Board game

Abstract

Embodiments of a board game of racing, luck, and strategy include a game board providing a plurality of adjacent paths upon which players advance game pieces, with the goal of being the first to remove all of one's game pieces from the game board. Directional game pieces indicate allowable directions of movement as the game pieces are advanced along the paths or from path to path, wherein a special exception provided by rules of the game allows a player to change the directionality of a game piece. Rules of the game further provide for capturing or blocking an opponent's game pieces, as well as for early removal of a portion of one's own game pieces, by creating a variety of formations with the game pieces. Various embodiments of the board game allow for the use of non-directional game pieces, team play, and variations in the game board.

Description

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/541,442 filed Feb. 3, 2004, titled “BOARD GAME,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of board games and, more specifically, to board games that combine elements of racing, chance, and strategy.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of board games is known in the prior art. A number of attempts have been made to provide board games to satisfy our ever-growing need for entertainment while still finding intellectual stimulation. Board games that provide game pieces which advance along one or more paths on a game board may, in some of their simpler forms, be racing games, in which players advance their game pieces, sometimes according to numbers selected by chance, such as by a roll of a pair of dice, along a single path in a single direction. Such games, while simple enough to play for very young players, may not provide the stimulation or opportunities for mental development desired by older, more sophisticated players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of a board game that combines elements of racing, chance, and strategy are described that, while simple enough for play by young players, also provide opportunities for more sophisticated use of strategy and spatially-oriented planning. The board game includes a game board providing a plurality of adjacent paths upon which players advance game pieces. In various embodiments, a goal of players of the board game is to be the first player to remove all of one's game pieces from the game board. In a preferred embodiment, the adjacent paths are formed in a geometric shape, such as a ring of adjacent paths that form a circle. Directional game pieces indicate allowable directions of movement as the game pieces are advanced along the paths or from path to path, wherein a special exception provided by rules of the game allows a player to change the directionality of a game piece. Rules of the game further provide for capturing or blocking an opponent's game pieces, as well as for early removal of a portion of one's own game pieces, by creating a variety of formations with the game pieces. Various embodiments of the board game allow for the use of non-directional game pieces, team play, and variations in the game board.

An embodiment of a board game is described, wherein the board game comprises a plurality of game pieces, a playing surface for placement of the game pieces, and set of rules. A first portion of the plurality of game pieces are assigned to a first player, and a second portion of the plurality of game pieces are assigned to a second player. The playing surface includes a plurality of spaces arranged in a plurality of adjacent paths, wherein a first portion of the spaces form an assigned territory for the first player, and a second portion of the spaces form an assigned territory for the second player. The first player's assigned game pieces are placed on the first player's assigned territory, and the second player's assigned game pieces are placed on the second player's assigned territory. At least one rule of the set specifies that a first portion of each player's game pieces move from the player's assigned territory along the adjacent paths in a first direction and that a second portion of each player's game pieces move from the player's assigned territory along the adjacent paths in a second direction, wherein the first direction is opposite from the second direction.

An embodiment of a method of playing a board game, using a board having spaces arranged in a pattern, is described. The method comprises the acts of: providing a moveable game piece that has a directional indication relative to the pattern, wherein the directional indication can be changed by a player of the board game; placing the moveable game piece on a space in the pattern that is contiguous with at least three other spaces in the pattern; and permitting a player to move the game piece in a direction which is dependent on the directional indication on the game piece.

An embodiment of a game board for playing a game with a plurality of game pieces is described. The game board includes a geometric shape comprising a plurality of concentric paths. The concentric paths are divided into a number of spaces for placement of the game pieces, and, in accordance with rules of the game, the game pieces advance along the concentric paths.

An embodiment of a game piece for use in a game played on a game board is described. The game board includes indications of a plurality of adjacent spaces, and the game piece is sized to fit within a first space of the plurality of adjacent spaces. The game piece is further indicative of a forward direction, a backward direction, and two lateral directions, and, in accordance with rules of the game, the game piece may be moved to a second space in a forward direction or in a lateral direction from the first space, and the game piece may not be moved to a second space in a backward direction from the first space.

An embodiment of a game for three or more players, in which players alternate taking a turn, is described. Taking a turn includes a turn-taking first player being provided with a set of numbers selected by chance, in accordance with which the first player plays the game. A rule associated with the game allows the first player, after seeing the set of numbers, to offer the set of numbers to a second player. After the turn, the three or more players continue to alternate taking turns as if the first player had not offered the set of numbers to the second player

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages taught or suggested herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a game board for use in accordance with embodiments of a board game described herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a second embodiment of a game board for use in accordance with embodiments of the board game described herein.

