GB2419300A

GB2419300A - Options trading game

Info

Publication number: GB2419300A
Application number: GB0519417A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daniel Kertcher
Original assignee: Timberwolf Productions Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Timberwolf Productions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-10-19
Filing date: 2005-09-23
Publication date: 2006-04-26
Also published as: US20060082061A1; NZ542259A; GB0519417D0; CA2518705A1

Abstract

An apparatus for playing an options trading game including means for presenting the players with a real life example of historical trading information for a particular stock, the trading information relating to a first point in time; means for allowing the players to make orders for call or put options based on the historical trading information; and means for presenting the players with updated trading information; the updated trading information relating to a subsequent point in time and allowing assessment of the trading performance of each player. The game includes a board marked with a plurality of playing spaces 3 having an associated value. Playing pieces are provided for movement between the playing spaces on the board in accordance with an assessment of the trading performance of a player. The object of the game is to be the first player to turn their starting capital into $1,000,000.

Description

241 9300

AN OPTIONS TRADING GAME APPARATUS

Technical Field

This invention relates to an apparatus for playing educational options trading game.

Background to the Invention

it has been tried to provide options trading games. However, to date the prior art options trading games have been primarily intended for amusement purposes only and do not accurately reflect real life trading. For this reason, they do not serve as useful educational aids to options trading.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for playing an options trading game including: means for presenting the players with a real life example of historical trading information for a particular stock, the trading information relating to a first point in time, means for allowing the players to make orders for call or put options based on the historical trading information, and means for presenting the players with updated trading information; the updated trading 2 0 infonnation relating to a subsequent point in time and allowing assessment of the trading performance of each player.

The apparatus may further comprise a game area defining a plurality of playing spaces, each playing space having an associated value; and one or more playing pieces movable between playing spaces of said game area. The playing piece or pieces may be 2 5 moved in accordance with said assessment of trading performance.

The playing area may be provided in the form of a board marked with said plurality of playing spaces. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise a computer apparatus. The computer apparatus may comprise a processor, and a display device, the processor being configured to cause said game area to be displayed on said display 3 0 device. The processor may also be configured to cause said playing piece or pieces to be displayed on said game area displayed on said display device. The processor may be configured to receive input data and to move said displayed playing piece or pieces on said game area in response to said input data. The apparatus may further comprise a user input device, wherein said input data is received from said input device. The 3 5 processor may be configured to display said trading information on said display device.

The apparatus may comprise a data storage device, and said trading information may be read from said data storage device for display on said display - 2 device. The means for presenting trading information may comprise means for presenting the trading information as a chart. The trading infonnation maybe stored in an electronic fonnat. The means for allowing the players to make orders may comprise a trading sheet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for playing a game comprising one or more playing pieces and a board substantially as illustrated in Figure I, the playing piece or pieces being moved substantially in accordance with directions furnished within this specification.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided, a data carrier carrying a computer program, said computer program being configured to cause a computer to present players with a real life example of historical trading infonnation for a particular stock, the trading information relating to a first point in time, receive input data from players, said input data representing orders for call or put options based on the historical trading information, and present the players with updated trading information; the updated trading information relating to a subsequent point in time and allowing assessment of the trading perfonnance of each player.

According to a forth aspect of the present invention there is provided, a computer apparatus for playing a game, the computer apparatus comprising a program memory storing processor readable instructions, and a processor configured to read and 2 0 execute instructions stored in said program memory, wherein said processor readable instructions comprise instructions configured to cause the processor to present players with a real life example of historical trading infonnation for a particular stock, the trading information relating to a first point in time, receive input data from players, said input data representing orders for call or put options based on the historical trading 2 5 information, and present the players with updated trading information; the updated trading information relating to a subsequent point in time and allowing assessment of the trading performance of each player.

Brief Description of the Drawings

3 0 An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts a game board of an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 depicts a calculation sheet used in an embodiment of the present invention; 3 5 Figure 3 depicts a trading diary sheet used in an embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 4, 5 and 6 depict historical trade charts used in an embodiment of the - 3 present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Equipment The trading options game of this embodiment includes the following materials: 1. A game board 2. 1-6 Player pieces 3. A pack of trade cards. Each trade card identifying a particular stock.

4. A DVD including historical trade charts for the stocks identified in the trade cards.

5. A trading diary pad 6. A calculations pad 7. An educational DVD explaining the mechanics of options trading and also explaining how to play the game.

Referring to figure 1, a suitable game board l is illustrated. It can be seen that the board l comprises a playing area 2 defining a plurality of playing spaces, some of which are denoted 3 in figure 1. Each playing space has an associated monetary value as shown in 2 0 figure 1. It can be seen that the playing spaces together define a continues path along which playing pieces may be moved as described below. It can also be seen that the board 1 further comprises an area 4 on which trade cards are placed, and an area 5 where used trade cards are placed. Aim

The aim of the game is to be the first player to turn their starting capital into $1,000,000.

Set up 3 0 Each player is assigned $10,000 starting capital and a player piece. Each player puts their piece on a playing space that corresponds to the amount of their starting capital, being the playing space 6 marked $10, 000 on the game board 1 of figure 1. The trade cards are shuffled and placed in a stack face down on the area marked "TRADE CARDS" 4 of the game board. The DVD is inserted into a DVD 3 5 player and connected to a display device in the form of a television display or computer display. Play

Play commences by one player drawing the top card from the pile of trade cards and reading out which stock is identified on the trade card. Each stock is also identified by a number which corresponds to an index of the DVD. The DVD is accessed at the point identified by the number on the trade card to present a real life example of historical trading information in the form of a stock chart. The players are then allowed to decide whether they wish to trade a call option or a put option. Once they have made their decision, they perfonn their money management calculations on the calculations sheet of figure 2 and then submit their orders on their trading sheet of figure 3.

