CARD AND SELECTION DEVICE GAMES

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/732,896 entitled "Card and Spinner Games." filed November 1 , 2005, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. entitled

"Card and Selection Device Games," filed October 31 , 2006. The complete disclosure of those applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Background of the Disclosure

The present disclosure is directed to games where play may be facilitated by

one or more cards and/or one or more selection devices.

Examples of card and/or selection device games are found in U.S. Patent Nos. 1,461,633; 1 ,520,316; 1,556,678; 2,008,829; 2,044,266; 2,077,124; 2,095,367; 2,102,535; 2,370,229; 2,546,441 ; 3,232,622; 3,235,260; 3,685,831 ; 3,762,714; 3,841,637; 4,014,547; 4,029,321 ; 4,040,191 ; 4,123,058; 4,302,012; 4,309,035; 4,466,515; 4,667,959; 5,318,299; 6,540,229; 6,609,715; 6,659,462; 6,902, 163; D268,771 ; and D288,698; and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2001/0052672 and 2005/0167918. The complete disclosures of those patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Summary of the Disclosure Some embodiments provide a method of playing a game. The game may include a plurality of cards and a selection device, the selection device configured to be activated by a user to select a supplemental action from a plurality of supplemental actions. The method may include viewing a first card having a first indicium in a

discard pile; activating the selection device to select a supplemental action from the plurality of supplemental actions, the plurality of supplemental actions including a supplemental action that allows discarding at least one card having a second indicium; performing the supplemental action selected by the selection device; selecting a second card having a third indicium that corresponds with the first indicium of the first card; and discarding the second card in the discard pile.

Some embodiments provide a method of playing a game. The game may include a plurality of cards and a spinner assembly configured to select a supplemental . action from a plurality of supplemental actions, the spinner assembly including a pointer and a base having a plurality of sections, at least some of the sections including indicia representative of at least one supplemental action. The method may include viewing a first card having a first indicium; spinning at least one of the pointer and the base relative to the other of the base and the pointer to select a supplemental action, the plurality of supplemental actions including a supplemental action that requires at least a first player to exchange at least one card, other than the first card, for another card of at least a second player; determining the at least one supplemental action based on the position of the pointer after the at least one of the pointer and the base stops spinning; performing the at least one supplemental action; selecting a second card having a second indicium that corresponds with the first indicium of the viewed first card; and discarding the second card.

Some embodiments provide a method of playing a game. The game may include a plurality of cards and a spinner assembly configured to select a supplemental action from a plurality of supplemental actions, the spinner assembly including a

pointer, at least one holder configured to support a discard pile of one or more cards of the plurality, and a base having a plurality of sections, at least some of the sections includes at least one supplemental action. The method may include viewing a first card having a first indicium from the discard pile; spinning the base relative to the pointer to select a supplemental action, the plurality of supplemental actions including a supplemental action that requires at least a first player to show at least one card, other than the first card, to at least a second player; viewing at least one supplemental action on a section that the pointer is directed to after the base stops spinning; performing the at least one supplemental action; selecting a second card having a second indicium that corresponds with the first indicium of the viewed first card; and placing the second card on the discard pile adjacent the first card.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows some embodiments of a card and selection device game. Fig. 2 shows playing cards for the card and selection device game of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a top view of the card and selection device game of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a flowchart showing some embodiments of a method of playing the card and selection device game of Fig. 1.

Detailed Description of the Disclosure

Referring to Fig. 1, some embodiments of a game 10 are shown, which may include a card support structure 12, a plurality of playing cards 14, and a selection device 16. Card support structure 12 may include any suitable structure configured to hold and/or support one or more stacks or piles of cards. Additionally, the card support structure may include any suitable structure configured to allow the players to

see at least a top or a first card of the stack. For example, the card support structure may include a support stand 18 and one or more holders 20, as shown in Fig. 1.

The support stand may include any suitable structure configured to support one or more stacks of cards 14. For example, the support stand may include a circular or cylindrical support, as shown in Fig. 1. Although a circular support is shown, the support stand may include any suitable shape and/or structure configured to support one or more stacks or piles of cards.

