Floating Game System
The present invention relates to a game system that can be used in or out of the water, it can be constructed in two ways Multiple floatation strips with a slit where you insert a playing surface comprised of a substantially-flat central surface, the four floatation strips are secured to the flat-surface. The scoring table is constructed in the same manner. Preferred option has two pieces of foam, solid bottom base, top base with cut outs for drink holders, scoring devices, game piece holder and dice holder. The top piece has adhesive on bottom side securely affixed to the solid bottom base of foam. In the cut out area or dice rolling area, a piece of foam can be inserted to play other games The scoring device is comprised of flexible, sturdy plastic with beads strung onto the plastic wire allowing the beads to move from side to side.
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods, systems, and devices utilized for games and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to methods, systems, and devices that allow such games to be played in a body of water such as, for example, a swimming pool, hot tub or lake in addition the present invention may also be placed on a table top.
2. History of the Related Art
Various types of games tables for playing card and board games such as checkers, chess, dominoes, etc. are generally well-known. These game tables typically include a flat surface upon which a game is played. A bottom surface typically has a plurality of legs attached thereto to raise and stabilize the table. Game tables are used to play many different types of social games.
One popular game is commonly known as “Bunco or Bunko”. Bunco is a social dice game involving simple scoring and a simple set of rules. A game of Bunco typically includes several tables with one table being designated as the “head table”. A game of Bunco may have varying rules or guidelines depending on how the group chooses to play.
Set Up—
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- 12 players (more or less, in multiples of 4)
- 3 Tables, 1 table per 4 people (tables are designated: Head Table, Table Two, and Table Three etc . . . )
- 9 dice, 3 floating dice per table
- 1 Bell˜placed at Head Table
Bunco is played by rolling dice, keeping score and table traveling. There are six rounds per set of play. Each set is made up of a round of 1-6. Play is accomplished using all three dice at the same time. A player at each table begins rolling the dice. During round 1, the goal is to roll ones (round 2—roll twos, etc.). Play continues through rounds 1-6, repeating for a total of 4 sets. At the end of the 4th set all players calculate their scores and prizes are awarded.
Head Table:The bell is rung from the Head Table to signal the beginning of a round. All tables roll at the same time. The person sitting across from you is your partner for that round; there are two teams per table. The first team at the Head Table to reach a score of 21 wins the round and the bell is rung signaling the end of the round. The other two tables may have higher scores (depending on the rolling). The winners at the HEAD TABLE remain partners and the losing team goes down to table 3. The winners from the other teams move up a table. Only the HEAD TABLE keeps the same partner. All other tables switch partners.
BUNCOs:A BUNCO is when any player rolls all 3 dice in the number of that round (round 1-3 ones). Each time a player rolls a BUNCO, they call out “BUNCO” and they get to keep the Traveler (this set doesn't include a traveler, but try using a rubber ducky) until someone else calls “BUNCO” and then the player carefully tosses it to the next player. The player who rolled a BUNCO uses either the silly bands or finger bands placing on the appropriate wrist/finger to keep track of total “BUNCOs”. Each player must keep track of the number of BUNCOs rolled the player with the most Bunco's at the end of the game wins the MOST BUNCO prize. The person holding the Traveler at the end of the game wins the Traveler Prize (if you play this version the traveler is just an option).
Variation:BUNCOs worth 21 points, if at the Head Table the round is over. Some groups only count a BUNCO as 5 points, it's your choice. Things move much faster if you count a BUNCO as 21!
Baby or Mini BUNCO (optional): Each time a player rolls three of any number other than that of the round they get a Baby or Mini BUNCO. It is worth 5 points, some groups keep track of the number of Baby or Mini BUNCO'S the player would put a silly band on their ankle or a finger band on their pinky. If you track the Baby or Minnie Bunco's than whoever has the most wins that prize at the end of the game.
Keeping Score with Pool Bunco—
- The top beads represent 5's and the bottom beads represent 1's. As your team rolls you keep track of your total score by sliding the appropriate beads across. If you are at the Head table you play to 21 all other tables play until the Head table rings the bell.
- Use the silly bands provided to keep track of your wins and buncos—Ex.—if you roll a bunco place a silly band on your left wrist or finger band on one hand, if you win put a silly band or finger band on the right wrist or finger and if your group keeps track of “mini” buncos you can slip a silly band on your ankle or finger band on your pinky.