FIG. 3a depicts a third embodiment of a game board for use in accordance with embodiments of the board game described herein.

FIG. 3b depicts a fourth embodiment of a game board for use in accordance with embodiments of the board game described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a fifth embodiment of a game board for use in accordance with embodiments of the board game described herein.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a game piece for use in accordance with embodiments of the board game described herein.

FIG. 6 depicts a first embodiment of an initial set-up of a player's game pieces on a home territory of the game board.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a ringer formation as used in playing one embodiment of the board game described herein.

FIG. 8A depicts a first embodiment of a block formation as used in playing one embodiment of the board game described herein.

FIG. 8B depicts a second embodiment of a block formation as used in playing one embodiment of the board game described herein.

FIG. 9 depicts a first embodiment of a capture formation as used in playing one embodiment of the board game described herein.

FIG. 10 depicts a second embodiment of an initial set-up of game pieces on home territories of the game board for use with a three-player embodiment of the board game.

FIG. 11 depicts a third embodiment of an initial set-up of game pieces on home territories of the game board for use with a four-player embodiment of the board game

FIG. 12 depicts a second embodiment of a capture formation as used in playing three- and four-player embodiments of the board game described herein.

FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of the game board in which indications on the spaces indicate one or more allowable directions that a game piece on the space may be moved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of a board game are described for two or more players that include a game board with adjacent paths upon which players advance a plurality of game pieces according to numbers selected by chance, such a numbers indicated by a roll of a pair of dice. In various embodiments, the game pieces include an indication of directionality and may be advanced in accordance with the indication of directionality, as will be described in greater detail below. A goal of the game is to be the first player to remove all of one's game pieces from the game board. Embodiments of rules associated with the board game allow players to remove game pieces under a variety of conditions. For example, in one embodiment, a first rule specifies that a game piece which has been advanced from a player's home territory, around a path, and back to the player's home territory may be removed from the game board. A second rule specifies that a set of game pieces that are positioned in a predefined formation, as will be described in greater detail below, may be removed from the game board. Additional rules in various embodiments of the board game allow a player to move his or her game pieces from path to path, to reverse the directionality of game pieces, and to block or capture an opponent's game pieces. Thus, the embodiments of the board game include elements of luck, racing, and strategy.

Features of embodiments of the board game are further described with reference to the drawings, in which reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements.

FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of a game board 5 for use in accordance with embodiments of the board game described herein. The game board 5 may be a rigid or semi-rigid planar device, made of wood, cardboard, plastic, ceramics, stone, glass, or any of a wide variety of materials suitable for game board. In other embodiments, the game board 5 may be formed of a plastic, rubber, textile, oilcloth, paper or other pliable material that can be rolled or folded for storage and can be opened and placed on a surface for playing. In still other embodiments, the board game is an electronic game, whereby the game board 5 appears on a screen of an electronic device, and whereby players may move game pieces of the game in accordance with rules of the game, as will be described in greater detail below, using a keyboard, mouse, joystick, or any of a wide variety of devices for interaction with an electronic screen.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the game board 5 includes a geometric shape 10 that comprises a plurality of adjacent paths 20. FIG. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment in which the geometric shape 10 is a circle and in which five adjacent paths 20 are provided. However, in other embodiments, another number of adjacent paths 20 may be provided, as is depicted in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in which four adjacent paths 20 are provided in a circular geometric shape 10. In other embodiments, not shown, other numbers of paths 20, such as three paths 20 or six paths 20, may be provided.

Furthermore, as is depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, other embodiments of the game board 5 may provide adjacent paths 20 that form a different geometric shape 10, such as a square (FIG. 3A) or a hexagon (FIG. 3B), or an oval or octagon, not shown. As shown in FIGS. 1-3B, the paths 20 may be formed as concentric paths around a regular shape. Paths 20 may also be formed concentrically around an irregular shape, not shown.

In embodiments with equal numbers of spaces 25 per path 20, paths may be divided by lines that intersect the paths 20. For example, in FIG. 1, lines extending inwardly from points spaces equidistantly about the perimeter of the geometric shape 10, cross the paths 20 and divide them into an equal number of spaces 25.

