GB2206285A - Board game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Board game apparatus comprising a board on which is marked an array of columns comprising a plurality of adjacent horizontal columns and a plurality of adjacent vertical columns, each column comprising a linear row of playing piece locations, the horizontal and vertical columns being identified by a reference character, at least four locations on the board being marked to designate playing piece exits, random indicator(s) provided to randomly display said reference character(s), a plurality of coloured playing pieces representing snooker balls and at least one set of question cards bearing a question and an instruction for play. <IMAGE>

Description

Board Game Apparatus This invention is concerned with board game apparatus and packs of question cards. It is more particularly concerned with a board game for simulating snooker by use of coloured playing pieces, a board, questions, instructions for play and random indicator or indicators.

Snooker is a well known game in which points are scored by "pocketing" a plurality of different coloured balls set in predetermined initial array on a snooker table. We have now devised a novel board game apparatus useful in playing a game similar to real snooker and in which it is theoretically possible to obtain, in play, a maximum break of 147.

According to this invention there is provided board game apparatus comprising a board on which is marked an array of columns comprising a plurality of adjacent horizontal columns and a plurality of adjacent vertical columns, each column comprising a linear row of playing piece locations, the horizontal and vertical columns being identified by a reference character, at least four locations on the board being marked to designate playing piece exits, random indicator(s) provided to randomly display said reference character(s), a plurality of coloured playing pieces representing snooker balls and at least one set of question cards bearing a question and an instruction for play.

Preferably the board comprises an array of n x 2n rows each horizontal and vertical row consisting of circles and/or squares as playing piece locations, whereby each succeeding circle if present is equidistantly spaced from its predecessor and each square if present is immediately adjacent its predecessor.

Horizontal and vertical columns may be identified by different reference characters, e.g. alphanumeric characters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the board comprises an array of twelve vertical columns each identified by a reference numeral, and a corresponding array of twenty four horizontal columns each identified by a reference letter. The array may include six exit points corresponding to the locations of pockets on a snooker table. The random indicator or indicators may comprise a die or dice, e.g. of conventional six-sided form, and a plurality of these may be provided to form two sets of random indicators one set for randomly indicating horizontal column reference characters, the other set for randomly indicating vertical column reference characters.For example, this may be carried into effect by providing four dice (twenty four faces) on which are marked a succession of letters from A - X inclusive, or eight such dice may be employed, each die having three letters, repeated once. Thus, one die in a set of eight dice may read A-B-C-A-B-C.

Similarly, two six-sided dice may be employed as random indicators for vertical columns. Conventional dice having 1 to 6 dots may be deployed or dice bearing numerals 1 to 6. A set of four dice may be used for randomly indicating vertical column reference character or e.g. a set of eight such dice (comprising two identical sets of four), to correspond in number only with eight dice for randomly indicating horizontal column reference characters.

In the case of four (or eight) such dice each die may conveniently read, e.g. 1-2-3-1-2-3 in a series up to 10-11-12 10-11-12. Locations may be marked on the board spaced from the array of columns for positioning dice, or whatever may be used as random indicators.

The board may further include a marked location in which used or removed playing pieces may be displayed again remote from the array of horizontal and vertical columns. Such space may conveniently be designated "pocketed balls".

It is preferred that the board is further marked with playing piece starting positions, which correspond with the starting positions of the coloured balls in a game of snooker. For example, the board may include coloured and circular locations, substantially corresponding in size to a playing piece, and respectively being yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, black and white. The other playing pieces, i.e. the red balls of a snooker game, may not need such starting position marked on the board. These red playing pieces may be positioned manually in an area between spaces reserved for pink and black playing pieces.

The playing pieces in the board game apparatus may therefore comprise fifteen red pieces (or pieces having a red marking), and one piece each being respectively yellow, green, blue, brown, pink, black and white (or having such a coloured marking). Four sets or "packs" of question cards may be included in the board game apparatus for use according to the rules of the game which are described hereunder. In order that the invention may be illustrated and readily carried into effect, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only and in which: Figure 1 is a view of the game board in the absence of playing pieces, Figure 2 is a perspective view of one playing piece and two random indicators for indicating reference characters for the vertical and horizontal columns, and Figure 3 illustrates one form of blank question card.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be appreciated that each individual playing piece position (square or circle) appearing on the board is identified by its corresponding horizontal and vertical column. Thus, Al, G7 and W12 are individual positions on the board and instructions for play (on the question cards) are to indicate how the playing pieces are to be moved.

The board 1 comprises an array 2 divided into a plurality of horizontal 3 and vertical 4 columns. Twelve vertical columns are provided marked by reference numerals 5. Twenty four horizontal columns are provided masked by reference letters 6.

In similar fashion to a known snooker table, the array further comprises exit locations 7 which may be regarded as the "pockets".

