CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to board games in which words are formed on a playing surface, specifically to an improved method of play that enables strategic blocking.

2. Prior Art

In the prior art of word-forming board games, strategic capabilities for blocking opponents from earning high scores are enabled by indirect means, including:

• • (1) being the first to cover a high-value square with a letter tile,
  • (2) playing a word in a location that limits choices for playing off the word's letters in the direction of high-value squares,
  • (3) playing a word with lettering that limits choices for playing off those letters in the direction of high-value squares.

By being limited to these indirect means of blocking, players with advanced vocabulary have an inherent advantage.

This invention improves on prior art by enabling a direct means of strategic blocking by players during a game.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,613,204 issued to E. W. Smith on Jan. 4, 1927 discloses a crossword puzzle game apparatus. The game includes cubes with letters on the sides, with one side being a black square. These black squares are used to simulate the usual type of crossword puzzle, and are used as part of pre-game setup. These black squares are not claimed as a means) of strategic blocking by players during a game.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,580 issued to Francis Hoyles on Jan. 13, 1981 discloses a Multivariant Board Game Apparatus. The game includes blocking tiles that block off and segregate areas of the playing board prior to the start of any game. These blocking tiles are not claimed as a means of strategic blocking by players during a game.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,271 issued to Jacques Bez on Aug. 18, 1992 discloses a Board Game. The game includes black squares that can be added or subtracted from the playing surface of the game board. They are barriers set down before each game, with the approval of all players. They are not claimed as a means of strategic blocking by players during a game.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:

• • (a) to provide a direct means of strategic blocking by players during a game in a word-forming board game,
  • (b) to provide a more level playing field among opponents with significant differences in vocabulary skills.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention a method of strategic blocking is enabled for players during a game by the use of blocking tiles.

As a word-forming board game is played, a blocking tile may be placed on a square adjacent to the letters of the word just played, preventing opponents from using that square.

Visually, the blocking tiles placed on the game board become the equivalent of black squares in a crossword puzzle.

DRAWINGS

Figures

FIG. 1 shows how a blocking tile is used to limit an opponent's ability to place letters on higher-scoring squares.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred Embodiment—FIG. 1

A preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Tiles are used to place letters on the game board. Another tile, the blocking tile, may also be placed on the game board, adjacent to one of the said letter tiles. The blocking tile is distinguished from a letter tile by the use of an obvious visual cue, such as a dark square.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Operation—FIG. 1

The method of using the blocking tile is illustrated in FIG. 1. A player has formed a word by placing letter tiles E-X-T-R-A on the game board. The player has also invoked a direct method of strategic blocking by also placing a blocking tile on the game board, adjacent to one of the letter tiles played. The opponent who plays next is thwarted from forming a word off the letter R in the direction of higher-scoring squares on the game board.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION

Thus the reader will see that the blocking tile of the invention provides a direct method of strategic blocking by players during a game in a word-forming board game.

While my above description contains specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Method of play, for example, has been described as using a single blocking tile every time a word is played. Other variations include multiple blocking tiles per play, optional use of blocking tiles, and limited number of blocking tiles per game per player.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.