A set of spaces 25 formed between two adjacent lines form a bar 30. In FIG. 1, the geometric shape 10 is divided into four territories 40, also known as home territories 40, each comprising a plurality of bars 30. In this embodiment, each home territory 40 comprises four bars 30. The home territories 40 of FIG. 1 are uniquely identifiable by patterned borders around an inner and an outer edge of the set of paths 20. In a preferred embodiment, home territories 40 are distinguished from one another by bands of color (not shown). Home territories may also be distinguished from one another by coloring the backgrounds of the spaces 25 within each home territory 40 a different color, or by printing a different background pattern on the spaces 25 of each territory 40, or by some other visual identifier. In other embodiments suitable for players with diminished eyesight (not shown), home territories 40 may be distinguished from one another by a textural or other tactile differentiation.

In various embodiments, when the board game is played, each player of the game is assigned a home territory 40. The embodiment of the game board 5 of FIG. 1 depicts four home territories 40, and may be used for two, three, or four players. The embodiment of the game board 5 of FIG. 3A depicts six home territories 40, and may be used for from two to six players.

Still other embodiments of the game board 5 provide adjacent paths 20 which are not formed around a geometric shape 10, concentrically or otherwise, and which are, instead, stretched out in a linear or other elongated fashion, one example of which is depicted in FIG. 4. Paths 20 may also be formed in an S-shape, curve, or other irregular formation. As depicted by the arrow 15 in FIG. 4, a game piece 50 (which will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 5 below) that is advanced along a path 20 and reaches a left end or a right end of the path 20 may be further advanced beyond the end of the path 20 by continuing to advance the game piece 50 at an opposite end of the path 20. In a preferred embodiment, as shown FIG. 1, the paths 20 are divided into an equal number of spaces 25. However, in other embodiments, such as is depicted in section 35 of FIG. 4, paths 20 or portions 35 of paths 20 may include different numbers of spaces 25. In such embodiments, aspects of the board game that relate to the bars 30 may be modified accordingly.

Thus, practitioners of ordinary skill in the art will understand, in light of this disclosure, that the game board 5 and the paths 20 provided thereon may be configured in a wide variety of configurations without departing from the spirit of the board game as described herein.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of a game piece 50 as used for the board game. To play the board game, each player is assigned a plurality of uniquely identifiable game pieces 50. For example, a player's game pieces 50 may be colored to match the player's assigned home territory 40, or may be otherwise distinguishable from the game pieces 50 of other players of the board game. The game pieces 50 are sized to fit within a space 25 on the game board 5.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the game piece 50 is shaped to indicate a directionality. For example, in FIG. 5, the game piece 50 is formed in an arrowhead shape, with a pointed end 50a that indicates a forward direction, and that, by implication, indicates a backwards direction and two lateral directions. Other embodiments of the game piece 50 indicate directionality in other ways. For example, the game piece 50 may be formed in other direction-indicating shapes, or may be imprinted with a direction indicator, such as an arrow or a pointing finger, thereupon. The game piece 50 may be colored differently at different ends, such as green at a forward end and red at a backward end. The game piece may include a moveable arrow or other moveable, indicator thereupon. Thus, as will be understandable to a practitioner of ordinary skill in the art, directional game pieces 50 for use in playing the bard game may be formed according to a variety of different methods and with a variety of different materials without departing from the spirit of the game piece 50 as described herein.

In other embodiments, the board game may be played with game pieces 50 that do not indicate a directionality. One embodiment of a game board 5 that may be used with non-directional game pieces 50 is shown in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, the spaces 25 of the geometric shape 10 include an indication of directionality, which in this case includes one or more arrows imprinted on the spaces 25. The arrows indicate allowable direction(s) for the advancement of game pieces around the paths 20. Thus, it can be seen that in this embodiment, game pieces are advanced in opposite directions on adjacent paths 20. As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 13, the geometric shape 10 is divided into home territories 40, and each home territory 40 includes a bar 45 whose spaces 25 are imprinted with additional arrows that allow a player with a game piece that is positioned on one such space 25 to advance the game piece 50 from one path 20 to another along the bar 30. Thus, players may change the direction in which their non-directional game piece 50 is moving if they can take advantage of the multi-arrow spaces to reach a path 20 that allows movement in the opposite direction.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of an initial set-up of a player's game pieces 50 in the player's home territory 40 for a two-player version of the board game. As depicted in FIG. 6, the player is assigned ten game pieces 50, which are positioned as depicted on two central bars 30 of the home territory 40, with a first half of the game pieces 50 pointing in one direction, and a second half of the game pieces 50 pointing in a second direction. Thus, in some embodiments of the board game that use the initial set-up depicted in FIG. 6, portions of a player's set of assigned game pieces 50 advance in opposite directions (for example, clockwise and counter-clockwise) from the home territory 40.

