WO1998046320A1

WO1998046320A1 - Game apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO1998046320A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/000897
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Kerio William Nicholson; Peter Duncan Craig Allen
Original assignee: Nicholson Alexander Kerio Will; Peter Duncan Craig Allen
Priority date: 1997-04-15
Filing date: 1998-04-15
Publication date: 1998-10-22
Also published as: GB2339541A; GB2339541B; GB9924288D0; GB9707581D0; AU7055898A

Abstract

A game for three players comprises a board (1), three eight-sided dice each numbered 0 to 7, three sets each of twelve pieces, and a rules leaflet. The board provides a playing field of three playing areas (2, 3 and 4) and three penalty spaces (5, 6 and 7). Each playing area is a endless loop of fourteen spaces (8), the loops being separated triskelion-form barrier (9). The playing areas (2 to 4) include outer zones (12 to 14), and inner zones (15 to 17) of differing colours, with a central space of each outer zone being of the same colour as the corresponding inner zone. The three sets of pieces are of the colours of the inner zones (15 to 17). The winner of the game is the first player to remove all of his pieces from the board in accordance with the rules.

Description

GAME APPARATUS AND METHOD

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in playing a game, comprising means providing a field of play comprised of first, second and third playing areas each comprised of a series of spaces, and providing pieces displaceable along the series of spaces.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of playing a game, comprising displacing pieces along first, second and third series of spaces of which first, second and third playing areas of a field of play are comprised.

Each series of spaces is advantageously in the form of a loop, preferably an endless loop, with the loops joined together especially at locations which are remote from one another. Adjacent those locations are respective ""penalty" spaces. The game may be for three players only, in which case the field of play has only three playing areas.

The apparatus further comprises means for randomly generating numbers, such numbers representing amplitudes of displacement of the pieces. This means preferably generates numbers from 0 to 7.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, which is a top plan view of a board of a game apparatus.

The game apparatus comprises a board 1, three eight- sided dice each numbered 0 to 7, three sets each of twelve pieces, and a rules leaflet. The board provides a playing field comprised of three playing areas 2, 3 and 4 and three penalty spaces 5, 6 and 7. Each playing area consists of an endless loop of fourteen spaces 8, the loops being separated from each other by a triskelion-form barrier 9, and each being internally defined by a linear barrier 10. The barriers 9 and 10 terminate short of the penalty spaces 5-7, whereby the loops are joined to each other at locations 11, which are remote from each other. The board has rotational and reflectional symmetry. The playing areas 2 to 4 include respective outer zones 12 to 14, and also include respective inner zones 15 to 17 which are of respective differing finishes, in this case differing colours. The central space of each outer zone is of the same colour as the inner zone of its playing area. To each side of that central space are three spaces of which two are of the same colour as one of the inner zones of the other two playing areas and one is of the same colour as the other of those two inner zones . The three sets of pieces are of the respective colours of the inner zones 15 to 17. The rules of the game and the manner of its play are as follows.

The game is for three players . Each player is allocated his own set of pieces and places them on the correspondingly coloured spaces in the outer zones 12 to 14 as shown in the drawing . THE AIM OF THE GAME

The first player to remove all of his pieces is the winner. A piece is removed when it has moved to land on that player's home space, i.e. the central space 8' of his inner region 15, 16 or 17. DICE

To start, each player rolls one die, the player with the highest number then rolls all three dice and moves his pieces. Play rotates clockwise. Add the numbers shown on the dice. If there are two numbers the same showing, then they count double (e.g. 3, 3, 4 becomes 6 + 6 + 4 = 16) . If all three numbers are the same then they count triple (e.g. 4, 4, 4 becomes 12 + 12 + 12 = 36) . MOVEMENT

A player may move any number of his pieces, up to the total of his throw, in any direction. For example, a total of 6 can be any combination from 6 pieces 1 space each to 1 piece 6 spaces . A player may move to an unoccupied space 8 or a space 8 occupied by his own pieces, up to a maximum of three . Under certain circumstances a player may land on a space 8 occupied by one or both opponents, holding or overpowering his opponen (s) ' pieces, as explained below. Pieces that land on their own home space 8 ' are removed from the board. A player must use the full value of his throw, or at least use as much of it as possible. LIMITATIONS

Pieces may not reverse direction. A piece may not cross its own home space 8 ' . A piece that is "held" may not be moved, except in circumstances explained below. Pieces must stop when they are used to overpower opponent (s) ' pieces. Pieces in the penalty zone are subject to various restrictions. No more than three pieces are allowed on any space 8. HOLDING

Equal holds equal . A player may hold an opponent ' s single piece giving 1 on 1. A player may hold an opponent holding the other opponent giving 1 on 1 on 1. Holding prevents the piece that is held from moving, except that the piece may escape upon a double or a treble thrown by its player; for each double thrown, a player may remove into the relevant penalty space one of an opponent's holding pieces, whilst, for any treble thrown, he may remove into the penalty spaces all pieces holding his pieces. Holding does not affect any other piece. A player may not place a piece on top of a piece that is holding him. OVERPOWERING

More overpowers less. A player may overpower an opponent ' s single piece with 2 pieces . A player may overpower an opponent's 1 on 1 with 2 pieces. A player may overpower an opponent's 2 with 3 pieces. A player may add to holding pieces ; 2 overpowers both a 1 and a 1 on 1. Overpowered pieces must move directly to their respective penalty zones 5,6, or 7. PENALTY ZONE One die only is allowed while in the penalty zone. Pieces may only move into one or other of the opponen ' s inner zones . All pieces must be moved out of the penalty zone before any other piece of the penalized player is moved. A player may not combine a piece from the penalty zone with one from elsewhere on the board to overpower. A player must use the full value of his throw, or at least use as much of it as possible. HOME

A player cannot cross or stay on his own home space 8 ' . This is a free space for the other players, i.e. pieces may not be held on a home space nor overpowered on a home space . Both opponents may be on a player's home space at the same time. Again any combination of up to 3 pieces is allowed. This does not stop a player from removing pieces .

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in playing a game, comprising means providing a field of play comprised of first, second and third playing areas each comprised of a series of spaces, and providing pieces displaceable along the series of spaces .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each series of spaces is in the form of a loop.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said loop is an endless loop.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein said loops are joined together at locations which are remote from one another .

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein respective penalty spaces are adjacent said locations,

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said the field of play has only three playing areas .

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said apparatus further comprises means for randomly generating numbers, such numbers representing amplitudes of displacement of the pieces.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means generates numbers from 0 to 7 only.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said means are three eight-sided dice.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said pieces are three sets each of twelve pieces.

11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5 or any one of claims 6 to 10 as appended to claim 2, wherein said loops are separated from each other by a triskelion-form barrier.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said field of play has rotational and reflectional symmetry.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said playing areas include respective outer zones, and also include respective inner zones which are of respective differing finishes.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein a central space of each outer zone is of the same finish as the inner zone of its playing area.

15. Apparatus for use in playing a game, comprising a plurality of playing pieces and a board marked substantially as shown in the drawing, said pieces being moved substantially in accordance with the directions given in the specification.

16. A method of playing a game, comprising displacing pieces along first, second and third series of spaces of which first, second and third playing areas of a field of play are comprised.

17. A method according to claim 16, and further comprising randomly generating numbers, said displacing being of amplitudes represented by said numbers.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said generating comprises generating numbers from 0 to 7 only.