US20140327209A1

US20140327209A1 - Word formation game

Info

Publication number: US20140327209A1
Application number: US14/262,728
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilma D. Mizanoski
Original assignee: COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY LLC
Current assignee: COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY LLC
Priority date: 2013-05-03
Filing date: 2014-04-26
Publication date: 2014-11-06
Also published as: WO2014179415A1

Abstract

A word formation game using a grid pattern to define a plurality of grid space, a plurality of tiles having various letters and associated numerical point values imprinted thereon, and having a root word, preferably the word “EXTRACTOR,” disposed on grid spaces, with the goal of such word game being to earn and accumulate more points than the other players by the game's end. The game provides for removing letters of words already formed in the grid spaces to form new words via simple extraction or by extracting and adding a new letter in place of the extracted letter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/819,162, filed May 3, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a game. More particularly, the present invention relates to a word formation game which may be played on a physical board or in a digital format on a computing device. Specifically, the present invention relates to a word formation game which includes removing letters from existing words to form new words.
2. Background Information
Board games have been around for many years and there are quite a few available in todays market. Ordinarily these board games are designed to entertain the players, however, some have developed for the purpose of developing word skills. This is an area where there is always a need for more games which can not only be entertaining to the persons playing the game but also help to build language skills as the game is being played. In the modern day, standard physical board games have been supplemented by digital games played on a computing device. Thus, the need for fun yet educational games may be addressed by a board game or a digital game provided on a computing device, or both.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments provide a method of playing a word forming game for two to four players. This word game utilizes a game board or similar digital format marked off and delineated in a grid pattern. There is a plurality of physical or digital tiles having various letters disposed thereon. Further, each tile has an assigned value represented by a corresponding number.
Further embodiments provide, a game apparatus comprising, a physical or digital game board or playing area, a plurality of grid spaces provided on top of the game board, a word or phrase provided within the grid spaces, wherein in each character or letter of the word or phrase occupies a single grid space, and a plurality of physical or digital sequencing tiles.
Another embodiment provides, a method of playing a tile sequencing word forming game using a physical or digital game board and a plurality of physical or digital tiles having various letters and associated numerical point values disposed thereon, wherein the game board comprises a word or phrase disposed across a plurality grid spaces provided on the game board wherein the word or phrase is disposed on more spaces than a predetermined number of starting tiles, with the goal of such word game being to earn and accumulate more points than the other players by the game's end, said method comprising the steps of providing a game board with a grid pattern and having a word imprinted on an upper surface of the grid pattern and each letter of the word in its own grid space, deciding which player plays first, drawing a first starting tile by a first player, a first starting tile by each remaining player in a sequential manner, drawing a second starting tile by the first player, drawing a second starting by each remaining player in a sequential manner, continuing the previous steps until each player has a predetermined number of starting tiles, the first player beginning the game by forming a word by placing tiles atop at least some of the word spaces, calculating a turn value for the first player, forming a second word atop a set of remaining word spaces by a second player, if second player cannot complete the previous step, then forming a new word by either extracting tiles or placing tiles in free spaces contiguous to the word or the first players word, then calculating a turn value for the second player, then repeating the previous steps for each player in the game, and finally declaring a winner by comparing the overall point values of the players, wherein the highest overall point value wins the game, when no more tiles are playable. Players continue to skillfully play the game by deciding whether to form new words or extract letters from existing words in order to maximize their total points for each turn.
In one aspect, the invention may provide a method for facilitating the play of a game adapted to form words out of lettered tiles, the method comprising the steps of: providing a grid pattern defining a plurality of grid spaces; providing a set of lettered tiles to each player in a plurality of players; determining a turn for each player in the plurality of players; and during the turn of each player, forming at least one word on the grid pattern by using one or both of the steps of assigning at least one lettered tile to a corresponding at least one grid space and unassigning at least one lettered tile from a corresponding at least one grid space.
In another aspect, the invention may provide a game apparatus adapted to be played by a plurality of players, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of sequencing tiles, wherein each player in the plurality of players begins the game with a subset of the sequencing tiles; a game board; a grid pattern disposed on the game board, wherein the grid pattern defines a plurality of grid spaces; a root word disposed on the game board and comprised of a plurality of characters, wherein the root word is disposed within a contiguous portion of the grid spaces, and wherein each character in the plurality of characters occupies a single grid space in the plurality of grid spaces; and wherein the plurality of players use the sequencing tiles to form words on the game board.
In another aspect, the invention may provide a non-transitory article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions adapted to be executed by a processor, the instructions which, when executed, define a series of steps to be used to control a procedure, the procedure comprising: displaying a grid pattern which defines a plurality of grid spaces on a display; providing a root word disposed in a root contiguous portion of the grid pattern, wherein the root word is comprised of a plurality of root word letters, and wherein each root word letter is disposed in a distinct one of the plurality of grid spaces in the root contiguous portion; displaying a plurality of virtual tiles on the display adjacent to the grid pattern; displaying a letter and a point value on each virtual tile in the plurality of virtual tiles; allowing a first player to form a first constructed word by manipulating the display to move a set of virtual tiles in the plurality of virtual tiles into a constructed contiguous portion of the grid pattern, wherein the first constructed word is comprised of the set of virtual tiles arranged to form the first constructed word, and wherein each virtual tile in the set of virtual tiles is disposed in a distinct one of the plurality of grid spaces in the constructed contiguous portion; and enforcing a rule that the root contiguous portion and the constructed contiguous portion share at least one overlapping grid space in the plurality of grid spaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A sample embodiment of the invention is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the present invention showing the game board with the word EXTRACTOR disposed in the center of the game board;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention showing a plurality of game tiles;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention showing a container;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of basic extraction example;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a complex extraction example; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another complex extraction example.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.
As seen in FIG. 1-3, the present invention provides an apparatus and method of playing a game 10. Game 10 may include either by a physical board game or represented digitally by a computing device. Game 10 includes either a physical or digital game board 12 which provides a grid pattern defining a plurality of grid spaces in which lettered sequencing tiles 22 are either physically or digitally disposed thereon. The game is for 2 to 4 players. The purpose and way to win game 10 is to obtain more points than the opposing players by the end of the game. Hereinafter, any reference to a physical element also encompasses a corresponding and similar digital element represented by a computing device, with the understanding that minor modifications may be necessary to digitally represent a corresponding digital element.
The standard size layout of game board 12 is 15×15 grid spaces defining a standard main playing area—MPA. A border 14 having a plurality of circumscribing grid spaces constitutes an extended board layout, field or extended field playing area—EPA. The extended playing area—EPA is 17×17 grid spaces. Before the game begins, players decide whether they wish to play with the standard size main playing area—MPA, or the extended playing area—EPA. While the standard main playing area is typically fifteen rows by fifteen columns and the extended playing area is typically seventeen rows by seventeen columns, any number of spaces may be used or included in the present invention.
If players decide to use the extended playing area—EPA with the border 14, they may write in their own custom bonuses in this area. The standard board playing area—MPA contains geographically arranged bonus spaces 20. The bonus spaces 20 operate to increase a player's scored points for a round played. Some examples include a triple word bonus or a triple letter bonus, yet other bonuses may be available, such as a double word bonus or a double letter bonus.
There are 120 total tiles 22 capable of being used by the players. Of these 120 tiles, a set of 112 tiles comprises a set of draw tiles 24. The remaining 8 tiles not included in set of draw tiles 24 are blank tiles 26 to be used in the extraction process 36 (detailed below). The set of draw tiles 24 are identified by the following table identifying the letter and the number of tiles marked with that letter in the set of tiles and their associated point values 32:


Number of Tiles	Letter	Associated Point Value - 32

10	A	1 Pt.
3	B	4 Pts.
3	C	4 Pts.
4	D	3 Pts.
13	E	1 Pt.
3	F	5 Pts.
4	G	3 Pts.
3	H	4 Pts.
8	I	1 Pt.
2	J	9 Pts.
2	K	5 Pts.
4	L	2 Pts.
3	M	4 Pts.
5	N	2 Pts.
8	O	1 Pt.
3	P	4 Pts.
1	Q	11 Pts.
6	R	2 Pts.
4	S	1 Pt.
6	T	2 Pts.
4	U	2 Pts.
3	V	4 Pts.
3	W	4 Pts.
2	X	7 Pts.
2	Y	4 Pts.
1	Z	11 Pts.
2	Blank	0 Pts.

When drawn, the two blank tiles 26 within the set of draw tiles 24 may constitute a form of a “wild card” and can represent any letter the player so chooses. However, once a blank tile 26 is played by a player, an opposing player cannot alter the assigned blank letter tile and must honor that tile as such played letter. While a numerical point value and number of tiles are listed and specified above, any point values and any number of tiles may be encompassed by this disclosure.
Players decide who selects their first set of eight tiles and who begins the game by randomly drawing a tile; the highest tile selects first and goes first. All tiles are returned to their container 30. The highest tile is the tile with the highest numerically assigned value 32 from the tiles that were drawn. In the event there is a tie for the highest selected tile, the players in the tie will return the tiles to the container and redraw.
Each player then selects eight tiles from the set of draw tiles 24. The selection is done by removing a tile from the container. Selection is ordinarily done in a single sequential manner, however the players may alter the selection of the tiles in a manner to suit their needs, such as to speed up the selection process by choosing two, three, four, etc. tiles at a time.
The player who begins the game must form any word atop a root word disposed within a contiguous line of grid spaces, wherein each letter of the root word is disposed in a distinct one of the grid spaces. In the illustrated embodiment, the root word is embodied by the word EXTRACTOR 34. If a player plays a word that is part of the root word, “EXTRACTOR,” (e.g. tract, actor, extra, or) then the word receives a triple word bonus. The word must be entirely contained within “EXTRACTOR” to receive the triple word bonus. For example, using the “X” space to form the word, “maxed,” for instance, would not give the player the bonus, nor would pluralizing “actor” and playing “actors” at the end of the EXTRACTOR spaces. If a player did play the word “actors” at the end of the EXTRACTOR spaces, the player would only receive the triple letter bonus on “S” instead of the triple word bonus for playing on the EXTRACTOR spaces 34.
The second player, may attempt to continue to form a word on the EXTRACTOR spaces 34 (i.e. adding “tr” to “actor” and forming “tractor”) then that player also receives a triple word bonus for the whole word. The same restrictions apply to continuing a word on the EXTRACTOR spaces 34.
If the second player cannot continue to form a word on the EXTRACTOR spaces 34, then the game proceeds. The second player then attempts to form words vertically (top-down) or horizontally (left to right) utilizing the letters already in play disposed on the board. Players continue to try to form a single word on their turn. All words except the first must be connected to another word that is already on the board. The player calculates a turn value by adding the associate point values 32 of each letter, any points gained from bonus spaces 20, and adds that turn value total to their overall score. If two words are formed by a letter that is on a bonus space, that bonus is applied to both words.
When players finish their turn, they must count their remaining tiles. If they have eight tiles or more, then their turn is over. If they do not have at least eight tiles, they must draw tiles from the set of draw tiles 24 until they do.
After the second player has completed their turn, the third and fourth players (if any) continue with their turn. After all players have completed their respective turn, the next round begins with the first player and the game continues until all tiles have been chosen from the set of draw tiles 24.
Players have the option of removing letters from any word on the board before they play a word on their turn, known as extraction 36. In an extraction 36 taken from an end of a word, letters can only be extracted from one side of a word or the other, not both. The remaining letters must still form a word, and that word must still be connected with the other words on the game board. If a player extracts letters from a word, then that player must also draw penalty tiles: one penalty tile for every letter extracted from the board. The player may play the extracted letter(s) and the penalty tile(s) during the same turn. Preferably, there is no maximum limit to how many tiles a player can have at one time, but each player must have at least eight tiles at a given time, unless there are no more tiles in the set of draw tiles to draw from towards the end of the game. When the game is over, the players lose points for every letter they still have. Alternatively, players may agree on rules such as players can hold up to sixteen tiles at any given time. This means players cannot extract a single tile if they already have fifteen or sixteen tiles in their hand. When the game is over, players lose points for every letter they have. Similarly, players may agree on rules such as players must draw one or as many tiles as he needs to be able to form a word and make a play. Players may alternatively agree to a limit of extracting at most four letters or agree to any other limit of either extracting tiles or holding tiles or both.
In one version of game 10, once a letter is removed from the board, that letter can never be played in that space again. A blank tile 26 is marked with the extracted letter using a colored marker, dry erase marker, washable marker, pencil, chalk, or any other commonly used marking instrument. If a different letter is used in a space where a letter was extracted, then the blank tile is removed and the extracted letter is written on the new tile next to the new letter. If the extracted letter was played on a bonus space, and another player uses a different letter on that space, the bonus applies again (to the new letter or word). As long as no letter is repeated, there is no limit to how many extractions can happen in a single space. In the digital version of game 10, all updating and marking of previously used letters is done automatically by software logic.
For example, FIG. 4 provides a game extraction where the tile “C” 22C is extracted 36 from the word “cat,” and becomes “bat” when the word “bacon” is played using tile “B” 22B. This is a simple form of extraction 36, where a part of one word is extracted 36′ and another word is played in its place 36″. In more complex word arrays, extractions can affect multiple words and even separate one word into two separate words, depending on the game board.
In another example, FIG. 5 provides a game extraction where a complex word array with many possible extractions 36. A player could extract the “ed” from “taxed” or the “s” from “cots,” since “tax” and “cot” are both legitimate words. Even though “a” isn't a legitimate word on its own, “a” is still part of “heal.” There are two other extractions 36 that would split a single word: the “r” in “tret” and the “i” in “axil” can both be extracted. The first “t” in “tret” is still a part of “taxed,” “et” and “ax” are both words, and the “l” of “axil” is still a part of “heal.” Alternatively, the rules may explicitly state or the players may agree to forbid any extractions that would split a single word and leave a single letter remaining, even if the remaining single letter is part of a larger word. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, extraction 36 of “r” in “tret” may be an illegal extraction if players agree to this rule. Similarly, extraction 36 of “i” in “axil” may be an illegal move for the same reasons, as “l” while still being a part of “heal,” is a remaining single letter from the original word “axil.”
FIG. 6 provides two examples of a valid game extraction where a player may separate one word into two separate words. In FIG. 6, a player may perform extraction 36 the letter “l” from “ACTION.” This leaves the words “ACT” and “ON” on either side of the extracted letter. Also in FIG. 6, a player may perform extraction 36 on the letters “CA” in “BECAME.” This leaves the words “BE” and “ME.” The remaining letters still form words and the words are still connected with the other words on the game board. As discussed previously, players may agree to forbid any extractions that would split a single word and leave a single letter remaining. In that event, both extractions 36 of FIG. 6 conform to this rule and are valid extractions, both words left after extracting the “l” and both words left after extracting the “CA” are at least two letters long.
Players may use strategic techniques to prevent an opposing player from creating words through addition or extraction. A player may prevent other players from extracting letters from the words in play by tactically reducing the opposing player's possible plays. An exemplary tactful move would be, instead of playing the word “quit,” where an opponent can extract “q” and “u” (leaving “it”), play “quite.” Since “uite” and “ite” aren't words, the other players can only extract the “e” on their next turn.
As stated previously, in addition to the two blank tiles 26 contained in the set of draw tiles 24, eight additional blank tiles 26 are provided with the game. In the physical version of game 10, the additional eight blank tiles 26 are used to write, via dry erase marker or other marking device, banned letters, derived from extracting 36 that letter from a space, on the blank space defined by the face of the tile. Blank tiles 26 may be extracted. After extraction 36, the extracting player may use the extracted blank tile as any letter, regardless of what it represented when it was extracted 36.
Game play continues until all tiles 22 are drawn from the set of drawn tiles 24 and one player runs out of tiles 22. Any opponent having remaining tiles must calculate a deduction value by adding the values of the tiles remaining in the player's set. A player holding a blank tile 26 at the end of the game must count the blank tile as twenty points or another agreed upon point value when calculating a deduction value. This deduction value is subtracted from that players total point value to that point. The total point values accumulated for all players are then compared. The player with the highest score wins the game.
Visual variances of the game schematics are contemplated. The following variances to visual game schematics are by way of example and not limitation: playing the present EXTRACTOR game on a table top with a painted 17×17 square surface rather than a game board, incorporating the use of dice or cards or other items in lieu of tiles capable of displaying a letter.
Further design variances of the game schematics are contemplated. The following variances to design game schematics are by way of example and not limitation: the game having a different color scheme, having different fonts, having different tile and board size/ratio; designed with a different word in the EXTRACTOR space, or designed with a bonus spaces in an “X” pattern, or having a different number of spaces on the board greater or less than 17×17 or 15×15.
The following non-exhaustive list provides contemplated gameplay variances in which players may alter the rules to provide the most entertainment value for the players. This list is provided as an example and not as a limitation:

- 1. previously extracted letters are marked using any color of marker;
- 2. previously extracted letters are marked using stacked tiles;
- 3. previously extracted letters are marked using metallic letters on magnetic tiles;
- 4. previously extracted letters are written on the space underneath the tile;
- 5. players do not draw penalties tiles for extracting letters;
- 6. players are penalized a different number of tiles than the number of extracted letters;
- 7. players penalize each other for extracting tiles by giving or taking tiles to or from the extractor;
- 8. players must play all extracted letter on the turn they were extracted;
- 9. player can extract letter from a word, even if it does not leave a known word, as long as they recreate a new word in its place (i.e., “corn”−“c”+“b”=“born”);
- 10. extractions can only happen on the last word that was played;
- 11. extractions can only happen on words that the intended extractor has played;
- 12. extractions can only happen on words that another player has played;
- 13. extracted tiles must be played on the turn they were extracted;
- 14. extracted tiles cannot be played on the turn they were extracted;
- 15. extracted tiles must be played on the turn after they were extracted;
- 16. extracted tiles must be played on the extracting player's own words;
- 17. extracted tiles are removed from the game completely;
- 18. extracted tiles are placed be in the set of draw tiles;
- 19. extracted letter restrictions only apply to the last letter extracted from a space;
- 20. extracted letter restrictions only apply to the player who extracted the letter;
- 21. bonus spaces can only be used once in the game, even if the letter that used it is extracted;
- 22. bonus spaces can only be used a certain number of times in a game;
- 23. blank tiles extracted from the board must be played as the letter they were upon extraction;
- 24. blank tiles cannot be extracted from the board;
- 25. blank tiles are worth the point value of whatever letter they are used as;
- 26. using a dictionary during the game is forbidden;
- 27. using a dictionary to challenge another player's word is forbidden;
- 28. time limits may be imposed on turns or applied to the game as a whole;
- 29. players can hold up to a limited maximum number of tiles;
- 30. players must discard any tiles beyond the eight they start with, and put them back in the draw pile;
- 31. players lose points for any letters they have over their limit;
- 32. players cannot extract more letters if they already have more than eight tiles; or
- 33. a player can draw one or as many tiles as he needs to play on a particular turn; or
- 34. there may be a limit of four letters on an extraction, or the players may agree to no limit, or there may be any other limit as desired.

Another set of rules which may be used to provide a method of playing a word game, particularly for use with game board 12 and letter tiles 22 is directed to the general concept of each player successively forming a word that starts with each successive letter of the alphabet, starting with “A”. For example, player one may start by forming the word “ABOUT”. Thereafter, the second player would form a word starting with “B”, such as “BOAT”, which may utilize the “B” or “O” in “ABOUT”. The next player would form a word beginning with the letter “C”, which may be “CAT”. This method of playing a word game may be played using and incorporating any of the aforementioned rules relating to extracting and replacing any one of tiles 22 to form part of the next word in succession. Scores and point values may be assigned as necessary or follow any of the above-described rules. Other rules which may be incorporated include:

- 1. If a player cannot play, he can draw one tile. If that player still cannot play, he has to pass the turn to the next player. If the second player cannot play, that second player must draw one tile, and go back and forth until one player can play.
- 2. Each player must draw to continuously have twelve tiles in the tile tray, or any agreed upon number of tiles. For example, if a player makes a play and uses four tiles, he must draw four additional tiles to maintain the agreed upon static number of tiles in the tray.
- 3. Players may agree upon going one time through the entire alphabet to comprise a full game. Or players may agree to forego forming words starting with “X”, and/or “Z”, and/or any other letter. Alternatively, players may agree to use a time limit to determine when game play is ended and when the game is over.
- 4. There may be no penalty at the end of the game to subtract values of remaining tiles.
- 5. Points may be assigned in a more simplistic manner, which may include assigning one point per tile for every tile remaining for each player when the game ends.
  Players may also agree or the rules may explicitly state that only words within a particular subject matt may be played, for example, animals, medical terminology, etc., depending on what the players' interests are.

Another method of facilitating the above described method of playing a word forming game may include the use of tiles 22 which have a magnetic backing. As such, game board 12 would necessarily include portions or the entire area formed of a magnetically attractable metal or other magnetic elements such as ferrous or iron facing or layers. Conversely, game board 12 itself may include magnetic material disposed therein and tiles 22 may include a metallic, ferrous, or iron surface or layers for attraction to the magnetic parts of game board 12. This facilitates removably holding tiles 22 to game board 12 in the event that game board 12 is bumped or moved or is jostled in some way. One would readily understand that with a magnetic attraction between game board 12 and tiles 22, any jostling or movement of board 12 would not result in tiles 22 moving from the intended spaces.
In addition to the magnetic elements discussed above, game board 12 may also be formed in such a way that the board may be rolled or folded into a much smaller profile. This includes rolling game board 12 into a tube shape or folding game board 12 into a triangular, square, or rectangular cross-sectional shape for enhancing the portability of game board 12. A sleeve or container (not shown) may also be provided which generally matches the rolled up or folded up cross-sectional shape of game board 12 to further facilitate portability of the game. As such, game board 12 may be formed of a flexible material or include a number of creases therein such that rolling or folding may be achieved thereby.
Game 10 may include several trays (not shown) for receiving the drawn tiles 22 of a player and displaying tiles 22 conveniently thereto. Trays may be made of any material, but preferably are made of EVA foam or other similar material. Further, the total number of tiles and the letter distribution within the total number of tiles may change or be modified by the game manufacturer or players. The number and distribution of tiles may change to better correspond with a particular language or overall difficulty of the game.
The present invention may broadly include a magnetic connection between the tray and the tiles. For example, the tray may include an elongated magnetic strip material or a series of magnets shaped and disposed in an aesthetically pleasing manner along the length of the tray, with one magnet corresponding to holding one tile thereto. To enable a magnetic holding between the tray and the tiles, the tiles would necessarily include a magnetically attractable material such as iron or another metal. Conversely, instead of a magnet or magnets disposed on the tray, the magnetic holding between the tray and the tiles may be reversed, such that the tiles may hold the magnetic material while the tray may include a magnetically attractable material. The magnetic attraction between the tray and the tiles enables a set of users to play the game in more chaotic environments such as a train or a car or any other environments where the tray may be subjected to movement. The magnetic attraction prevents the tiles from spilling and disrupting the game.
The game may include a plurality of stickers to adhere to the face of some of the tiles to facilitate improved writing on the tiles via the sticker. The stickers may also be formed such that the writing is easier to wipe away when the user desires. The stickers are preferably clear with an adhesive on one side to stick to the tile.
In accordance with the features and rules discussed above, the following is a sample draft of rules for the above described game. The following sample rules draft is illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is not intended to be limiting in any way.
General Summary:

- The can be played by 2-4 people. Each player takes turns drawing or extracting tiles and spelling words out on the game board to score points. The goal of the game is to earn more points than the other players.

Determining Game Size:

- As shown in FIG. 1, the game board is 17×17 spaces, with a border of 1×1 brown spaces around the main playing field. Before the game begins, players decide whether they wish to play with the standard size playing field, or the extended field.

Starting the Game:

- As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each player draws a tile. The player who draws the tile with the highest score goes first (redraw on ties), and play follows clockwise around the board. All tiles are put back in the tile bag and each player draws eight (8) new tiles to start the game. The first word that is played must be played inside the EXTRACTOR spaces (see The EXTRACTOR Spaces). The player starts with 8 tiles, and there are 9 letters in the word, “extractor,” so any word the player can create will fit inside the EXTRACTOR spaces.

