Trivia and betting board game

United States Patent Application 20010015527

A game board having a track comprising a closed loop divided into spaces corresponding to the nature of a bet to be made by a player and to what extent other players may participate in the bet. Designated playing zones are allocated to each player in which a player may place a bet on his own play, and in which a player may place a bet when another plays. A player must successfully answer a question in order to collect on a bet and a player may be given an opportunity to choose a response from a list of plausible answers. Other players may be given an option to challenge a player and to place bets accordingly.

George, Gus Dean (Markham, CA)

09/738995

08/23/2001

12/19/2000

Click for automatic bibliography generation

GEORGE GUS DEAN

273/274

A63F3/00; A63F9/18; (IPC1-7): A63F3/00

Download PDF 20010015527  

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PIERCE, WILLIAM M

INGRID E. SCHMIDT (HAMILTON, ON, CA)

1. A board game having a track comprising a closed loop divided into a plurality of contiguous areas having indicia defining play means for gaining a reward, and a number of playing zones corresponding to a maximum number of players playing the board game, each playing zone having a respective area for placing a bet.

2. A game board according to claim 1 in which the playing zones each have at least one demarcated area for placing a bet on a player's own play and at least one demarcated area for placing a bet on another player's play.

3. A game board according to claim 1 having a demarcated area for banking a reward.

4. A game board according to claim 1 in which the playing zones each have a demarcated area for indicating that a player has borrowed credit rewards to continue play.

5. A game board according to claim 1 in which the playing zones each have a starting space for holding a player token before advancing the token on said track.

6. A game board having a continuous track comprising a closed loop divided into a plurality of contiguous areas for advancing player tokens and having indicia defining a play means for gaining a reward, a number of playing zones corresponding to a maximum number players playing the board game, each playing zone having at least one demarcated area for placing a bet on a player's own play and at least one demarcated area for placing a bet on another player's play, and a demarcated area for banking a reward.

7. A game board according to claim 6 in which the playing zones each have a demarcated area for indicating that a player has borrowed credit rewards to continue play.

8. A game board according to claim 6 in which the playing zones each have a starting space for holding a player token before advancing the token on said track.

9. A board game apparatus for testing a player's knowledge, the game including a game board having a continuous track comprising a closed loop divided into a plurality of contiguous areas for advancing player tokens and having indicia defining a play means for gaining a reward, a number of playing zones corresponding to a maximum number players playing the board game, each playing zone having at least one demarcated area for placing a bet on a player's own play and at least one demarcated area for placing a bet on another player's play, and a demarcated area for banking a reward; a plurality of player tokens; first random generating means for determining by chance a number of spaces to advance said tokens; second random generating means for determining by chance a category of question for testing a player's knowledge; a plurality of question cards each having at least one question printed thereon with a list of plausible answers to the said question; and a plurality of reward tokens whereby, during play, a player advances a player token a number of areas on said track indicated by said first random generating means, determines a nature of play from the said indicia on the track, and determines a category of questions to be answered indicated by said second random generating means, reward tokens being placed in the player's playing zone in accordance with said indicia, and the player winning reward tokens for correctly answering questions while other players win reward tokens for successfully challenging the player.

10. A method of playing a game comprising: providing a game playing surface having a continuous track comprising a closed loop divided into a plurality of contiguous areas for advancing a player along the track and having indicia defining a play means for giving a reward, a number of playing zones corresponding to a maximum number of players playing the game, each playing zone having at least one demarcated area for placing a bet on a player's own play and at least one demarcated area for placing a bet on another player's play, and a demarcated area for banking a reward; providing each player with a quantity of play money; providing written instructions to a player defining play means for placing a bet corresponding to the area of the track on which a player lands; providing first random generating means for determining by chance a number of spaces to advance a player along the track; providing second random generating means for determining by chance a category of question for testing a player's knowledge; providing a plurality of question cards each having at least one question printed thereon with a list of plausible answers to the question; each player at the beginning of a turn, advancing a number of areas on said track indicated by said first random generating means, and determining a category of questions to be answered by said second random generating means, a first player placing a bet in the player's respective playing zone, a second player reading a multiple choice question selected from said plurality of question cards, the first player deciding whether to answer the multiple choice question without hearing any plausible answers and whether to increase a bet placed in the player's respective playing zone, and the first player being rewarded for correctly answering the question in accordance with the nature of the bet placed.

11. A method of playing a game in accordance with claim 19 in which a challenging player places a bet during another player's play and is rewarded if the player incorrectly answers the question.

12. A method of playing a game in accordance with claim 10 in which the quantity of the reward is at least partly defined by the said indicia.

13. A method of playing a game in accordance with claim 10 in which the said indicia direct a player to choose a category of questions without using said second random generating means.

14. A method of playing a game in accordance with claim 10 in which the said indicia direct a player to answer a question without the opportunity to hear any plausible answers.

15. A method of playing a game in accordance with claim 10 in which the said indicia direct a player to select a challenging player who places a bet during the player's play and who is rewarded if the player incorrectly answers the question.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a game which is intended to be played with a board or playing surface and in which players must successfully answer questions in order to be rewarded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Board games have become increasingly popular as a form of entertainment through which friends and family can interact socially with each other. Many games depend entirely on chance and some partly on chance and skill, to allow a player to successfully progress through the game and in the process, to acquire points or property, to reach a predetermined goal, or to solve a problem. Old games continue to be of interest because players have developed strategies for playing the games and new games are attractive because of the added challenge of learning something new.