In various embodiments, players advance their game pieces 50 along the paths 20. Game pieces 50 assigned to a player which are advanced along one or more paths 20 until the game pieces 50 return to the player's home territory 40 may be removed from the board 5. In one embodiment, the player who is first to remove all of his or her game pieces 50 from the game board 5 wins the game. Various embodiments of rules for the game provide for the possible introduction of elements of strategy into the game, as well as for modifications to accommodate three or more player, and to add other features of interest to the game.

In various embodiments of the board game, players alternate taking turns, during which a turn-taking player may move one or more of his or her game pieces 50 in accordance with rules of the board game. In various embodiments, the turn-taking player is provided with one or more indicators, selected by chance, of a number of spaces 25 that the turn-taking player may advance one or more of his or her game pieces 50.

For example, in one embodiment, the player rolls a pair of dice. The player may move, in a single direction (such as a forward or lateral direction), a first game piece 50 a number of spaces 25 indicated on a first die. The player may also move, in a single direction (such as a forward or lateral direction), a second game piece 50 a number of spaces 25 indicated on a second die, wherein, if the player desires, the first game piece and the second game piece may be the same game piece.

In other embodiments of the board game, players may be provided with only one die, or with more than two dice, for determining the number of spaces they may move one or more game pieces 50, as provided by rules of the board game. Furthermore, in various embodiments, another method of determining the number of spaces is provided. For example, players may select cards on which are imprinted indications of a number of spaces 25 to advance. Players may spin a dial with an arrow that points to an indication of a number of spaces 25 to advance, or any of a wide variety of mechanisms for determining a number of spaces 25 to advance, as will be understandable, in view of this disclosure, to practitioners of ordinary skill in the art.

Embodiments of the rules for use with directional or non-directional game pieces that allow a player to move a game piece 50 from one path 20 to another and/or to switch the direction of a game piece 50 provide opportunities for players to add strategy to the racing and chance aspects of the game by allowing for the creation of game piece formations defined in the rules that may give players specific advantages.

For example, as described in a sample rule set provided below, with reference to FIG. 7, a player who, in accordance with the rules, succeeds in maneuvering a subset of his or her game pieces 50 onto a single path 20 within an opponent's home territory 40, or other specially designated portion of the game board 5, may remove the subset of game pieces 50 without advancing the subset of game pieces 50 along the paths 20 and back to the player's home territory 40.

It should be noted that although, for ease of description, various moves, functions, rules, and game piece formations have been described, throughout this specification, with reference to the home territories 40 of the game board 5, in other embodiments, the various moves, functions, rules, and game piece formations may, in accordance with other embodiments of the rules, be carried out with respect to other subsets of the spaces 25 of the game board 5.

As another example, as described in the sample rule set below, with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a player may position a subset of his or her game pieces 50 into one or more block formations that, in accordance with associated rules, prevent an opponent from moving his or her game pieces 50 over the pieces in the block formation.

As yet another example, described in the sample rule set below with reference to FIG. 9, a player may position a subset of his or her game pieces 50 into one or more capture formations that, in accordance with associated rules, prevent an opponent from advancing a “captured” game piece 50 except as provided in the rules.

Furthermore, as provided in various embodiments of the set of rules, a player that rolls or otherwise receives a set of numbers on his or her turn, wherein the numbers in the set are the same number, may be allowed to execute one of a special set of exception rules. In some embodiments, a distinction is made between turns in which the same odd number is received multiple times (such as a dice roll of double ONE's, THREE's or FIVE's) and turns in which the same even number is received multiple times (such as a dice roll of double TWO's, FOUR's or SIX's). An example of such an embodiment is provided in the sample rule set included below, specifically with reference to the sections entitled “Reversing Doubles (Odd Doubles)” and “Jumping Doubles (Even Doubles).” In the example, rolling “odd doubles” provides a player with an opportunity to reverse the direction of one or two of his or her directional game pieces 50 with respect to the paths 20 of the game board 5. Rolling “even doubles” provides a player with an opportunity to advance one or two of his or her game pieces 50 over a block formation that would have otherwise prohibited advancement.

Also provided in various embodiments of the rules, as exemplified in the sample rule set to follow, are modifications and variations of the board game that may provide for additional levels of cooperation and/or competitiveness amongst players of the game. Furthermore, such modifications and variations may enhance play of the game when played by three or more players at the same time. For example, a rule that is, in some embodiments, nicknamed “The Golden Rule,” for use when the board game is played by three or more players, specifies that after rolling the dice, a player may choose not to advance his or her game pieces 50 in accordance with the dice roll, and may offer that roll to be used by one of his or her opponents. If the opponent(s) decline the offer, the player must use the roll. The game resumes with a next player in the regular rotation of turns, taking his or her turn, even if that next player was the beneficiary of the Golden Rule.

