US3831945A - Game and playing elements for same - Google Patents

Abstract

One form of the game consists of small playing pieces with markings on opposite faces representing the usual playing card markings of diamonds, clubs, hearts and spades. A game assembly contains two duplicate game sets to provide a separate set for each of two opposing players or teams. One of the sets may be provided with varients in color, hue or shape to avoid intermixing, but are otherwise identical in indicia arrangement. Each of the two sets has twenty-five playing pieces or ''''chips, '''' made up of two similar series of twelve chips each plus an odd twenty-fifth chip with a dual role. One of the series has heart markings on one face of the chip, from the Ace representing the numeral one, continuing with the two, three, etc. on through the Queen, which numerically represents twelve. On the opposite face of these chips is the marking for spades with the markings differing by a selected fixed numerical amount as, for example, six. This places the Ace of hearts opposite the seven of spades, the three of hearts opposite the nine of spades, the Jack of hearts opposite the five of spades. etc. The companion series of twelve chips carry on opposite faces the suits of diamonds, and clubs, arranged like the series of chips carrying the suits of hearts and spades. The odd piece represents the King for all four suits, with both heart and diamond indicia on one face and both club and space indicia on the opposing face, giving the player the option of using either one of the two suits showing face up. The pieces or chips are of such size and preferably flat that they can be mixed in a shaker cup, like a dice cup, and thrown out onto a flat surface. The objective of the game is to arrange the twenty-five pieces of a set, as randomly thrown, into as many pat poker hands as possible and with the highest scoring combinations. A solution of five pat hands is termed a ''''pentago, '''' a coined word stemming from the Greek prefix ''''Pente,'''' a combining form meaning five. The game itself with these pieces may be termed PENTAGO. A simplified form of the game utilizes four different colors in lieu of card suits and reduces the number of chips per set to twenty.

Description

United States Patent Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Arnold W. Kramer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jones and Lockwood 5 7 1 ABSTRACT One form of the game consists of small playing pieces with markings on opposite faces representing the usual playing card markings of diamonds, clubs, hearts and spades. A game assembly contains two duplicate game sets to provide a separate set for each of two opposing Scherini Aug. 27, 1974 GAME AND PLAYING ELEMENTS FOR players or teams. One of the sets may be provided SAME with van'ents in color, hue or shape to avoid intermixing, but are otherwise identical in indicia arrangement.

[76] Inventor g a g gg Each of the two setshas twenty-five playing pieces or au er a chips," made up of two similar series of twelve chips [22] Filed: Feb. 13, 1973 each plus an odd twenty-fifth chip with a dual role. One of the series has heart markings on one face of [21] Appl' 33l736 the chip, from the Ace representing the numeral one, continuing with the two, three, etc. on through the [52] US. Cl. 273/148 R, 273/138 R, 273/ 152.2, Queen, which numerically represents twelve. On the 35/69;7O;71;72;8 B;3l G opposite face of these chips is the marking for spades [51] Int. Cl. A63f 1/00 with the markings differing by a selected fixed numeri- [58] Field of Search 273/ 152.2, 152.41, 146, cal amount as, for example, six. This places the Ace of 273/137 R, 137 B, 137 C, 137 D, 138 R; hearts opposite the seven of spades, the three of hearts D34/ 13 R, 5 GP opposite the nine of spades, the Jack of hearts opposite the five of spades. etc. The companion series of [56] References Cited twelve chips carry on opposite faces the suits of dia- UNITED STATES PATENTS monds, and clubs, arranged like the series of chips carrying the suits of hearts and spades. The odd piece 25.2%? 2513??) 5533????:J.'.11:;.1'.1:J.'.3239??? eeeeeeeee e e fee e11 feee with beeh heeee l,55l:76l 9/1925 McCarroll.... 273/152.41 and dlamond ndlcla one face and both club and l,996,l5l 4/1935 Gordon 35/8 B Space indicia 0n the Opposing face, giving the P y 3,716,236 2/1973 Pangborn 273/146 x E p \{Sing 9 0f h twl? suits slllowinfg ace u e ieces or c 1 s are 0 suc s1ze an pre FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS erably flat thzfi they can b mixedl in a shaker cup, like 5,539 4/ l 887 Great Brita n 35/72 a dice cup and thrown out Onto a flat Sudaca T 2 gig: g jective of the game is to arrange the twenty-five pieces of a set, as randomly thrown, into as many pat poker hands as possible and with the highest scoring combinations. A solution of five pat hands is termed a pentago, a coined word stemming from the Greek prefix Pente, a combining form meaning five. The game itself with these pieces may be termed PENTAGO. A simplified form of the game utilizes four different colors in lieu of card suits and reduces the number of chips per set to twenty.

