Playing Card Deck and Methods

Abstract

A deck of playing cards provides a mechanism for generating probabilistically balanced random outcomes without physical dice. The deck includes a plurality of cards, where each card has traditional card suit and value indicia. Crucially, each card also displays a plurality of distinct dice roll indicia, corresponding to pre-determined outcomes for different polyhedral die types (e.g., D4, D6, D20). At least one die type can include non-numeric functional game mechanics, such as a reroll command. The cards may also include augmented gameplay elements like tarot indicia. A method of use involves drawing a card, using a die value, and placing it in a discard pile without replacement, which alters the probability of subsequent draws. This system combines the function of a standard card deck and a full set of gaming dice into a single, portable, and statistically consistent tool.

Claims

1. A deck of playing cards comprising: a plurality of playing cards, each card of the plurality of playing cards comprising: a traditional card suit indicium; a traditional card value indicium; and a plurality of distinct dice roll indicia, wherein each of the plurality of distinct dice roll indicia corresponds to a pre-determined outcome for a different polyhedral die type, and wherein at least one of the plurality of distinct dice roll indicia represents a non-numeric functional game mechanic.

2. The deck of playing cards of claim 1, wherein the plurality of playing cards consists of sixty playing cards.

3. The deck of playing cards of claim 1, wherein the plurality of distinct dice roll indicia comprises a first die number for a four-sided die, a second die number for a six-sided die, a third die number for an eight-sided die, a fourth die number for a ten-sided die, a fifth die number for a twelve-sided die, and a sixth die number for a twenty-sided die.

4. The deck of playing cards of claim 1, wherein the non-numeric functional game mechanic is a reroll command.

5. The deck of playing cards of claim 4, wherein an indicium for an eight-sided die comprises a plurality of the reroll commands.

6. The deck of playing cards of claim 2, wherein fifty-two of the sixty playing cards comprise traditional card value indicia selected from a group of thirteen variables, and wherein eight of the sixty playing cards comprise second card value indicia.

7. The deck of playing cards of claim 1, wherein each card of the plurality of playing cards further comprises an augmented gameplay element comprising a tarot suit indicium and a tarot number indicium.

8. A method for generating a random gameplay outcome, the method comprising: providing a deck of playing cards, the deck comprising a plurality of playing cards, wherein each card comprises a plurality of distinct dice roll indicia corresponding to pre-determined outcomes for different polyhedral die types; drawing a first card from the plurality of playing cards; identifying a first dice roll indicium on the first card as a first random gameplay outcome; and placing the first card in a discard pile without returning it to the plurality of playing cards, thereby altering a probability distribution for drawing a subsequent card having an identical dice roll indicium.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising reshuffling the discard pile into the plurality of playing cards only after a predetermined gameplay event has occurred.

10. A deck of cards, the deck of playing cards comprising: sixty playing cards, each card of the sixty playing cards comprising, a first die number ranging from one to four, a second die number ranging from one to six, a third die number, ranging from one to eight and comprising four rerolls, a fourth die number ranging from one to ten, a fifth die number ranging from one to twelve, a sixth die number ranging from one to twenty, a first suit ranging from one to four suits, fifty-two of the sixty playing cards comprising a card number, the card number selected from a group of thirteen variables, and eight of the sixty playing cards comprising a second card number, the second card number selected from a group of two variables,

11. The deck of cards of claim 1, wherein fifty-six of the sixty playing cards further comprising a tarot suit, the tarot suit selected from a group of four variables.

12. The deck of cards of claim 2, wherein fifty-six of the sixty playing cards further comprising a tarot number, the tarot number selected from a group of fourteen variables.

