Strategy Multiplication Game

Abstract

A math game that requires choice and strategic thinking in the practice of multiplication. Play takes place on a game board which consists of a grid of randomly arranged multiplication products. Players are given a “hand” of three or more numbered cards, with each number representing a factor in a multiplication problem. Players take turns choosing two of the factors in their hand to create a product which they mark on the game board. The first player to obtain the required number of marked products in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, wins the game. By choosing which factors they multiply, players can make offensive or defensive moves in their attempt to be the first to mark the required number of products in a row.

Claims

1. A multiplication board game apparatus, comprising: a. A playing board consisting of a grid of numbers, with said numbers being the products of multiplication; b. A variety of cards inscribed with counting numbers that represent the factors in a multiplication problem; and c. A variety of marking pieces (“markers”) of two different types.

2. Rules for using said apparatus, comprising: a. Assigning to two players three or more of said numbered cards; b. Placing remaining cards in a draw pile; c. Assigning each player said markers of one type; d. Taking turns in which players: i. Choose two of the cards in said hand to be factors in a multiplication problem; ii. Multiply to find the product of said two cards; iii. Choose one location of said product on said playing board and cover with a marker; iv. Discard said two cards in a discard pile; v. Draw two new cards; e. Passing a turn and exchanging two cards if a player cannot mark a product; f. Declaring a winner when one player has a predetermined number of markers in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally; g. Declaring a tie if neither player is able to obtain the predetermined number of markers in a row; h. Allowing players, before starting a game, to agree on an alternative method of play that changes the number of cards assigned to each hand; and i. Allowing players, before starting a game, to agree on a different number of markers in a row that are required to win; j. Allowing players, before starting a game, to agree on an alternative board that is either smaller in size or contains a different range of factors; and k. Allowing players, before starting a game, to allow for time limits on turns.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a sample game board with multiplication products

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a sample of numbered cards

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a sample of markers

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a sample of a first turn in a game; the first player has four cards, numbered 3, 7, 4 and 8, and chooses to mark a specific location of the product of 12 on the board

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a sample game after two players have each taken four turns

[0028] FIG. 6 shows an alternative game board that excludes multiples of 7, 8, 9 or greater

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] This two player game requires a game board consisting of a grid with multiplication products (FIG. 1), a variety of numbered cards (FIG. 2), and a set of markers (FIG. 3). The game can be either physical or digital.

[0030] In the standard version of the game, players start each turn with a “hand” of four cards dealt from a shuffled set. The remaining cards are placed in a stack face down as a “draw” pile. On each turn, a player will choose two of the four cards in their hand to be the factors in a multiplication problem and cover the product of said multiplication problem with a marker on one space on the game board. For example, if Player 1 has a hand with the cards 3, 7, 4 and 8 (as shown in FIG. 4), the player could cover a 12 (the product of 3×4), a 21 (the product of 3×7), a 24 (the product of 3×8), a 28 (the product of 7×4), a 56 (the product of 7×8) or a 32 (the product of 4×8). The two cards that Player 1 chooses to use are placed in a “discard” pile, and Player 1 draws two more cards to the hand to replace the discarded cards at the end of the turn.

[0031] After Player 1 has finished their turn and covered the chosen product with a marker on the board, Player 2 takes a turn and repeats the same process: starting with four cards, they choose two factors to multiply, they cover a location of that product on the board with a colored marker, they discard the two used cards and they draw two new cards.

[0032] Play continues in this fashion.

[0033] Players may choose strategically when deciding which factors to use and which product to mark; players can play defensively by blocking their opponent, or players can play offensively in their effort to get five markers in a row. Once a product is covered, neither player may move or replace the marker until the game has ended. If a player has four cards and is unable to mark a single product, then the player chooses two cards to discard and draws two new cards without marking any product. If the draw pile runs out, the cards from the discard pile are shuffled and placed in the draw pile. The first player to have five markers in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins the game. If the game advances to a point where neither player can get five markers in a row, the game ends in a tie. In addition to providing repeated practice of multiplication math facts and opportunities to plan strategically, the game described herein helps to build an intuitive understanding of combinations.

[0034] A game board is illustrated showing the first eight turns in a sample of the standard version of the game (FIG. 5).

[0035] Alternative methods of play may be utilized for players of various skill levels. Experienced players may start with a hand of five or more cards, increasing the number of possible products to consider. Less experienced players can play with a hand of three cards instead of four, thus limiting the number of products possible on each turn, or they might choose to require fewer markers in a row for a win. In all of these variations, play would be the same: taking turns, players choose two cards from those in their hand, cover the product of the two chosen cards, and then discard and replace the two cards used. Play continues until a player has the required number of markers in a row.

[0036] Anticipating players who prefer to practice with a smaller (or greater) set of multiplication math facts, alternative game boards are possible. For example, an alternative game board might exclude multiples of 7, 8, 9 or greater (FIG. 6) in order for players focus solely on multiplication math facts up to 6×6=36. In this case, the cards used would only contain the numbers 2 through 6 inclusive as the potential factors. Similarly, players might opt for a board that includes only multiplies of the number 4 through 12. With any of these alternative boards, the game rules remain the same (start with four cards, cover one product on each turn, etc.). In this alternative as before, the game rules could be modified so players start with only three cards and/or only require four markers in a row to win.

[0037] Alternative game boards of different sizes can accommodate different levels of play. A standard board consists of a 10 by 10 grid of numbers, but players might opt for a smaller grid (8 by 8, for example) or a larger grid (12 by 12, for example). Additionally, players might opt to allow more than two cards to be used to create a product (for example, 2, 3, and 9 have a product of 54), and in this variation three cards would need to be replaced at the end of a turn.

[0038] Players have the option of setting time limits for each turn or allowing unlimited time.

[0039] The basics of the game remain the same with any alternative version: choose factors that create a product, mark the product on a grid with the goal of marking the required number of products in a row.