GB2199254A - Domino game - Google Patents

Abstract

A domino game is disclosed, in which the dominoes are triangular prisms or tetra hedra. Any matching symbols or pictures may be displayed on the domino, and any number of dominoes may make up the set, but preferably the set is composed of 84 dominoes representing each of the three digit combinations from 6:6:6 to 0:0:0 inclusive, and represented on the domino by spots. <IMAGE>

Description

MODIFIED DOMINO GAME This invention relates to a modified domino game.

The traditional domino game is played with a set of twenty-eight rectangular pieces, or dominoes, bearing combinations of numbers or dots ranging from the double six (6:6), through intermediate combinations (6:5, 6:4 .......... 5:5, 5:4 .......... 4:4, 4:3 .......... 3:3, 3:2 .......... 2:2, 2:1 ..........

1:1, 1:0) to the double blank (0:0). The traditional game, moreover, is played by each player in turn matching up one end of one of his dominoes with the domino played by the preceding player, thus building up an essentially rectilinear sequence along one or possibly two axes at right angles.

In accordance with the present invention, at least in its preferred aspect, a modified domino set is provided consisting of eighty-four equilateral triangular or pyramidal playing pieces bearing every possible three digit combination of numbers (or numbers of dots, or other symbols) from the treble six (6:6:6) through the intermediate combinations (6:6:5, 6:6:4 .......... 6:5:5, 6:5:4 5:5:5:, 5:5:4 ......... 4:4:4, 4:4:3 etc. etc.) to the treble blank (0:0:0).

A preferred configuration of one domino making up a set according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. The other eighty-three will correspond and differ only in the number of dots (from 0 to 6 inclusive) in each of the three triangular panels on the face of the domino. As will be seen, the domino consists of a planar, equilateral triangle shaped piece (1) with its top face (2) divided into three triangular panels (2a, 2b, 2c), each bearing a number of dots, or no dots as the case may be, the domino shown being the 5:4:3.

In a less preferred configuration, each domino may alternatively be an equilateral triangular based pyramid, Figure 2, preferably a right equilateral triangular base pyramid, with a planar base, and each of its three triangular side panels bearing from 1 to 6 dots (or no dots, as the case may be).

Instead of the traditional dots, the triangular dominoes according to the invention may have the digits 0 to 6 on the three face panels; or for that matter, any collection of matching symbols or even pictures can be employed within the scope of the present invention, which in its broadest aspect can be defined quite simply as a triangular domino, or set of triangular dominoes.

The modified domino game of the present invention can be played according to the traditional rules but an infinite variety of variations can be made. The following are four possible variants: THE BLOCK GAME Number of players: 2, 3, 4 or 6.

1. Place all the pieces face down, divide them equally amongst the players. Each player should conceal their pieces from the other players so as not to uncover whether a play is made from choice or necessity.

2. The player with the triple 6 should place his piece first.

3. The second player should place a piece one side of which must match the starter.

4. The round then continues with each player adding to the formation with a piece which must correspond to one of the exposed sides.

5. If a player places a triple number, he may have a free play. This does not include the triple six which must be played to start the game.

6. If a player completes a "flower" (see Figure 3a), he may also have a free play.

NOTE: It is possible to "block" a player from completing the "flower" using two corresponding sides only, by adding a piece to make an additional side (see Figure 3b), whereby he must possess a piece with three corresponding sides so as to complete the flower.

The player who completes the "flower" by matching three sides may have two additional plays.

The aim of the game is for a player to win by being the first to place all the pieces he possesses. The runner-up will have the lowest score of dots in his possession.

CALL GAME 1. All the playing pieces are placed face down on the table and shuffled.

2. Each player draws one playing piece from the pile. The player with the highest triple, or if there are no triples, highest number of dots, begins play.

3. Before play begins each player draws an additional thirteen playing pieces from the pile. If there are six players then the 84 playing pieces will be divided equally amongst them.

4. When the first playing piece is placed on the table the player calls out which side the next player must match. The next player does the same, specifying a side on the playing piece that they have just placed.

5. If a player cannot match the number then a playing piece is drawn from the pile. The player places this piece if he is able. If not, then another playing piece is taken from the pile. If after drawing five playing pieces the player is still unable to play, he passes.

If there are six players, a player must pass if a playing piece cannot be placed.

The rules applying to the placing of triples or the formation of a flower are the same as the "Block" game.

The winner is the first player to place all their tiles. If during the game no player is able to place a playing piece then the player with the lowest number of dots on the playing pieces in his possession is the winner.

CHAIN GAME A game for 2 to 6 players.

1. Each player takes fourteen playing pieces from the pile.

2. The player with the highest triple, or if there are no triples, the highest number of dots, begins play.

3. The first playing piece is placed and the second player has to match one side. Subsequent playing pieces are joined to form a continuous chain (see Figure 4).

4. If a player cannot match the number then a playing piece is drawn from the pile. The player places this piece if he is able. If not then another playing piece is drawn from the pile. If after drawing five playing pieces the player is still unable to play, he passes.

5. The winner is the first player to place all their tiles. If during the game no player is able to place a playing piece then the player with the lowest number of dots on the playing pieces in his possession is the winner. He scores the difference between this total and the total of his opponent's dots.

MULTIPLES OF FIVE A game for 2, 3 or 4 players.

1. Each player draws fourteen playing pieces from the pile.

2. The player with the highest triple, or if there are no triples, the highest number of dots, begins play.

3. The first player may start with any playing piece he chooses. If the total of dots on the three sides is a multiple of five, then the player scores that number of dots.

4. The play continues by placing the pieces in a straight line matching the end number each time (see Figure 5a).

5. When each playing piece is placed the dots on the periphery are totalled. If this total is a multiple of five then the total is added to the player's score. For example, in the play illustrated in Figure Sb, a = S, b = 5, c = 3, d = 2, e = 6, f = 4, so that the total score is 2"5.

6. If a player cannot match the number a playing piece is drawn from the pile.

The game ends when one player has used all his playing pieces or when no player can match the end number. The winner is the first player to score 1,000 after several games.

Claims (8)

1. A triangular domino.

2. A set of triangular dominoes.

3. A domino, or set of dominoes, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each domino of the set is a planar equilateral triangle having its top triangular face divided into three triangular panels, each triangular panel having as its base a different one of the sides of the domino and each panel bearing a symbol to be matched, in play, with the corresponding symbol on an adjacent domino.

4. - A domino, or set of dominoes, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each domino of the set, is a triangular based pyramid with a flat equilateral triangular base and three triangular side panels, each panel bearing a symbol to be matched, in play, with the corresponding symbol on an adjacent domino.

5. A domino, or set of dominoes, according to claim 4, wherein the or each domino is a right equilateral triangular pyramid.

6. A domino, or set of dominoes, according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the domino, or each of the set of dominoes, bears on its exposed face or faces, a combination of three digits, or symbols, each digit or symbol representing one of the values 0 to 6 inclusive, and each three digit combination representing one- of the combinations 6:6:6 through to 0:0:0 inclusive, each domino of the set bearing a different combination, the total number of dominoes in the set being 84.

7. A domino, or set of dominoes, according to claim 6, wherein the three digit combinations are represented by from 1 to 6 dots, or a blank ås the case may be, on the exposed playing face or faces of the domino.

8. A domino, or set of dominoes, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or 2 of the accompanying drawings.