9 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDAUGZYW m 7 3.831.945

A 4A A 2A A. JV 6' 5' 4V V 9 A0 Q9 @0 6O 9 20 PAIENIEDM em 7 a: V1' 3361 945 GAME AND PLAYING ELEMENTS FOR SAME SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The game involves a concept of mixing one variable of thirteen sequential figures on the playing pieces against another variable of four different symbols or distinguishing characteristics. The figures and symbols are so arranged and intermixed as to provide good probabilities of making five separate perfect prescribed combinations of five pieces on each from an arrange ment of twenty-five playing pieces. A variation of this, but still using the arrangement of five separate perfect prescribed combinations of playing pieces is five arrangements of four pieces each.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the invention reference is made to the drawings and the description which follows:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of each of twelve game pieces with the symbol red hearts marked Ace, as one, through Queen as twelve;

FIG. 1B is a representation of the opposite face marking of the respective pieces in FIG. 1A with the symbol black spades.

FIG. 2A is a representation of twelve game pieces as in FIG. 1A, but with the marking symbol of red diamonds, Ace through Queen;

FIG. 2B is a representation of the opposite faces of the game pieces in FIG. 2A with the representation of black clubs marked as in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3A is a game piece or chip with the King represented as either the black King of clubs or spades;

FIG. 3B is the opposite side of the fame piece in FIG. 3A marked to represent either the red King of diamonds or hearts;

FIG. 4 represents an actual random throw of the chips onto a flat surface as from a shaker cup (not shown);

FIG. 5 shows the first step in arranging the random throw of FIG. 4 into an orderly sequence by suits to permit analysis, a desirable step towards solution of the game;

FIG. 6 shows the first and-easiest solution of rear rangement of the random throw of FIG. 4, arranged as four Flushes and one Straight, with a score of 11 points;

FIG. 7 depicts how the same random throw of FIG. 4 can be more cleverly arranged into three Flushes, a Straight and a Straight Flush, with a core of points;

FIG. 8 shows a further possible rearrangement of the random throw of the pieces in FIG. 4 into a still more clever arrangement of one Straight, two Full Houses and two Four-of-a-Kind, with a score of 21 points.

FIG. 9A shows the front face of ten playing pieces of the JUNIOR PENTAGO game version; numbered l-10 on a red background;

FIG. 9B is a view of the opposite faces of the pieces in FIG. 9A colored blue and differing by five in number from the respective piece numbering in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a representation of ten game pieces numbered as in FIG. 9A, but green in background color;

FIG. 10B is a representation of the opposite faces of the pieces in FIG. 10A, colored yellow and differing by five from the respective piece numbering in FIG. 10A;

FIGS. 11 through 15 show an arrangement of the twenty pieces of a JUNIOR PENTAGO game set into a perfect solution (a Pentago) and also show all of the different types of 4 chip pat hands;

FIG. 11 shows a Flush of four red facings;

FIG. 12 shows a Two Pair group, 2 twos and 2 fours;

FIG. 13 shows a Straight, consisting of four chips in sequence of any color;

FIG. 14 shows Four-of-a-Kind consisting of 4 tens; and

FIG. 15 shows a Straight Flush, consisting of a Straight and Flush combined.

ELEMENTS OF THE GAME The basic elements of the PENTAGO game assembly consist of:

a. Two complete sets of playing pieces, each set consisting of the twenty-four pieces represented in FIGS. 1A, 18, 2A and 28 plus the King whose two sides are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The basic pieces of one of the sets may be varied in color, hue

or shape to avoid intermixing of players sets but areotherwiseidentical with the other set in indicia arrangement;

bf Two plastic throwing cups or containers (not shown) similar to dice cups;

c. Rules of Play pamphlet (not shown).

