GB2324047A - Game - Google Patents

Abstract

Board games imitating golf and cricket are played using a plurality of special dice to imitate the action of the game.

Description

TITLE: GAME The present invention relates to a game which mimics one of a range of existing sports or games, but which is played with a board and dice.

There have been many board games devised based on existing games such as football or cricket, but to date none of these board games has followed the sequence of events in a typical game in a realistic way, and the rules of the existing game have been altered, or at least greatly simplified, to adapt the game to a board game.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a game played with a board and dice, which is capable of incorporating a majority of the important rules of the existing game, and in which the sequence of events in a typical game is followed in a realistic manner.

The present invention provides a game for two or more players, comprising: a) apparatus including at least two different multi-sided dice, each carrying a series of symbols representing aspects, stages or scores of a selected existing game, a board marked to represent a typical playing area for said game and to indicate playing positions, and playing pieces for marking the positions of at least some of the players during the game; and b) rules for playing said game, said rules including the provisions that the players throw the dice in a sequence partly governed by the sequence of events in said game, partly by the result of any preceding throw and partly by the position of some or all of the playing pieces.

The game of the present invention may be used to mimic any of a wide variety of team or individual games, both indoor and outdoor. For example, Cricket, Rugby, Rugby League, Australian Rules Football, American Grid Iron Football, Soccer, Hockey, Ice Hockey, Netball, Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Golf.

It will be appreciated that, since the game of the present invention is designed to mimic the real game as closely as possible, the board, rules, playing pieces and dice all will vary, depending upon the real game.

By way of example, two embodiments of the present invention are described in detail, with specific reference to the existing games of golf and cricket, referring to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a playing board for a golf-based game in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a golf distance chart; and Fig. 3 shows a playing board for a cricket-based game in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, a golf-based game is played with a series of boards of the type shown in Fig. 1, which depicts a one hole of a golf course. The entire 'board' for a golf game consists of a set of eighteen such boards, played in numerical order, as on a real golf course. The set of boards may depict an imaginary course, or may depict, accurately, a real golf course. Each hole varies in size, shape, type and distribution of hazards.

The golf-based game may be played with 2 or more players, but is especially suited to 24 players. Each player has a token (numbered or otherwise distinctive) to represent his golf bali, and a scorecard of the type generally used in golf, on which each player records the number of strokes he has played.

The game is played with two dice:- a ball die (12-sided) and a distance die (6-sided).

The ball die carries a number of words or symbols representing the types of strokes which the player plays:- six of the provisions are marked GS for "good shot" to indicate that the player has had a good stroke. Of the remaining six positions, one is marked for a hook, one for a slice, one for a gin, one represents a miss hit, one a fairway obstruction and one an out-of-bounds shot.

The distance die is simply numbered 1-6 and the distance represented by the numbers are read off a chart as shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, the abbreviation 'GS' means 'good stroke', 'PW' means 'pitching wedge' and 'SOW' means 'sand wedge'.

The rules to which the players play the golf base game may be varied as necessary to accommodate any of the known types of golf game, i.e. standard, stroke play, Stableford, four ball best ball or Canadian foursome.

A typical golf game for two players played in accordance with standard golf rules, is outlined below.

The board is selected which corresponds to the first golf hole, and is placed on a flat, stable surface. Each player selects a token to represent that player's golf ball. Initially, both tokens are positioned at the tee position, and the players throw the distance die to determine who tees off first:- the player with the highest number starts.

Before each player plays each stroke, the player nominates (either verbally or by selecting a suitable token) which type of golf club they are using for that stroke, i.e. a wood, an iron of specified type, pitching wedge, sand wedge or a putter. In the event that a player fails to nominate the type of club they wish to use, it is assumed that they are using a wood.

The first player to tee off then throws the ball die which indicates the type of stroke that player has hit, as described above.

If the ball die shows a gin shot or out-of-bounds, the player misses that turn, i.e. the token is not moved.

If the ball die shows a good stroke, a hook, a slice, a miss hit or a fairway obstruction indication, then the player proceeds to roll the distance die and reads the corresponding distance travelled by the ball from the chart shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the actual distance travelled by the player's token is governed firstly by the type of golf club the player had selected and secondly by whether the ball die had shown good shot, hook, slice or one of the other markings, all of which alter the distance travelled by the token. If the ball die indicated a hook or a slice, the token is moved to the appropriate side of the playing board:- the hook zone lies along the left hand margin of the board and the slice zone along the right hand margin. As shown in Fig. 2, different distances are listed for good strokes and for miss hits for each type of golf club.

If the ball die indicates a fairway obstruction then the player moves the token by distance given for "good shot" on the distance die chart but if an obstacle exists on the fairway at the yardage indicated by the distance chart, then the ball is assumed to have landed behind or in the obstruction, and that player's next shot must be taken with either a pitching wedge or a sand wedge, using the corresponding distance given on the chart. Supplementary rules may be made to govern variations in the penalty depending upon the type of obstacle.

The players take turns to proceed down the fairway in the above described manner. Following the usual protocol in golf, the player who is furthest from the hole plays first in each turn.