Another example of a rule that may be added to the set as an enhancement in some embodiments is one that provides for a novel betting scheme that may be used in conjunction with the board game. An example of such a rule is included in the example rule set provided below, and is described in the “Stakes Roundabout” section. According to an embodiment of the “stakes” rule, all of the rules of the standard two, three, and four player versions apply. Before play begins, players establish an initial value that each game piece 50 left on the game board 5 will cost the loser(s) once a winner is decided. Then, during the course of the game, the per-game-piece value can be increased or decreased with the selection of one or more predetermined number indications, such as with a player's roll of the dice on his or her turn. In one embodiment, whenever the result of a player's roll totals a predetermined value, such as seven, the player has three options: 1) the player can increase the current per-game-piece value by a predetermined amount, such as by doubling; 2) the player may decrease the current per-game-piece value by a predetermined amount, such as by one-half; or, 3) the player can leave the per-game-piece value unchanged. In each case, the player then takes his or her normal turn, which, would be the predetermined value, for example, seven. As soon as a winner is determined, losing players compensate the winner the current per-game-piece value amount for each of their game pieces 50 left on the board 5. As will be understood by practitioners of ordinary skill in the art, various modifications may be made to the “stake” rule without departing from the spirit of the board game and its rules.

As an example of a set of rules, one embodiment of a set of rules, with variations, for an embodiment of the board game that is entitled ROUNDABOUT™ is presented here, with reference to FIGS. 6-12. It will be noted that in the example set of rules, game pieces 50 may be referred to as “Darts” and paths 20 may be referred to as “Rings.”

Rules for Two Players

The Object

To be the first player to remove all 10 of your game pieces from the board.

The Equipment

ROUNDABOUT™ contains one game board, a pair of dice, and four sets of ten games pieces.

Set Up

The board has four distinctly colored Home Territories, each comprising five Rings and four Bars. Players select Home Territories that are opposite each other and place their ten corresponding colored game pieces (“Darts”) as is depicted in FIG. 6.

Once set up is complete, each player rolls one die. The player with the highest roll will go first. That player then rolls both dice to begin.

Basic Rules

• 1. The Darts advance around the board on the Rings in the direction they are pointed.
• 2. Darts can also be moved on the Bars, towards or away from the center, while maintaining the direction in which they are pointed.
• 3. No two Darts may occupy the same space at the same time.
• 4. Players may advance over their own Darts. Players may advance over their opponent's Darts, unless their opponent has set up a Block (see explanation of Blocks below). Darts that are advanced over are counted as spaces.
  To Advance Your Darts Roll Both Dice. You Then Have the Following Options:

Move one Dart the number of spaces rolled on one die. Then, you may move that same Dart the value on the second die OR move a different Dart the value on the second die. However, when moving your Darts, each Dart must be moved the full value of a die in only one direction. Therefore, you must choose to move each Dart either around a Ring or on a Bar. Note: When moving a Dart on a Bar, you cannot move both towards and away from the center with the value of one die. A player does not have to use the results of both dice, if, after moving one Dart, that player is left without another available move.

Defensive Moves

Blocks

Blocks are used to prevent your opponent's Darts from jumping over your Darts. You can set up a block in two ways, on Rings, and on Bars. A first type of Block may be formed, as depicted in FIG. 8A, when you position two or more Darts on the same Ring, on consecutive Bars. Note that in FIG. 8A, none of the white Darts can jump over either of the black Darts, in any direction.

A second type of Block may be formed, as depicted in FIG. 8B, when you position two or more Darts on the same Bar, on adjacent Rings. Note that in FIG. 8B, none of the white Darts can jump over either of the black Darts, in any direction.

In both cases, your opponent can not jump over any of your Darts that form the Block.

Captures

Captures are used to prevent your opponent's Darts from advancing. A Capture occurs when one player has a single Dart on a particular Bar and the other player has two Darts on that same Bar, with all three Darts being on adjacent Rings. An example of a Capture formation is depicted in FIG. 9. Note that in FIG. 9, the black Darts have established Captures against both white Darts. Neither of these white Darts can be moved, nor can another white Dart land anywhere on these two Bars.

A player with a Captured Dart cannot end their turn by landing any of their other Darts on any other space on that Bar. (If all of your remaining Darts are Captured, you lose your turn until one of your Darts becomes free.)

After using only the first die, when a player lands a Dart on a space that would result in a Capture, that player may use the value of the second die to advance out of the potential Capture.

