Specialized Playing Card Game

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein relates to a game that may be digital or physical in structure that uses a plurality of specialized playing cards that combines pictures and words origin associated with pop culture. These groups of words and pictures work together to create idioms or phrases established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g., raining cats and dogs, see the light). Words and pictures are separated in their own suit, the playing cards associated with the game includes but not limited to 100 picture cards in the deck variety and 100 word cards in the deck variety. Each inventive card has displayed on one of its faces either a picture or a word origin and opposite the picture or word origin side are the suits' title side, which displays “word” or “picture”. The picture origin suit of the game is selected from pop culture and includes but not limited to pictures and symbols such as rain cloud, fish, tree, dragon or ball; whereas the word origin suit is selected from pop culture and the group consists of words such as pour, sea, life, fly and play. In addition, there are a number of special and/or assistant cards that help in the play of the game.

Claims

1. A specialized playing card game that comprises digital or physical attributes and includes but not limited to: a first suit and second suit; where said first suit has a plurality of playing cards, each card having first and second faces, with each first face having displayed thereon a picture origin and second face having displayed thereon the suit title; where said second suite has a plurality of playing cards, each card having first and second faces, with each first face having displayed thereon a word origin and second face having displayed thereon the suit title; wherein the picture origin suit is selected from at least a first picture, a second picture, or a third picture; wherein the word origin suit is selected from at least a first word, a second word, or a third word; and wherein the game being further characterized in that the plurality of playing cards define at least a first, and second distinct group of cards; wherein the first group of cards includes a first plurality of different cards all having pictures different from each of the other cards of first group; and wherein the first plurality of cards may be arranged into two ordered first group rows, with each first group row comprising of a non ordered sequence of picture playing cards of the same group; wherein the second group of cards includes a second plurality of different cards all having words different from each of the other cards of second group, and wherein the second plurality of cards may be arranged into two ordered second group rows, with each second group row comprising of a non ordered sequence of word playing cards of the same group; (a) The game, according to claim 1, further comprises 200 playing cards that embody pictures, symbols and words card origin. (b) The game, according to claim 1, further comprises a mixture of pictures, symbols and words of pop culture origin, wherein the pictures, symbols and words are selected from multiple sources that align with idioms or phrases of pop culture. (c) The game according to claim 1, wherein the pictures, symbols and words origin are centrally positioned on each of the plurality of playing cards first face. (d) The game according to claim 1, wherein the title suit name is centrally positioned on each of the plurality of playing cards second face. (e) The game, according to claim 1, wherein the pictures and words origin suits may comprise specialty and assistance cards. (f) The game, according to claim 1, wherein the picture suit has a first or second selected color, and the first, second, and third pictures or symbols has a third, fourth, or fifth selected color, and wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth colors are different from one another. (g) The game, according to claim 1, wherein the word suit has a first, second or third, selected colors, and wherein the color of the selected word is different than the color of the selected face card. (h) The game, according to claim 1, wherein the specialized playing card game may be digital in structure, where said structure may compromise software, programming languages or application code.

2. A specialized playing card game where the method of playing includes but not limited to: (a) dealing a plurality of word cards and picture cards to each player; (b) dealing one word card and one picture card to table face up at start of game; (c) each player in his or her turn may draw a card from deck, play a card from hand to make melds, discard to table upward facing or pass his or her turn entirely; (d) terminating the game based on the predetermined winning number of melds or first gamer to empty hand. 1. The method of claim 2, wherein the winning number of melds necessary to terminate the game is based on the number of players; one to two players, seven melds and three Or more players, eleven melds. 2. The method of claim 2, wherein the game cannot terminate until the player has the predetermined winning number of melds or no cards remaining in hand. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the player must combine picture cards and word cards (melds) to create idioms or phrases to win the game. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the player must vocally convey the potential idiom before securing a combination of a winning meld. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein a group setting at least one person (a presenter) may display a picture card and word card where the group may guess what is the idiom. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the group setting a predetermined winning number of guesses terminates the game.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0002] The drawings are intended to be illustrative and symbolic representations of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention and as such they are not necessarily drawn to scale. In addition, it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are not an absolute depiction and the various symbols and markings depicted in the drawings are exemplary in nature; and thus they may be varied and/or colored in a variety of different ways (not shown). Finally, figures and/or reference numerals have been used to designate features throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0003] FIG. 1 Illustrates a one dimensional perspective view of both first and second suits title sides (picture and word).

[0004] FIG. 2 Illustrates a one dimensional perspective view of both first and second suits (word and picture) origin sides, where shown an example of a winning meld and/or idiom a “catch-22”.

[0005] FIG. 3 Illustrates a one dimensional perspective view of both first and second suits (word and picture) origin sides, where shown examples of at least two winning melds and/or idioms a “clean break” and “pandora's box”.

[0006] FIG. 4 Illustrates a one dimensional perspective view of both first and second suits (word and picture) origin sides, where shown an example of a meld and/or idiom where the “WILD” card (specialty card) is substituted for the word “raining”. The example winning meld shown: “raining cats and dogs”.

[0007] FIG. 5 Illustrates a one dimensional perspective view of at least two of first suit's (picture) origin sides, where shown examples of automatic winning melds and/or idioms where the (assistance cards) exhibit “good things come to those who wait” and “the cat is out of the bag”.