Once all players have completed trading, the DVD is then advanced to present the next real life trading chart. The next chart relates to the day of trading subsequent to the day of the chart previously presented to the players. The players can determine from this chart their trading performance in terms of profit and loss. The players then make further trading decisions relating to their existing holdings, and decide whether to hold, sell or buy more options. The chart is then advanced another day.

Play continues until the trade comes to a close (usually after l 0 or 20 charts).

Once the trade is finished, players assess their final scores. If they have made a profit, then they move their game piece forward on the board to the approximate amount of 2 0 their total capital. For example, if they have started with $ l 0,000 and have now made a $2,000 profit, their total capital would be $ l 2,000. Therefore, they now move their playing piece forward to the $12,000 playing space.

If they have made a loss, then they move their playing piece backwards on the board. For example, if they have started with $10,000 and made a loss of $3,300, then 2 5 they now have a total capital base of $6,700. Therefore, they would move their piece to the $6,000 playing space, being the closest amount to their actual capital. The dollar amounts on the board represent their total capital.

A new trade card is then drawn and the play continues as above until a player is at the point on the board "$ 1,000,000".

Players have a quick reference sheet available to them to review option trading techniques.

Every trade example included in the game is of an actual stock, and all stock prices are accurate. Figures 4, 5 & 6 depict historical trade charts from three 3 5 consecutive days of trading being l l th, 1 2th and l 31 February respectively. It can be seen how the stock and options prices and the chart changes from day to day.

The option prices shown in the charts are accurate, but are approximate "snap - 5 shot" prices from the day's trading. By way of explanation, actual open, high, low, and closing stock prices are recorded each day for a real life stock. In the real world, option prices are constantly changing during the day on a second to second basis. The option prices presented in the game are an average of the option prices from that day. By using real life trading charts, if a player trades well in the game, they could have traded well in real life trading.

The game includes a 2 hour training DVD, teaching players about the US options market, trading tactics, and strategy, thus making the game suitable for beginner and experienced option traders.

The game allows players to experience the emotions of trading and thus gain a great deal of option trading experience in a very short time period and at no financial risk.

As an alternative to a game board the game may be carried out as a computer game. In this case, a display screen is used for presenting information to the players including the current positions of all players. The stock chart may also be presented on the same screen. In this version, the stock chart information would form part of the computer game code and a separate DVD including the historical trading information 2 0 Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the scope of the appended claims. - 6

Claims

1. An apparatus for playing an options trading game including: means for presenting the players with a real life example of historical trading information for a particular stock, the trading information relating to a first point in time; means for allowing the players to make orders for call or put options based on the historical trading information; and means for presenting the players with updated trading information; the updated trading information relating to a subsequent point in time and allowing assessment of the trading performance of each player.

2. An apparatus according to claim l, further comprising: a game area defining a plurality of playing spaces, each playing space having an associated value; and one or more playing pieces moveable between playing spaces of said game area; wherein said playing piece or pieces are moved in accordance with said assessment of trading performance.

2 0

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said playing area comprises a board marked with said plurality of playing spaces.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a computer apparatus, the computer apparatus comprising: 2

5 a processor; and a display device wherein said processor is configured to cause said game area to be displayed on said display device.

3 0 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said processor is configured to cause said playing piece or pieces to be displayed on said game area displayed on said display device. i

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said processor is configured to receive input data and to move said displayed playing piece or pieces on said game area in response to said input data.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a user input device; wherein said input data is received from said input device.

8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein said processor is configured to display said trading information on said display device.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein said means for presenting said trading information comprises a display device.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a data storage device, said trading information being read from said data storage device for display on said display device.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said means for 2 0 presenting trading information comprises means for presenting the trading information as a chart.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the trading information is stored in an electronic format.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said means for allowing the players to make orders comprises a trading sheet.

14. An apparatus for playing an options trading game including: 3 0 a board marked with a plurality of playing spaces, each playing area having an associated value; a plurality of playing pieces for movement between playing spaces on said board; - 8 means for presenting the players with a real life example of historical trading information for a particular stock, the trading information relating to a first point in time; means for allowing the players to make orders for call or put options based on the historical trading information; and means for presenting the players with updated trading information; the updated trading information relating to a subsequent point in time and allowing assessment of the trading performance of each player; wherein said playing pieces are moved in accordance with assessment of trading performance of a respective player.

15. An apparatus for playing a game comprising one or more playing pieces and a board substantially as illustrated in Figure l, said playing piece or pieces being moved substantially in accordance with directions as hereinbefore described.

l 6. A data carrier carrying a computer program, said computer program being configured to cause a computer to: present players with a real life example of historical trading information for a particular stock, the trading information relating to a first point in time; 2 0 receive input data from players, said input data representing orders for call or put options based on the historical trading information; and present the players with updated trading information; the updated trading information relating to a subsequent point in time and allowing assessment of the trading performance of each player.

17. A computer apparatus for playing a game, the computer apparatus comprising: a program memory storing processor readable instructions; and a processor configured to read and execute instructions stored in said program memory; 3 0 wherein said processor readable instructions comprise instructions configured to cause the processor to: present players with a real life example of historical trading information for a particular stock, the trading information relating to a first point in time; - 9 receive input data from players, said input data representing orders for call or put options based on the historical trading information; and present the players with updated trading information; the updated trading infonnation relating to a subsequent point in time and allowing assessment of the trading performance of each player.

18. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.