(1. Suitable packaging box (not shown).

Each PENTAGO game set consists of twenty-five pieces with approximate dimensions, see perspective showing of the chips in FIG. 1A, of inch X 1 1/16 inch 3/16 inch of a rectangular shape. The shape and dimen'sions are unimportant to the game except as needed for ease of handling during play of the game and may be modified. It is'considered important that the chips have two opposite substantially flat surfaces or faces on which the insignia elements of the game can be imprinted or applied. The material of the chips may be any solid substance such as wood, cardboard, or plastic.

CHIP INSIGNIA Each set of PENTAGO chips contains the essential insignia elements of a complete set of standard playing cards. One of the unique features is that both sides of each chip are utilized in such a manner that a throw from the throwing cup results in a random array of twenty-six cards on the upper faces of the twentyfive double-faced chips.

The twenty-five chips of each set are madeup as follows: One series of twelve chips has the playing card indicia, see FIG. 1A, Ace through Queen, marked A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J and Q together with the heart symbol. The opposite facings, see FIG. 1B, all have spade symbols with the numerical values differing by six. (Ace has a value of 1, Jack of 11 and Queen of 12.) Thus, as examples, the Ace of hearts is opposite the 7 of spades, the 2 of hearts opposite the 8 of spades, 6 of hearts over the Queen of spades, 7 of hearts over the Ace of spades and the Jack of hearts over the 5 of spades. The companion series of the other twelve chips, see FIGS. 2A and 28, has exactly the same pattern using diamonds over clubs. The twenty-fifth chip represents the King for all four suits, with both club and spade symbols on one face, see FIG. 3A, and both heart and diamond symbols on the opposing face, see FIG.

38, giving the player the optional use of either one of Straight: A sequence of five cards, in various suits, the two suits showing. This dual role of the King imsuch as Jd, 10h, 9s, 8d, 7h. The Ace may be used with parts several important benefits to the PENTAGO the K. O, J, 10 or the 2, 3, 4, 5. game as follows: Full House: Any three cards of one denomination 1. It permits an orderly progression of opposing nu- 5 combined with two of another denomination, such as merical values, as six between, or alternatively 1, 2, 3, three Q ee a d a Pair Of eightS- or 4 between, and permits the other twelve hearts over F0uf-0f-fl-KihdI y four Cards of the Same denomithe other twelve spades. Otherwise, the odd number of nation, 0118 Of each n Such as foul tens- The Odd of thirteen pieces for the two suits would render this imfifth Card y be anythingpossible and serve to complicate the indicia arrange- Straight Flusni y five Cards of the Same Sun in ment and manufacture f the game quence, such as 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 of clubs. Includes Royal 2. Since only twenty-five chips can be used for mak Flushing a Pentago of five pat hands, the twenty-six chips PENTAGO may b le q by one person as a ch31 that would normally be required to represent a deck of lengmg game of Sohtalre m dfferem ways Such as:

fifty-two cards are automatically reduced to twenty- To achieve a Pentago of five P hands without five, thus eliminating any need to discard a chip but still gard Scoring' some Solutions are difficult and retaining the complete thus this game serves as an excellent type of puzzle.

3. The optional use of two suits for the King imparts To make a Pemago with the possible h an additional flexibility inplay to permit a player to Some random throws can be arranged into several difachieve a Pentago solution practically every time. Out ferem arrangem ems five pat a wlth considerof about five hundred random throws tested a Pentago able dlfferfince m Scoring dependmg on the 5km and of five pat hands was obtained in all except one throw. analysis of the pmyerisee FIGS' 7 and FOR TWO PLAYERS:

Each player throws and arranges his own set of PEN- TAGO chips to obtain the highest possible score for each throw. The first player to reach forty points wins the game. If both players reach forty points after an equal number of throws, the highest score wins. A player may not begin another throw until his opponent has completed his arrangement and scoring. No time Extensive computations and studies, including several thousand game trials were conducted during development of the game to seek the best interlocking pattern arrangement of opposing indicia. The use of different suits on opposing faces is, for example, an important factor. With the same suit on both sides of each 0 chip, every throw would produce six chips in each of the four suits, and result in a boring and inflexible arlimit is imposed unless mutuallylagreed upon when rangement. Numerical spreads between opposing faces playing m is limited the game may be out to one of 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as 6, were extensively tested throw per player and produced satisfactory game results. However, the spread of 6 improved Straight probabilities and, to- FOR FOUR OR MORE YE S gether with the creation of the dual King, produced the w one PENTAGO game il l comprising two Optimum arrangement for game interest and seonng sets of chips, four players can play as partners in two possibilities. A constant numerical difference, although teams wi h two games il bl comprising f sets not essential to the principle of the game, keeps the arh may l as i di id ls, Th m l s p l as rangement uncomplicated for purposes of manufacfor two players. With sufficient sets available any numture, for players who may wish to arrange their layouts ber may play,

' f f l in duplicate or or preset layouts or puzz e purposes ALTERNATIVE MET OD OF PLAY HIGH HAND PENTAGO I OBJECTIVE OF THE GAME OF PENTAGO An alternative, simplified method of play, applicable The objective of the game of PENTAGO is to arto any number of players, is to adjudge the winner by range the chips, thrown at random from a dice cup, the highest pat hand instead of scoring the hands. into as many pat poker hands as possible and with the Value of hands is in the same order as in the scoring highest scoring combinations. Five pat poker hands, arversion, with a Straight Flush highest, a Flush lowest. ranged f m twenty-fi hips thro titut a When one player or team has a Pentago solution and Pentago. It is not necessary to achieve a Pentago, but the opponent does not, the Pentago solution wins over only the pat hands are cored with a bQnu awarded for the non-Pentago layout regardless Of the rank Of thfi ina Pentago solution. Scoring is as follows: dividual handswhen g h n are tied (same W of pat hand regardless of individual card rank) the winner is determined by the second highest hand, etc.

Po'nt:

' VARIANTS IN INDICIA DESIGN Fl .1 sriiiighr i Heretofore the chip markings for the PENTAGO vergun Hrfrustk d 2 sion, as shown in FIGS. 1A through 313, have been dis- 5 cussed in terms of standard playing card indicia and the Pcntago (Five pat hands) 5 bonus pat hands in traditional poker style. Several variants of this can be employed without changing the basic game Definitions of pat poker hands in accordance with or the thought processes required in the playing. standard poker practice is repeated here for clarity: First, regarding the numerical sequence, any orderly Flush: Any five cards of the same suit, not in seprogression of figures which can be identified from I to quence, such as Q, 9, 8, 6 2 of spades. 13 in a sequence could be employed. Thus, instead of A, 2 etc., through King, the numbers 1 through 13 could be substituted, the only effect being to make a Pentago solution slightly more difficult in some throws, as the Ace-high straights would be eliminated. The 13, however, would take the role of the dual King, each face carrying two suit symbols. Another example is a sequential arrangement of thirteen letters in alphabetical order such as A through M. In lieu of arabic numerals on the chips a spot marking system," similar to that used on playing cards could be employed; or markings similar to those used on dice could be used. Either the numbers could be eliminated and the spots substituted or both could be used. Also, the face card chips could carry the face card head insignia in lieu of simply J, O and K.

Regarding the playing card symbols of clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades, these could be replaced by any other four different symbols, designs, markings, shapes or by four different colors. For instance, each card suit could be replaced by a different color such as red, blue, yellow and green, as in the JUNIOR PEN- TAGO version of the game. For example, the Queen of hearts is replaced by a red Queen, the 6 of diamonds by a yellow 6, the 3 of clubs by a blue 3, the 8 of spades by a green 8, etc. The suit markings on the K chip are replaced by a red K and a yellow K on one side and by a blue K and a green K on the opposite side, thus retaining the dual role of the King. If numerals 1 through 13 were employed, the 13 chip would assume the dual role with different colored numeral l3s on each side.

Such variants in indicia design are considered secondary to the traditional card markings as described for the game. However, it is important to realize that the development of this PENTAGO game is not simply a type of poker but a completely new concept in games wherein one variable of thirteen consecutive figures, numbers or sequential representations is mixed against another variable of four different symbols, designs, markings or colors; the figures and symbols being so arranged and intermixed, utilizing double-faced playing pieces as to provide the challenge of regrouping into five separate perfect prescribed combinations. In PEN- TAGO or its variants each combination has five chips.