The EXTRACTOR Spaces:

- If a player plays a word that is part of the word, “EXTRACTOR,” (ex, tract, or, extra, tractor, act, actor, tor) then the word receives a 3w bonus. The word must only be part of “EXTRACTOR” to receive the 3w bonus. Using the “X” space to form the word, “maxed,” for instance, would not give the player the bonus, nor would playing “actors” at the end of the EXTRACTOR spaces. If a player did play the word “actors” using the EXTRACTOR spaces, the player would only receive the 31 bonus on “S.” They would not receive any 3w bonus for playing on the EXTRACTOR spaces, because the word itself did not only contain letters within the word “EXTRACTOR.”
- If a second player continues a word formed on the EXTRACTOR spaces (i.e. adding “tr” to “actor” and forming “tractor”) then that player also receives a 3w bonus for the whole word. The same restrictions apply to continuing a word on the EXTRACTOR spaces.

On Your Turn:

- Players try to form a single word on their turn. All words except the first must be connected to another word that is already on the board. The player adds the point values of each letter together, any points gained from bonus spaces, and adds that total to their score. If two words are formed by a letter that is on a bonus space, that bonus is applied to both words. Players have the option of extracting letters from the game board (see Extracting Letters) before playing a word on their turn. When players finish their turn, they must count their remaining tiles. If they have 8 tiles or more, then their turn is over. If they do not have at least 8 tiles, they must draw tiles until they do. See above for previously described number of letters and point values.

Extracting Letters:

- Players have the option of removing up to four (4) adjacent letters from any word on the board before they play a word on their turn. Letters can only be extracted from one side of a word or the other, or from the middle of a word in a single turn. The remaining letters must still form a word (or words, if the player extracts from the middle of a word) at least two letters long, and the word or words must still be connected with the other words on the game board. If a player extracts letters from a word, then that player must also draw penalty tiles: one tile for every letter extracted from the board.
- The player may play the extracted letter(s) and the penalty tile(s) during the same turn. The player can only hold up to 16 tiles at any given time. This means players cannot extract a single tile if they already have 15 or 16 tiles in their hand. When the game's over (see Winning the Game) players lose points for every letter they still have.
- Once a letter is removed from the board, that letter cannot be played in that space again for the rest of the game. A blank tile is marked with the extracted letter using a colored chalk marker or other writing instrument. If a different letter is used in a space where a letter was extracted, then the blank tile is removed and the extracted letter is written on the new tile next to the new letter. If the extracted letter was played on a bonus space, and another player uses a different letter on that space, the bonus applies again (to the new letter or word). As long as no letter is repeated, there is no limit to how many extractions can happen in a single space.
- As shown in FIG. 4, the letter “C” is extracted from the word “cat,” and becomes “bat” when the word “bacon is played. This is the most simple form of extraction, where a part of one word is extracted and another word is played in its place. In more complex word arrays, extractions can affect multiple words and even separate one word into two separate words, depending on the game board.
- As shown in FIG. 6, letters can be extracted from the middle of a word, “action.” A player may extract the letter “l” from “action,” because it leaves the words “act” and “on” to either side of the extracted letter.

Defensive Word Building:

- When playing the game, it is important to know what letters can and can't be extracted from the board. Preventing the other player(s) from extracting letters from the words you play is a useful tactic to reduce your opponents' possible plays. For example, instead of playing the word “quit,” where an opponent can extract “q” and “u” (leaving “it”), play “quite.” Since “uite” and “ite” aren't words, the other players can only extract the “e” on their next turn.

Blank Tiles:

- There are 10 blank tiles included in the game. Of, these, 8 are used to write blocked letters on (from extracting that letter from a space), and two blank tiles that are added to the tile bag. If a player draws a blank tile, it can be used as any letter that player wants. Blank tiles can be extracted, and a player who extracts a blank tile may use that tile as any letter, regardless of what it was when extracted. However, the rules for blocked tiles still apply (see Extracting Letters) and whatever letter the blank tile was first played as cannot be played again in that space.

