Trading day board game

Abstract

Trading Day is a board game in which players buy and sell stocks and real estate. While moving around the board, each player monitors their stock and/or real estate values changing over time on the electronic Market Ticker Board. Players can only buy and/or sell stock or real estate upon landing on a space that allows the particular transaction. When this occurs, the transaction cost is determined by the prices displayed on the Market Ticker Board.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application of the same title, Ser. No. 60/535,056 filed on 8 Jan. 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Board games continue to be a source of amusement and education for children and adults. While games, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,970, describe board games that include aspects of a Stock Market, such games generally have a random number generator to create volatility in the stock price. While this does inject an element of unpredictability to game play, it would be desirable to have market price fluctuations more closely resemble the trends seen in an actual Stock Market, and thus provide a greater realism and educational benefit.

Consequently, a significant need exists for a game that incorporates aspects of the Stock Market including a volatile but realistic market price aspect.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention overcomes the above-noted and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a Trading Day that is a board game in which players buy and sell stocks and real estate. While moving around the board, each player monitors their stock and/or real estate values changing over time on the electronic Market Ticker Board. Players can only buy and/or sell stock or real estate upon landing on a space that allows the particular transaction. When this occurs, the transaction cost is determined by the prices displayed on the Market Ticker Board, which includes circuitry to generate market price fluctuations that resemble or replicate actual stock.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a game incorporating aspects of stock trading, including an electronic market ticket display.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a game money holder, stock certificate holder, and property title cards.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of miscellaneous items associated with the game, including rules, banker's calculator, pencil and paper, numeric dice, one letter die, and game pieces.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the game board of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the electronic market ticker display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a depiction of a printed circuit layout and circuitry of the electronic market ticker display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the Electric Market Ticket Display of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the game board of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, the game consists of a rectangular Game Board having 36 spaces around its periphery; an Electronic Market Ticker Display; six (6) Types of Stock Certificates, ten (10) Property Title Cards; six (6) Denominations of Game Money; three (3) Types of Draw Cards: Strategy, Economy and News and Court Date; six (6) game pieces; two (2) numeric dice; and one letter die and Instructions.

Game Play Action and Rules: Each player selects a game token and places it on the space marked “Starts” Players must set up the game board, place cards into the assigned placeholders, and re-set the Market Price Ticker Board for a new game.

Before the start of the game, each player has the option of buying up to 6,000 shares of stock from any two companies. All players throw the dice. The player with the highest total takes the first turn. The Broker clicks the Play button on the Market Price Ticker and the first player rolls the dice and moves counterclockwise along the game board.

The object of Trading Day is to trade stocks and buy and sell residential and commercial properties in order to become the most successful investor (i.e., wealthiest player) after 40 minutes have elapsed and it is considered the end of the game.

How to Win: When the game clock on the Market Price Ticker displays “0”, the game is over. Each player then sells to the bank all shares of stock and all properties owned and collects their current market value as indicated by the Market Price Ticker. Players then count their money to determine the winner.

Game Board: The game board has 36 spaces as follows: one (1) Startfour(4) Dividends, five (5) Economy and News, one (1) Vegas Vacation, three (3) Strategy, five (5) Trading, nine (9) Real Estate, one (1) Court Date, one (1) IRS—Taxes, one (1) Full Time Job Bonus and five (5) Living Expenses.

Each space type listed above requires the following action:

Start Space: Players begin the game from this space and collect rent for properties every time they pass.

Dividend Spaces: Players collect $1 per share of stock owned every time they land on this space.

Trading Day Spaces: Players may pause the Market Ticker Board clock to buy and/or sell stock at the indicated prices. Each player, however, cannot own stock from more than two companies at any given time.

Economy and News Spaces: Players draw an “Economy & News” card and follow the written instructions.

Vegas Vacation Space: Players select a number between 1-6 and roll a die. If the selected number is rolled, the player wins $50,000.

Strategy Spaces: Players draw a “Strategy” card and follow the written instructions.

Living Expenses Spaces: Players roll the blue letter die and pay the corresponding living expense indicated on the particular space.

Real Estate Spaces: Players may pause the Market Ticker Board clock to buy and/or sell as many properties.

Court Date Space: Players draw a “Court Decision Card” and follow the written instructions.

IRS—Taxes Space: Players pay $1 per share of stock owned.

Full Time Job Bonus Space: Players collect a $3,000 bonus.

Market Price Ticker Board: The Market Price Ticker indicates both the current market value of stock for each of the six companies and the current market value of each of the three property types. The Market Price Ticker also shows the game clock which displays the number of minutes left in the game, counting down from 40 minutes.

Stock and real estate fluctuations occur approximately every minute, are unpredictable, and vary by game. Each company's stock/each property type may increase, decrease or remain the same over time. When a stock/property displays a green, upward pointing arrow, the stock/property value is increasing. When a stock/property displays a red, downward pointing arrow, the stock/property value is decreasing. If no arrow is indicated, the stock/property is neither increasing nor decreasing.