13. The deck of cards of claim 1, further comprising a seventh die number ranging from one to two.

14. The deck of cards of claim 4, wherein two colored suits are used instead of a two-sided die.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a first embodiment of a playing card of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a second embodiment of a playing card of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a table illustrating the preferred indicia designations for the first thirty cards of a sixty-card deck embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a table illustrating the preferred indicia designations for the second thirty cards of a sixty-card deck embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention provides an innovative approach to games of chance, offering enhanced gameplay variety, strategic depth, consistent probability distributions, and expanded narrative possibilities. The preferred embodiment comprises a deck of playing cards which includes a plurality of playing cards, preferably sixty playing cards. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each card of the plurality features a combination of traditional card elements along with a plurality of distinct dice roll indicia. The specific graphical and artistic design of the cards, including the shape, style, and placement of the indicia and any background art, may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention, provided the functional indicia remain present and legible.

[0016] While the preferred embodiment comprises sixty playing cards, it is understood that other deck sizes are possible. The guiding principle is that the total number of cards in the deck should be a common multiple of the number of sides for each polyhedral die type included, which allows for a probabilistically complete and balanced distribution of outcomes for each die. The minimum viable deck size for a given set of dice can be determined by finding the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of the number of sides of all included dice.

[0017] For example, to create a smaller deck that accurately simulates only a four-sided die (D4) and a six-sided die (D6), one could use a deck size of twelve cards, as twelve is the LCM of four and six. Such a twelve-card deck would be constructed to contain three complete sets of D4 outcomes (i.e., three 1s, three 2s, three 3s, and three 4s) and two complete sets of D6 outcomes (i.e., two 1s, two 2s, two 3s, two 4s, two 5s, and two 6s). The sixty-card deck is a particularly advantageous embodiment because sixty is the LCM for a D4, D6, D10, D12, and D20, allowing all of these common die types to be represented in complete, balanced sets within a single, manageable deck. Following this same logic, numerous other combinations of die types and corresponding deck sizes can be constructed to suit the needs of a particular game.

[0018] Each card preferably includes a traditional card value indicium 10 and a traditional card suit indicium 12. In a preferred sixty-card deck, fifty-two of the sixty playing cards comprise traditional card value indicia 10 selected from a group of thirteen variables (e.g., A, K, Q, J, 10-2), while eight of the sixty playing cards comprise second card value indicia, such as zeros or other symbols. The traditional card suit indicium 12 is preferably selected from traditional suits like clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds. Cards may also include a color indicium 14, such as red or black.

[0019] A key aspect of the invention is the plurality of distinct dice roll indicia present on each card. These indicia correspond to pre-determined outcomes for several different polyhedral die types. The values for these outcomes are fixed during manufacturing and are detailed in the tables of FIGS. 3 and 4. In the preferred embodiment shown, the plurality on each card includes a first die number 16 for a four-sided die, a second die number 18 for a six-sided die, a third die number 20 for an eight-sided die, a fourth die number 22 for a ten-sided die, a fifth die number 24 for a twelve-sided die, and a sixth die number 26 for a twenty-sided die. It should be understood that the tables in FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate one exemplary assignment of these pre-determined outcomes to specific cards. The invention also contemplates alternative embodiments wherein the specific assignment of a given dice roll outcome is varied between different cards across different manufacturing runs or editions, so long as the total number of each outcome for a given die type remains consistent to ensure a probabilistically balanced set.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the plurality of distinct dice roll indicia may represent a non-numeric functional game mechanic. This is a mechanic that instructs a player to perform an action rather than providing a simple numerical value. For example, the reroll command is one such mechanic, and is the preferred embodiment. As shown in the table of FIG. 4, the third die number indicium 20 (for the eight-sided die) on cards 49, 50, 51, and 52 is a reroll command. However, other types of non-numeric functional game mechanics could also be deployed. For example, instead of reroll, the indicium could represent a wild card, a critical hit, a critical miss, a draw again command, or any other symbol or instruction that triggers a specific rule within a game.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the deck is configured to be fully numeric. In this alternative embodiment, all of the plurality of distinct dice roll indicia would be numeric values, without the inclusion of any non-numeric functional game mechanics. For instance, to achieve this, the four reroll commands for the third die number indicium 20 on cards 49-52 would be replaced with numeric values. To ensure a complete and probabilistically balanced set of outcomes for an eight-sided die across the entire deck, these four reroll commands could be replaced with the numeric values of 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively. Or, they could be replaced with other numbers. This provides a fully numeric system while still maintaining the core inventive concept of a card-based dice-rolling mechanism.