Winning the Game:

- Play continues until all tiles are drawn from the tile bag and one player runs out of tiles. Any opponents must deduct the point value of their tiles from their score. If a player holds a blank tile at the end of the game, that player must deduct 20 points from their score. The player with the highest score wins the game. Time-Race Option: Instead of playing until there are no more tiles, players may set a time limit for when the game will end.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating the play of a game adapted to form words out of lettered tiles, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a grid pattern defining a plurality of grid spaces;

providing a set of lettered tiles to each player in a plurality of players;

determining a turn for each player in the plurality of players; and

during the turn of each player, forming at least one word on the grid pattern by using one or both of the steps of assigning at least one lettered tile to a corresponding at least one grid space and unassigning at least one lettered tile from a corresponding at least one grid space.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing a root word disposed within a contiguous line of grid spaces, wherein each letter of the root word is disposed in a distinct one of the grid spaces; and

requiring the player with the first turn to form a word by assigning at least one lettered tile in the word to at least one grid space in the contiguous line.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of providing the root word as “EXTRACTOR.”

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of indicating which letter was represented by an unassigned lettered tile in the associated former grid space.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of forbidding assigning lettered tiles to any grid spaces which was previously assigned to an identical lettered tile.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting the grid pattern from one of a standard size grid pattern and an extended size grid pattern.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

forming the standard size grid pattern from fifteen rows of grid spaces and fifteen columns of grid spaces; and

forming the extending size grid pattern from seventeen rows of grid spaces and seventeen columns of grid spaces.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming the grid pattern on a physical game board.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of forming the grid pattern digitally on a display of a computing device.

10. A game apparatus adapted to be played by a plurality of players, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of sequencing tiles, wherein each player in the plurality of players begins the game with a subset of the sequencing tiles;

a game board;

a grid pattern disposed on the game board, wherein the grid pattern defines a plurality of grid spaces;

a root word disposed on the game board and comprised of a plurality of characters, wherein the root word is disposed within a contiguous portion of the grid spaces, and wherein each character in the plurality of characters occupies a single grid space in the plurality of grid spaces; and

wherein the plurality of players use the sequencing tiles to form words on the game board.

11. The game apparatus of claim 10, wherein each sequencing tile in the plurality of sequencing tiles includes a letter and a numerical point value disposed thereon.

12. The game apparatus of claim 10, further comprising wherein each sequencing tile in the plurality of sequencing tiles includes one of a magnetic field and a ferromagnetic portion.

13. The game apparatus of claim 12, wherein each grid space in the plurality of grid spaces includes one of a magnetic field and a ferromagnetic portion.

14. The game apparatus of claim 10, wherein the game board may be rolled into a first orientation and unrolled into a second orientation, wherein the first orientation is a tube shape, and wherein the second orientation is a flat planer shape.

15. The game apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a standard main playing area defined by the grid pattern and including fifteen rows of grid spaces in the plurality of grid spaces and a fifteen columns of grid spaces in the plurality of grid spaces; and

an extended playing area defined by the grid pattern and including seventeen rows of grid spaces in the plurality of grid spaces and seventeen columns of grid spaces in the plurality of grid spaces.

16. The game apparatus of claim 10, wherein the root word is “EXTRACTOR”.

17. A non-transitory article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions adapted to be executed by a processor, the instructions which, when executed, define a series of steps to be used to control a procedure, the procedure comprising:

displaying a grid pattern which defines a plurality of grid spaces on a display;

providing a root word disposed in a root contiguous portion of the grid pattern, wherein the root word is comprised of a plurality of root word letters, and wherein each root word letter is disposed in a distinct one of the plurality of grid spaces in the root contiguous portion;

displaying a plurality of virtual tiles on the display adjacent to the grid pattern;

displaying a letter and a point value on each virtual tile in the plurality of virtual tiles;

allowing a first player to form a first constructed word by manipulating the display to move a set of virtual tiles in the plurality of virtual tiles into a constructed contiguous portion of the grid pattern, wherein the first constructed word is comprised of the set of virtual tiles arranged to form the first constructed word, and wherein each virtual tile in the set of virtual tiles is disposed in a distinct one of the plurality of grid spaces in the constructed contiguous portion; and

enforcing a rule that the root contiguous portion and the constructed contiguous portion share at least one overlapping grid space in the plurality of grid spaces.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 17, wherein the procedure further comprises:

displaying a game score of the first player on the display; and

adding all of the point values of the virtual tiles in the set of virtual tiles to the game score.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 17, wherein the procedure further comprises allowing the first player to select the number of grid spaces defined by the grid pattern.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 17, wherein the procedure further comprises providing “EXTRACTOR” as the root word.