Amusement devices: games – Card or tile games – cards or tiles therefor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-18
2001-10-16
Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Card or tile games, cards or tiles therefor
C273S306000, C273S308000, C273S257000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302397
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a card game and more particularly to an election process card game and a method for playing the same. It also relates to a teaching aid for illustrating the role of politics in an individuals life.
BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION
For many years card games have provided entertainment for adults and children alike. Such games require various levels of skills and often hold and maintain the attention of players for relatively long periods of time. Such games provide not only enjoyment but also an opportunity for people to join together in a social environment. In addition, many such games have an educational value.
A large number of card games are played with a conventional deck of 52 cards which are divided into four suites of 13 cards each. One or two joker cards may be employed in some games. Other games are played with specialized decks to provide added appeal to certain age groups, added excitement and at times to make the game less predictable and/or to reduce the effect of skill on the game.
A U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,885 of Chamblee, et al. discloses a card game which incorporates a series of cards with numerical values and a plurality of specialty or wild cards. As disclosed therein, a selected value, for example, “ninety-nine” form a main part of the game. If playing the game, players discard numerical value cards until the value of the discard is equal to the preselected value. The specialty or wild cards can be played at any time. If a player is unable to discard a card at anytime he or she leaves the game.
Another type of card game which employs specialty cards is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,393of Oliver. As disclosed therein the game is played with a deck of cards having specialty cards that when played on a penalty card, either transfer the penalty card to a succeeding player, return the penalty to a preceding player or cancel the penalty.
The aforesaid games utilize specialized cards, but do not relate to the election process wherein individuals vote for a candidate. Therefore they do not have educational value with respect to the election of government officials. Accordingly, it is presently believed that there may be a relatively large demand for a card game that utilizes a specialized deck that relates to the election process.
Advantageously, an election process card game and method for playing the same in accordance with the present invention provide entertainment for players of various age groups. In addition, the game and method according to the present invention provide valuable educational content and limited insight into the election of candidates for government offices when the election is based on the votes of the populous. The games and methods also provide the basis for individuals to join together and socialize. They also provide a game with a high degree of unpredictability which adds excitement to the game. The games and methods in accordance with the present invention are believed to have special appeal to younger players since the outcome is relatively unaffected by skill.
Therefore it is presently believed that playing the election process card game disclosed herein will lead to more social interaction and discussion particularly in the election field and the role of politics in an individuals life. Accordingly, it is believed that the election process card game and method disclosed herein may have considerable value as a teaching aid. Furthermore, such games and methods should have particular appeal during periods of local, regional or national elections of government officials.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In essence the present invention contemplates a method for playing an election process card game which incorporates a series of numerical value cards each of which indicate a number of votes in an election process. The card game also incorporates a number of special cards which include one or more change cards and at least one game ending card. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the card game also incorporates a number of false vote cards which have no value. Such cards are indicative of fraudulent votes which are not counted in a properly conducted election.
The method for playing the election process card game includes the step of dealing a predetermined number of cards to each of a plurality of players in a conventional manner. Then after dealing the cards, the remaining cards are placed in a stack which forms a draw pile. The game commences when a first player as for example the dealer or the player to the dealer's left or right discards a card preferably face down and then draws a replacement card. Then the players follow this procedure sequentially in either a clockwise or counterclockwise order as their playing turn comes around. A single change card may be played during a players normal turn by discarding the change card face up plus the number of cards indicated on a change card face down. The player then draws the same number of cards from the draw pile. Play then continues to the next player.
The game ending card may be played by any player holding a card as their playing turn comes around. This step is analogous to a prime minister or the like calling for an election. Playing the game ending card ends a round of play and each player displays the cards in their hands, preferably categorizing the cards into piles of similar values and each individuals number of votes are tallied. The individual with the most votes wins while the one with the next highest score is the runner-up for that particular round.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, multiple rounds are played. For example seven rounds or some other preselected number of rounds will be agreed to at the commencement of the game. Then the scores for each round are added together to determine the overall winner and runner-up.
The invention also contemplates a teachers aid comprising a series of numerical value cards wherein each of the numerical value cards correspond to a number of votes in an election. The teachers aid also includes a number of special cards including one or more change cards which indicate a number of cards to be exchanged, a plurality of false vote cards having no numerical value and at least one and preferably two game ending cards. In addition, the aid includes a set of rules.
The rules provide for dealing a predetermined number of cards to each of the plurality of players and providing a draw pile made up of the remaining cards face down. The rules also provide for a sequence of play such as clockwise beginning with the player to the left of the dealer. Under the rules, each player sequentially discards a card face down on a discard pile and then draws a replacement from the draw pile as their playing turn comes around.
The rules also provide for the playing of a change card during a players normal turn. The change card is discarded face up and the number of cards one, two, three, or four are discarded face down and the same number of cards drawn from the draw pile. The game is ended when one of the players during their normal turn discards the game ending card. At this point the votes in each players hand is counted and a round winner and runner-up are declared.
A further embodiment of the invention contemplates a teachers aid and method for teaching individuals about an election process. In this embodiment of the invention, a first individual an instructor, teacher or leader explains the fundamentals of the election process, the steps of registering to vote, casting a vote and tallying the number of votes cast. The teacher may also discuss the selection of candidates, verification process and perhaps a recount with the elimination of fraudulent votes.
The teacher then distributes the cards as for example by dealing nine cards each to three to five players and explaining the rules of the game as set forth in the aforementioned steps. Then during the play the teacher might point out that each round is analogous to a state or region in a national election. The teacher would also poin
Chapman Jeanette
Collins Dolores
Dougherty & Troxell
LandOfFree
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