[0003] An object of this invention is to entertain players who are disposed to answering questions which challenge their knowledge in various fields and who find the added incentive of a financial reward for successfully answering a question appealing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with the invention, a game board or playing surface is provided having a track comprising a closed loop which is divided into a plurality of contiguous areas each corresponding to a selected play means for gaining a reward. The nature of the play means will determine the nature of a bet to be made by the player and to what extent other players may participate in the bet. Designated playing zones are allocated to each player in which a player may place a bet on his own play, and in which a player may place a bet when another plays. A player must successfully answer a question in order to collect on a bet.

[0005] In accordance with one method of playing the game, a player may be given an option of answering a question after being given an opportunity to choose a response from a list of plausible answers. Other players may be given an option to challenge a player and to place bets accordingly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In order that the invention may be clearly understood, a game board and a method of playing the game are described below with reference to FIG. 1 which is a plan view of a game board comprising a playing surface in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0007] A game board in accordance with the invention is designated generally by reference numeral 20 in FIG. 1. The game board comprises a playing surface 22 on which there is demarcated a track 24 comprising a closed loop defining a peripheral octagonal path for advancing player tokens (not shown). The track 24 is divided into a plurality of contiguous areas or board spaces 26 each corresponding to a selected play means for gaining a reward. The nature of the play means will determine the nature of a bet to be made by a player and to what extent other players may participate in the bet.

[0008] Each player has a respective starting space 28 from which access to the track 24 must be gained in order to begin play. In the embodiment illustrated, eight starting spaces 28 are provided to allow eight players or eight teams of players to participate in the game. Each player has a respective playing zone 30 in which a player may place a bet on his own play or in which a player may place a bet when another plays. The playing zones 30 are trigonal in shape and are bound by the track 24 at the base, and a smaller octagonal loop 32 at the centre of the game board 20 which inscribes an area 34 for banking a reward and designated as the “Money Pot” into which currency or facsimiles of currency in the form of chips (not shown) are placed.

[0009] Respective circular areas 36, 38, 40 are provided in each playing zone 30 corresponding to areas in which a player may place a bet for which the reward equals the value of the bet, in which a player may place (a bet for which the reward is equal) an additional bet of equal value to double the value of the bet, and in which other players may place bets to challenge a player, respectively.

[0010] Respective credit markers (not shown) may be given to players who run out of money and these are placed in a designed spot 42 in the player's playing zone 30.

[0011] In accordance with one method of playing the game, a player will roll a number die (not shown) to determine the board space 26 from which the player will play after emerging from the starting space 28. The board space 26 will have written indicia on it indicating the nature of the play.

[0012] In a basic form of play, the player will roll a category die (not shown) where each face of the die corresponds to a category of questions through which a player's knowledge will be tested and which may be selected from the following categories: a) global knowledge; b) scientific knowledge; c) historical knowledge; d) artistic knowledge; e) sports and recreation knowledge; and f) general knowledge.

[0013] The player will place a bet in his respective circular betting area 36 and another player will read a multiple choice question from a deck of cards (not shown) giving the player the opportunity to choose a correct response from a list of plausible answers. If the player answers correctly, the player's bet placed in the circular betting area 36 will be returned to the player together with an equal amount from the Money Pot area 34 at the centre of the board. If the player answers incorrectly, the player's bet placed in the circular area 36 is forfeited and added to augment the Money Pot in area 34.

[0014] A player has the option of doubling a bet by placing a bet in the circular area 3 8 designated “Straight Up”. However, the player must answer the knowledge question without being given a choice of plausible answers in order to exercise this option.

[0015] When a player chooses to place a bet in the circular area 38 designated “Straight Up” on his own play, any other player may challenge the betting player by placing a bet in circular area 40 designated “Straight Up Challenge” in his own playing zone 30. If the answering player answers incorrectly, all of the challenging players win their bets and an equal amount taken from the Money Pot area 34. The answering player then forfeits the bet placed in circular areas 36, 38 to partially replenish the Money Pot area 34. However, if the answering player answers correctly, the answering player not only doubles his bets placed in circular areas 36, 38 with an equal amount taken from the Money Pot area 34, the challenging players forfeit their bets placed in the circular areas 40 designated as “Straight Up Challenge” to the answering player.

[0016] The board spaces 26 may direct a betting player to bet a designated maximum or minimum amount. Alternatively, the player may automatically be entitled to double his bet without having to place a bet in circular area 38, that is, while still being given the option to hear a choice of plausible answers. A player may also be given the opportunity to determine the category of questions from which a question will be answered or the board space 26 may direct all players to challenge the betting player without hearing the question and the betting player will have to place a bet in circular area 38 designated “Straight Up” and will have to answer a knowledge question without any opportunity to hear a choice of plausible answers.

[0017] It will be apparent that many variations to the nature of the play may be determined by the indicia corresponding to a board space 26. A player may have the option to continue a turn by rolling the number die again after correctly answering a question. This form of play could be combined with another form of play.

[0018] A player could alternatively be given the opportunity to select a “challenging” player who must place a bet in circular area 40 and challenge the betting player to answer a question straight up without an opportunity to hear plausible answers to a question. The betting player may be given the opportunity to choose the category of questions and to set the amount of the bet before hearing a question. If the question is answered incorrectly, the “challenging” player wins the bet placed in circular area 38 by the betting player. If the question is answered correctly, the betting player will double the bets placed in circular areas 36, 38 and the challenging player's bet placed in circular area 40.

[0019] Other variations to the manner of playing the game and within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will also be apparent that various random generating means may be employed instead of dice to determine by chance the number of spaces to advance a player's marker or token or to determine a category of questions. The reward for successfully answering a questions is conveniently a form of currency which may be selected from chips having a symbolic colour value, play money, or other symbolic property.