Holders 20 may include any suitable structure configured to hold and/or retain one or more stacks or piles of cards 14. For example, the holders may include one or more perimeter walls 22 and one or more dividing walls 24, as shown in Fig. 1. The perimeter walls may be arranged to form any suitable number of holders. For example, perimeter walls 22 in Fig. 1 forms two holders, which may accommodate two stacks or piles of cards (such as a draw pile W and a discard pile D).

Perimeter walls 22 may have one or more side portions 26 and one or more corner portions 28. The side and/or corner portions may conform to the stack(s) or pile(s) of cards. Additionally, the side and/or corner portions may be any suitable height(s). For example, side portions 26 may have a first height and corner portions

28 may have a second height. The second height may be sized to contain any suitable number of cards, such as a complete deck of cards. The first height may be any suitable height, such as a height less than the second height.

Although perimeter walls 22 are shown to have the first height that is relatively lower than the second height, the first height may be equal to or higher than the second height. For example, the first height may be sized to contain a complete deck,

and the second height may be lower than the first height. Additionally, although perimeter walls 22 are shown to have side portions 26 and corner portions 28, the perimeter walls may have only side portions, only corner portions, or any suitable

combination. Moreover, although perimeter walls 22 are shown to have four side portions 26 and four corner portions 28, the perimeter walls may have any suitable number of side and/or corner portions. Furthermore, although perimeter walls 22 are shown to be sized to accommodate two stacks or piles of cards 14, the perimeter walls may be sized to accommodate any suitable number of stacks or piles of cards. Dividing walls 24 may divide one card pile from another within the perimeter walls. The dividing walls may be any suitable form, shape, and/or height. For example, the dividing walls may be in the form of the shaft of an arrow 30 used for selection device 16, as further discussed below. Although the dividing walls are

shown to be in the form of an arrow, the dividing walls may be any suitable form, shape, and/or height.

Playing cards 14 may be any suitable size and/or shape configured to allow players of the game to grasp the playing card and position that card within a card holder. Additionally, the playing cards may be any suitable number, such as 112 cards. Moreover, playing cards may have gripping features (not shown) to improve

contact with a player's fingers. Those gripping features may include grooves, ridges, undulations, and/or rough portions, among others, or any suitable combination to promote handling.

At least some of the playing cards may include one or more card indicia 32.

Those indicia may include any suitable type of indicia configured to correspond to and/or match indicia on other playing cards and/or to signify particular supplemental actions that one or more players may and/or must take. The indicia may be in any suitable form, such as numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination, configured to correspond to indicia on other playing cards. For example, the card indicia may include numeric indicia 34, symbolic indicia 36, and color indicia 38, as shown in Fig. 2.

Numeric indicia 34 may include any suitable numbers, such as 0-9, and may be

on any suitable location(s) on playing cards 14, such as on a center portion 40 and/or one or more corner portion(s) 42, as shown in Fig. 2. Although numeric indicia 34 are shown to include single digit numbers, the numeric indicia may additionally, or alternatively, include multiple digit numbers. Additionally, although numeric indicia 34 are shown to be on center portion 40 and corner portions 42, the numeric indicia may alternatively, or additionally, be located on any suitable portion(s) of playing cards 14, such as on perimeter portion(s).

Symbolic indicia 36 may include any suitable symbol(s) on any suitable location(s) on playing cards 14. For example, symbolic indicia 36 may include one or more selection device indicia 44 that may require activation of selection device 16, as shown in Fig. 2. The symbolic indicia also may include one or more reverse indicia 46 that may require reversing direction of play, one or more skip indicia 48 that may require one or more players to skip one or more turns, one or more draw indicia 50 that may require one or more players to draw one or more cards, and/or one or more

wild card indicia 52 that may be played as if it contained some or all of the numeric indicia and/or color indicia on the playing cards, as shown in Fig. 2.