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field and Mode of Play

[0008] The present invention relates generally to games and, more particularly, to games involving the use of playing cards and/or digital simulated playing cards. Specialized playing cards that require the player to pass, draw, discard, play and/or combine word cards and picture cards associated with the game to make idioms or phrases in order to win the game with the most sets of combinations. The present inventive card game combines intellect, skill, strategy, chance and improves mental acuity.

[0009] In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to playing the games using a plurality of the specialized playing cards or digital configuration described above. In one particular game variant (referred to as a “two person” match) the objective or goal is to compile seven complete melds before the opponent, to achieve the highest score to win the game. In this game variant each of the two players are dealt four picture cards and four word cards (a hand) with the banker (the table) receiving from the decks one picture card and one word card presented upward facing to start the game after (hands) are dealt for each player; a player may utilize the table's upward facing cards, as the same for discarded upward facing cards by players. The goal during each round is for each player to pass, draw, discard, play and/or combine word and picture cards (melds) until a winning count of allowed combinations has been made. The first player who completes the winning number of cards of allowed combinations wins the round, and a total score for each round is calculated based on the combinations of cards. In reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary set of allowed combinations of cards and would help secure a win for a player with additional winning melds.

[0010] In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to playing the game in another particular variant (referred to as a “single person” match) where the objective or goal is the same as the aforementioned “two person” match. However, differences are that the dealt cards are face up and the objective or goal is to compile seven complete melds on one side of one's person all while giving turn to the other side of one's person before the opponent (the table) to achieve the highest score to win the game.

[0011] In another embodiment, the present invention in another particular game variant (referred to as “specialty or assistance” card in play) where a specialty card (wild) may be used to make up any word or picture of choice that is not readily available from the decks to make a meld. And whereas an assistance card (picture card conveying a complete idiom) may be used as a single meld; an assistance card is worth one point in and of itself.

[0012] In another embodiment, the present invention in another particular game variant (referred to as “party play”) where the setting is a group of people and where the objective or goal is to “name that idiom”. To wit, a presenter or opposing groups members select a meld (word and picture) for the group or opposing side to guess the proper idiom that aligns with the displayed combination. In this effort the group or individuals are compiling melds to win the game with the most winning intellectual guesses against the opponents.

[0013] In another embodiment, the present invention in another particular game variant (referred to as “digital” play) where the game is computer, software or code based. Further, all apply as mentioned above in other variants. Moreover, where the objective or goal in at least one application is to “name that idiom”. To wit, the application or opposing groups members select a meld (word and picture) for the a person, group or opposing side to guess the proper idiom that aligns with the displayed combination. In this effort the individual or group are compiling melds to win the game with the most winning intellectual guesses against the application or opponent.

Background of the Invention

[0014] Card games are commonly played by two to four persons with card suit faces resembling or bearing various Chinese or French symbols and designs. The playing cards are typically palm-sized for convenient handling and are drawn and discarded from a common pile called a deck, until one player wins. A full set of playing cards commonly contains 52 cards with each card having a unique symbol painted on its face. Most card games involve skill, strategy, and calculation, as well as a certain degree of luck (depending on the variation played, luck can be anything from a minor to a dominant factor in winning). Most card games are also popularly played as a gambling game. More specifically, and depending on the particular variation of the game, each player is dealt a number of cards in a hand. On their turn, players draw, play or discard at least one card, with the goal of winning.

Patent Citations (28)

[0015]

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PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority Applications (1)

[0018]

TABLE-US-00004 Application Priority date Filing date Title US10/948,477 2004 Sep. 23 2004 Sep. 23 Card game

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

[0019]

TABLE-US-00005 Application Filing date Title US 10/948,477 2004 Sep. 23 Card game

Legal Events

[0020]

TABLE-US-00006 Date Code Title Description 2009 Nov. 02 REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed 2010 Mar. 28 LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees 2010 Apr. 26 STCH Information on status: patent discontin- uation Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 2010 May 18 FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance Effective date: fee 2010 Mar. 28

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In brief, the present invention in one embodiment is directed to a game that comprises a plurality of playing cards, wherein each card has displayed on one of its faces a picture, symbol or word origin that align with idioms that derived from pop culture. In addition, each card has displayed on its second face the title of the first and second suit. Stated somewhat differently, the objective of the game includes but is not limited to putting together as many word and picture combinations or complete sets of idioms or phrases as your hand will allow. An example of this sequence comprises but not limited to a picture such as “clouds with rain” and a word such as “pour.” The player with the advantage of this combination may play the hand and convey the idiom “when it rains it pours,” to acknowledge the claim to that meld, Subsequently moving the combination to the players accumulating pairs. With each turn, a player may pick up a card from either the word suit or picture suit, and then discards one card placed face up in the center of the table. At this point, in succession other players can choose to pass, play, draw or discard a card in accordance to their strategy and the one with the most combinations (melds) and/or empty hand at the end of each set wins.

[0022] One embodiment explains that there are at least two suits consisting of face cards displaying “words” and “pictures.” Some cards may as well be a set of other special function cards known as “assistance” cards. Thus, the innovative game of the present invention entwines words and picture playing cards associated with idioms of pop culture together with intellect, skill and chance.

[0023] These and other aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those possessing ordinary skill in the art when reference is made to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0024] While the present invention has been described in the context of the embodiments illustrated and described herein, the invention may be embodied in other specific ways or in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing descriptions, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.