[0022] In some embodiments, each card may further comprise an augmented gameplay element. This element provides an additional layer of game mechanics or narrative prompts. As shown in FIG. 2, the augmented gameplay element is preferably composed of a tarot number indicium 28 and a tarot suit indicium 30. These additional indicia can be used to trigger narrative events or special game rules, enhancing the strategic depth of the game. Some cards may contain an N/A indicium 32 in place of a tarot indicium where the augmented gameplay element is not present.

[0023] A method for generating a random gameplay outcome using the deck is also disclosed. The method begins by providing a deck of playing cards as described herein. A player then performs the step of drawing a first card from the deck. The player then identifies a first dice roll indicium on the drawn card as the random gameplay outcome. For example, if a six-sided die roll is needed, the player consults the second die number 18 on the drawn card to determine the outcome.

[0024] Furthermore, the deck can be used to simulate a percentile die roll (D100), which generates a result from 01 to 100. To achieve this, a player performs the step of drawing a first card to establish a tens digit and a second card to establish a ones digit. For both draws, the player consults the fourth die number indicium 22 (for a ten-sided die). A drawn indicium showing 1 through 9 is read as its face value, while a drawn indicium showing 10 is read as 0. The two resulting digits are then combined. For example, a first draw of 8 and a second draw of 3 results in 83. A first draw of 10 (read as 0) and a second draw of 5 results in 05. This method faithfully recreates the tabletop ritual of combining two distinct dice, including the special case where two 10s are drawn (read as 0 and 0) to represent the result of 100.

[0025] An optional step in the method is placing the first card in a discard pile without returning it to the deck. This action is altering a probability distribution for drawing a subsequent card having an identical dice roll indicium. For example, in a sixty-card deck where the second die number 18 (for a six-sided die) has ten instances of the value 6, the initial probability of drawing a 6 is 16.67% (10 out of 60 cards). After drawing one card showing a 6 and placing it in the discard pile, only nine such cards remain in a 59-card deck. The probability of drawing a second 6 is thereby reduced to approximately 15.25%.

[0026] This enables unique gameplay modes, such as a Fate Mode, where the method further comprises reshuffling the discard pile into the deck only after a predetermined gameplay event has occurred. A predetermined gameplay event is a specific, defined trigger within the rules of the game being played. Examples of such an event include, but are not limited to, a player scoring a critical success or failure, the party taking a short or long rest in a role-playing game, or the completion of a specific quest objective.

[0027] Together, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the preferred deck of sixty cards. As shown, the sixty-card deck includes a standard fifty-two card deck. (See, e.g., cards 1-52.) All sixty cards have a card number 10. The first fifty-two cards preferably comprise the standard A, K, Q, J, 10-2 numbering system. The last eight cards comprise zeros and Ps. While this is the preferred numbering system, other card numbering systems could also work. In other words, the card numbers 10 do not have to comprise the standard card numbers, but it is preferred. All sixty cards also preferably comprise a card suit 12. The traditional suits (clubs, spades, hearts, diamonds) are preferred but not required. All sixty cards also preferably comprise a color 14. The traditional colors red or black are preferred but not required. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the colors 14 could also be a two sided coin or die.

[0028] It is also preferred that the deck comprise six differently-sided dice. Is it preferred to include a first die number 16, a second die number 18, a third die number 20, a fourth die number 22, a fifth die number 24 and a sixth die number 26. The preferred dice set is as follows: the first die number 16 ranges from one to four (a four-sided die), the second die number 18 ranges from one to six (a six-sided die), the third die number 20 ranges from one to eight (an eight-sided die), the fourth die number 22 ranges from one to ten (a ten-sided die), the fifth die number 24 ranges from one to twelve (a twelve-sided die), and the sixth die number 26 ranges from one to twenty (a twenty-sided die). Six different dice are not required, but preferred. Likewise, this combination of differently-sided dice is preferred, not required. Finally, it is preferred that an eight-sided die (here, third die number 20) comprise four reroll entries. While a reroll is preferred, it could be a wild card, other number or symbol.