GAME VARIANT JUNIOR PENTAGO As a variant to the game which represents a simplified form for play by children the following is provided:

1. Physical Characteristics:

Same size chip and material is used. There is a total of twenty chips per set. Four colors are used instead of card suits, such as red, blue, green and yellow. The color scheme may be imposed by either coloring the numbers themselves or by coloring the background as represented by the hatching on the chips in FIGS. 9A through B. Numerical progression or consecutiveness, is from 1 through 10 as shown by the chip markings. Numerical spread between opposing faces of chips is 5 (see FIG. 9A showing one face of a series of ten chips and FIG. 9B showing the respective opposite face markings.) The markings are 1/6, 2/7, 3/8, 4/9, 5/10, 6/1, 7/2, 8/3, 9/4 and 10/5, with a red face over a blue face for the series of ten chips shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, and a green face over a yellow face for the companion series of ten chips shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.

2. Game Objective:

Two sets of chips, each comprising twenty JUNIOR PENTAGO chips, see FIGS. 9A-l0B, are provided in a game assembly for two players or teams. Each set of chips is shaken in a cup and thrown out onto a table or other flat surface. The objective of the game is to arrange the chips into as many 4 chip pat hands as possible and with the highest scoring combinations. A solution of five pat hands is termed, as in the PENTAGO game version, a Pentago, as illustrated in the total layout of FIGS. 11 through 15 and which also show all the various possible pat hands. In this version of the game special pat hands are prescribed for combinations of four chips for which points are awarded as follows:

Points The points are totaled and the first player to reach forty points is the winner. If more than one player has reached forty points the high score wins.

As in PENTAGO, the JUNIOR PENTAGO version may be played as a form of solitaire. Also, the High Hand method of play may be employed as described for PENTAGO.

3. Variant Indicia for JUNIOR PENTAGO:

For use by young children the indicia can be moditied to include a difierent interesting symbol or diagram with each of the numerals from one to ten, repeated respectively in each of the four colors used. For example, each 7 facing might carry a tiger so that there would be a total of four tigers, one in each of the four colors. In this version the animal or other figure would be predominant in the indicia with the numbers small and inscribed in two diagonally opposite corners. A sequence of ten different animals in each of four colors 7 could provide increased interest and appeal to the juvenile mind. Either the point scoring method or the high hand" method of play, already described, may be used in this variation. The high hand method is particularly applicable to this form of JUNIOR PENTAGO for younger children. Thus, the child player with a high hand of four tigers wins over an opposing high hand of a pair of elephants and a pair of lions, without the complications of scoring. However, he is still encouraged to use his best mental processes to attain a Pentago solution as that combination always wins over a non- Pentago layout regardless of the individual high hands.

PURPOSE OF INCLUDING VARIATIONS It is evident that some variations in indicia design and arrangement may be desirable, considering the wide range of age groups and mental abilities which may wish to participate in the challenge of the PENTAGO concept.

Further, a basic principle is that the JUNIOR PEN- TAGO version is simply an extension of the main PEN- TAGO game. This is shown by simply discarding five chips from a PENTAGO set, such as the four Queen over 6 chips and the King chip. The resulting twenty chips essentially represent a JUNIOR PENTAGO set and can be used to play the game quite satisfactorily. However, the Junior version is improved in its arrangement by using a spread of between opposing faces instead of 6, and this permits discarding the Jacks (as well as the Queens and Kings) and permits use of the sixes in an orderly progression from 1 to 10. Accordingly, this numerical arrangement was used for the game, along with substitution of four different colors for the four playing card suits. The basic principle of seeking five pat hands is undisturbed. Whether four or five chips are employed as pat hands is relatively unimportant to the basic PENTAGO principle. The variant game does, however, offer the opportunity of extending the game to those children who could not manage the full PENTAGO version.

What is claimed is:

I. The combination of playing pieces, each of which constitutes an actual implement of play and together constituting a game, said playing pieces being relatively small, thin and flat and adapted to be thrown from a shaker for intermixing, the playing pieces being fundamentally constituted of two similar series, each piece having two oppositely disposed faces, insignia for the oppositely disposed faces being four distinctive symbols of different design, color or shape and a plurality of sequential figures, one series having one of the four symbols on one face of each of its pieces and one of the other symbols on its opposite face, the other series carrying the other two symbols in like manner, both series additionally having in common a consecutive marking of said sequential figures, each series having one sequential figure of said consecutive marking on one face of each playing piece and a different sequential figure of said consecutive marking on the opposite face thereto, there being a constant sequential interval between the figures on opposing faces of the respective pieces, whereby said combination of playing pieces, with its interlocking arrangement of insignia on opposing faces, provides the essential elements of a game for rearrangement of a random throw of all the pieces, exposing only the insignia of the uppermost faces, into five separate perfect prescribed combinations.

2. A combination game according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of sequential figures are respectively representative of sequential numerical values and wherein said sequential figure on one face of a piece differs from the sequential figure on the opposite face thereto by a constant numerical value.

3. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said combination of playing pieces consists of twenty four pieces and each said series of playing pieces consists of twelve pieces with the said consecutive figure sequence, common to both series, consisting of numerical representations from one through twelve, said constant sequential interval between opposing faces being a constant numerical amount; there being in addition to the two said series of playing pieces an odd twentyfifth piece having two oppositely disposed faces, one of said faces having thereon two of the said four distinctive symbols together with a numerical representation for thirteen and the opposing face of said odd piece having thereon the other two distinctive symbols together with the numerical representation for thirteen as marked on the opposing face; whereby said five separate perfect prescribed combinations are made up of five playing pieces per combination.

4. A combination according to claim 3 wherein one of said two series of twelve playing pieces has on one face of the respective pieces as said marking sequence representative of consecutive numbers, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, O; the accompanying symbol on said one face of the respective pieces being a design representation of a heart shape; the other and opposite face of said one series of respective pieces having as its distinctive symbol thereon a design representation of a spade; the numerical representation on said opposite faces differing by a constant numerical amount of six and the respective marking being 7, 8, 9, 10, J, O, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; the other'of said two series being similarly marked with a diamond symbol in place of a heart and a club symbol in place of a spade; said odd piece symbols on one face being the designs of a heart and a diamond and said numerical representation being a K, and on the opposite face of the symbols being the designs of a spade and a club along with said numerical representation also being a K, whereby said arrangement of playing pieces provides the optimum interlocking combination for rearrangement of a random throw into five pat poker hands with the highest scoring combinations.

5. The combination of playing pieces according to claim 4 wherein the playing pieces are in the form of cards.

6. A combination according to claim 3 wherein one of said two series of twelve playing pieces has on one face of the respective pieces as said marking sequence representative of consecutive numbers, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, O; the accompanying symbol on said one face of the respective pieces being effected by means of a first color representation; the other and opposite face of said one series of respective pieces having as its distinctive symbol thereon a second color representation; the numerical representation on said opposite faces differing by a constant numerical amount of six and the respective marking being 7, 8, 9, 10, J, O, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; the other of said two series being similarly marked with a third color as the symbol in place of a first color as the symbol and a fourth color as the symbol in place of a second color as the symbol; said odd piece symbols on one face being the first and third colors as the symbols and said numerical representation being a K, and on the opposite face the symbols being the second and fourth colors along with said numerical representation also being a K, whereby said arrangement of playing pieces provides the optimum interlocking combination for rearrangement of a random throw into five pat poker hands with the highest scoring combination.

7. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said combination of playing pieces consists of twenty pieces and each said series of playing pieces consist of ten pieces, said consecutive marking sequence common to ing identical marking arrangement; said constant numerical amount being five by which the marking representative of numbers on the opposite respective faces differ, whereby for each set said arrangement of playing pieces provides the optimum interlocking combination for rearrangement of a random throw into said five perfect prescribed combinations with the highest scoring combinations.