Offensive Moves

Reversing Doubles (Odd Doubles)

When a player rolls double ONES, THREES. or FIVES, that player may either take that roll or, instead, may Reverse the direction of one or two of their Darts and may wait until a subsequent turn to move the Reversed Darts. Darts that are Captured and Darts that are in a Player's own Home Territory may not be Reversed.

Jumping Doubles (Even Doubles)

When a player rolls double TWOS, FOURS or SIXES, that player may now advance one or two Darts over any Blocks that are in their way. However, players are never required to jump over a Block, even if that move is the only one available to them.

(Rolling either Reversing or Jumping Doubles does not enable a player to double the value of that roll or to take an additional roll on that turn.)

Ringers

The moment a player's Darts occupy the spaces in a single Ring on all four Bars in their opponent's Home Territory, those Darts are immediately removed from the board. As depicted in FIG. 7, the black Darts have achieved a Ringer. All four of these Darts may be automatically removed from the game board. NOTE: If any of those Darts are Captured, the Ringer frees them, and they are removed as well.

Removing Darts and Winning the Game

There are two ways to remove your Darts from the board. First, by getting a Ringer as described above. Second, by advancing all of your other Darts back to your Home Territory where, after landing on any unoccupied space, they are immediately removed from the board. The first player to remove all of their Darts is the winner of the game!

Darts are removed from your Home Territory even if they land on a space that would have normally resulted in a Capture. However, a Dart that overshoots your Home Territory must circle the board again.

Strategy Tips

Try moving your Darts in pairs, not only to help you avoid being Captured, but to assist you in your efforts to set up Blocks. Avoid positioning too many of your Darts close to your Home Territory when you are trying to return Home. You may be setting yourself up to over-shoot your Home Territory. When playing with three or four players, and one person begins to gain an advantage over the others, you might consider forming an alliance with your other opponent(s) and strategizing together against that player. Also in three and four player games, you might consider using ROUNDABOUT'S “Golden Rule” when one player is close to winning and another player could use your roll to Block or Capture that player.

Rule Variations for Three & Four Players

All Rules for Two Player ROUNDABOUT™ are in effect when playing with three or four Players, except the following:

Set Up

Each player has eight Darts in a three-player game, and the game board is set up as depicted in FIG. 10. Each player has six Darts in a four-player game, and the game board is set up as depicted in FIG. 11.

Blocks

When a Block is executed by one player, it will affect all of the other players.

Captures

Only the player whose Dart has been Captured is prevented from landing additional Darts on that Bar. Therefore, it is possible for one player to Capture two opponents on the same Bar. This situation is depicted in FIG. 12, where the black Darts have established a Capture against the white Dart and the spotted Dart. (Remember, a player can be Captured only when they have one Dart on a given Bar.)

Ringers

To create a Ringer, a player's Darts only need to occupy the spaces on three consecutive Bars of a single Ring in the Territory opposite their Home Territory.

The Golden Rule

After rolling the dice, a player may relinquish their turn and offer that roll to be used by one of his or her opponents. If their opponent(s) decline the offer, that player must use the roll. Play resumes with the player who is next in the regular rotation of turns, even if that player was the beneficiary of the Golden Rule.

Team Roundabout

For Four Players

Playing Team Roundabout is a really fun alternative to the original four-player game. Instead of going it alone around the board, players who set up in opposite Home Territories are teammates. While each player continues to take their own turn and advance only their own Darts, teammates work together to beat their competition by helping each other spot the best moves and watch out for potential trouble.

All regular rules of four-player Roundabout are in effect. However, teammates are immune to each others' defensive moves. In other words, you are able to jump over all the Blocks established by your teammate. Also, teammates' Darts cannot be captured by each other. The first team to remove all of their Darts from the board is the winning team.

Cutthroat Roundabout

For Two, Three or Four Players

All regular rules of Roundabout are in effect for this Cutthroat version, with the following two exceptions: (1) When a player rolls odd numbered doubles (Reversing Doubles), they have an additional option. In the original rules, that player can either take that roll, or Reverse the direction of one or two of his or her darts. In Cutthroat, the player rolling Reversing Doubles retains the options they had under the original rules. However, they can now choose to Reverse the direction of one or two of their opponent's darts instead! (2) When one of your Darts is Captured by your opponent, it is removed from the board and held by your opponent until you can Rescue it. A Rescue involves re-gaining control of your Captured Dart and placing it back on your Home Territory. All your rescued Darts still have to be removed from the board to score. There are two ways to Rescue your Captured Dart(s): (a) Capture a Dart from the opponent who has Captured one of yours. The moment you Capture one of that player's Darts, it may be exchanged for one of the Darts your opponent has captured from you. After making the swap of Captured Darts, both players place the newly rescued Darts back on any available space on their own Home Territory. Or (b), Score all of the Darts that you still have in play. The moment your last remaining Dart scores, all of your Captured Darts are Rescued. You then return the Rescued Dart(s) to any available space(s) on your Home Territory and continue play.