Each time a new game is started, the reset button is pushed and the Market Price Ticker creates a new set of pricing scenarios for each numeric display using an algorithm.

Market Price Ticker Components: With reference to FIG. 5, the Market Price Ticker Display may have the following components: six (6) Stock Displays (Numeric CD), three (3) Real Estate Displays (Numeric CD), one (1) Game Clock Display (Numeric LCD), nine (9) Green Arrow Lights (LED lights) and nine (9) Red Arrow Lights (LED lights). The display may further include controls (e.g., buttons) and other components, such as one (1) Start Button, one (1) Pause Button, one (1) Reset Button, one (1) On/Off switch, one (1) Sound generating component, and four (4) AA Batteries.

With particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the display may advantageously include a control circuit that performs various functions with regard to the aforementioned display and control components: Changes numeric values for displays 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 approximately every minute; changes the arrow light (GL=Green Light/RL=Red Light) to reflect the value change related to displays 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 approximately every minute; displays game time by showing a count down timer with minutes and seconds (display 7); controls play and pause button functions. When one of these buttons is used, the processor will freeze values on displays 1-10 and send a sound command to the sound-creating component. Reset Button: When this button is used, the processor will reset displays 1-10 to their game starting values and send a sound command to the sound-creating component. At this point, the processor randomly selects the future price values to be displayed on displays 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 during the course of the entire game by referencing the pre-programmed algorithm. The On/Off button works independently of the processor to allow or disallow the passage of current to the processor.

Market Price Ticker Plastic Housing: The displays, electronics and batteries will be housed in a plastic frame that will unfold into an “L” position with the 10 displays standing upright.

Trading Day Game Rules: A suggested age group of users may be for 2 to 6 players of ages 12 to adult. The object of Trading Day is to trade stocks and buy and sell residential and commercial properties in order to be the most successful investor (i.e., wealthiest player) after a period of time (e.g., 40 minutes) have elapsed and it is considered the end of the game.

Contents/Equipment: Game board, Market Price Ticker, two (2) numeric dice, one (1) letter die, six (6) game tokens, Play money, Stock cards for six companies (each stock card representing 1,000 shares), Property Title cards for each property type, Economy and News cards, Strategy cards, Court Date cards and 1 calculator.

Preparation: Open the game board. Separate the play cards into three decks:

Economy and News, Strategy, and Court Date. Shuffle each deck and place it face down on the allotted spaces on the game board. Separate the Property Title cards into three decks: House, Apartments, and Office Buildings. Separate the Stock cards into six decks: Company 1, Company 2, Company 3, Company 4, Company 5, and Company 6.

Place the Market Price Ticker alongside the game board behind the Start space. Turn the Market Price Ticker on but do not start it at this time.

Nominate the most math savvy player to be the Banker. The Banker is in charge of managing all money paid to and from the bank. The Banker is also in charge of calculating the value of the more complex transactions, via use of the calculator. The Banker gives each player $150,000 divided as follows: two (2) $50,000, three (3) $10,000, three (3) $5,000, four (4) $1,000, and two (2) $500.

Choose one player to be the Broker. The Broker is in charge of holding all Stock and Property Title cards prior to purchase by the players. The Broker is also in charge of pausing and re-starting the Market Price Ticker when appropriate.

The Bank: The Bank pays dividends, rent, salaries, bonuses and the price of all stocks and properties players sell. The bank collects all living expenses, taxes, fines, and the price of all stocks and properties that it sells.

The Brokerage House: The Brokerage House holds all Stock and Property Title cards prior to purchase and use by the players. If the Brokerage House sells all stock cards for any given company or all Property Title cards for any given property type, the stock for that company or property type is no longer available for sale (until a player sells the stock or property type to the bank).

The Market Price Ticker: The Market Price Ticker indicates both the current market value of stock for each of the six companies and the current market value of each of the three property types. The Market Price Ticker also shows the game clock which displays the number of minutes left in the game, counting down from 40 minutes.

Stock and real estate fluctuations occur every minute, are unpredictable, and vary by game. Each company's stock/each property type may increase, decrease or remain the same over time. When a stock/property displays a green, upward pointing arrow, the stock/property value is increasing. When a stock/property displays a red, downward pointing arrow, the stock/property value is decreasing. If no arrow is indicated, the stock/property is neither increasing nor decreasing. Stock values may range between certain values, for instance from $5 per share to $150 per share. Property values may range, for instance, anywhere from $5,000 to $300,000.

Game Play: Each player selects a game token and places it on the space marked “Start.” All players throw the dice. The player with the highest total takes the first turn.

Play then continues counterclockwise.