[0029] The preferred deck also comprises a tarot number 28 and a tarot suit 30. The tarot number 28 preferably ranges from 1-10 and includes a King, a Queen, a Knight and a Page, but other configurations could work. It is preferred that the tarot number 28 correspond to the card number 10, but the tarot number 28 also be different from the card number 10. In the preferred configuration, four n/a entries 32 would be included. The tarot suits 30 preferably comprise four different, but evenly distributed suits. The preferred suits are cups (dexterous/rogue based improv), pentacles (cleric/priestly based improv), swords (physical/martial based improv), and wands (arcane based improv), but other names and categories would also work. It is also preferred that the tarot suit 30 be n/a whenever the tarot number 28 is n/a.

Game Play Embodiments

[0030] The game play embodiments are effectively limitless. The following paragraphs describe the preferred gameplay basics.

[0031] Drawing more than one card without returning the previous card affects the probabilities of the rolls. However, this can prove favorable to enjoyment at the table. For any number drawn, the chances of the next card containing that same number are reduced.

[0032] When playing alongside dice-users, it is preferred to use a second deck (much like a percentile d10+normal d10) or simply reshuffling after every single roll in order to maintain parity with dice roll odds (despite non-casino grade dice not being proven accurate with a micrometer).

[0033] A simple and effective way to level the playing field across the table is to leverage drawing cards for results and waiting to shuffle them back in. By each player building a discard pile, roll distributions become more balanced over time. For every result shown, there is one less of that result available in the deck. For example: You draw a result of a 6 on a D6 and the remaining deck will only contain 9 results of a 6. The original chance of drawing a 6 result for a D6 is 16.67%. The chances of drawing a second 6 without shuffling the first one back in is 15.25%. For any number drawn, the chances of the next card containing that same number are reduced.

[0034] The changes in the odds when cards are removed opens up interesting statistical options that can improve the game. Here are some optional embodiments:

1. Fate Mode

[0035] In this mode, it is preferred to only shuffle the cards back into the deck once you draw a critical success or failure. This mode makes it (a) unlikely to draw the same number again, (b) makes advantage more advantageous and disadvantage more disadvantageous, (c) dice pools are more evenly distributed (4d4 is less likely to be all 1s and all 4s), (d) Smoother spread of rolls/reduced good/bad roll streaks, and (e) automated reshuffle rules on criticals.

2. Narrative Mode

[0036] This mode requires some gameplay element to trigger a reshuffle and refresh of cards. By design, it is much more open to interpretation which makes it powerful in TTRPGs in particular. The mode can integrate story elements with refreshing cards, reshuffle on short rest, long rest, certain quest objectives or puzzles, new game modes like Roguelite delving where once you are out of cards, the party is ejected from a dungeon to collect their rewards, unlikely to draw the same number again, makes advantage more advantageous and disadvantage more disadvantageous, dice pools are more evenly distributed (4d4 is less likely to be all 1s and all 4s), smoother spread of rolls/reduced good/bad roll streaks.

3. Alternate Ways for Dice Checks

[0037] Most games will have a way to roll dice to determine a result. It's a simple operation of greater than or equal to or less than.

4. Other Gameplay Options:

[0038] One embodiment is a mini game battles of cards to determine success of failure. This is similar to Blackjack where the player can optionally add or subtract their DEX modifier to their current card and hit trying to bust or beat the GM's hand. For example, Player draws a Jack (an 11 numeric value in Blackjack) and has a +2 proficiency to the challenge; Player is at either 11, 9(2), or 13(+2). Player hits for another draw and gets a 7. Player's best combination is 20 (13+7) and hope the GM doesn't get 21. This can be changed to require the proficiency modifier to make it more interesting

[0039] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to one or more particular preferred embodiments, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.