The symbolic indicia may be located on the center portion and/or the corner portions of playing cards 14. Although symbolic indicia 36 are shown to include particular symbols that require particular supplemental actions, the symbolic indicia may include any suitable symbol(s) that may require any suitable supplemental action(s). Additionally, although symbolic indicia 36 are shown to be on the center and corner portions of playing cards 14, the symbolic indicia may alternatively, or additionally, be on any suitable ρortion(s) of the playing cards, such as on perimeter portion(s), etc.

Color indicia 38 may include any suitable color(s) on any suitable location(s)

on playing cards 14. For example, color indicia 38 may include one or more blue indicia 54, one or more red indicia 56, one or more green indicia 58, one or more yellow indicia 60, and/or any suitable color(s), as shown in Fig. 2. The color indicia may be on one or more perimeter portions 61 of playing cards 14, as shown in Fig. 2.

Although color indicia 38 are shown to include particular color indicia, the color indicia may include any suitable color indicia. Additionally, although color indicia 38 are shown to be on perimeter portions of playing cards 14, the color indicia may alternatively, or additionally, be on any suitable portions of playing cards 14, such as on the center and/or corner portion(s) of the playing cards. Moreover, although card indicia 32 is shown to include numeric indicia 34, symbolic indicia 36, and color indicia 38, the card indicia may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable type(s) of indicia, such as text and/or alphanumeric indicia. Furthermore,

although cards 14 are shown, the game may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable playing pieces, such as tokens, coins, documents, etc., which may include one or more of the card indicia discussed above.

Selection device 16 may include any suitable structure configured to be activated by a user to select one or more supplemental actions from a plurality of supplemental actions that one or more players may be required to perform. For example, selection device 16 may include a spinner structure 62 having a pointer 64 and a spinner 66, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

The pointer may include any suitable structure configured to point at one or more sections of the spinner. For example, pointer 64 may include an elongate member 68 movably mounted and/or attached to support stand 18, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. In some embodiments, the pointer may be at least partially contained within the dividing walls, such as within arrow 30 of the dividing walls. Although pointer 64 is shown to be movably connected within the dividing walls, the pointer may be located in any suitable location. Additionally, although pointer 64 is shown to include a specific structure, the pointer may include any suitable structure configured to point to one or more sections of the spinner.

Spinner 66 may include any suitable structure configured to provide a plurality of supplemental actions that one or more players may be required to follow. For example, the spinner may include an annular wheel 70 including a plurality of sections 72, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The annular wheel may be referred to as a roulette-type spin wheel. Annular wheel 70 may be movably mounted, such as pivotally and/or rotatably mounted, to the support stand.

Although spinner 66 is shown to include a specific annular structure, the spinner may include any suitable structure configured to provide a plurality of supplemental actions that one or more players may be required to follow. Additionally, although spinner 66 is shown to be movably connected to support stand 18, pointer 64 may alternatively, or additionally, be movably connected to the support stand. In other words, either or both the pointer and the spinner may be spun relative to the other to select one or more supplemental actions.

At least some of sections 72 may include one or more spinner indicia 74. Those indicia may include any suitable type(s) of indicia configured to be representative of at least one supplemental action. The spinner indicia may be in any suitable form, such as numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination. For example, spinner indicia 74 may include symbolic indicia

76, as shown in Fig. 3.

The symbolic indicia may be representative of one or more supplemental actions that one or more players may be required to follow. The supplemental actions may relate to at least some of the playing cards and have positive, negative, neutral, and/or unknown consequences for the player(s). For example, symbolic indicia 76 may include one or more discard indicia 78 that may require one or more players to discard one or more cards (including cards with particular number, symbolic, and/or color indicium or indicia), one or more draw indicia 80 that may require one or more players to draw one or more cards (including cards with particular number, symbolic, arid/or color indicium or indicia), one or more trade hands indicia 82 that may require one or more players to trade (or exchange) one or more cards (including cards with

particular number, symbolic, and/or color indicium or indicia), one or more show hand indicia 84 that may require one more players to show at least a portion of their

hand to one or more of the other players, and/or one or more almost indicia 85 that may require one or more players to say particular word(s) and the player who says those words first may discard one or more cards.

