GB2425964A

GB2425964A - Stick picking game

Info

Publication number: GB2425964A
Application number: GB0509406A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martyn William Rissen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-10
Filing date: 2005-05-10
Publication date: 2006-11-15
Also published as: GB0509406D0

Abstract

A game comprises a container in which sticks may be placed substantially vertically, a set of sticks and counters, the counters which have a certain value are thrown into the container containing the sticks and players attempt to remove sticks without disturbing other sticks. The winner is the first to remove a certain number of sticks, the counters may be used to try to move the sticks to a more advantageous position.

Description

GAMES

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to games.

A game called pick-a-stick is known. In this game a plurality of sticks are distributed on a flat surface and the players take it in turns to try to remove a stick without disturbing another stick. If they are successful in doing so then they continue to try to remove another stick and so on until another stick is disturbed. The turn then passes to the next player and the winner of the game is the player who has removed the most sticks when the entire collection has been removed. Alternatively different sticks may be given different values and the winner may be the player whose aggregate value is the greatest.

The present invention provides a variation of this concept which can if required be used for gaming purposes.

The present invention provides a game comprising an open topped container adapted to stand substantially vertically, a plurality of sticks and a plurality of counters.

In a preferred embodiment the invention further comprises a playing field in which the container may be placed.

It is preferred that the container be shaped so that the sticks can be placed within the container and held within the container is a substantially vertical environment. By substantially vertical we mean at an angle of from 60 to 90 to the horizontal and it is preferred that the container have a circular cross section allowing all the sticks to be retained within the circumference and within the cross section at an angle of from 60 to 90 to the horizontal. The container is also provided with a base which allows it to be placed firmly on a supporting surface. Alternatively for large scale operation such as in a casino the container may be fixed to the floor or to a table.

In performance of the game a certain number of the sticks are placed in the container and the players are then allocated a certain number of counters which may be coins or may have a particular value attributed to them for instance there may be counters of different colours representing different values such as with gaming chips. Once the sticks are in the container and the order of play has been decided the first player * Cdi S ii* * * * S Si I S S* * * .55 * S I S * S S I S S I C a *5* I S I throws a counter into the container and then tries to remove a stick from the container without disturbing any of the other sticks. Successful removal of the stick can simply add to the collection of that player and the turn can pass to the next player alternatively it can entitle the player to a subsequent turn. The throwing of a counter into the container may be used to try to move a stick into a more advantageous position.

The play will pass sequentially around the players until one player has accomplished a winning score. This may be when a player has successfully removed a certain number of sticks or it may be when all the sticks are removed. The winning player then receives a certain proportion, and usually all, of the counters that have been thrown into the container during a particular game. Variations may be included such as, for example, one of the sticks being a master stick which if removed makes the removing player the immediate winner.

The dimensions of the container and the number of sticks and counters that should be employed depends upon the number of players and the environment in which the game is to be played. For example if the game is to be played in the home by 2 to 3 players a small cone and up to 50 sticks and 100 counters may be used. Where it is to be played by more players, a larger core/container may be used to accommodate the greater number of sticks and counters that will be used.

In a typical game for home use the container preferably comprises two cones connected by a shaped cylinder. The overall height of the container being between 250 and 300 mm and the maximum diameter between 120 and 200 mm. The larger cone is typically the upper portion of the cone and has an open end into which the sticks may be placed and the counters thrown and the smaller cone is the lower portion which is dimensioned to allow the container to stand in a stable manner on a supporting surface. The upper cone is open to hold the sticks and the counters. In a preferred embodiment the rim of each cone is a lip which may be from 15 to 30 mm wide. The containers may be made of any suitable material such as ceramics, wood or plastic and may be produced in a single piece such as by the injection moulding of plastics or as a multiplicity of pieces which may be joined together which may be more appropriate where it is to be packaged for transportation and sale.

