WO1992014525A1

WO1992014525A1 - Apparatus for a game

Info

Publication number: WO1992014525A1
Application number: PCT/AU1992/000069
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fadi Rafidi
Original assignee: Multiplay Pty. Limited
Priority date: 1991-02-22
Filing date: 1992-02-21
Publication date: 1992-09-03
Also published as: GB9416867D0; GB2279884A; GB2279884B

Abstract

An apparatus for a game for one or more players based on the relation between groups and sub-groups of data. In the preferred form the game is based on numbers related by mathematical multiplication tables. The apparatus has in the preferred form a display in the form of a representation of a board (10) with an array of discrete locations (11). Each location has assigned thereto a first indicia being a number from 1 up to a base number or a multiple number which is determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including the base number provided the resultant multiple number is greater than the base number. A dice can be used as a means of randomly generating a second indicia, being a number from 1 up to and including the base number. Once a player has thrown the dice, he may select any of the first indicia on the board that is a multiple of that number with the limits defined and can indicate ownership of a selected location by marking that location with a unique colour or ornamentation etc. The array displayed on the board is configured to allow a plurality of possible relationships between two or more locations and the scoring can be based on rules concerning points to be allocated for specific relationships such as, for example, three locations in a row.

Description

Title: APPARATUS FOR A GAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of playing a game concerned with identifying the relationship between groups and corresponding sub-groups of data.

BACKGROUND ART

The game has been developed primarily around the numbers of a base number system related by the rules of mathematical multiplication and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However_/ it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular group/sub-group relationship.

It is considered essential in the early stages of a general education course to subject to memory tables of a selected base number system. Typically, this involves learning the 12 times table by rote. For most students learning number tables by rote is a tedious and relatively uninteresting procedure since it involves many hours of repeating numbers and multiples of numbers of the base number system. Any aid that facilitates this learning procedure and which makes it more interesting and fun to engage in, clearly assists both teacher and pupil and thus fulfils a useful purpose. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for and a method of playing a game concerned with group and sub-group relationships and in a preferred form with the numbers of a base number system and multiples thereof.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for a game for one or more players comprising: a display having an array of discrete locations, each location adapted to have assigned thereto one of a plurality of first indicia selected from a predetermined first group of indicia at least some of which are unique; means for selectively identifying each location and assigned indicia with one of said players; and means for randomly selecting a second indicia from a second predetermined set of indicia, each of said second indicia being related in a predetermined manner with one or more of said first indicia. Preferably, the array is configured to allow a plurality of possible relationships between adjacent discrete locations. Desirably such relationships are linear.

In preference the first and second indicia are numbers. More preferably, the first group of indicia are the set of numbers from 1 up to a base number or a multiple number which is determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including the base number by a number from 2 up to and including the base number provided the resultant multiple number is greater than the base number.

It is further preferred that the second indicia are respectively related to one or more of said first group of indicia by the rule of mathematical multiplication. Desirably, the second indicia are the numbers from 1 up to the base number.

In preferred embodiments the means for selectively identifying each location with one of the players is by colour or ornamentation and the means for selecting a second indicia comprises a dice.

Preferably the display includes a representation of a board marked with the array of discrete locations.

In one embodiment the first indicia forms part of the representation of a board and in a second embodiment the first indicia forms part of respective tokens each adapted to be placed at or adjacent a related one of the discrete locations. The tokens may also include means for identifying each player.

In a third embodiment the display is in the form a sheet displaying at least one set of first indicia comprising a plurality of number displaying portions, each of the portions displaying a different number from the numbers displayed by the other number displaying portions in the set, the numbers being from 1 up to a base number or a multiple number which is determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including the base number by a number from 2 up to and including the base number provided the resultant multiple number is greater than the base number, and wherein said means for selectively identifying each playing portion with one of said players comprises at least one marker for marking the number displaying portions in a way which is indicative of each player and said means for randomly selecting a second indicia comprises means for generating a number randomly from 1 up to a base number and, optionally, multiple numbers each of which is determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including the base number by a number from 2 up to and including the base number provided the resultant multiple number is greater than the base number, and thereby determine what number displaying portion(s) become available to place a mark with said marker which is indicative of a player, the number being determined by the number randomly generated or a multiple number thereof, the multiple number being determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including the base number by a number from 2 up to and including the base number provided the resultant multiple number is greater than the base number.