Match Play Roundabout

For Two, Three or Four Players

Rather than playing a series of single games, players looking for some extended competition will really enjoy Match Play Roundabout. In this version, all regular rules for Roundabout are in effect. The goal of Match Play is to be the first player to reach fifty points (or whatever amount you both agree on). Points are awarded to the winner of each game by using the following formula: the losing player(s) counts the number of spaces each of his or her remaining Darts would have had to advance in order to return to their Home Territory. The further away each Dart is from its Home Territory, the more points the winner will receive.

Stakes Roundabout

For Two, Three or Four Players

Stakes is the exciting gambling version of Roundabout. All of the rules of the standard two, three, and four player versions apply. Before play begins, players establish the initial value that each dart left on the board will cost the loser(s) once a winner is decided. Then, during the course of the game, the per-dart value can be increased or decreased with the right roll of the dice! Here's how it works. Whenever the result of your roll totals seven, you have three options: 1) you can double the current per-dart value; 2) you can decrease the current per-dart value by one-half; or, 3) you can leave the per-dart value unchanged. In each case, you then take your normal turn, which would be seven. As soon as a winner is determined, losing players compensate the winner the current per-dart amount for each of their darts left on the board. Please note that, unless you are willing to play no-limit Stakes Roundabout, players may want to agree before the start of play on the maximum per-dart amount to which darts can be increased during the course of the game.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A board game comprising:

a plurality of game pieces, a first portion of said plurality of game pieces assigned to a first player and a second portion of said plurality of game pieces assigned to a second player;

a playing surface for placement of said game pieces, wherein said playing surface includes a plurality of spaces arranged in a plurality of adjacent paths, wherein a first portion of said spaces form an assigned territory for said first player and a second portion of said spaces form an assigned territory for said second player, and wherein said first player's assigned game pieces are placed on said first player's assigned territory and said second player's assigned game pieces are placed on said second player's assigned territory; and

a set of rules, wherein at least one rule of said set specifies that a first portion of each player's game pieces move from said player's assigned territory along said adjacent paths in a first direction and that a second portion of each player's game pieces move from said player's assigned territory along said adjacent paths in a second direction, wherein said first direction is opposite from said second direction.

2. The board game of claim 1, wherein at least one rule of said set specifies that a player who first removes all of his or her game pieces from said playing surface after moving said game pieces along said adjacent paths and back to said player's assigned territory wins said game.

3. The board game of claim 1, further comprising a move-indicating device, for indicating, to one of said players, two numbers selected by chance, wherein said player may move one or two of his or her assigned game pieces on said playing surface in accordance with said numbers indicated by said move-indicating device.

4. The board game of claim 3, wherein said move-indicating device includes at least one of the set comprising: one or more dice, one or more spinning dials, and one or more cards imprinted with numbers.

5. The board game of claim 3, wherein at least one rule of said set specifies that if said move-indicating device indicates odd doubles, said player may carry out a move from a first set of moves, and at least one rule of said set specifies that if said move-indicating device indicates even doubles, said player may carry out a move from a second set of moves, wherein said first set of moves and set second set of moves are different.

6. The board game of claim 5, wherein:

said game pieces indicate a directionality with respect to said adjacent paths that, in accordance with said set of rules, prohibits movement of said game pieces in a direction opposite to said directionality; and

one set of said first and said second set of moves comprises reversing said directionality of one or two of said player's game pieces with respect to said adjacent paths.

7. The board game of claim 5, wherein:

in accordance with said set of rules, a player may position his or her game pieces in a predetermined formation for blocking another player's game pieces from advancing over said predetermined formation; and

one set of said first and said second set of moves comprises allowing said player to advance his or her game pieces over another player's predetermined formation for blocking.

8. The board game of claim 1, wherein at least one rule of said set specifies that a player who positions a predetermined portion of his or her game pieces on a predetermined formation of spaces on said playing surface may remove said predetermined portion of his or her game pieces from said playing surface.

9. The board game of claim 8, wherein said predetermined formation of spaces comprises a number of adjacent spaces on a single path, and wherein said adjacent spaces fall within anther player's assigned territory.

10. The board game of claim 3, wherein:

a third portion of said plurality of game pieces is assigned to a third player;

a third portion of said spaces form an assigned territory for said third player and said third player's assigned game pieces are initially placed on said third player's assigned territory; and

at least one rule of said set specifies that said one of said players, after seeing said two numbers selected by chance, may choose not to move his or her assigned game pieces and may allow a second player to move said second player's assigned game pieces on said playing surface in accordance with said numbers indicated by said move-indicating device.

11. The board game of claim 1, wherein at least one rule of said set specifies that a player who positions a predetermined portion of his or her game pieces on a predetermined formation of spaces on said playing surface may block another player from advancing game pieces over said predetermined formation.

12. A method of playing a board game, using a board having spaces arranged in a pattern, comprising:

providing a moveable game piece having a directional indication relative to said pattern, wherein said directional indication can be changed by a player of said board game;

placing said moveable game piece on a space in said pattern, said space contiguous with at least three other spaces in said pattern; and

permitting a player to move said game piece in a direction which is dependent on said directional indication on said game piece.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: permitting a player, based on the rules of said board game, to change said directional indication on said game piece relative to said pattern.

14. A game board for playing a game with a plurality of game pieces, said game board including a geometric shape comprising a plurality of concentric paths, said concentric paths divided into a number of spaces for placement of said game pieces, wherein, in accordance with rules of said game, said game pieces advance along said concentric paths.

15. The game board of claim 14, wherein said concentric paths are divided into an equal number of spaces.

16. The game board of claim 14, wherein said geometric shape is a shape from the set comprising: a circle, a square, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, an octagon, a nonagon, and a polygon.

17. The game board of claim 14, wherein said concentric paths are divided into an equal number of spaces by lines extending from equidistantly spaced points around a perimeter of said geometric shape and extending inwardly towards a center of said geometric shape across said concentric paths, wherein a set of spaces between two adjacent lines forms a bar.

18. The game board of claim 17, wherein said geometric shape comprises five concentric paths and sixteen bars.

19. The game board of claim 17, wherein a game piece on a first space on a first concentric path may move laterally along a bar that includes said first space to a second space in said bar, wherein said second space is on a second concentric path.

20. The game board of claim 17, wherein a set of adjacent bars form a home territory.

21. The game board of claim 14, wherein said geometric shape is divided into uniquely identifiable sections, said uniquely identifiable sections comprising an equal number of spaces.

22. The game board of claim 21, wherein said uniquely identifiable sections are distinguishable from one another by at least one of the set comprising: their background color, their border color, their background design, their border design, their background texture, their border texture, a visual distinction, and a tactile distinction.

23. The game board of claim 14, wherein an indicator in each of at least a portion of said plurality of spaces indicates one or more directions, and wherein, in accordance with said rules of said game, a game piece may be advanced from said space only in a direction indicated by said indicator.

24. A game piece for use in a game played on game board on which are indicated a plurality of adjacent spaces, said game piece sized to fit within a first space of said plurality of adjacent spaces, said game piece further indicative of a forward direction, a backward direction, and two lateral directions, wherein, in accordance with rules of said game, said game piece may be moved to a second space in a forward direction or in a lateral direction from said first space and wherein said game piece may not be moved to a second space in a backward direction from said first space.

25. The game piece of claim 24, wherein said game piece is shaped to indicate said forward direction, said backward direction, and said two lateral directions.

26. The game piece of claim 25, wherein said game piece is shaped with a pointed portion to indicate said forward direction.

27. The game piece of claim 24, wherein said game piece may be rotated to change its direction with respect to said game board.

28. A method of playing a board game, comprising:

providing a game board having a geometric shape printed thereon, wherein said geometric shape comprises a plurality of paths, said paths divided into a number of spaces, and wherein a set of adjacent spaces form a home territory;

for each player of said board game: (a) assigning a unique home territory and a uniquely identifiable set of directional game pieces; and (b) placing said uniquely identifiable set of directional game pieces on said player's home territory, wherein a first portion of said set of directional game pieces is placed, pointing in a first direction, on a first set of spaces and wherein a second portion of said set of directional game pieces is placed, pointing in a second direction, on a second set of spaces; and

alternating, amongst said players of said board game, taking turns according to rules of said board game, until one player has removed all of his or her directional game pieces from said game board and said one player wins said board game.

29. A game for three or more players in which players alternate taking turns, wherein taking a turn includes a turn-taking first player being provided with a set of numbers selected by chance, in accordance with which said first player plays said game, and wherein a rule associated with said game allows said first player, after seeing said set of numbers, to offer said set of numbers to a second player, wherein after said turn, said three or more players continue to alternate taking turns as if said first player had not offered said set of numbers.