The size of the sticks will be determined by the nature of the players for example shorter lighter sticks may be used when the game is to be played by children * .1* Ill * *..

*1 * I 0 0 I * a * S S I IS * S *a* a * a S * I S S I S S 5 0 a.. * . a, whereas longer heavier sticks may be more appropriate for adults. Typically it is preferred that when the sticks are placed in the container between 10% and 25% of the length of the stick will protrude beyond the rim of the container. The sticks may be made of any suitable material, wood or plastic being preferred, and they may be provided with tapered ends. The external surface of some or all of the sticks may be irregular so as to make their removal without disturbing other sticks more difficult, for example they may be provided with grooves or channels.

The counters may also be of any size and shape depending upon the nature of the players. For example they may be small and light for children and heavier and more substantial for adults. The counters may also be of different values as with gaming chips and they may be of different colours reflecting their value. The counters may also be made of any suitable material although injection moulded plastic is particularly preferred. The counters may be inscribed by the value that they represent.

In a preferred embodiment a playing field is also provided. The playing field may comprise a cloth divided into several segments and provided with a centre section upon which the container may be placed. Preferably the field is circular and is divided into segments, preferably 6 or 8 segments, each of which may be used by a player to store their counters and the sticks that they have successfully removed from the container. The playing field may also serve the purpose to protect surfaces upon which the game is being played.

The present invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a container that may be used for the game of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the sticks that may be used.

Figure 3 shows counters that may be used and

Figure 4 shows a playing field that may be used.

Figure 1 shows the container consisting of an upper large conical section (1) and a lower small conical section (2). Both sections are provided with rims (3) and (4) and the upper section provides an orifice (5) into which the sticks and counters may be inserted.

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t* * * * . S * I * II * I It * I **I I I I I * I I I I I I I I I.. I * I I Figure 2 shows the sticks which may be used showing a master stick (6) and some examples of normal sticks (7) provided with grooves (8) to make their removal more difficult.

Figure 3 shows various forms of counters that may be used.

Figure 4 shows a circular playing field (9) which is a cloth containing 8 segments (10) and a central section (11) upon which the base of the container may be placed.

Claims

* ... 4*. 4 4. . . 4. I * . S SI I I II * I III * S I * * 4 I I I S 5 4 5 I.. * S I S CLAIMS

1. A game comprising an open topped container adapted to stand substantially vertically, a plurality of sticks and a plurality of counters.

2. A game according to Claim 1 further comprising a playing field in which the container may be placed.

3. A game according to Claim I or Claim 2 in which the container is shaped so that the sticks can be placed within the container and held within the container is a substantially vertical environment.

4. A game according to Claim 3 in which substantially vertical comprises an angle of from 600 to 900 to the horizontal.

5. A game according to any of the preceding Claims in which up to 50 sticks and counters are used.

6. A game according to any of the preceding Claims in which 10 to 20 sticks per player and 15 to 80 counters per player are used.

7. A game according to any of the preceding Claims in which the container comprises two cones connected by a shaped cylinder.

8. A game according to any of the preceding Claims in which the overall height of the container is between 250 and 300 mm.

9. A game according to any of the preceding Claims in which the maximum diameter of the cone is between 120 and 200 mm.

10. A game according to any of the preceding Claims in which the rim of each cone is a lip which is from 15 to 30 mm wide.

11. A game according to any of the preceding Claims in which between 10% and 25% of the length of the sticks protrude beyond the upper rim of the container.

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*1 * . * . . * a * *. * S 55 * S aS* S S I * * I S * * S S S S *** S * S S

12. A game according to any of the preceding Claims in which some or all of the sticks are irregular.

13. A game according to Claim 12 in which the irregularity comprises a groove or channel.

14. A game according to any of the preceding Claims in which the counters are of different colours reflecting their value.

15. A game according to any of Claims 2 to 14 in which the playing field comprises a cloth divided into several segments and provided with a centre section upon which the container may be placed.