provided.

Where it is desired to have a physical embodiment of the winnings of a game played, there may be provided value times such as counters or "play money".

The named match opponents may be pairs of football teams, and the markers then each signify a forecast draw result. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, it comprises a board having a playing surface carrying, in side by side position, indications denoting respectively a column listing pairs of football teams to denote matches playable, respective match-result selection columns, for each of a plurality of players, the selection columns having zones marked in alignment with pairs of teams, a match-result strip of paper securable releasably on the board by means of fixing pegs so as to have zones marked in alignment with the pairs of teams, a plurality of marker pegs for insertion by players into holes provided in the board in that player's match-result selection column and each aligned with a respective pair of teams, each marker peg being marked with an indication meaning 'drawn match", and a random number selector for indicating, at each time of operation, at least one goal score appertaining to a pair of teams.

In order that the nature of the invention may be readily ascertained, an embodiment of game apparatus in accordance therewith, and its manner of use, are hereinafter particularly described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a game board; Fig. 2 is a plan view of a random number indicator; Fig. 3 is a side elevation, to a larger scale, of a marker peg; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the marker peg of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, the following description is of the apparatus and its manner of use for playing a game to simulate the selection of a winning line of football match draws, similarly to the insertion of selections on a Football Pool coupon in an effort to predict eight correct "score-draw" results for a "Treble Chance" pool.

The complete equipment for playing the game consists of: (i) a game board 1, Fig. 1; (ii) a results sheet 2, Fig. 1; (iii) fixing pegs 3, Fig. 1; (iv) marker pegs 4, Figs. 1, 3 and 4; (v) a random number indicator, Fig. 2.

Optionally and advantageously there may also be provided: (vi) a form of value counter, such as "play money"; (vii) a "pools" receptacle having compartments for value counters, such as play money, for 1 st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Dividend Pools.

Referring to Fig. 1 , the game board 1 consists of a sheet of rigid material on the face of which is marked a grid of lines which define a first column of spaces 5,5,5 in which are marked the names of pairs of teams which are assumed to be playing. A second column 6 has spaces for the usual match numbers which run from "1" to "55" and which correspond to the match numbers as commonly utilised on football pool coupons. A third series of columns 7,7,7, are headed respectively "A", "B", "C" ... "H" and each rectangular zone in the columns has a hole 8 which can receive the foot 9 (see Fig. 3) of a marker peg 4. A marker peg 4 is shown situated in space 1 of column "E".

A fifth columnar space is occupied by a "results sheet" 2 which is a strip of paper having zones 10, 10, 10 corresponding to the team spaces 5, 5, 5, and which is somewhat longer than the other columns so as to have an extension at each end with an aperture through which is inserted a fixing peg 3 which is similar to the peg (Fig. 3) but is differentiated by having a hexagonal body shape for easy identification. The function of the peg 3 is solely to secure the results sheet 2 in correct position aligned with the other columns and spaces.

Referring to Fig. 2, the random number indicator 11 comprises a circular stator base 12 having a central upstanding peg or shaft 13 on which is seated a cylindrical grip 14 carrying a rotor disc 1 5 the rim of which is at a level slightly below a run-way 16 of the base 12. The rim of the disc 1 5 is provided with a number of ballreceiving depressions 1 7 similar to those of a Roulette wheel.The grip 14 and disc 1 5 are freely rotatable relative to the base and constitute a spinner which can be spun manually in a manner similar to that of a miniature roulette wheel, whilst a ball 1 8 is thrown in the contra-direction around the run-way 16 and eventually comes to rest unpredictably in one or the other of the depressions 1 7. The depressions are numbered "0", "1", "2", "3", "4" and "5" to denote a number of goals assumed to have been scored.

The series of six numbers is repeated for the whole of fifty-four of fifty-five depressions occurring all round the disc 1 5.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the marker peg 4 has its upper surface marked with an "X" to signify "draw".

Each player, or group of players, can adopt one of the columns 8, and can insert marker pegs 4 into a number of the spaces therein to signify choice of certain matches as hoped-for scoredraw results.

The following is a complete set of Rules for playing a game with the apparatus as described: Rules Introduction The idea of the game is to bring the fun and excitement of "doing the pools" into a board game. The players place a stake in a "pool", in the manner described below, and by using fifteen or more of the marker pegs, try to predict eight score-draws and thus win a First Dividend.

Preparing the board The board is placed on a table, and a Result Sheet is pegged in the Result Column space, by use of two of the fixing pegs.

The play money is placed into "Prize Compartments" of the "Pools" receptacle where provided, or any other convenient site. The money is divided as follows: First Dividend Pool: 10,000 Second Dividend Pool: 3,000 Third Dividend Pool: 100 Fourth Dividend Pool: 25 The random number spinner and its ball are placed adjacent to the board.