The board has a marking 8 for receiving used or "pocketed" playing pieces in addition to several locations 9 for receiving random indicators. The locations marked 9 are for locating a die, on which are marked certain reference characters, e.g. A-C, D-F; 1-3, 10-12; for indicating the appropriate columns in play.

Each column comprises a linear row of squares 11 in addition to a corresponding circle 12, each circle being the approximate size of a playing piece (see Figure 3). It is possible to use markings other than squares or circles, e.g. dots, crosses, outlines, stars; providing linear, lateral, longitudinal and diagonal rows are visible. It is preferred to adopt circles which can correspond in size with a playing piece outline to identify playing piece locations on the board. It will be seen that the board further has markings 13 which correspond to the original settings of snooker balls.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, a red-coloured playing piece is shown in the form of a small cylindrical object. In order for the apparatus to be more realistic it may be possible to use an item which is part-spherical in shape but includes a planar flat surface which may conveniently rest on the board. Items such as that illustrated may, however, be less expensive to fabricate.

The apparatus includes a number of these playing pieces 14 in the various colours referred to above and in the rules which follow.

Each playing piece may be fully or only partially coloured, for example, only the uppermost surface may bear the respective colour or only a part of the upper surface may bear the appropriate colour. Also shown is a die 15 having one face 16 marked with numeral 1, a second face 17 marked with numeral 2, and a third face 18 masked with numeral 3. On the faces which cannot be seen from the drawing the numbers 1-2-3 may be repeated. Similarly, for the die 19 also illustrated the face 20 is marked with letter A, the face 21 with letter B and the face 22 with letter C. As such, the dice 15,19 can be used in conjunction to randomly indicate an exact location on the board in terms of horizontal and vertical column referende characters.The random indication is within the limits of the random indicators used and the possible permutations will be governed by the laws of statistics.

Figure 3 of the drawings shows one form of question card 23.

This has a space 24 on which a pre-printed question is provided and a space 25 for a corresponding correct answer. In the column headed "answered correctly" there will be an instruction for moving one or more of the playing pieces. This also applies to the columns marked "answered wrongly". The specific location to which any playing piece should be moved is indicated at 26 if a correct answer is given, and at 27 if a wrong answer is given. The illustrated question card is blank and may be suitable for the respective packs of c ds for red balls, coloured balls, snookers and safety play. Each pack may be marked with a characteristic distinguishing feature such as an appropriate colour or other marking.

Because the board game apparatus can only contain a finite number of question cards it is conceivable that players of the game will become familiar with the questions and know the respective answers. It is therefore proposed to provide, within the scope of the present invention, sets of question cards alone which are suitable for use with the present apparatus. Each question card in the pack may correspond to the layout shown in Figure 3 or other variations thereof are possible providing each question card bears a question, a correct answer, and an instruction for play in the event of correct and wrong answer given.

The instructions are for movement of the balls according to predetermined locations on the board.

In order that the board game apparatus hereinabove described may be used in a game, we now provide a description of the rules of playing a game, based on the described embodiment. It will be appreciated that the essential features of the invention are in the apparatus and in the separate packs of cards, and variations of these rules may be subsequently devised after familiarization with the present apparatus and rules.

Ik AlD RULES OF TiE GE E The idea of the game (for 2 or more players) is to achieve the ultimate in snooker which is the 147 break. The difference between this and the real game is that players use dice and questions rather than a cue. The winner as in a real game is the player/players who accumulates the largest number of points but the real aim is to achieve a 147.

ECULtENT Snooker table board, which is marked into squares with circles by letters down one side and numbers across the other way, 15 red balls, the coloured balls, question packs for red balls, coloured balls, snookers and safety play, 16 dice 8 with letters and 8 with numbers.

FRiPARhT101; Flace the board on a good sized table and set up the balls as on a snooker table. The question boxes are placed by the side of the board and dice.

Before commencement read the rules carefully.

Once the above is done the game can commence firstly with players from opposing sides tossing a coin to decide who breaks off first.

HQi TO PLAY To start the game the player (referred to as "you") chosen to break off must perform safety play as at this stage of the game, as in real snooker, there is no red ball in direct line to a pocket.

SAFETY PLAY The player in possession of the table selects two dice one with letters and one with numbers corresponding to the section of the board where one requires the white ball to land and nominating the players object ball. The opponent or player to the left then takes and asks you a safety play question. If the question is answered correctly you then throw the dice you have selected and move the white ball to the appropriate square. Also on this question card are instructions where to move other balls which have been hit whilst playing your shot and these must be moved before the next player takes his turn.

Safety play continues until a red ball is in line to be pocketed and once this occurs you carry on as follows.

PLAYING THE RED BALL This is done by the player in possession of the table selecting two dice, one with letters and one with numbers, corresponding with the section of the board where one requires the white ball to land to continue your break and also you nominate your object ball.