Before the first turn, each player may purchase up to a total of 6,000 shares of stock (i.e., six stock cads) at the cost of $10/share for all companies. Players may hold stock from no more than two (2) companies at any point during the game, including the start. After each player has had the opportunity to purchase initial stock, the Broker should start the Market Price Ticker. The first player then throws the dice and moves their game token the number of spaces indicated by the dice and follows the directions indicated by the space. The game tokens must always move in the direction of the arrow on the “Start” space.

Buy or Sell Stock: Stock may only be bought at the start of the game, upon landing on one of the five weekday Trading Day spaces, or when using a “Free Trade” Strategy card. Stock may only be sold upon landing on a Trading Day space, using a “Free Trade” Strategy card, or when unable to pay an expense/fine (see miscellaneous instructions). At the start of the game, all stocks are valued at $10 per share. During game play, players must refer to the current market value of the stocks as indicated by the Market Price Ticker.

As soon as a player lands on a Trading Day space or requests to use a “Free Trade” Strategy card, the Broker may pause the Market Price Ticker. Once the player has completed their trade(s), the Broker should restart the ticker before the next player takes their turn.

When a player has the opportunity to buy or sell stock, the player may buy or sell any amount of stock afforded but may not own stock from more than two companies at any given time. When a player opts to trade, the player may sell shares from one company and use that profit to purchase shares from another company. If a player does not opt to trade, play moves to the next player.

Buy or Sell Property: Property may only be bought or sold upon landing on a Buy or Sell House, Apartment, or Office Building property space or when using a “Free Trade” Strategy card. As soon as a player lands on one of these spaces or requests to use a “Free Trade” Strategy card, the Broker should pause the Market Price Ticker. Once the player has completed their transactions, the Broker should restart the Market Price Ticker before the next player takes their turn.

The value of a property (i.e., the purchase or sale price) is determined by the current market value as indicated on the Market Price Ticker. Players may select from all remaining Property Title cards of that property type (each providing a different rental income) when making a purchase. When a player buys a property, the player receives the Property Title card from the Broker showing ownership. When a player sells a property, the player must return the Property Title card to the Broker. If a player does not wish to buy or sell a property, play moves to the next player.

“Start”/Collecting Rent: When a player lands on or passes over Start, the Banker pays the player any rent printed on each and every property currently owned.

Living Expenses: When a player lands on any of these spaces, the player must throw the letter die and pay the Living Expense, as indicated on the Living Expenses space, that matches the corresponding letter thrown.

Collecting Dividends: When a player lands on any of these spaces, the player may collect $1 for each share of stock currently owned (i.e., a player would collect $1,000 for each stock card currently owned).

Economy and News/Court Date Cards: When a player lands on any of these spaces, the player draws the top card from the deck indicated, follows the instructions, and returns the card face down to the bottom of the deck.

Strategy Cards: When a player lands on any of these spaces, the player draws the top card from the deck indicated and reads the instructions privately. The player may act on the card at that time or hold onto the card for use during any of their future turns. Players may only use a Strategy card when it is their turn. There is one exception: if a player is using a Strategy card that allows them to block another player's trade or property sale transaction, this card will be used on another player's turn. Once a Strategy card has been used, it must be returned to the bottom of the deck.

Special Spaces: When a player lands on a Vegas Vacation, Full Time Job Bonus Time, or Pay Taxes IRS space, simply follow the space directions.

Miscellaneous: Players may not borrow from or lend money to another player, or the Bank. Players are not permitted to take another turn if doubles are rolled.

If a player lands on a space that requires the player to pay money to the Bank and the player owes more money than he/she can pay, the player must sell back to the Bank shares of his/her least valued stock and pay a fine of $5,000. In doing so, the player must refer to the current market value of each of their Stocks as indicated on the Market Price Ticker. When this happens, the Broker should pause the Market Price Ticker. The in-debt player is only permitted to sell enough stock to cover their debt and fine. If a player does not own any stock, the player must sell property according to the same guidelines. If neither stock nor property is owned, or selling stocks and/or properties will not provide enough money to cover the debt, the player is considered bankrupt and must retire from the game.

How to Win: When the game clock on the Market Price Ticker displays “0”, the game is over. Each player sells to the bank all shares of stock and all properties owned and collects their current market value as indicated by the Market Price Ticker. Players then count their money to determine the winner. The wealthiest player wins the game.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. In addition, it should be understood that every structure described above has a function and such structure can be referred to as a means for performing that function.

Claims

1. A game, comprising:

A playing surface having a series of player locations including at least one location indicative of a trading opportunity;

A plurality of property cards; and

An electronic display operably configured to generate and display a changing market price for each of the plurality of property cards:

2. The game of claim 1, wherein the electronic display is further operably configured to produce a time varying current market value for each of a plurality of company stocks.

3. The game of claim 2, wherein the electronic display is further operably configured to produce a trend indication for each displayed value.

4. The game of claim 1, wherein the electronic display is further operably configured to generate a time value indicative of game play.