Additionally, or alternatively, symbolic indicia 76 may include one or more war indicia 86. The war indicia may require one or more players to select a card with a value indicium (such as a number indicium) of highest value from one or more cards having value indicia associated with that player, and showing the selected card to the other players. After showing selected cards, one or more players may discard their selected cards in response to the comparison, such as when the value indicia of those

cards have a value higher than the value indicia of other selected cards. Although symbolic indicia 76 is shown to include particular indicia, the symbolic indicia may include any suitable indicia representative of one or more supplemental actions that one or more players may be required to perform. Additionally, although spinner indicia 74 is shown to include symbolic indicia 76, the spinner indicia may include any suitable type(s) of indicia, such as numeric, color, text, and/or alphanumeric

indicia.

In some embodiments, annular wheel 70 may include a plurality of pointer posts 88 configured to contact and/or pivot the pointer as the spinner is spinned. The contact of the pointer with the posts may produce one or more spinner noises to enhance the game experience. In some embodiments, pointer posts 88 may be

arranged to separate sections 72 from one another to facilitate determining which particular section pointer 64 is pointing to.

Although spinner structure 62 is shown to be integrated and/or combined with card support structure 12, the spinner structure may be separate from the card support structure. Additionally, although selection device 16 is shown to include a spinner structure 62, the selection device may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable structure configured to select one or more supplemental action(s) that one or more players may be required to follow. For example, selection device 16 may alternatively, or additionally, include one or more dice, one or more cards, etc. Illustrative examples of a method 100 of playing game 10 will be further described with reference to Fig. 4. A player may begin his or her turn at 102. That player may view a card, such as a top card on a discard pile at 104. If the top card requires activating the selection device (such as provided by a card including selection device indicium) at 106, then the player may activate the selection device (such as by spinning at least one of the pointer and the base relative to the other of the base and the pointer) at 108. The player may view the supplemental action(s) (such as represented by symbolic indicia) selected by the selection device at 110. The player may then perform the supplemental action(s) selected by the selection device at 112 and his or her turn may end at 114.

If the top card does not include selection device indicium at 106, then the player may view the cards in hand (or hand cards) at 1 16. The player may then determine if any of the hand cards include an indicium that at least substantially matches and/or corresponds to an indicium of the top card at 118. If the player has

more than one matching card at 120, then the player may select which of those matching cards to discard at 122 and may then discard that card at 124, such as placing the selected card above and/or adjacent the top card on the discard pile. If the player has only one matching card at 120, then the player may place that card in the discard pile above and/or adjacent the top card at 124.

If the player determines that none of the hand cards matches the top card at 1 18, then the player may pick a card (such as a top card) from a draw pile at 126. The player may then view that drawn card at 128. If that drawn card includes at least one indicium that at least substantially matches and/or corresponds to at least one indicium of the top card at 130, then the player may place that card in the discard pile above and/or adjacent the top card at 124. If the drawn card does not include at least one indicium that at least substantially matches and/or corresponds to at least one indicium of the top card at 130, then the player's turn may then end at 114.

If the discarded card includes an indicium representative of one or more supplemental actions at 132, then the player may perform the supplemental action(s) at 134 and his or her turn may end at 114. If the discarded card does not include indicium representative of one or more supplemental actions at 132, then the player's turn may end at 114.

The plurality of supplemental actions may include any suitable supplemental actions, such as the following:

• Discarding at least one card that has one or more particular indicium, such as particular number and/or color indicium;

• Exchanging at least one card (such as one or more card associated with the player) for another card with at least one other player;

• Showing at least one card (such as one or more card associated with the

player)to at least one other player;

• Drawing at least one card from the draw and/or discard pile, such as drawing successively until a card with a particular indicium is drawn or drawing a particular number of cards;

• Selecting a card with a value indicium of particular value (such as the highest value) from one or more cards having value indicium, showing the selected card to at least one other player, and discarding one of the compared cards in response to the comparison, such as the selected card if the value indicium of that card has a particular value (such as a value higher) than the value indicium of other selected cards;

• Reversing direction of play;

• Skipping or forfeiting one or more turns; and/or

• Calling for a particular indicium or indicia for one or more successive players to match with their cards.