9. A combination according to claim 7 wherein the four distinctive symbols are four different colors.

Claims (9)

1. The combination of playing pieces, each of which constitutes an actual implement of play and together constituting a game, said playing pieces being relatively small, thin and flat and adapted to be thrown from a shaker for intermixing, the playing pieces being fundamentally constituted of two similar series, each piece having two oppositely disposed faces, insignia for the oppositely disposed faces being four distinctive symbols of different design, color or shape and a plurality of sequential figures, one series having one of the four symbols on one face of each of its pieces and one of the other symbols on its opposite face, the other series carrying the other two symbols in like manner, both series additionally having in common a consecutive marking of said sequential figures, each series having one sequential figure of said consecutive marking on one face of each playing piece and a different sequential figure of said consecutive marking on the opposite face thereto, there being a constant sequential interval between the figures on opposing faces of the respective pieces, whereby said combination of playing pieces, wIth its interlocking arrangement of insignia on opposing faces, provides the essential elements of a game for rearrangement of a random throw of all the pieces, exposing only the insignia of the uppermost faces, into five separate perfect prescribed combinations.

2. A combination game according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of sequential figures are respectively representative of sequential numerical values and wherein said sequential figure on one face of a piece differs from the sequential figure on the opposite face thereto by a constant numerical value.

3. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said combination of playing pieces consists of twenty four pieces and each said series of playing pieces consists of twelve pieces with the said consecutive figure sequence, common to both series, consisting of numerical representations from one through twelve, said constant sequential interval between opposing faces being a constant numerical amount; there being in addition to the two said series of playing pieces an odd twenty-fifth piece having two oppositely disposed faces, one of said faces having thereon two of the said four distinctive symbols together with a numerical representation for thirteen and the opposing face of said odd piece having thereon the other two distinctive symbols together with the numerical representation for thirteen as marked on the opposing face; whereby said five separate perfect prescribed combinations are made up of five playing pieces per combination.

4. A combination according to claim 3 wherein one of said two series of twelve playing pieces has on one face of the respective pieces as said marking sequence representative of consecutive numbers, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q; the accompanying symbol on said one face of the respective pieces being a design representation of a heart shape; the other and opposite face of said one series of respective pieces having as its distinctive symbol thereon a design representation of a spade; the numerical representation on said opposite faces differing by a constant numerical amount of six and the respective marking being 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; the other of said two series being similarly marked with a diamond symbol in place of a heart and a club symbol in place of a spade; said odd piece symbols on one face being the designs of a heart and a diamond and said numerical representation being a K, and on the opposite face of the symbols being the designs of a spade and a club along with said numerical representation also being a K, whereby said arrangement of playing pieces provides the optimum interlocking combination for rearrangement of a random throw into five pat poker hands with the highest scoring combinations.

5. The combination of playing pieces according to claim 4 wherein the playing pieces are in the form of cards.

6. A combination according to claim 3 wherein one of said two series of twelve playing pieces has on one face of the respective pieces as said marking sequence representative of consecutive numbers, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q; the accompanying symbol on said one face of the respective pieces being effected by means of a first color representation; the other and opposite face of said one series of respective pieces having as its distinctive symbol thereon a second color representation; the numerical representation on said opposite faces differing by a constant numerical amount of six and the respective marking being 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; the other of said two series being similarly marked with a third color as the symbol in place of a first color as the symbol and a fourth color as the symbol in place of a second color as the symbol; said odd piece symbols on one face being the first and third colors as the symbols and said numerical representation being a K, and on the opposite face the symbols being the second and fourth colors along with said numerical representation also being a K, whereby said arrangement of playing pieces provides the optimum interlocking combination for rearrangement of a random throw into five pat poker hands with the highest scoring combination.

7. A combination according to claim 1 wherein said combination of playing pieces consists of twenty pieces and each said series of playing pieces consist of ten pieces, said consecutive marking sequence common to both series consisting of numerical representations from one through ten, said constant sequential interval between opposing faces being a constant numerical amount; whereby said five separate perfect prescribed combinations are made up of four playing pieces per combination.

8. A combination according to claim 7 wherein said two series of pieces form a game set and wherein there are two duplicate game sets for competitive play with a variant color, hue, shape or marking of the pieces of one set to avoid intermixing of sets but otherwise having identical marking arrangement; said constant numerical amount being five by which the marking representative of numbers on the opposite respective faces differ, whereby for each set said arrangement of playing pieces provides the optimum interlocking combination for rearrangement of a random throw into said five perfect prescribed combinations with the highest scoring combinations.

9. A combination according to claim 7 wherein the four distinctive symbols are four different colors.

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