Your opponent or player to your left then takes and asks you a red ball question. If you answer the question correctly you then throw the dice you selected and move the white ball to the appropriate square, the object ball would be removed from the table and deemed to have been pocketed and one point scored. On the question card are instructions for movement of other balls and these should be moved before the play continues. The player having pocketed the red can then move on to a coloured ball and this is carried out as follows.

COLOURED BALLS This is done by the player in possession of the table selecting two dice, one with letters and one with numbers, corresponding to the section of the board where you require the white ball to land to continue your break and also nominate your object ball. Your opponent or player to your left then takes and asks you a coloured ball question. If answered correctly you then throw your selected dice and move the white ball to the appropriate square and the object ball is returned to its spot and the appropriate points scored.

The player having pocketed his coloured ball can then return for another red ball as before to continue his break.

COT2LBTION OF RBD BALLS Once all the red balls have been pocketed then you clear the colours in the following order - yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black, using the coloured ball method of play.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED WRONGLY If the player gives the wrong answer he hands the dice he selected to his opponent who throws them and moves the white ball to the appropriate square and carries out the movement of the other balls as instructed on the question card under the section marked "rong'. He then goes on with his own turn whether it be safety play or a red ball play.

SsOOXERED During the course of play your opponent might leave you snookered.

If this happens then -your course of action is as follows:- Select two dice as before corresponding to the section of the board where you require the white ball to land and also nominate your object ball.

Your opponent or player to your left then takes and asks you a snookered question which if answered correctly you throw the dice and move the white ball to the appropriate square and follow any instructions on the card. If answered wrongly, however, you pass the dice to your opponent who throws them and moves the white ball to the appropriate square and then carries on with his turn. You also give away 4 points to your opponent or more if you missed a higher value colour.

FRER BALL This is only applicable if after a player has played from a snookered question, answered wrongly and his opponent is still snookered. You can then go for any ball but it will only be counted as a red ball score.

Ii{PORTA.NT RULES TO RESDUMBER WHILST PLAYING 1. The board is marked in squares within which is a circle exactly the same size as the ball and when moving the balls as instructed they must be positioned exactly in the circle.

2. To pocket any ball there must be a clear passage to a pocket as in real snooker although a plant on red balls is allowed.

3. The instructions on each question card must be followed in order from the top and when moving reds as instructed a different red must be used for each instruction. If, however, a ball is already on the square as the instruction, no movement can be made to that square.

4. If when throwing the dice for the white ball the square nominated has already been filled then the white ball will remain where it is and play will continue from there.

5. The positioning of the balls as instructed on the question card is carried out by the player in possession of the table.

6. The object ball is the ball you have selected to be hit by the white ball, whether it be red or coloured, and must be nominated before any question is asked.

7. The first answer given to a question is the only one that can be accepted.

8. When a red and coloured ball question is answered correctly the ball is automatically pocketed. The red is moved to the pocketed ball section and the coloured ball back to its original spot.

NOTE: When the colours are being cleared at the end of the game once pocketed they also move to the pocketed ball section.

SCORING Red ball - 1 point Yellow ball - 2 points Green ball - 3 points 3rown ball - 4 points Blue ball - 5 points Pink ball - 6 points Black ball - 7 points Foul shots - Minimum 4 points or more if the value of the colour is higher.

Claims (13)

1. Board game apparatus comprising a board on which is marked an array of columns comprising a plurality of adjacent horizontal columns and a plurality of adjacent vertical columns, each column comprising a linear row of playing piece locations, the horizontal and vertical columns being identified by a reference character, at least four locations on the board being marked to designate playing piece exits, random indicator(s) provided to randomly display said reference character(s), a plurality of coloured playing pieces representing snooker balls and at least one set of question cards bearing a question and an instruction for play.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the board comprises an array of n x 2n rows, each horizontal and vertical row bearing circles and/or squares.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the rows bear circles and squares, adjacent circles being equidistantly spaced and each square being immediately adjacent others.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the columns are identified by alpha-numeric reference characters.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which six locations on the board are marked as playing piece exits corresponding to the locations of pockets on a snooker table.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a set of random indicators to indicate horizontal column references and a set to indicate vertical column references.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the board has a marked location for used or removed playing pieces to be displayed spaced from the array of columns, and playing piece starting positions corresponding to the starting positions of coloured snooker balls other than red.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including fifteen playing pieces having a red feature and playing pieces having respectively a yellow feature, a green feature, a blue feature, a brown feature, a pink feature, a black feature and a white feature.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including four packs of question cards.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which each question card has two alternative instructions for continuing play.

11. Board game apparatus substantially as herein described.

12. Board game apparatus substantially as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

13. Board game apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with rules for play as described herein.