Additionally, the supplemental action may affect the player who activated the selection device and/or one or more other players. Although method 100 includes particular illustrative supplemental actions, the method may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable supplemental actions.

During the course of the game, if a player has only one card left, then the player may say one or more specified words (which may be agreed to before the

game). If the player fails to yell those specified words and another player catches that player's failure, then the player may be required to pick one or more cards from the draw pile and/or discard pile. For example, the player may be required to pick two

cards from the draw pile Players may take turns going through the method and the goal is to play until any suitable stopping point. For example, the method may be played until one player is able to discard all his or her cards. That player may be the winner. Alternatively, or additionally, the method may be played for a specified time period and/or specified point value to play to. Any suitable scoring may be used to determine the winner, such as basing the scoring, at least in part, on at least some of the indicia of the hand cards of each player. For example, cards may have point values and the player with the lowest or highest score at the end of the time period may win. Alternatively, or

additionally, the player that reaches a particular score may win. Although particular stopping points have been discussed, the method includes any and all suitable stopping points.

Additionally, the method may include any suitable preparation steps before beginning the round and/or the game. For example, at least some of the playing cards may be shuffled and a certain number of cards, such as seven cards, may be dealt to each player. Additionally, the cards may be placed in a draw pile and/or a top card of that pile placed in the discard pile. Moreover, an order of play may be determined before the round and/or game. The order of play may be based on any suitable order, such as by descending or ascending age of the players.

Although the method above includes specific sequence and combination of steps, the steps discussed above may be performed in different sequences and in different combinations, not all steps being required for all embodiments of the game. Additionally, although the method includes specific steps, the method may include any suitable steps in addition, or alternative, to the steps discussed above. For example, the player that has one or more cards with selection device indicia may be required to spin and follow the selected supplemental action before he or she may discard the spin card.

The game also may include a set of instructions or rules and/or an inventory of contents. An example of instructions, rules, and inventory that might be used for the game is provided below. Although a specific example is provided, the game may

include a set of any suitable instructions, rules and/or inventory, including any suitable combination of the instructions, rules, and inventory already discussed above.

CONTENTS 1 Spin Wheel

112 cards as follows:

19 Blue cards - 0 to 9 (includes 5 Spin Cards #1 -5) 19 Green cards - 0 to 9 (includes 5 Spin Cards #1-5) 19 Red cards - 0 to 9 (includes 5 Spin

Cards #1-5) 19 Yellow cards - 0 to 9 (includes 5 Spin Cards #1 -5) 8 Draw Two cards - 2 each in blue, green, red and yellow 8 Reverse cards - 2 each in blue, green, red and yellow 8 Skip cards - 2 each in blue, green, red and yellow 4 Wild cards

4 Wild Draw Four Cards

4 Wheel Reference Cards

OBJECT OF THE GAME

Be the first player to score 500 points. Points are scored by getting rid of all the cards in your hand before your opponent(s). You score points for cards left in your opponents' hands.

SET UP

Place the Wheel Reference cards nearby; these will help you identify the icons on the wheel whenever it is spun. FUNCTIONS OF THE ACTION CARDS

Draw Two Card - When this card is played, the next person to play must draw 2 cards and miss their turn. This card can only be played on

matching colors and other Draw Two cards. If turned up at the beginning of play, the same rule applies.

Reverse Card - Reverses direction of play. Play changes direction to the right, and vice versa. The card may only be played on a matching color or on another Reverse card. If this card is turned up at the beginning of play, the dealer goes first, and then play moves to the right instead of the left. Skip Card - The next player in turn after this card has been played loses their turn and is "skipped." The card may only be played on a matching color or on another Skip card. If a Skip card is turned up at the beginning of play, the player to the left of the dealer is "skipped," hence the player to the left of that player commences play.