- At the end of the night, count the total of silly bands or finger bands to determine—
- Most Wins
- Most Buncos
- Mini Buncos
- Biggest Loser
- Bunco clubs have recently become popular wherein members of the Bunco club take turns serving as host of a Bunco party. The host typically provides tables to set up the game as well as snacks and refreshments. Often times, the host will plan a theme for the Bunco party. Thus, it may be desirable for the host to plan a pool-themed Bunco party where participants may play while in a body of water such as, for example, a pool, a hot tub, or a lake.
Games adapted for play in a body of water have been discussed in patent applications such as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0265510 to Howland. This application discloses a floating game table. The floating game table includes a main body member designed to float on water. The main body member is made from at least one of a rigid or inflatable material. An upper surface is disposed above the main body member. A game is played on the upper surface.
In addition, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0007727 to Romney disclosed a poke pad. The poker pad may be used on both land and water. The poker pad includes a base member that has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has a slightly sloped central inner playing area for poker or card play. One or more drainage scuppers are defined in the upper surface. The drainage scuppers keep water from collecting on the central inner playing surface. Openings for receiving beverages and playing chips are also included in the upper surface. The poker pad may be placed on a patio tables for use on land.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0173123 to Roig discloses a floating amphibious game table that may be used on both land and water. The game table includes a base member with an upper surface and a lower surface. Openings sized to receive beverage containers are formed in the upper surface. Openings sized to receive a plurality of legs are formed in the lower surface. The plurality of legs allows the game table to be used on land. The game table floats to allow use on water.
SUMMARYThe present invention relates generally to methods, systems, and devices utilized for games. In one aspect the present invention relates to a game system. The game system may be constructed in one of two ways—
First design—The game system includes at least one first floatation strip, at least one second floatation strip, and a slit formed along a length of the at least one first floatation strip and the at least one second floatation strip. The game system further includes a playing table. The playing table includes a substantially-flat central surface and the at least one first floatation strip disposed there around. The game system further includes a scoring table. The scoring table includes a second central surface and at least one second floatation strip disposed around the second central surface. A plurality of axle members are arranged across the second central surface and a plurality of scoring indicia disposed about each axle member of the plurality of axle members.
Second design—The game system is comprised of two pieces of foam like but not limited to cross-linked polyethylene foam with a solid bottom base and a top base with cut outs for the drink holders, scoring devices, game piece holder and dice holder. The top piece has adhesive on the bottom side that allows it to be securely affixed to the solid bottom base of foam. In the cut out area or dice rolling area, a piece of foam can be inserted to play other games bringing the table surface higher, to play games such as checkers or cards.
The scoring device is comprised of a flexible, but sturdy plastic like but not limited to “weed eater wire”, this allows the scoring device to be strong, flexible and safe, and to complete the scoring device plastic beads are strung onto the plastic wire allowing the beads to move from side to side.
A more complete understanding of the method and system of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Appendices A and B are additional photographic views of the beverage holder of
Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Appendices A and B are additional photographic views of the beverage holder of
Although various embodiments of the method and system of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth herein. For example, the playing table 12 has been described herein as being used in conjunction the playing of a game; however, in various embodiments the playing table 12 may be used for purposes such as, for example, holding snacks, beverages, and other food items while in a pool, hot tub or lake. The embodiments discussed herein are exemplary only.
Claims
1. The game methods, systems, and devices as substantially shown and described in the specification and drawings.
2. A game system comprising: with the first variation—at least one first floatation strip; at least one second floatation strip; a slit formed along a length of the at least one first floatation strip and the at least one second floatation strip; a playing table comprising; a substantially-flat central surface; and the at least one first floatation strip disposed there around; a scoring table comprising: a second central surface; the at least one second floatation strip disposed there around; a plurality of axle members arranged across the second central surface; and a plurality of indicia disposed with each axle member of the plurality of axle members. And the second variation the game system is comprised of two pieces of foam like but not limited to cross-linked polyethylene foam with a solid bottom base and a top base with cut outs for the drink holders, scoring devices, game piece holder and dice holder. The top piece has adhesive on the bottom side that allows it to be securely affixed to the solid bottom base of foam. In the cut out area or dice rolling area, a piece of foam can be inserted to play other games bringing the table surface higher, to play games such as checkers or cards
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 9, 2012
Publication Date: Apr 10, 2014
Inventor: Rhonda Rickett (Frisco, TX)
Application Number: 13/647,739
International Classification: A63F 3/00 (20060101);