GB2172809A - Snooker game - Google Patents

Abstract

A game based on a conventional game of snooker is played on a board resembling a snooker table. The outcome of each player's turn is determined by instruction cards and random result means such as a dice.

Description

SPECIFICATION A game According to the present invention there is provided equipment for playing a game, comprising a) a board marked to represent a snooker table and divided into at least two zones; b) a plurality of markers representing snooker balls; c) a plurality of cards or the like bearing gamerelated instructions; and d) random result means.

Preferably the board is divided into three zones comprising two end zones, each including the respective two corner pockets, and a central zone including the centre pockets.

The markers may take the form of balls, although it is useful for them to have, for example, a flat region to enable the marker to stay in a selected position on the board.

The random result means may comprise one or more conventional dice, but it could also be one or more dice bearing game-related instructions instead of numbers, or it could comprise another device for generating random instructions.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a game comprising equipment substantially as described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, and a set of rules substantially as set out hereinafter.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 represents a board; and Figure 2 represents a selection of cards.

As shown in Figure 1, the board represents a snooker table, on which six pockets 1 to 6 are shown. The usual 'D' is also shown, and the board is divided into three zones A, B and C. The zone A includes the 'D' and the two pockets 1, 2 at one end, the zone B includes the centre pockets 3, 4, and the zone C includes the two pockets 5, 6 at the other end. Markings are indicated in the conventional places representing the initial positions for the coloured balls (i.e. the balls other than the red balls) in a game of ordinary snooker.

Although not shown, the board is also provided with markings representing positions of the red balls. Although the initial positions of the red balls in an ordinary game of snooker are all within a triangle in zone C, the markings on the board may be (and preferably are) distributed over the whole area of the board. There are also markings on the board representing possible positions for the white cue ball.

The equipment for the game also comprises a plurality of markers (not illustrated) representing snooker balls. These markers are coloured in the same way as ordinary snooker balls and so there will be fifteen red markers and one each of black, pink, blue, brown, green, yellow and white. The markers may be shaped to resemble snooker balls, i.e. they may be generally spherical, although they may have flats to prevent them from rolling about unintentionally.

The cards represented in Figure 2 bear gamerelated instructions for purposes which will become clearer by reference to the Rules set out below.

The equipment also comprises a conventional disc.

The equipment described above is used in the playing of a game in accordance with the following rules: PREPARATION Position the Balls on the Board, colours as normal Snooker, with the Reds placed on R's, as if break has been made. Place Shot Cards face down in the allotted space. The game follows the Rules of Snooker.

TO START THE GAME Singles Match (2 Players) Each player throws the dice, the player with the highest number has the choice of breaking off or putting the opponent into break. The cue ball begins in the 'D'.

Doubles Match (4 Players) Select partners and elect captains, the captains then decide the break off, as for a singles match.

Players of each side then take alternative shots.

THE BREAK OFF The first player throws the dice to decide the position of the cue ball.

If a 5 or 6 is thrown, Cue Ball is moved to Section 'A' If a 3 or 4 is thrown, Cue Ball is moved to Section 'B' If a 1 or 2 is thrown, Cue Ball is moved to Section ssrZ The cue ball is then placed on one of the White rings in the section indicated by the dice.

TO PLAY The opponent then selects a 'Shot Card'. These are either, Pot Cards, Snookered Cards, Foul Cards or Safety Cards.

POT CARDS If a Pot Card is drawn, the player must then throw the dice and go for a Red, if potted a Red is removed from the board, and 1 point is scored.

TO POT EITHER A RED OR A COLOUR a player must throw: FROM THE SAME SECTION AS THE CUE BALL a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 FROM THE ADJOINING SECTION TO THE CUE BALL a 3, 5 or 6 FROM THE FURTHEST SECTION FROM THE CUE BALL a 5 or 6.

A 1 THROWN FROM ANY SECTION IS A MISS.