Wild Card - The person playing this card calls for any color to continue the play, including the one currently being played, if so desired. A Wild card can be played at any time - even if the player has another playable card in their hand. If a Wild card is turned up at the beginning of play, the person to the left of the dealer determines the color, which continues play.

WiJd Draw Four Card - This card allows you to call the next color played and requires the next player to draw 4 cards from the DRAW pile and forfeit their turn. If turned up at the beginning of play, return this card to the deck and pick another card. Note: This card may only be played when the player holding it does not have a card in their hand that matches the color on the DISCARD pile. If the player holds matching numbers or action cards, however, this card may be played.

Spin Cards (20) - Five cards of each color (numbers 1 through 5) have a swirling pattern around the NUMBER (like a thumbprint) indicating they are Spin cards. A player may play a Spin card as they would a regular number card, however, whenever a Spin card is played, the next player must spin the wheel. Spinning the wheel takes the place of that player's turn. (See SPIN WHEEL).

THE SPIN WHEEL

If the player preceding you plays a Spin card, you must spin the wheel and follow the action of the icon indicated by the arrow, as follows:

Almost - The player that spun the wheel discards all but 2 cards.

Discard Number - The player that spun the wheel chooses a number in their hand and can discard all cards of that same number. You can choose to keep some cards of that number if you do not wish to discard all of them.

Discard Color - The player that spun the wheel chooses a color in their hand and can discard all cards of that same color. You can choose to keep some cards of that color if you do not wish to discard all of them.

Draw Red - Draw until you pickup a red card (or Wild card). You must keep all of the cards you have drawn.

Draw Blue - Draw until you pick up a blue card (or Wild card). You must keep all of the cards you have drawn.

Trade Hands - All players trade hands, passing to the left. If any player receives a hand with only one card, that player must yell particular word(s) or the 2-card penalty applies.

Show Hand - Show your hand to all other players, giving them an opportunity to see it, and then resume normal play.

War - Each player selects the highest number card of any color in their hand (if they have one) and reveals them at the same time. The player with the highest card gets to discard that card and all other players put their cards back in their hands. If there is a tie, the tied players face-off with their next highest card, and the winner discards all the War cards they played. Play then continues with the next person after the winner taking their turn (in the current direction of play).

Spin - All players rush to yell particular word(s). The first player to yell it gets to discard one card of their choice. Play then continues with the next person after the winner taking their turn (in the current direction of play).

If the Wheel causes you to discard multiple cards, you get to decide which of your cards is placed on the top of the DISCARD pile, affecting the next player's turn. Thus, you can change the color, number or symbol that is in play.

GOING OUT

When you play your second-to-last card, you must yell particular word(s). If you don't yell those words and another player catches you before the next player plays, you must draw two cards.

Once a player has no cards left, the round is over. Points are scored (see SCORING) and play starts over again.

If the last card played in a hand is a Draw Two or Wild Draw Four card, the next player must draw the 2 or 4 cards respectively. These cards are counted when the points are totaled. Likewise, if the last card played is a Spin card, the next player must spin the wheel and that action must be resolved, so that any cards drawn or discarded also affect the points totaled.

If no player is out of cards by the time the DRAW pile is depleted, the

DISCARD pile is reshuffled and play continues.

SCORING

The first player to get rid of their cards receives points for cards left in all of players' hands as follows:

All number cards (0-9) ....Face Value Draw Two 20 Points

Reverse 20 Points

Skip 20 Points

Wild 50 Points

Wild Draw Four 50 Points

WINNING THE GAME

The WINNER is the first player to reach 500 points. However, an alternative scoring method is to keep a running total of the points each player is caught with at the end of each hand. When one player reaches 500 points, the player with the lowest points is the winner.

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO PLAY

At the beginning of a game, players may decide on a different point value to play to (i.e. 250) instead of 500, for longer or shorter games. Players may also choose to play without keeping score, so that the first player to get rid of all of their cards is the winner.

The disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites "a" or "a first" element or the

equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.