Generally, the base number is from 6 to 50. More typically the base number is 10 or 12.

When the base number is *n' (n being generally from 6 to 50) the means for generating a random number is typically an 'n' sided dice. For instance, when the base number is 10 the means for generating a random number is typically a 10 sided dice. When the base number is 12 the means for generating a random number is typically a 12 sided dice.

The apparatus of the invention advantageously further includes means for determining the multiple numbers. Examples of the means for determining the multiple numbers include a sheet(s) of paper, cardboard, plastic or other suitable material which lists the multiple numbers typically in the form of a table(s). Alternatively, the means for determining the multiple numbers may be a calculator, slide rule, computer, abacus or other like device.

The apparatus of the invention generally further includes means to display the score of each player. Examples include a calculator, slide rule, computer, abacus or other like device. In the apparatus of the third embodiment the marker is typically a pen. The pen may be a typical writing pen such as a biro and each player may have a biro or the players may share one or more biros. Alternatively, the pen may be a coloured pen and in this instance each player may have a different coloured pen.

Generally in the apparatus of the third embodiment a plurality of the sheets bound together to form a pad or a book.

In further embodiments the representation of a board is displayed on a computer screen and the means for randomly selecting first and second indicia, identifying a location with one of the players and preferably also scoring is achieved in the manner known to those skilled in the art through appropriate computer programming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a plan view of a board in accordance with the apparatus of first embodiment having a plurality of number displaying portions;

Figs. 2(a), 2(b), 2(c), 2(d), 2(e), 2(f) and 2(g) depicts plan, inverted plan, right side, left side, perspective, front and rear views respectively of a 12 sided dice displaying Hindu-Arabic numerals for use as a means for generating a random number in the apparatus of the invention; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the board of Fig. 1 having a plurality of number displaying portions with two tokens (one black and one white) disposed thereon from two different players;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the board of Fig. 1 having a plurality of number displaying portions with four tokens (two black and two white) disposed thereon from two different players;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the board of Fig. 1 having a plurality of number displaying portions with five tokens (three black and two white) disposed thereon from two different players;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a board in accordance with the apparatus of second embodiment having a plurality of playing portions;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of an alternative board in accordance with the apparatus of second embodiment having a plurality of playing portions;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a board of Fig. 6 or 7 having a plurality of tokens according to the second embodiment;

Fig. 9(a) is a perspective front view of a token according to the second embodiment;

Fig. 9(b) is a perspective back view of a token according to the second embodiment; and Fig. 10 is a plan view of a sheet in accordance with the apparatus of third having a plurality of playing portions.

BEST MODE AND OTHER MODES FOR PERFORMING THE INVENTION The apparatus for a game includes a display having an array of discrete locations which in the embodiments described below comprises a board, but which includes within the scope of the invention representations of a board on a computer screen and three dimensional board structures or representations.

The game is based on predetermined relationships between first and second indicia, which in the examples illustrated are base numbers and multiples thereof. However, the game can be adapted for other group/ sub-group relationships.

The first indicia are marked on or assigned to locations on the display and each player can then gain ownership of locations by randomly selecting a second indicia and using the predetermined relationship to identify those locations having first indicia he is entitled to select. On selection of a location ownership is gained by marking that location in a manner that is unique to that player which is usually by colour or ornamentation. Scoring is then in accordance with specified rules relating to ownership of groups of adjacent locations that are linked in a particular manner such as a row of three locations. Variations on the scoring and playing rules are endless.