The cue ball must now be repositioned as indicated by the dice.

POSITION OF CUE BALL If a 5 or 6 is thrown player in play has choice of position.

If a 4 or 3 is thrown Cue Bail is moved to or remains in Section 'B'.

If a 2 is thrown player not in play has choice of position.

If a 1 is thrown the new player on has choice of position.

After a Red is potted the player must nominate a colour, and throw the dice to pot, if both Red and Colour are potted the player then draws another Shot Card from the pack to continue the break. As points are made they are added to the Scoreboard. If a miss the opponent draws a Shot Card and plays as instructed.

COLOURS ARE ONLY REMOVED FROM THE BOARD AFTER ALL THE REDS HAVE BEEN POTTED To pot colours when all the Reds have been potted: Player in play continues to select a Shot Card and play as with Reds, but a Shot Card must be drawn before each roll of the dice. Colours are potted in order, once all Reds have been potted, as normal Snooker. Order is: YELLOW = 2 points GREEN = 3 points BROWN = 4 points BLUE = 5 points PINK = 6 points BLACK = 7 points The game ends when all the balls have been removed from the board, the winner is the player or team with the most points.

SNOOKERED AND SNOOKER CARDS If a 'Snookered Card' is drawn then it is taken that the 'Player' is snookered and must follow instructions on the card. For position of Cue Ball refer to Section 'Position of Cue Ball'.

If a 'Snooker Card' is given to a player by an opponent before the player has rolled the dice, any card selected by the player is discarded and the player is now snookered. There is no escape. The player rolls the dice for the foul incurred, i.e.

4, 5, 6 = 4 pointfoul 3 = 5 pointfoul (orvalue of ball on) 2 = 6 pointfoul 1 = 7 pointfoul Position of Cue Ball is taken from what number thrown on dice eg. White in Section 'A' Player Snookered.

Throws a 3, Player incurs a 5 point foul and White moved to Section 'B'.

Opponent is then in play.

When only the Black is remaining on the board and a snookered card is drawn the card is disregarded and a further card is drawn.

'FOUL' CARD If a 'Foul Card' is drawn the player must foilow instructions on card, then referto 'Position of Cue Bali' for Cue Ball position.

After any foul the player fouling may be asked to play again (i.e. take the next turn).

'SAFETY CARDS' If a Safety Card is drawn the player must Play Safe by rolling dice and following 'Position of Cue Ball from Break' Section, for position of Cue Ball.

DRAWN GAME If at the end of a game the scores are tied, the Black is replaced on its spot and the Cue Ball is placed in the 'D'. The game is then continued as before i.e., a Shot Card is drawn and played. The dice is rolled to decide who plays first.

FREEBALL RULE If a Freeball Card is drawn the player must on the last red nominate and for all purposes such nominated ball shall be regarded as a Red, except that if pocketed it shall be replaced on the board.

Or when no Reds are left on the board may nominate any ball, and for all purposes such ball shall be regarded as the ball on, if potted must be respotted and the player shall continue the break on the ball that was to play before the freeball. The freeball shall score the same as the ball it has replaced.

ANGLED If an Angled Card is drawn the Cue Ball must be played from where it lies, but if drawn after a Foul the Cue Ball may be moved and played from the 'D'.

Claims (6)

1. Equipment for playing a game, comprising a) a board marked to represent a snooker table and divided into at least two zones; b) a plurality of markers representing snooker balls; c) a plurality of cards or the like bearing gamerelated instructions; and d) random result means.

2. Equipment as claimed in claim 1, in which the board is divided into three zones comprising two end zones, each including two corner pockets, and a central zone including two centre pockets.

3. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the markers take the form of balls.

4. Equipment as claimed in claim 3, in which each marker has a flat region to enable the marker to stay in a selected position on the board.

5. Equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the random result means comprises one or more conventional dice.

6. A game comprising equipment substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, and a set of rules substantially as set out herein.