Once a player has moved his ball token on to the green, the player must select a putter and the corresponding part of the distance chart is used.

Once both players have holed their balls, they turn to the next chart showing the number 2 hole, and so on around the course. Each hole may have a different distance chart, as appropriate for the ground being played.

Each player keeps a record of the number of strokes he has played. As in a normal golf game, the winner is the player who completes the course with the lowest number of strokes.

Referring to Fig. 3, a cricket based game in accordance with the present invention is played with a single board of the type shown in Fig. 3.

The cricket game is played with a board depicting a cricket pitch. As shown in Fig. 3, the board shows the general layout of the pitch and indicates numbered fielding positions plus wicket positions. The numbered fielding positions correspond to those of the real game of cricket. Around the edge of the board are a randomly arranged series of numbers which correspond to the numbered fielding positions, and a series of boxes B labelled with various pitch positions (labelling not shown).

A set of eleven markers or miniature figures is used to represent fielders. The fielders may be placed on the board or (preferably) socketed into the board at any of the selected fielding positions.

The game uses a set of five dice, as follows 1. Bowler's die which is 20-sided, with symbols on the sides representing the following results:- dot ball (3 sides); wide ball; edge ball; Ibw (leg before wicket) appeal; bowled; and hit (13 sides).

2. Batsman's scoring die which is 6-sided, numbered 0, 1, (2 sides) 2, 4 and 6. The numbers represent the number of runs.

3. The batsman's field position die which is 6-sided, numbered 1-6.

4. The batsman's fielders' die which is 6-sided and carries symbols for caught out, over the top (2) miss field (2), and appeal run-out.

5. The umpire's die which is 6-sided and numbered 1, (2 sides) 2, 4 and out: (2 sides). The numerals 1, 2 and 4 represent the number of runs and 'out' represents out.

The game is played as follows:- the board shown in Fig. 3 is placed on a flat supporting surface and the players are divided into two teams of equal numbers. If an unequal number of people wish to play, the odd person out plays as umpire.

The teams then decide which team will bat first. The fielding team position their fielding markers on the board before play starts. The fielding team must position markers for wicket keeper and bowler (these are positions 1 and 2 on the board). Of the nine remaining markers, for the first two overs the markers must be positioned inside the inner playing circle A, but the positions within the inner circle may be selected as preferred by the fielding team.

After the first two overs have been completed (i.e. the first 12 balls have been successfully bowled) the fielding markers may, if the fielding team wish, be repositioned over any of the marked fielding positions anywhere on the board.

The fielding team may reposition the fielding markers at the completion of every over after the first.

The batting team has 2 batsmen markers, which are placed on the playing field. The batting innings is completed when either 8 overs are completed or when 10 batsmen are out, whichever happens first.

Once the field has been set up as described above, play starts with the fielding team throwing the bowler's die. The symbol on the die indicates the bowling result:- if the wide ball symbol is shown, the ball has been bowled to wide. In this case, one run is recorded on the score sheet in the extras column and the bowling die must be thrown again, because a ball has not been successfully delivered. If the bowler's die shows the bowled symbol, the batsman is out, the score sheet is marked to indicate the loss of a wicket, and a fresh batsman is brought into play. If the bowler's die shows the dot ball symbol, this indicates that the batsman failed to hit the ball. The batsman is still in but has not scored any runs. The score sheet is marked with a dot to indicate that no runs were scored.

If the edge symbol is shown on the bowler's die, this indicates that the ball struck with the edge of the bat and the batsman then rolls the umpire's die to see whether or not he was caught out. The result is then governed by the umpire's die - if the umpire's die indicates 'out' the score sheet is marked accordingly and the batsman is replaced. If the numbers 1, 2 or 4 appear on the umpire's die, then the batsman is held to have scored that number of runs and these are recorded on their scoring sheet.

If the bowling die shows the symbol Ibw, this indicates an appeal to the umpire and the umpire's die is rolled to decide the result as described above. If the umpire's die shows 'out', the score sheet is marked accordingly and the batsman is replaced. If the numbers 1, 2, or 4 are shown on the umpire's die, the player is not out and the number of runs shown are recorded on the score sheet as leg byes.

If the bowler's die shows a hit, the batsman then next throws the position die and moves a position marker from a start position 'S' on the board around the numbers marked around the periphery of the board, by a number of squares corresponding to the number shown on the die. In the positions around the periphery of the board, number 0 indicate a no ball. If the position marker stops on a no ball position, the batsman then throws the scoring die and scores the number of runs indicated on it. These runs are recorded in the extras column on the score sheet and do not constitute the use of a ball. If the scoring die shows 0, one run is recorded. The bowler then replays the ball by rethrowing the bowling die to restart play.

If the position marker stops on the square marked 'S', this indicates the batsman has been stumped, and the batsman is out. The batsman is replaced, the score sheet marked with an X and play is re-started by throwing the bowler's die once again.

