A gaming apparatus is disclosed comprising: a. a top that includes an axially aligned gripping member extending from the upper surface of the body of the top and dimensioned to be held between the thumb and forefinger of a player, the body terminating in a contact point that supports the spinning top, the portion of the body above the contact point in an embodiment being generally conical and having a circular cross-section that tapers outwardly at least a predetermined distance along the axis of the top; b. a planar inclined receiving surface having an upper or elevated end onto which the player releases the spinning top at the commencement of play; c. a generally horizontal scoring zone that is joined to, and is contiguous with the lower end of the inclined receiving surface, the surface of the scoring zone being provided with a plurality of spaced-apart generally circular recessed openings, the openings being of the same or of different diameters that correspond to cross-sectional diameters taken along the axis of the body of the top above the contact point; and d. a continuous enclosing frame that surrounds the inclined receiving surface and the horizontal scoring zone that is configured and dimensioned to retain the spinning top in play and prevent it from leaving the inclined surface and the scoring zone.

Unpredictable action of a physical device provides a truly random number from a smart top, including a spinner, preferably self-centering, such as a segment of a sphere. A housing containing a CPU and memory device is made to rotate in a plane parallel to a supporting surface, that plane containing the maximum moment of inertia of the apparatus. A central axis, located or self-locating, near a center of mass of the apparatus provides a contact point (pointed or not), shaped to reduce a moment arm of friction acting on the device when spinning on a rigid surface. Executables (programs) track rotation about the central axis, outputting a corresponding random number to other executables using it to control a meaningful outcome. One embodiment may be implemented in a smart phone equipped with a self-centering spinner.

The invention provides a game apparatus having matched inner and outer vessels and a set of cards that can be used to play a game. Each vessel of the game apparatus is configured to hold a liquid such as water or beer, which can be dispensed into the vessel body through the open top. The outer vessel is larger than the inner vessel and configured to hold the inner vessel in a substantially upright position and rotatable in its hollow interior. The matched inner and outer vessels can be used to play a game in which two or more players take turn adding at least a drop of water to an inner vessel placed in a fluid-filled outer vessel until a player loses by causing the inner vessel to sink by adding more fluid than the inner vessel can hold. The invention also provides a plurality of karma cards that are content matched to a two-vessel game apparatus. A karma card can stipulate one or more actions to be taken when a player causes the inner cup to sink to a position identified by an outcome element on the outer cup. The invention methods for playing games using the matched two-vessel game apparatus, as well as score cards.

The invention provides a game apparatus having matched inner and outer vessels and a set of cards that can be used to play a game. Each vessel of the game apparatus is configured to hold a liquid such as water or beer, which can be dispensed into the vessel body through the open top. The outer vessel is larger than the inner vessel and configured to hold the inner vessel in a substantially upright position and rotatable in its hollow interior. The matched inner and outer vessels can be used to play a game in which two or more players take turn adding at least a drop of water to an inner vessel placed in a fluid-filled outer vessel until a player loses by causing the inner vessel to sink by adding more fluid than the inner vessel can hold. The invention also provides a plurality of karma cards that are content matched to a two-vessel game apparatus. A karma card can stipulate one or more actions to be taken when a player causes the inner cup to sink to a position identified by an outcome element on the outer cup. The invention methods for playing games using the matched two-vessel game apparatus, as well as score cards.

The invention provides a game apparatus having matched inner and outer vessels and a set of cards that can be used to play a game. Each vessel of the game apparatus is configured to hold a liquid such as water or beer, which can be dispensed into the vessel body through the open top. The outer vessel is larger than the inner vessel and configured to hold the inner vessel in a substantially upright position and rotatable in its hollow interior. The matched inner and outer vessels can be used to play a game in which two or more players take turn adding at least a drop of water to an inner vessel placed in a fluid-filled outer vessel until a player loses by causing the inner vessel to sink by adding more fluid than the inner vessel can hold. The invention also provides a plurality of karma cards that are content matched to a two-vessel game apparatus. A karma card can stipulate one or more actions to be taken when a player causes the inner cup to sink to a position identified by an outcome element on the outer cup. The invention methods for playing games using the matched two-vessel game apparatus, as well as score cards.