GB2209954A - Apparatus for playing a game - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a board or sheet carrying a list of countries and a designated space adjacent each listed country where one or more players may predict future political events to occur in that country, the successful prediction of an event by a player gaining that player a set number of points associated with that event. In the embodiment of Figure 1 a board or sheet is designed so that a plurality of players may each indicate their predictions in one or more of the countries. In Figure 2, the board or sheet is designed so that a single player may indicate his predictions, the board or sheet being adapted to be checked by an adjudicator. Events such as election wins, (civil) wars, insurgencies may be predicted by use of appropriate letters and/or numerals in appropriate columns - predictions are assessed after set period of time e.g. one year. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME The present invention relates to apparatus for playing a game.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided apparatus for playing a game, the apparatus comprising a list of countries9 and a designated space adjacent each country where at least one player may predict future events to occur in that country, the successful prediction of an event by a player gaining that player a set number of points associated with that event.

In one embodiment, the apparatus is in the form of a board or sheet upon which a plurality of players may each indicate their predictions in one or more of the countries.

In another form, the apparatus is in the form of a board or sheet upon which a single player may indicate his predictions, the board or sheet being checked by an adjudicator.

By way of example only, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an illustration of a board or sheet used in a first embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is an illustration of a board or sheet used in a second embodiment of game in accordance with the present invention.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the board or sheet comprises a first vertical column 10 which lists a plurality of countries of the world in alphabetical order. Two further vertical columns 12, 14 listing impossible and recommended options respectively (which will be explained hereinafter) are situated adjacent the first column 10. Six further columns, numbered from 1 to 6, define columns where up to six players can indicate their predictions, as will be explained. The board or sheet is also split up into a plurality of horizontal rows 16, two rows 16 being associated with each country.

The idea of the game is for each player to indicate opposite each of a given number of countries, for example twenty countries, what he or she thinks will happen politically in that country. Alternatively, each player can make a fixed number of predictions (e.g. 50) to cover up to that number of countries. For this purpose, the possible events which may take place in the countries are indicated by a representative letter of numeral, as outlined below.

"Variable Election Date" Democracies A = Election and Govt Wins B = Election and Govt Loses "Fixed or Highly Likely Election Date" Democracies C = Election and Govt Wins by Wide Margin D = Election and Govt Wins by Narrow Margin E = Election and Govt Loses by Wide Margin F = Election and Govt Loses by Narrow Margin "Variable Election Date" 1 Party States G = Election and Govt Wins overwhelmingly H = Election and Govt Wins though not overwhelmingly "Fixed or Highly Likely Election Date" 1 Party States J = Govt Wins Elections Near Unanimously K = Govt Wins Election though not near unanimously Coups/Attempted Coups L = Coup M = Attempted Coup Insurgencies/Revolutions N = Insurgency begins and Govt wins P = Insurgency be-gins and Govt loses Q = Insurgency begins and ends in stalemate R = Insurgency begins and continues by year end S = A continuing insurgency ends and Govt wins T = A continuing insurgency ends and Govt loses U = A continuing insurgency ends in stalemate V = A continuing insurgency continues W = Revolution begins and Govt wins X = Revolution begins and Govt loses Y = Revolution begins and ends in stalemate Z = Revolution begins and continues a = A continuing revolution ends and Govt wins b = A continuing revolution ends and Govt loses d = A continuing revolution ends in stalemate e = A continuing revolution continues Demises in/Resignations from Office f = Head of State dies g = Head Govt dies h = Head of State resigns j = Head of Govt resigns Wars/Civil Wars m = War begins and State wins n = War begins and State loses q = War begins and ends in stalemate r = War begins and continues Wars/Civil Wars conti 1 = Continuing war and State wins 2 = Continuing war and State loses 3 = Continuing war ends in stalemate 4 = Continuing war continues 5 = Civil War begins and Govt Wins 6 = Civil War begins and Govt loses 7 = Civil War begins and ends in stalemate 8 = Civil War begins and continues 9 = Continuing Civil War and State wins 10 = Continuing Civil War and State loses 11 = Continuing Civil War and ends in stalemate 12 = Continuing Civil War continues.

Each player can thus identify possible events which may take place in a particular country by inserting the appropriate reference letter or numeral in his or her designated column 1 to 6 opposite the country in which he or she predicts that particular event will occur.

In the examples given below, and illustrated in the drawings, it should be appreciated that the predictions given are only for the purposes of explanation of the game, and it is not intended that any prediction, or absence of prediction, should be disparaging.

As an example, for Afghanistan, player 1 has inserted K, indicating that he or she thinks that the Government will win an election (in a one party State) although not nearly unanimously. Player 1 has also inserted h opposite Austria in the appropriate column, indicating that he or she believes that the Head of State of Austria will resign during the course of the game. Each player can thus insert several different predictions opposite a number of different countries, a maximum number of countries in which predictions can be made being set as part of the rules. It will also be noted that column 12 indicates some impossible options, for example for Afghanistan and Albania, those two countries are not multi-democracies, and so options A to F are not appropriate.Also, column 14 (which is optional) may have a number of recommended options, which may or may not be followed by the players of the game.

It should also be noted that it is only permissible to indicate one possible option from each group of options, each group options being so arranged such that the options are mutually incompatible with each other.