In order to illustrate the invention more fully, specific examples of the invention are described hereinafter. All the examples relate to a multiplication game and illustrate some of the various physical embodiments possible within the scope of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 an apparatus for playing a game concerned with numbers of a 12 base number system includes a display in the form of a board 10 showing an array of discrete locations comprising two sets of a plurality of number displaying portions 11 (for instance) . Each of the portions 11 display one of a plurality of first indicia being a different number from 1 up to base number 12 and different multiple numbers each of which is a multiple from 1 up to and including 12 of a number from 2 up to and including 12 provided the resultant multiple number is greater than the base number 12.

Figs. 2(a)-(g), depict a 12 sided dice which can be a means for generating a second indicia being a number between 1 and 12 randomly. The dice can be marked in a number of other different ways using for example roman numerals or dots.

Also included in the apparatus of the invention is a set of tokens (set not shown but for individual tokens see Figs. 3 to 5) for each player each set of tokens consisting of a plurality of tokens which are of a particular colour(s), shape(s) or marking(s) indicative of a particular player. The number of tokens in each set is typically 40-120 to enable each player to play and complete a game. Generally, each of the tokens is capable of being assigned to each location by being placed on and occupying at least a part of one number displaying portion (see for example tokens 50 and 51 in Fig. 3).

Typically, paper and pencil are used by the players to keep score. A piece of cardboard with the 12 times table is also included.

The method of playing a game is now described by way of example with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. Assume two players are playing a game using board 10 of Fig. 1 and the dice of Figs. 2(a)-(g). One of the players has a set of 75 black tokens and the other player has a set of 75 white tokens. Referring to Fig. 3 the player with the set of black tokens throws a 10 with the dice and puts black token 50 on 10x10 = 100 (the multiple 10 being a number between 1 and 12; the player could have alternatively placed black token on 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 110, 120). The player with the set of white tokens throws an 8 with the dice and puts white token 51 on 8x8 - 64 (the multiple 8 being a number between 1 and 12; the player could have alternatively placed the black token on 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 72, 80, 88, 96). Referring to Fig. 4 the player with the set of black tokens throws an 8 with the dice and puts black token 52 on 8x1 = 8 (the multiple 1 being a number between 1 and 12; the player could have alternatively placed the black token on 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96). The player with the set of white tokens throws a 3 with the dice and puts white token 53 on 3x5 - 15 (the multiple 5 being a number between 1 and 12; the player cold have alternatively placed the black token on 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 or 36). Referring to Fig. 5 the player with the set of black tokens throws an 11 with the dice and puts black token 54 on 11x9 = 99 and scores 1 point and has another turn (the multiple 9 being a number between 1 and 12; the player could have alternatively placed the black token on 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, 110, 121, 132 but if a token had been placed on any of these latter numbers the player would not have scored a point or gained an extra throw of the dice) . The game is continued in a like manner to that described imπ diately above. Tokens can be placed vertically, horizontally or diagonally on board 10. When a player makes a point or more he or she has another turn at throwing the dice until no more points can be taken. If a player on throwing the dice gets a number and on multiplying this number by 1 to 12 finds that all the choices have been used or exhausted then that player has to miss a turn. If a player on throwing the dice gets a number and on multiplying that number by 1 to 12 finds that the choices on the board don't suit his or her purposes, he or she may elect to miss a turn.

A full game is only finished when all the numbers on the board are used. If a player has three tokens in a row, the player gets one point, if a player has 5 tokens in a row, the player gets a total of 2 points and so on. The points are counted as they are accumulated and typically written down on a pad.

A four player game is described with reference to the following Example 1.

Example 1 In an apparatus for playing a game concerned with numbers of a 12 base number system for up to four players the following are included:

1. Game Board 10 (see Fig. 1).

2. 1 twelve sided dice (see Figs. 2(a)-(g).

3. 64 tokens of each of the following colours; red, blue, green and yellow. 256 tokens in all.

4. 4 copies of the twelve times tables.

5. 2 copies of the rules. RULES

The game can be played with a number of players from 2 players to 4 players.

Whether played by 2, 3 or 4 players the rules are the same. Each player picks a colour, the tokens come in 4 colours; red, blue, green and yellow. Once the players have chosen their colours, the game may begin. Each player throws the 12 sided dice, the player with the highest number begins the game. If there are more than 2 players, turns at throwing the dice are taken clockwise.

The following description will be for a full game but the players may decide to play the game up to a predetermined number of points for example the first to get 1 points is the winner and so on. A full game is played as follows. The first player throws the 12 sided dice, the number that appears on the dice can be multiplied by any number between 1 and 12.

EXAMPLE A: If a player throws the dice and gets the number 11, this will give the player a choice of one of the following numbers (11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, 99, 110, 121 and 123). All multiples of 11 from 1 to 12.

EXAMPLE B: If a player throws the dice and gets the number 5, this means the player can choose one number from the following 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60. OBJECT OF THE GAME

The object of the game is to line up 3 of the same colour tokens in a row to get 1 point. This can be done vertically, horizontally or diagonally. When a player makes a point or more he or she has another turn at throwing the dice until no more points can be taken. Initially a player will have 12 choices with each throw of the dice, but as the numbers on the board are taken, or used by the players, the choice is reduced accordingly. If a player on throwing the dice gets a number and on multiplying this number by 1 to 12 finds that all the choices have been used or exhausted then that player has to miss a turn. If a player on throwing the dice gets a number and on multiplying that number by 1 to 12 finds that the choices on the board don't suit his or her purposes, he or she may elect to miss a turn.

A full game is only finished when all the numbers on the board are used. The points are counted as they are accumulated and typically written them down on a pad. STRATEGY

Strategy is planned with the objective of getting maximum points but at the same time trying to block or stop the opponents. NOTE: for each odd number of tokens in a row a player gets an additional point in total. For example, if a player has three tokens in a row, the player gets one point. If a player has 5 tokens in a row, the player gets a total of 2 points, one point for the first three tokens in a row and one point for the next two tokens in a row. If a player has 7 tokens in a row, the player gets a total of 3 poiπ-t , one point for the first three tokens in a row, one point for the next two tokens in a row and one point for the next two tokens in a row. If a player has 9 tokens in a row, the player gets a total of 4 points, one point for the first three tokens in a row, one point for the next two tokens in a row, one point for the next two tokens in a row and one point for the next two tokens in a row. Finally, if a player has 11 tokens in a row, the player gets a total of 5 points, one point for the first three tokens in a row, one point for the next two tokens in a row, one point for the next two tokens in a row, one point for the next two tokens in a row and one point for the next two tokens in a row. An alternative apparatus for playing a game concerned with numbers of a base number system in accordance with an apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment is described with reference to the following Example 2.

Example 2 Referring to Fig. 6 an apparatus for playing a game again concerned with numbers of the base number system 12 in accordance with the second embodiment includes a display having an array of discrete locations in the form of a board 50 displaying a plurality of playing portions 51. On this particular board playing portions 51 are blank squares on board 50. Fig. 7 depicts an alternative board 60 displaying a plurality of playing portions 61. On this particular board playing portions 61 each have recessed portions 62 for receiving a token in accordance with the second embodiment. The apparatus will be described in more detail below with reference to board 60 depicted in Figs. 7 and 8. The apparatus includes a set of tokens for playing portions 61. A typical token 70 is shown in Figs. 9(a) and (b) . Referring to Fig. 9(a) token 70 is a solid cube. The front perspective view shows three faces 71, 72 and 73. Face 71 depicts a typical number of base number system 12, namely 10, face 72 depicts a shaded surface which referring to Fig. 8 is the surface adopted for the purpose of this Example to depict player 1, and face 73 depicts a black surface which referring to Fig. 8 is the surface adopted for the purpose of this Example to depict player 3. The back perspective view depicts shaded surface 72, white surface 72 which referring to Fig. 8 is the surface adopted for the purpose of this Example to designate player 2, and half shaded/half black surface 75 which referring to Fig. 8 is the surface adopted for the purpose of this Example to designate player 4.

The dimensions of token 70 are such that a portion of its is capable of being placed in a recess 62 depicted in Fig. 7.

The apparatus has two sets of tokens each set of tokens comprising a token identical with token 70 of Figs. 9(a) and (b) except only one of the tokens in the set displays the number 10 the other tokens each having a number displaying portion displaying a number other than 10 being different number from 1 up to 12 or a different multiple number which is determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including 12 by a number from 2 up to and including 12 provided the resultant multiple number is greater than 12.

Figs. 2(a)-(g), depict a 12 sided dice which can be as means for generating a number between 1 and 12 randomly. Typically, paper and pencil are used by the players to keep score. A piece of cardboard with the 12 times tables is also included.

The method of playing a game is now described by way of example with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. Assume four players are playing a game using board 60 of Fig. 7 and the dice of Figs. 2(a)-(g). Two sets of tokens each set including a token 70 depicted in Fig. 9 are placed initially with the numbers facing upwards in recesses 62 in board 60. Each player has turns at throwing the dice depicted in Figs. 2(a)-(g). From the number appearing on the dice a player determines what tokens become available to manipulate so that it shows the displaying portion allotted to that player the number being determined by the number on the dice or a multiple number thereof, the multiple number being determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including the base number 12 by a number from 2 up to and including 12 provided the resultant multiple number is greater than 12.

A full game is only finished when all the numbers on the board are used. If a player has three tokens in a row, the player gets one point, if a player has 5 tokens in a row, the player gets a total of 2 points and so on. The points are counted as they are accumulated and typically written down on a pad. Fig. 8 depicts a typical game between four players in an approximately half finished state. An alternative apparatus for playing a game with numbers of a base number system 12 in accordance with the third embodiment is described with reference to the following Example 3.

Example 3 Referring to Fig. 10 an apparatus for playing a game concerned with numbers of the base number system, 12, in accordance with the third embodiment includes a sheet of paper 70 displaying two sets of plurality of number displaying portions 71, each of the portions displaying a different number from the numbers displayed by the other number displaying portions in each of the sets the numbers being from 1 up to 12 or a multiple number which is determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including 12 by a number from 2 up to and including 12 provided the resultant multiple number is greater than 12.

The apparatus includes a biro (not shown) for marking the number displaying portions in a way which is indicative of each player as illustrated in Fig. 10.

Figs. 2(a)-)g), depict a 12 sided dice which cε.i be means for generating a number between 1 and 12 randomly. Typically, paper and pencil are used by the players to keep score. A piece of cardboard with the 12 times table is also included. The method of playing a game is now described by way of example with reference to Fig. 10. Assume four players are playing a game using board 70 of Fig. 10 and the dice of Figs. 2(a)-(g).

Each player has turns at throwing the dice depicted in Figs. 2(a)-(g). From the number appearing on the dice a player determines what to mark on board 70 with the marker. This number is determined from 1 up to 12 or a multiple number each of which is determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including 12 by a number from 2 up to and including 12 provided the resultant multiple number is greater than 12. The player then marks the determined number by placing a mark with the marker on the number displaying portion which is indicative of the player. Typical markings are shown in Fig. 10 for four throws of the twelve sided dice, one throw for each player.

A full game is only finished when all the numbers on the board are used. If a player has three of his/her marks in a row, the player gets one point, if a player has 5 tokens in a row, the player gets a total of 2 points and so on. The points are counted as they are accumulated and typically written them down on a pad.

An alternative method of playing a game concerned with numbers of a base number system 12 using an apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment is described with reference to the following Example 4. It will be apparent to a skilled person that this method can be readily adapted to be played with apparatus in accordance with the second and third embodiments.

Example 4 Points are worked out as follows: Referring to Fig. 1 assume player "A" has three tokens in a row on displaying portions (1), (144) and (2). The player A's score is equal to the sum of the individual (single) numbers of each displaying portion and is therefore (l)+(l+4+4)+(2) = 12 points. For 5 displaying portions in a row such as (1), (144), (2), (132) and (3) player A scores

(l)+(l+4+4)+(2)+(l+3+2)+)3) = 21 points plus a bonus 20 points for getting 5 in a row. Bonus points are scored as listed in the following Table:

If player A has two or more tokens in a row "trapped' by tokens of player "B" on either side of player A's tokens, player B gets points equal to the sum of the individual (single) numbers of each displaying portion covered by player A's trapped tokens. For example, if player A has tokens on (2) and (132) in a row and is waiting to either place a token on (144) or (3) to get points and player B traps the tokens of player A on both sides i.e. on (144) and (3) so that player B after throwing the dice is able (in accordance with the following rules for playing with a 12 sided dice:

Player A throws the 12 sided dice, the number that appears on the dice can be multiplied by any number between 1 and 12.

If a player A throws the dice and gets the number 11, this will give player A a choice of one of the following numbers (11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, 99, 110, 121 and 132). All multiples of 11 from 1 to 12.

If player B throws the dice and gets the number 5, this means player B can choose one number from the following 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,. 45, 50, 55, 60 on which to place a token) to place a token on either side of two of player A's tokens in a row, player B traps player A on both sides before A takes points, player B gets the value of the points corresponding to the numbers on the displaying portions having trapped layer A tokens, namely, (2) and (132) so that player B gets points = 2+1+3+2 = 8 points. A player can be trapped with 2, 4, 5, 6, 10 displaying portions. if player B traps player a with 2 displaying portions player B only receives points to the value of those 1 displaying portions. If player B traps the tokens of player A on so that there are a total of four tokens in a row on 4 displaying portions (two tokens of player A next to each other and two tokens of player B on either side of player A's tokens), player B receives the value of the displaying portions under player A' tokens plus 20 bonus points. (Note from the Table above if a player gets 5 tokens in a row the player receives a bonus 20 points - now the opposing player can also gain bonus points by trapping the other player's tokens in a row) .

If player B traps tokens of player A on 6 displaying portions player B receives the value of the six displaying portions + 30 bonus points. For example, if player a has three tokens in a row as follows:

(1), (144), (2) Points for 3 in a row (1+1+4+4+2) = 12 points for player a.

If player a has five tokens in a row as follows:

(1), (144), (2), (132) and (3) Points for 5 in a row (12+1+3+2+3) = 21 + 20 bonus points = 41 points for player A.

If 6 of player A's tokens in a row are trapped by tokens of player B - Below ( ) represent display portions covered by tokens of player A and [ ]

[1], (144), (2), (132), (3), (121), (4), [120] The tokens of player B have trapped the tokens of player a on both sides. Consequently player B receives:

(l+4+4)+(2)+(l+3+2)+(3)+(l+2+l)+(4) = 28 points + 30 bonus points. Bonus points received by a player for trapping tokens in a row of an opponent are listed below. No. of displaying portions trapped Points received by player which has trapped the tokens of the opposing player. 2 displaying portions trapped = only the value of the sum of each of the individual numbers on the displaying portions ("the value") 4 displaying portions trapped = the value + 20 bonus points 6 displaying portions trapped = the value + 30 bonus points 8 displaying portions trapped = the value + 40 bonus points NOTE: The player that wins the point does not get to throw the dice again, he simply gets a multiple of th number previously received on the throw of the dice on which the first points were gained, e.g. on throwing the dice, player gets number 5 and chooses "5" to make 3 in a row then that player gets to choose another multiple of 5 and if that player gains more points with this latter choice that player gains another turn and proceeds in a similar manner until no more points are gained and then it becomes the opposing player's turn. An alternative way of playing is that the player which makes points get another turn to throw the dice immediately after making those points and proceeds in a similar manner until no more points are gained and then it becomes the opposing player's turn. Whilst the foregoing description gives examples of rules applicable to the use of the apparatus of this invention in some games it will be apparent that it is the unique interaction between the components of the apparatus that provides the basis of the possible applications. Accordingly, whilst the embodiments above all relate to multiplication and base number systems, other embodiments contemplated by the invention are centred around other group/sub-group relationships. These include, by way of example, numbers with other mathematical relationships such as addition, square roots, fractions, percentages and the like. Also envisaged are relationships for example between numbers and shapes, various botanical and biological genus and species within each genus, all of which can provide valuable teaching aids. Accordingly, although the invention has been described in detail with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a game for one or more players comprising: a display having an array of discrete locations, each location adapted to have assigned thereto one of a plurality of first indicia selected from a predetermined first group of indicia at least some of which are unique; means for selectively identifying each location and assigned indicia with one of said players; and means for randomly selecting a second indicia from a second predetermined set of indicia, each of said second indicia being related in a predetermined manner with one or more of said first indicia.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the array is configured to allow a plurality of possible relationships between two or more of said discrete locations.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said relationships between discrete locations are linear.

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said array is two-dimensional.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first group of indicia comprise a discrete number of sub-groups and each of said second indicia relate to one or more of said sub-groups.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said second indicia are numbers.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said first indicia are numbers.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first group of indicia are the set of numbers from 1 up to a base number or a multiple number which is determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including the base number by a number from 2 up to and including the base number provided the resultant multiple number is greater than the base number.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said second indicia are respectively related to one or more of said first group of indicia by the rule by mathematical multiplication.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said second indicia are the numbers from 1 up to said base number.

11. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said means for selectively identifying each location with one of said players is by colour or ornamentation.

12. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said display means includes a representation of a board marked with said array of discrete locations.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said first indicia form part of said representation of a board.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said first indicia form part of respective tokens each adapted to be placed at or adjacent a related one of said discrete locations.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said tokens comprise said means for selectively identifying said location with one of said players.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said token comprises a cube having one of said numbers from said first group of indicia marked thereon and a different colour on each face thereof.

17. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said display is in the form of a sheet displaying at least one set of first indicia comprising a plurality of number displaying portions, each of the portions displaying a different number from the numbers displayed by the other number displaying portions in the set, the numbers being from 1 up to a base number or a multiple number which is determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including the base number by a number from 2 up to and including the base number provided the resultant multiple number is greater than the base number, and wherein said means for selectively identifying each playing portion with one of said players comprises at least one marker for marking the number displaying portions in a way which is indicative of each player and said means for randomly selecting a second indicia comprises means for generating a number randomly from 1 up to a base number and, optionally, multiple numbers each of which is determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including the base number by a number from 2 up to and including the base number provided the resultant multiple number is greater than the base number, and thereby determine what number displaying portion(s) become available to place a mark with said marker which is indicative of a player, the number being determined by the number randomly generated or a multiple number thereof, the multiple number being determined by multiplying from 1 up to and including the base number by a number from 2 up to and including the base number provided the resultant multiple number is greater than the base number.

18. An apparatus according to any one one of the preceding claims wherein said means for randomly selecting a second indicia comprises a dice.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the base number is from 6 to 50.

20. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the base number is 10.

21. The apparatus of any one of claim 8 to 10 wherein the base number is 12.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the means for generating a random number is a 10 sided dice.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the means for generating a random number is a 12 sided dice.

24. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein said first group of indicia comprises unique members.

25. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 23 wherein said first group of indicia comprises at least two sets of respectively unique members.