Preparing the players The game is intended for simultaneous use by from two to eight players, or groups of players acting each as a syndicate. Each player is given play money to the value of 20, made up as follows: Two Five-Pound Notes and ten One-Pound Notes.

Each player is also given twenty marker pegs.

How to play Each player adopts a respective column of the series of columns labelled "A", "B" etc.

The first player pays 1. into the Third Dividend Pool, denoting the cost of a bet. The first player then makes fifteen selections in his column "A" by placing marker pegs in the spaces opposite to the matches selected.

The second player then pays 1. into the Third Dividend Pool, and makes fifteen match selections in his column "B" with marker pegs.

The same procedure is carried out by each of the players participating, until all players have paid in and have made their fifteen selections.

The first player then calls out the number of the first match, whilst at the same time spinning the spinner of the random number indicator in a clockwise direction and at the same time throwing the ball into the indicator in anti clockwise direction. The spinner and ball are allowed to come to rest, and the bail will then be in a depression numbered from "1" to "5" representing the goals scored by the first team.

This action is repeated, so as to give a number of goals scored by the second team in that match.

The goal-score result, and a points value therefor, are marked on the Results Sheet, in accordance with the following scale: A score-draw is valued at 3 points A no-score draw 2 points An away-team win 16 points A home-team win 1 point The same operation is carried out for each of the fifty-five matches shown on the board, or it may be a lesser number if agreed between the players.

When the results of all played games have been written onto the Results Sheet, each player then adds up the best eight of his selections to see if a prize has been won.

The scale of points wins is as follows: 24 points wins 1 st Dividend 23 points wins 2nd Dividend 22- points wins 3rd Dividend 22 points wins 4th Dividend The outright winner is the player who wins the First Dividend, or the player holding the most money after a set time of play. Two or more winners must share a winning Dividend if necessary.

Extra selections A player may make more than fifteen selections. Each extra selection made costs that player 1. per selection and the money is placed in the fourth Dividend Pool to boost the lower pay out. Example: sixteen selections cost 1 extra, and seventeen selections 2. extra, and so on.

Each extra selection made may help in obtaining a higher number of winning points, thus winning a better dividend.

Modified method of play If certain of the matches have not been selected by any of the players, the spinner operations to obtain scores for those matches need not be carried out.

The Results Sheet can be removed and substituted by a fresh blank Results Sheet ready for the next game. The Results Sheet removed can be timed and dated as a record of a game played. More than eight players may take part, by forming themselves into a total of eight players/syndicates.

The game board and the marker pegs may be used to work out possible combinations of selections and systems for use on National Football pool coupons.

Claims (12)

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a board game, comprising: (i) a board having a playing surface carrying, in side by side position, indications denoting respectively: (a) a column of pairs of named match opponents, (b) respective match-result selection columns, for each of two or more players having zones aligned with the pairs of match opponents, (c) a match-result column having zones aligned with the pairs of match opponents, (ii) a plurality of markers for placing by each player in zones of his match-result selection column to signify a forecast result of the match appertaining to that zone, (iii) a random number indicator.

2. Apparatus, for playing a board game, as claimed in claim 1, comprising a discrete matchresult carrier adapted to be placed on or adjacent the board such that its column has its zones aligned with the pairs of match opponents.

3. Apparatus, for playing a board game, as claimed in claim 2, comprising means for releasably securing the discrete match-result carrier in a predetermined position on the board.

4. Apparatus, for playing a board game, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the board and the markers are shaped to cooperate physically such that the markers are releasably located at predetermined positions on the board.

5. Apparatus, for playing a board game, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the board has a series of openings in each match-result selection column, and wherein the markers are pegs including a portion adapted to be inserted into said openings.

6. Apparatus, for playing a board game, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the random number indicator comprises a stator bounding a circular ball run, a rotor rotatable on the stator within the ball run and having score-denoting recesses, and a ball capable of running in the ball run and of seating into any score-denoting recess.

7. Apparatus, for playing a board game, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a receptacle having compartments for prize items.

8. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, wherein the board and the receptacle are included in a common structure.

9. Apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a quantity of play money.

10. Apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the named match opponents are pairs of football teams, and the markers each signify a forecast draw result.

1 Apparatus, for playing a board game, comprising a board having a playing surface carrying, in side by side position, indications denoting respectively a column listing pairs of football teams to denote matches playable, respective match-result selection columns, for each of a plurality of players, the selection columns having zones marked in alignment with the pairs of teams, a match-result strip of paper securable releasably on the board by means of fixing pegs so as to have zones marked in alignment with the pairs of teams, a plurality of marker pegs for insertion by players into holes provided in the board in that player's match-result selection column, and each aligned with a respective pair of teams, each marker peg being marked with an indication meaning "drawn match",'and a randon number indicator for indicating, at each time of operation, at least one goal score appertaining to a pair of teams.

12. Apparatus, for playing a game, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.