For example, in the group of options C to F, it is only possible for one of the events to occur. Consequently, it is only permissible to select one of those options for each country selected. The same situation occurs with each of the other groups.

After a set period of time, for example, one year, the predictions of each player are assessed, and points awarded appropriately, according to the success and/or failure of the predictions. For example, each successful prediction may gain one point for the player making that prediction. In addition, certain predictions which have not been fulfilled may incur minus points, for example, if the result of an election is opposite to that which has been predicted by a certain player.

Preferably, an adjudicator or adjudicators determine which predictions have been fulfilled, and award the appropriate number of points. There may be guidelines to help the or each adjudicator to come to a decision, for example, an election victory with a successful margin of more than 20Z may be considered to be an overwhelming victory.

The winner of the game is the player with the highest total of points at the end of the game.

It should be appreciated that the above-identified options are only some of many different options which may be given for each player to select. Other possible events may be substituted for those indicated above.

Turning now to Fig. 2, a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated. It is basically the same as the first embodiment, except that each board or sheet only has room for a single player to indicate his selection. This board or sheet is more suitable for use in a competition wherein each player indicates his selection and submits the completed board or sheet to a central competition authority, who decide on whether each possible event has taken place in each country, and award points to each player accordingly. Once again, the winner of the competition would be the person with the highest total of points. In this particular embodiment, only twenty one countries have been made available for selection, in order to remove those countries where events are unlikely to happen, and/or to include those countries which are particularly important in world affairs.However there need be no limit to the number of countries actually listed. In this embodiment, each player is given a maximum number of selections which he or she can select, for example, fifteen, and the selections are made in the appropriate column.

Instead of using the letters and/or numerals as before, a different shorthand may be employed. This is indicated below: Variable Election Date Democracies EW = multi-party dem. election - govt wins EL = multi-party. dem. election - govt loses Fixed/High Likely Election Date Democracies WW = Govt win by wide margin WN = Govt win by narrow margin LW = Govt loses by wide margin LN = Govt loses by narrow margin Variable Election Date 1 Party States PW = 1 party election Govt wins overwhelmingly PN = 1 party election Govt wins not so overwhelmingly Fixed/Highly Likely Election Date 1 Party States now the percentage of vote cast for Govt/Head of State Coups/Attempted Coups C = Coup AC = Attempted Coup Insurgencies & Revolutions GIW = Insurgency begins and Govt wins GIL = Insurgency begins and Govt loses GIS = Insurgency begins and ends in stalemate GIC = Insurgency begins and continues by year end Insurgencies & Revolutions Cont...

GRW = Revolution begins and Govt wins GRL = Revolution begins and Govt loses GRS = Revolution begins and ends in stalemate GRC = Revolution begins and continues year end cIc = A continuing insurgency continues cIW = A continuing insurgency ends and Govt wins cIL = A continuing insurgency ends and Govt loses cIS = A continuing insurgency ends in stalemate cRC = A continuing revolution continues cRW = A continuing revolution ends and Govt wins cRL = A continuing revolution ends and Govt loses cRS = A continuing revolution ends in stalemate Demises in/Resignation from Office SD1/2/3 = Head of State dies Jan-April/May-Aug/Sep-Dec GD1/2/3 = Head of Govt dies Sir1/2/3 = Head of State resigns GR1/2/3 = Head of Govt resigns It will be noted that the above gives more scope in predicting events, for example the percentage of vote cast for a particular party. Also, this method allows further options to be selected. For example, each country may be assigned a code to enable Wars or Civil Wars to be predicted. Examples of such codes are given below: Wars/Civil Wars e.g. Iran = X11, Iraq = X12 War ongoing at year end = C e.g. Xlf v. X12 C = war between Iran and Iraq, on going at year end Similarly, WX11 v. X12 = war between Iran and Iraq, won by Iran or X11 v. X12 S = war between Iran and Iraq, ends in stalemate Similarly with civil wars and new wars.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. For example, the shorthands for the first and second embodiments may be interchanged, if desired.

Claims (7)

1. Apparatus for playing a game, the apparatus comprising a list of countries, and a designated space adjacent each country where at least one player may predict future events to occur in that country, the successful prediction of an event by a player gaining that player a set of number of points associated with that event.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in the form of a board or sheet upon which a plurality of players may each indicate their predictions in one or more of the countries.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in the form of a board or sheet upon which a single player may indicate his predictions, the board or sheet being adapted to be checked by an adjudicator.

Apparatus for playing a game comprising a board or sheet, a first vertical column on the board or sheet which identifies a plurality of countries, and at least one second vertical column on the board or sheet in which a player can insert a predetermined code words or numbers indicative of a prediction for the future political events in each of a selected number of said countries.

5. Apparatus for playing a board game comprising a board or sheet marked with a first vertical column of words identifying a plurality of countries by name, a second column providing spaces in which a player can insert a coded word or letter indicative of a prediction for the future political events in each of a selected number of said countries of the first column, and a third vertical column listing impossible options which cannot take place in the respective countries listed in said first column.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a fourth vertical column containing recommended options for at least some of the respective countries listed in said first column.

7. Apparatus for playing a game, substantially as hereinbefore described with referene to and as illustrated in Fig. 1 or in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.