If the position marker stops on a numbered square, then this indicates the corresponding numbered position on the playing field where the batsman hit the ball to. The players then check the playing field board to see if there is a fielder in the corresponding position. If there is no fielder in that position, the batsman then rolls the scoring die and records the number of runs on the score sheet. Zero indicates that no runs were scored. Play is then restarted by throwing the bowling die again.

If the fielders' markers indicate that there is a fielder in the corresponding position, the fielding team then throw the fielders die to see what the fielder does. The 'caught out' symbol indicates that the fielder caught the ball and the batsman is out. The batsman is replaced, the score sheet is marked with an X, and play is restarted by throwing the bowler's die once again.

The 'over the top' or 'miss field' symbols indicate that the ball was not caught. The batsman then rolls the scoring die and records the number of runs on the score sheet. Play is restarted by bowling the next ball, i.e. throwing the bowler's die once more.

If the fielders' die shows the symbol for appeal run-out, this indicates the fielding team are appealing to the umpire and the batsman rolls the umpire's die.

If the die shows the word 'out' the batsman is run out and the score sheet is marked with an X. The batsman is replaced. If the numbers 1, 2, or 4 show on the umpire's die, the batsman is not out and the number of runs shown are recorded on the score sheet. The bowler's die is then thrown again, for the next ball.

Play continues until either a set number of overs is completed or 10 of the batsman have been dismissed, whichever happens first. The players forming the batting team either take turns to throw the position die or, if they wish to mimic cricket play more closely, a particular player represents a particular batsman and continues to play until that batsman is out. The runs are scored in the usual way.

Once the innings is completed, the batting and fielding teams change sides and play continues as described above. The team whose final score is highest wins the game.

The cricket game has been described in terms of a limited over cricket game, but the same equipment may be used to play a test cricket game or single innings cricket or any desired variation, simply by varying the rules slightly.

The above-described games have been described in terms of games played with real equipment, i.e. real dice, in combination with a board and playing pieces. However, the games of the present invention may be played instead with virtual dice/boards/playing pieces, as an electronic (computerised) game. In the electronic versions, the rules and mode of play are substantially unaltered, but the board (if used) is shown on the computer screen, and the mouse or keyboard or equivalent is used to 'throw' the dice and to move the playing pieces, and these movements are represented electronically on-screen.

All of the above-described games may be adapted to gambling games, with bets being placed either on the overall outcome of the game and/or the outcome of various stages of the game.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS:

1. A game for two or more players, comprising: a) apparatus including at least two different multi-sided dice, each carrying a series of symbols representing aspects, stages or scores of a selected existing game, a board marked to represent a typical playing area for said game and to indicate playing positions, and playing pieces for marking the positions of at least some of the players during the game; and b) rules for playing said game, said rules including the provisions that the players throw the dice in a sequence partly governed by the sequence of events in said game, partly by the result of any preceding throw and partly by the position of some or all of the playing pieces.

2. A game as claimed in Claim 1 wherein: said selected existing game is golf; said board comprises a series of boards, one to represent each hole of the golf course; said dice comprise a first die which represents the behaviour of a golf ball and a second die which represents the distance said ball travels; and each said playing piece represents the position of a player on said course.

3. The game as claimed in Claim 2 further comprising a chart listing a selection of different types of golf clubs and a range of different distance readings for each throw of said second die, depending upon the type of golf club selected.

4. The game as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein said first die is a 12-sided die and carries symbols for the following types of golf strokes: 'good shot' marked on six sides; and hook, slice, gin, miss-hit, fairway obstruction, and out-of-bounds each marked on one side.

5. The game as claimed in any one of Claims 24 wherein said second die is a 6-sided die and the sides are numbered 1-6.

6. A game as claimed in Claim 1 wherein: said selected existing game is cricket; said board comprises a board marked to represent a cricket pitch with selected fielder's positions marked on said board by a series of numerals which also are marked around the periphery of the board.

7. The game as claimed in Claim 6 wherein said dice comprise: (a) a bowler's die, carrying symbols to represent different types of bowler's delivery; (b) a batsman's scoring die, carrying numbers representing the number of runs; (c) a batsman's field position die; (d) a batsman's fielders' die, carrying symbols representing possible fielder's actions.

(e) an umpire's die.

8. The game as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said bowler's die is 20-sided and said other four dice each are 6-sided.

9. The game as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said bowler's die carries a symbol for 'hit' on 13 sides, a symbol for 'dot ball' on 3 sides, and symbols for wide ball, edge ball, Ibw appeal, and bowled each on one side.

10. The game as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the batsman's scoring die and the batsman's field position die each are numbered 1-6.

11. The game as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the batsman's fielder's die carries symbols representing 'over the top' on two sides 'miss field' on two sides, and 'caught out' and 'appeal run-out' each on one side.

12. The game as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the umpire's die carries the number 1 on two sides, the word 'out' on two sides, and the numbers 2 and 4 each on one side.

13. The game as claimed in any one of Claims 6-12 wherein eleven playing pieces are positioned on some of said selected fielder's positions to represent fielders and a playing piece is positioned on said peripheral numbers to represent each batsman.

14. A game as claimed in Claim 2 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A game as claimed in Claim 6 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

1 6. A game substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, or with reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings.