WORD GUESSING GAME HAVING LETTERS ASSOCIATED WITH GRID POSITIONS

Abstract

In a word guessing game, letters are grouped into words and the letters are associated with game positions. A player selects game positions and, if a letter is located at a selected game position, the letter is revealed to the player. The player may then attempt to guess the word which the letter is a part of. In a multi-player game, the player who determines all of the other player's words first is declared the winner. In a single player game, the player may be declared a winner if they determine all of the words within a period of time or number of position selections or guesses.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/924,855, filed on Jan. 8, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods of playing and presenting games and gaming devices and systems for presenting games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Game players continue to seek new and exciting games to play. A new and exciting game is desired, particularly one which can be played by a single player or in a multi-player format and as a wagering or non-wagering game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention comprise methods of presenting games, methods of playing games, and game boards, gaming devices and gaming systems for presenting games.

In one embodiment of a game, a plurality of game positions is provided. Game indicia are associated with one or more of the game positions, the game indicia formed into groups. A player makes a selection of a game position and if a game indicium is associated with the position, the game indicium is revealed to the player. At one or more times the player attempts to guess the groups of game indicia.

In one embodiment, the game indicia comprise alphabetical letters and those letters are formed into groups comprising words. In one embodiment, multiple words are associated with game positions comprising letter positions and the words are interlinked. A player selects a letter position and if a letter is associated with that position, the letter is revealed to the player. The player uses information regarding revealed letters and their positions to attempt to guess the words.

The game may be played as a single player game or a multi-player game, such as a two player game. The game play be played via an electronic gaming device, such as a gaming machine, via one or more game boards such as one or more printed game boards with associated letter or game tiles, electronic game boards or the like. The game may also be played via a system of linked electronic devices.

The game may include various features, such as word filters, scoring features and the like. The game may be played as a wager-based game. In one embodiment, winnings may be awarded to winning players.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-48 illustrate one example embodiment of a sequence of play of a game of the invention;

FIG. 49 illustrates one embodiment of a game board of the invention; and

FIG. 50 illustrates one embodiment of a gaming device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

Embodiments of the invention comprise methods of playing and presenting games. One aspect of the invention is a word guessing game. The game utilizes a number of game positions. An indicium is associated with one or more, but preferably not all, of the positions. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia used in the game comprise alphabetical letters and the letters are grouped to form one or more words. A player attempts to determine the location of game positions having an associated indicium and, in the preferred embodiment, the words which are formed by the letters.

In one embodiment, the game positions are arranged into a grid, such as a grid of rows and columns of positions. Such a grid may have the same number of positions per row and column, such as 2×2, 7×7, 10×10, etc., or have different numbers of positions per row and column, such as 4×6, 6×4, etc. The positions may also be arranged into other patterns, such a pyramid, or the arrangement of positions may be irregular.

Preferably, each position is identifiable, such as by coordinates or another identifier. For example, each row of positions may be identified by a letter and each column of positions may be identified by a number. Thus, a first row of positions might be identified by identifiers such as A-1, A-2, A-3, etc., a second row of positions might be identified by identifiers such as B-1, B-2, B-3, etc., and so on. Of course, other position identifiers might be utilized.

As indicated, indicia are associated with various positions. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia comprise letters and those letters are preferably grouped to form words. In a preferred embodiment, game play involves selection by a player of game or letter positions. If an indicium is associated with a game position, it is revealed to the player. In general, the object of the game is for the player to determine the words formed by the indicia. In a single player game the player may only be given a period of time or limited number of position selections in order to determine the words. In a multi-player game the player who is the first to determine all of the other player's words may be declared the winner.

Aspects of the invention will be appreciated from an example of one embodiment of the game which is illustrated in FIGS. 1-48 attached hereto. This example embodiment implements various aspects of the invention. As described herein, however, the game may be implemented in other manners and have other configurations and features other than that shown in this example.

FIG. 1-48 illustrate a multi-player version of the game. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a Player 1 is assigned a game board 100 and a Player 2 is assigned a game board 200. In this example, each game board comprises a grid of 7×7 game positions.

Indicia are associated with a number of positions of each game board 100,200. Indicia could be associated with all of the positions of a game board, but in other embodiments, indicia are associated with some, but not all of the positions.

In a preferred embodiment, the indicia are letters and the indicia are arranged into words. Each player's game board may be pre-filled or arranged, or the player may be required to complete their own game board by placing or locating the indicia (and thus form words from those indicia).

In one embodiment, the players might select a setup card which designates a set of indicia to be used in the game (such as the letters A, A, B, C, D, E, E, G, H, I, I, K, M, N, O, P, R, S, S, T, and U). In this embodiment of the game, each player uses the same set of indicia in the game. In a game board version of the game, each player might then select tiles bearing those letters from a set of provided tiles. Each player might then use those tiles to populate their game board (by forming words using those tiles). In another embodiment, each player might be given a different setup card or they might select different indicia (such as by each randomly selecting 21 tiles from a group of tiles, etc.) to use to create their game board.

Of course, in electronic versions of the game, each player might use an electronic display to form their game board (for example, in an electronic version a game board of game positions might be displayed along with electronic representations of tiles and the player might drag (such as by touching the screen with their finger) game indicia (such as in the form of graphically represented tiles) to particular game positions to form their game board).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment of the game, each player of the game is made aware of the indicia 300 which are used in forming the other player's game board, but not the locations of those indicia or the words which are formed using those indicia. The player may also have a number of hit tokens 170.

In one embodiment, each player takes a turn by selecting a game position corresponding to the other player's game board. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, Player 1 selects the position identified as C-4 of Player 2's game board 200. If Player 2's game board 200 does not have an indicium at that position, Player 2 might call a “miss” and Player 1's turn ends. If so, Player 2 may call a “hit” and then preferably indentifies the indicium (in this case, the letter “I”).

Most preferably, Player 2 also identifies the size of the word which the letter is associated with, such as a “four-letter word” in this example. If the letter is associated with two different words, the player preferably identifies such and the number of letters in each of those words.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each player may be provided with a game tracker board 150 in addition to their own game board 100. Each player may use their game tracker board 150 to track the positions they have guessed and indicia 300 which have been revealed relative to the other player's game board 200 (as well as other information, such as the size of words which the letters are associated with). The game tracker board 150 may include a letter tracker 160 which includes a list of the letters or other indicia 300 which were assigned or selected by the other player to play the game (e.g. a player knows which letters or other indicia 300 which were assigned or selected by the other player, but does not know which of those indicia the other player used to form words with or the location/combinations of the words).

As illustrated in FIG. 5, if a player selects a position having an associated indicium, the player may also then attempt to guess the word which the letter is associated with. If the player correctly guesses the word, the other player so indicates. In other embodiments of the invention, a player might guess one or more words even if they do not select a position with an associated indicium, might be required to forfeit a selection of an indicium if they wish to make a word guess, or might be limited to certain other times or events in order to guess one or more words.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, when another player selects a position which reveals an indicium on a player's game board 100, the player may mark the designated position on their game board 100 which was selected by the other player. For example, a player may use a marker to mark a position on their game board 100 which was selected by another player. The player might also cross the letter off of their letter tracker 160, thus helping the player identify the remaining letters which may be used in combination with the revealed letter in potential word combinations).

As illustrated in the example, play continues with the players taking turns guessing positions and, if a selected position reveals a letter, guessing the words associated with those letters. The winner of the game is the player who is the first to correctly identify all of the words on the other player's game board.

The game of the invention may have other features and configurations.

In one embodiment, the indicia must be arranged so that they are interlocking (e.g. are linked by one or more commonly shared letters or indicia). For example, if the indicia comprise letters, the letters a preferably arranged to form interlocking or connected words. However, in other embodiments, the indicia (such as formed words) may be located in any game positions (and thus be connected or not be connected).

While the game is preferably played using indicia comprising letters which are grouped to form words, the game could be played using other indicia (numbers, symbols, letters, icon, or combinations thereof, etc.). As one example, the game could be played using numbers and mathematical operators. The players might then guess the math formulas (such as 2×6+12/2=12).

As indicated herein, the game can be played in multi-player format, such as player vs. player. The game could be played with more than two players. As one example, teams of players might play against one another (such as where each team has a game board). The game can also be played in a single player format, such as against a computer or the house. In such an example, a game board with associated indicia may be formed by the computer. The player may be given a period of time or a certain number of position guesses in order to reveal/determine all of the words on the game board. If the player does so, the player may be declared to be a winner of the game. Otherwise, the outcome of the game may be a losing outcome.

In a multi-player game, the game may proceed in rounds where each player selects a position (and in an indicium is revealed, be given the opportunity to guess the word(s)) in alternating fashion (player 1 makes a selection, then player 2, etc.). However, the game can be played in other variations. For example, if a player makes a position selection and correctly guesses a word, that player may be given another opportunity to select another position and/or another word before the next player is given an opportunity play. In other embodiments, players may only be permitted to guess words at certain other times or based upon other criteria. In one embodiment, player's may be given “hints” (particularly in electronic implementations of the game) if the player is having difficulty guessing a word. A player might be penalized for seeking a hint by losing a turn at guessing a word, by losing points or the like.

The game may be played as an entertainment game or a wagering game. In a wagering game format the player may be required to place a wager. The player may then be awarded winnings for a winning outcome. Of course, various configurations of awards may be provided. For example, winnings may be higher if the event the player achieves a winning outcome in a shorter period of time or a fewer number of guesses (for example: $100 payout for a winning result achieved in less than 25 position guesses; $250 payout for a winning result achieved in less than 20 position guesses, etc.). The game may also be played as a wagering game in multi-player format. In that event, the winning player might be paid a fixed amount or an amount from a wagering pools (for example, both players might wager $100 and the winning player might then be returned their $100 wager and win the other player's $100 wager).

In a preferred embodiment, when a player correctly guesses a word and one or more letters of that word are associated with other words, the player is not informed whether the letters in the correctly guessed word are part of any other words. For example, referring to FIG. 1, if Player 1 correctly guesses the word “COWS” upon selecting position E-6 and being told that it contains the letter W, Player 1 would not be told that the “C”, “O” or “S” in that word are also associated with other words. Of course, in other embodiments, this information could be revealed to the player.

The game could be played by having a category/theme and words for that game will need to fall under that category/theme. For example, in one game the category might be “Winter”, such that only “Winter”-themed words could be used in the game (i.e. the game board would be pre-populated or be populated by the player with words such as “gloves”, “snow”, “ice”, etc.)

The game could have a category that will have all requires all of the words to form a certain phrase (e.g. Fortune, Favors, The, Bold; You, Are, What, You, Eat; etc.)

The game could have a category that will have various combinations of common slot machine symbols placed on the grid (e.g. Cherry, Cherry, Cherry; Bell, Bar, Cherry; etc.)

In one embodiment, the game is played with a certain number of indicia, such as letters. For example, when using a 7×7 grid defining 49 positions, the game might be played using 21 letters. However, other numbers of letters (or other indicia) might be used. Further, a player may not be required to use all of their letters. For example, one player may find that they can only form linking words using 18 of the 21 letters and another player might be able to use all of their 21 letters. In one embodiment, the set of letters (or other indicia) used to play the game may only be used once (e.g. the letters “I, A, K, L, S”). However, when larger numbers of letters or indicia are used, the letters may be used more than one time (e.g. the letters “A, A, S, E, E, E, L, F, etc.”)

In one embodiment, each letter or indicium may be assigned points, such that each word has a point value comprising the aggregate of the points of the letters forming the word. In one embodiment, when a player selects a position having an associated letter, that player may be informed of the point value of the word that the letter is associated with. For example, referring to FIG. 1, if Player 1 selects the position B-1, Player 2 may reveal that the position contains the letter “A” and that it is part of a 2-letter word having a point value of 4. As detailed below, points assigned to the indicia or the combinations thereof (such as words) may be used to score the game.

In one embodiment, the game of the invention may be presented via physical game apparatus. FIG. 49 illustrates one example of a game apparatus. As illustrated, a game apparatus might define a first or horizontal portion which includes a first board. The first board might comprise the player's game board 400 which defines the set of game positions for the first player. The game apparatus may also define a second or vertical portion which includes a second board, such as defining game positions corresponding to the opposing player's game board 500. The game apparatus might also define a token and/or tile storage area 600 and an indicia tracker area 700, among other features. Of course, game apparatus might be made of various materials such as plastic, wood, cardboard or the like. The indicia might be associated with tiles or other elements, such as plastic or wood tiles which can be positioned on the game boards. In this embodiment, each player uses their own game apparatus. In another embodiment, the game apparatus might comprise a single unit having opposing sides or stations for use by the opposing players. Of course, the gaming apparatus might have other configurations, such as other arrangements or layouts for the elements thereof.

The game might also be played using printed sheets or boards (which may be generally planar, folding, etc.). Sets of game sheets might be provided, one for each player, such as for play of the game on an airplane or the like.

In another embodiment, the game apparatus might be at least partially electronic, such as comprising electronic displays which are capable of displaying an indicium in each position. For example, relative to the game apparatus illustrated in FIG. 49, instead of the apparatus having printed game boards and indicia tracking areas, the game apparatus might have one or more electronic displays (such as a horizontal display and a vertical display) which are capable of displaying game information.

As indicated above, the game may be played as a wagering game. In such a configuration, the game may be implemented via a gaming machine or device. Such a gaming machine may have various configurations.

The gaming machine may be located at a casino (and as such may be referred to as a “casino gaming machine”). As described below, the gaming machine may be part of a gaming system, such as a casino gaming system which links two or more of the gaming machines or one or more gaming machines with other devices, such as one or more table games, kiosks, accounting systems or servers, progressive systems or servers, player tracking systems or servers or the like.

One configuration of a gaming machine 22 is illustrated in FIG. 50. As illustrated, the gaming machine 22 generally comprises a housing or cabinet 26 for supporting and/or enclosing various components required for operation of the gaming machine. In the embodiment illustrated, the housing 26 includes a door located at a front thereof, the door capable of being moved between an open position which allows access to the interior, and a closed position in which access to the interior is generally prevented. The configuration of the gaming machine 22 may vary. In the embodiment illustrated, the gaming machine 22 has an “upright” configuration. However, the gaming machine 22 could have other configurations, shapes or dimensions (such as being of a “slant”-type, “bar-top” or other configuration as is well known to those of skill in the art).

The gaming machine 22 preferably includes at least one display device 28 configured to display game information. The display device 28 may comprise an electronic video display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), high resolution flat panel liquid crystal display (LCD), projection LCD, plasma display, field emission display, digital micro-mirror display (DMD), digital light processing display (DLP), LCD touchscreen, a light emitting display (LED) or other suitable displays now known or later developed, in a variety of resolutions, sizes and formats (e.g. 4:3, widescreen or the like). The display 28 may be capable of projecting or displaying a wide variety of information, including images, symbols and other indicia or information associated with game play, game promotion or other events. The gaming machine 22 might include more than one display device 28, such as two or more displays 28 which are associated with the housing 26. The gaming machine 22 might also include a top box or other portion. Such a top box might include one or more display devices 28, such as in addition to one or more main displays which are associated with the housing 26. Also, the gaming machine 22 might include side displays (such as mounted to the exterior of the housing 26) and might include multiple displays of differing sizes.

As described in more detail below, the gaming machine 22 is preferably configured to present one or more games upon a player making a monetary payment or wager. In this regard, as described in more detail below, the gaming machine 22 includes means for accepting monetary value.

In one embodiment, as detailed above, certain game outcomes may be designated as winning outcomes. Prizes or awards may be provided for winning outcomes, such as monetary payments (or representations thereof, such as prize of credits), or promotional awards as detailed herein. As detailed below, the gaming machine 22 includes means for returning unused monetary funds and/or dispensing winnings to a player.

The gaming machine 22 preferably includes one or more player input devices 30 (such as input buttons, plunger mechanisms, a touch-screen display, joystick, touch-pad or the like). These one or more devices 30 may be utilized by the player to facilitate game play, such as by providing input or instruction to the gaming machine 22. For example, such input devices 30 may be utilized by a player to place a wager, cause the gaming machine 22 to initiate a game, to indicate cards to be held or discarded, to “cash out” of the gaming machine, or to provide various other inputs.

In one preferred embodiment, the gaming machine 22 includes at least one microprocessor or controller for controlling the gaming machine, including receiving player input and sending output signals for controlling the various components of the machine 22 (such as generating game information for display by the display 28). The controller may be arranged to receive information regarding funds provided by a player to the gaming machine, receive input such as a purchase/bet signal when a purchase/bet button is depressed, and receive other inputs from a player. The controller may be arranged to generate information regarding a game, such as generating game information for display by the at least one display 28 (such as information representing a game board of game positions (and indicia at those positions), for determining winning or losing game outcomes and for displaying information regarding awards for winning game outcomes, among other things.

The controller may be configured to execute machine readable code or “software” or otherwise process information, such as obtained from a remote server. Software or other instructions may be stored on a memory or data storage device. The memory may also store other information, such as pay table information. The gaming machine 22 may also include one or more random number generators for generating random numbers, such as for use in selecting cards and for presenting the game in a random fashion.

Preferably, the controller is configured to execute machine readable code or instructions which are configured to implement the method of game play of the invention. For example, the controller of the gaming machine 22 may be configured to detect a wager, such as a signal from a player's depressing of the “bet one” button. Upon such an event and/or the player otherwise signaling the gaming machine to present the game, the controller may be configured to cause a blank game board to be displayed on the at least one display 28. The controller may accept input from a player of a particular location (such as touch input of one of the positions).

The gaming machine 22 may be configured to generate and present games in a stand-alone manner or it may be in communication with one or more external devices at one or more times. For example, the gaming machine 22 may be configured as a server based device and obtain game code or game outcome information from a remote game server (in which event the gaming machine controller may receive game information from the server, such as game outcome information, and use that server-generated information to present the game at the gaming machine).

As indicated, the gaming machine 22 is configured to present one or more wagering games. Thus, the gaming machines 22 is preferably configured to accept value, such as in the form of coins, tokens, paper currency or other elements or devices representing value such as monetary funds. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 50, the gaming machine 22 might include a coin acceptor 32 for accepting coins. Of course, associated coin reading/verifying devices and coin storage devices may be associated with the gaming machine 22 if it is configured to accept coins. Likewise, the gaming machine 22 might include a media reader 34. Such a reader may be configured to accept and read/verify paper currency and/or other media such as tickets. Of course, in such event the gaming machine 22 may further be configured with one or more paper currency or ticket storage devices, such as cash boxes, and other paper currency or media handling devices (including transport devices).

The gaming machine 22 might also be configured to read FOBs, magnetic stripe cards or other media having data associated therewith and via which value or funds may be associated with the gaming machine 22.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine 22 is configured to award winnings for one or more winning wagering game outcomes. Such winnings may be represented as credits, points or the like. In one embodiment, the player may “cash out” and thus remove previously associated funds and any awarded winnings or such may otherwise be paid to the player. For example, upon an award or at cash-out, associated funds may be paid to the player by the gaming machine 22 dispensing coins to a coin tray 40. In another embodiment, funds may be issued by dispensing paper currency. In yet another embodiment, a player may be issued a media, such as a printed ticket, which ticket represents the value which was paid or cashed out of the machine. The aspects of gaming machine “ticketing” systems are well known. One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,269 to Burns, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

The gaming machine 22 may also include a player tracking device, such as a card reader 66 and associated keypad 70. Such player tracking devices are well known and may permit the game operator to track play of players of the gaming machine. The tracked play may be utilized to offer player bonuses or awards.

It will be appreciated that the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 50 is only exemplary of one embodiment of a gaming machine. For example, it is possible to for the gaming machine to have various other configurations, including different shapes and styles and having different components than as just described.

For example, it is possible for the game of the invention to be presented on a computing device, including at a home or office computer, a game console (such as Microsoft's X-BOX™ Nintendo Company's Wii™ or Sony Corporation's PLAYSTATION™, among others) or a player's mobile electronic device such as a PDA, tablet, phone or the like. The game might be presented as an Internet or server based game, or via a downloaded or installed game application.

For example, in one embodiment, a player might log in to a casino server and the controller of the casino server may cause game information to be delivered to the player's computer via a communication link and then be displayed on a display of the player's computer. The communication link might comprise or include the Internet, a casino network such as a wired or wireless LAN, or combinations of public and/or private networks including wired and/or wireless links. In such a configuration it will be noted that the term “controller” may comprise more than one device. For example, in a server-based environment, a controller at a server may generate game information and transmit that information to a local controller at a gaming machine or a player's computer or other electronic device. The local controller at the gaming machine or the player's computer or other electronic device may then cause game information to be displayed on one or more associated displays. The games of the invention could also be presented by or at hand-held devices, such as PDAs, cellular phones, tablet computing devices or the like.

As one example, the game server may utilize one or more letters to generate words associated with game positions or utilize a pre-configured template of words. The game server may cause the gaming machine or the player's electronic device to display the game board, to receive input regarding a player's selection of letters (or other indicia), guesses of words, determine if the player's guesses are correct, determine if the player won the game, etc., by communicating with the player's electronic device.

A casino may have numerous such gaming machines 22, such as located on a casino floor or in other locations. Of course, such gaming machines 22 might be used in other environments, such as an airport, a bar or tavern or other locations.

Relative to player personal electronic devices such as phones, PDA's, tablets, laptops and the like, the game of the invention may be presented via game software (i.e. machine-readable or executable code which is executed by a processor of the device) on the device, or executed at a remote device where the remote device then causes the player's device to present game information. In multi-player embodiments of the game, personal electronic devices or two or more players may be configured to communicate with one another. For example, a tablet of one player may be linked to a table of another player via a communication link, such as a wireless communication link. In this manner, the two players may play one another using their devices. In such a configuration, the personal electronic devices may be configured to exchange game information over the communication link.

In another embodiment, players may connect their electronic devices to a game server whereby a first communication link is formed between a first player's electronic device and the game server and a second communication link is formed between a second player's electronic device and the game server. In this configuration, the game server may “intermediate” the game, receiving selections of game indicia from each player and providing updates, etc. to the players as the game progresses, tracking and controlling the play.

The one or more game servers may comprise computing devices, such as having one or more controllers which execute computer readable code or “software”, which include data storage or “memory” devices, which include user input or control devices or the like, as is well known in the art. As indicated above, the one or more game servers may permit play of single player games or multi-player games, including multiple instances of such games to the same or a plurality of players at the same time.

Of course, the invention may include many other features. For example, games of the invention may be scored. Scoring may be based upon various criteria, such as letter or word values, the speed with which a player solves the words, head to head match up winners, etc. The game scores may be assigned to players. Leaderboards may be posed or a player may compare their score(s) with those of other players. Winnings might be awarded for one or more players with the highest scores during certain periods of time or the like (such as in “tournament” format, etc.).

In one embodiment, the game may include a word filter or other game control features. For example, in the case of an electronic version of the game, a player may provide input of letters to the device relative to the formation of their words. The game device, game server or the controller might flag or filter combinations of letters which do not form words, form unacceptable or inappropriate words, foreign words, etc., or might ensure that words fit a particular game theme.

To further aid in understanding, one example of game play shown in FIGS. 1-48 will be explained. In FIG. 1, game boards 100, 200 of players 1 and 2 are shown initially. Player 1's initial game tracker board 160 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, play proceeds in the mode of a “battleship” style game with each player calling a specific square and learning what letter, if any, is there.

In FIG. 4, player 1 goes first, and calls C-4. Player 2 reveals that there is an “I” there and that it is part of a four-letter word. Player 1 enters this in her/her tracker board 150 and crosses off an “I” from the letter tracker 160. In FIG. 5, player 1 may take one shot at “sinking” the word by guessing it. Because of the letters in the letter tracker 160, Player 1 knows all the letters in play and uses that in guessing. In FIG. 6, knowing that there is an “M,” an “S,” and a “T” somewhere on Player 2's board 200, Player 1 guesses “Mist.” However, that is not the word and it is now Player 2's turn.

In FIG. 7, Player 2 also asks for C-4 and learns that there is an “N” there which is part of a four-letter word. Using similar logic to Player 1, Player 2 guesses “Nabs.” Player 1 covers the “N” at C-4 with a hit token 170.

In FIG. 8, on the next turn, Player 1 asks for C-E and learns that it is an “R” and that it is also part of a four-letter word. Player 1 marks this on the tracker board 150 and crosses off an “R” from the letter tracker. In FIG. 9, Player 1 guesses “Rims” and is told that is also incorrect.

In FIG. 10, not knowing if the word is going up-and-down or left-to-right, Player 2 asks for C-5 and gets a miss. Player 1 may mark that Player 2 choose C-5 on Player 1's board 100 with a hit token 170.

On the next turn in FIG. 11, Player 1 asks for C-5 and Player 2 reveals that it is an “S” and it is part of two four-letter words. Player 1 marks the tracker board 150 and letter tracker 160 appropriately as shown. In FIG. 12, Player 1 knows that there are no “E”s or “K”s in play and that the word therefore cannot be “Rise” or “Risk.” Player 1 is stumped, and makes no guess on this turn.

In FIG. 13, Player 2 now asks for B-4, learns that it is an “S,” and that it is part of both a four and a five-letter word. Player 1 marks B-4 on the game board 100 with a hit token 170. Player 2 guess the word “Snit” and is told that is incorrect.

Player 1 now asks for C-6 in FIG. 14 and gets his/her first miss. Realizing now that the missing letter of the four-letter word is the first letter, Player 1 guess “Iris” and sinks the word. Player 1 marks the tracker board 160 to record the miss and crosses out another “I” from the letter tracker as shown in FIG. 15. It is important to note that while Player 1 knows that there is an “I” in C-2, it is not revealed whether it is connected to any other words.

In FIG. 16, player 2 asks for D-4, learns it is an “O” and guesses “Snob,” another miss. Player 1 marks the hit on the game board 100 with a hit token 170.

Player 1 then builds on the “S” in Iris and asks for D-4. Player 1 is told it is a “T” that is part of a four-letter word. Player 1 guesses “Mast,” which is incorrect. Player 1 updates the tracker board 150 and letter tracker 160 documenting the hit.

In FIG. 18, player 2 requests E-4, getting the “W” and sinking the word “Snow.” Player 2 also learns that the “W” is also part of a three-letter word. Player 1, using a hit token 170, marks this on the game board 100.

Player 1 then calls B-5 in FIG. 19 and receives another miss. Player 1 guesses “Star,” but is incorrect. Player 1 marks the miss on the tracker board 150.

Working outward from the “S” in Snow, Player 2 decides to choose B-3, learning that it is an “I” and part of a five-letter word in FIG. 20. Player 2 is stumped and makes no guess. Player 1 marks the hit with a hit token 170 on the game board 100.

In FIG. 21, player 1 calls E-5 and hits an “O” that is part of two four-letter words. Player 1 successfully guesses “Stow.” Player 1 marks the information on the tracker board 150 and tracks the used letters on the letter tracker 160.

Player 2 requests B-2 in the next turn in FIG. 22, finds out that it is “W,” and correctly guesses “Twist.” Player 1 records this on the game board 100 with a hit token 170.

Player 1 asks for E-6 in FIG. 23. It is a “W” part of a single four-letter word. A guess of “Brow” results in a miss. Player 1 updates the tracker board 150 and letter tracker 160.

In FIG. 24. Player 2 calls D-3 and is informed it is a “C” that is part of two four-letter words. Player 2 incorrectly guesses “Cobs.” Player 1 marks player 2's hit on game board 100 with a hit token 170.

Player 1 next gets a “C” by choosing E-4, part of a four- and three-letter word. Player 1 then guess “Cows” and sinks the word. Player 1 marks the tracker board 150 and letter tracker 160 accordingly.

Player 2 next asks for E-3 in FIG. 26, and learns that is an “A” that is connected to a three-letter word as well as a four-letter word. Player 2 correctly guesses and sinks the word “Saw.” Player 1 marks this on the game board 100 with a token 170.

In FIG. 27, player 1 calls F-4 and gets an “A” that is connected to a three- and five-letter word. Player 1 guesses “Car” which is incorrect. Player 1 updates the tracker board 150 and letter tracker 160.

Player 2 asks for D-5 and gets an “M” that is connected to a four-letter word in FIG. 28. A guess of “comb” results in a sink. Player 1 updates this on the game board 100 with a token 170.

Player 1 gets a “B” at G-4 and finally sinks “Cab” as shown in FIG. 29. Player 1 marks this on the tracker board 150 and player tracker 160.

Player 2 asks for F-3 and gets an “R” in FIG. 30. The guess of “Cars” turns out to be incorrect. Player 1 marks the hit on the board 100 with a token 170.

In FIG. 31, Player 1 requests F-3 and receives an “R.” Knowing that there can't be a letter at F-6, Player 1 decides that the word must be “Straw and is correct.” Player 1 marks these letters on the tracker board 150 and letter tracker 160.

In FIG. 32, player 2 receives a “B” at G-3, finishing the word “Carb.” Player 2 also learn that the “B” is a part of a three- and four-letter word. Player 1 marks the hit with a token 170 on the game board 100.

In FIG. 33, Player 2 is fairly confident that the answer is “Bar,” but is surprised to learn that G-4 is a miss. Player 1 marks the miss on the game board 100 with a token 170.

By having sunk several words without actually hitting the letters, Player 1 is now in the position of not knowing where exactly Player 2's other letters connect on the board, as shown in FIG. 34. In FIG. 35, figuring that the “S” in cows is probably shared with another word, Player 1 takes F-7 and racks up another miss. Player 1 takes a blind guess with “As” and is incorrect. Player 1 marks the miss on the tracker board 150.

Next, Player 2 calls a G-2 in FIG. 36, gets an “I” and sinks “Rib.” Player 1 marks the player board 100 with a token 170 accordingly.

Player 1 calls D-4 in FIG. 37 and gets an “N” that is part of a four-letter word. Player 1 guesses “Bans,” but is incorrect. Player 1 tracks the “N” on the tracker board 150 and letter tracker 160.

Player 2 is now in the same position Player 1 was in two turns ago. In FIG. 38, with four letters left to sink, there is no concrete point to build from. Player 2 chooses C-6, another miss, which player 1 marks with a token 170 on the game board 100.

In FIG. 39, by the process of elimination, Player 1 figures that C-7 is probably an “I” and calls B-7 instead of C-7 in case more than one word intersect there. As shown in FIG. 40, in this case, the “B” turned out to be part of just one word, so Player 1 sinks “Bins.” Player 1 marks this on the tracker board 150 and letter tracker 160.

Unwilling to give up on the “B,” player 2 takes a shot at E-6 in FIG. 41, receiving yet another miss. Player 1 marks the miss with a token 170 on the game board 100.

In FIG. 42, Player 1 knows that there are only three letters left: “A,” “M,” and “X.” Player 1 is pretty sure “Mix” is one of the two words, leaving “Am,” “Ax,” or “As” as the final possibilities. With player 2 having the potential to win the game in two turns, Player 1 calls D-2 in FIG. 43, hoping to learn the location of all the remaining letters with one shot. As shown in FIG. 44, it is an “X,” as expected, and Player 1 sinks “Mix.” However, the “X” doesn't connect to anything else, leaving player 1 shooting blind next turn. Player 1 updates the tracker board 150 and letter tracker 160.

Player 2 now figures that the “T” at B-1 could be “It” or “Tax,” but does not know whether to aim high or low, and another miss will undoubtedly cost the game, as shown in FIG. 45. On the other hand, A-5 is probably either “Ax” or “Is” and is a guaranteed sink, so Player 2 calls A-5 in FIG. 46, gets an “I,” and sinks “Is.” Player 1 marks this on the game board 100 with a token 170.

The game now rests on Player 1's call. There is only the “A” left to find, but Player 2 will surely win if Player 1 misses, as shown in FIG. 47. After some thought, Player 1 chooses B-1. As shown in FIG. 48, B-1 is a hit! Player 1 finds the final letter and sinks “Am.” Player 1 has won the game by finding all of Player 2's words before Player 2 found all of Player 1's.

It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatus and the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A method of playing a game via an electronic gaming device having at least one video display, a controller and one or more user input devices, said controller configured to:

a) cause said video display to display a plurality of letter positions;

b) associate alphabetical letters with one or more of said letter positions, said plurality of letters grouped into combinations forming words;

c) receive a selection of a designated letter position from a player via one of said user input devices;

d) if said designated letter position has an associated letter, reveal the letter to the player by said at least one video display;

e) after revealing the letter to the player, receive a guess from said player of the word the player believes said letter is associated with; and

f) determine if said player has correctly guessed said word.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of repeating steps c)-e) at least one time if said player has not correctly guessed all of said words.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electronic gaming device includes a wager accepting device and including the step of accepting a wager from said player to play said game and, if said player is correctly guesses all of said words, declaring said player a winner of said game and awarding winnings to said player.

4. A method of playing a two-player word game using at least one game board which defines a first set of letter positions, a second set of letter positions and elements bearing letters, comprising:

a first player associating a first set of alphabetical letters with one or more of said first set of letter positions, said first set of letters grouped into combinations forming one or more words;

a second player associating a second set of alphabetical letters with one or more of said second set of letter positions, said second set of letters grouped into combinations forming one or more words;

said first player selecting one or more letter positions of said second set of letter positions and, if said letter positions contain a letter, revealing said letter;

said second player selecting one or more letter positions of said first set of letter positions and, if said letter positions contain a letter, revealing said letter;

at one or more times, receiving a guess from one of said players of a word or words said player believes are associated with the other player's set of letter positions; and

declaring a winner of said game to be the player who first correctly guesses the words associated with the other players set of letter positions.

5. The method in accordance with claim 4, comprising a first game board bearing said first set of letter positions and a second game board bearing said second set of letter positions.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said elements bearing letters comprise physical tiles.

7. The method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first set of letter positions are identified by coordinates and said second set of letter positions are identified by coordinates.

8. The method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first and second sets of letter positions comprise a matrix of 7×7 letter positions.

9. The method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said at least one game board further comprises a first set of guessed letter positions for use by said first player in denoting selected letter positions of said second set of letter positions and a second set of guessed letter positions for use by said second player in denoting selected letter positions of said first set of letter positions.

10. The method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said one or more words are associated with a theme, subject or topic.

11. The method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said one or more words comprise multiple words which are connected by commonly shared letters.

12. A system for presenting a two-player game comprising:

at least one game server;

a first communication link between said game server and a game presentation device of a first player;

a second communication link between said game server and a game presentation device of a second player;

said at least one game server configured to:

receive input from said first player to their game presentation device of the first player's association of a first set of alphabetical letters with one or more of a first set of letter positions, said first set of letters grouped into combinations forming one or more words;

receive input a second player to their game presentation device of the second player's association of a second set of alphabetical letters with one or more of said second set of letter positions, said second set of letters grouped into combinations forming one or more words;

receive selection by said first player of one or more letter positions of said second set of letter positions and, if said letter positions contain a letter, revealing said letter;

receive selection by said second player of one or more letter positions of said first set of letter positions and, if said letter positions contain a letter, revealing said letter;

at one or more times, receiving a guess from one of said players of a word or words said player believes are associated with the other player's set of letter positions; and

declaring a winner of said game to be the player who first correctly guesses the words associated with the other players set of letter positions.

13. The system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said game presentation devices are selected from the group comprising a mobile communication device, a tablet, a laptop computer and a desk-top computer.

14. The system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said at least one game server generates a game score for said first player and said second player.

15. The system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said revealing said letter comprises causing said game presentation device to display said letter on an electronic display thereof.

16. The system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said at least one game server is further configured to screen said one or more words.

17. The system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said at least one game server is configured to intermediate game play between said first player and said second player.