System and Method for Board Game

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/735,650 filed on Dec. 18, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This patent application relates to a novel board game, game pieces and method of gaming.

Board games come in a variety of types and are frequently enjoyed by players around the world. Playing board games is entertaining, and for many people brings back feelings of nostalgia for playing board games as children. Board games provide a benefit of stimulating the brain, connecting players with an entertaining experience, and opportunities to exercise decision making, problem solving, and strategy. Thus there is a need for a new system and method for a board game.

The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a game apparatus and method of play adapted to be played by a plurality of players. The game apparatus including, a gameboard, dice, tokens, and a score card. Players compete in a random game of chance against each other by rolling the dice, gathering letters, constructing words from the gathered letters, and assigning point values to those letters and words.

Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments described herein. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid complicating the description.

1 10 FIGS.- Embodiments of the present disclosure are best understood by referring toof the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

100 Gameboard 105 Circles 106 Circle Lane 107 Rectangle Lane 107 a Rectangle Lane 108 Quadrant 108 a Quadrant 110 First Game Value 112 Second Game Value 200 Scorecard 205 Scorecard left column 210 Scorecard right column 215 Scorecard score box 300 Dice 400 Tokens 500 Playing Surface 600 Playing Surface Embodiment 700 107 107 a Example of a textured Rectangle Laneor 800 Example Tokens 900 Example Scorecard

100 200 300 400 This disclosure recognizes a novel board game and method of play, comprising a gameboard, score card, dice, and tokensand a novel method of randomly by chance of rolling the die, and gathering letters and constructing words from the chance letters, and thus providing point values to those letters and claimed words by means of random and chance selection. In a non-limiting embodiment, the gameboard and method of play are referred to as Wordabit.

1 FIG. 5 FIG. 6 FIG. 5 FIG. 6 FIG. 7 FIG. 10 FIG. 100 100 105 105 106 100 105 106 100 500 500 100 500 500 500 illustrates and embodiment of the gameboard. The gameboardis generally comprised of multiple circles. Each circledefines a circle lane. In an embodiment as shown on the gameboard, the circlesalternate between light and dark shading circle lanesto denote separate lanes. As shown inand, the gameboardmay be part of a larger playing surface. The larger playing surfaceshown inincludes the gameboardas part of the playing surface, and also includes text description that may include rules, branding such as Wordabit, and other information. The playing surfacemay be constructed of any type of material, for example, cardboard, cloth, paper, or other suitable surface. In the embodiment shown in, the playing surfaceis shown constructed from wood.andalso show the playing surface constructed from wood as a non-limiting embodiment.

100 106 107 106 107 106 106 107 108 110 108 110 108 110 110 108 106 108 112 112 107 108 107 108 108 108 112 a a a The gameboardcomprises a set of circle lanes, on the inside perimeter of the board, and a plurality of rectangle lanesthat extend across the circle lanes. The rectangle lanesare placed in a manner, overlaying the circle lanes. The overlapping portion of the circle lanesand rectangle lanesprovide a quadrantto hold a first game value. In an embodiment, the quadrantsare marked with first game valuesas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the quadrantscan be marked with other types of first game values, such as English letters, non-English letters, symbols, characters, or other values. In an embodiment, the first game valuesare the same for each quadrantin a circle lane. In an embodiment, the quadrantsalso include a second game value. In an embodiment, the second game valuecomprises a series of letters using the 26 standard letters of the English alphabet in four rectangle lanesand quadrants, and an additional rectangle lanewith quadrantsthat include the primary vowels of the English alphabet. A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the quadrantsandcan be marked with other types of second game values, such as numbers, non-English letters, symbols, characters, or other values.

100 100 100 100 Alternative embodiments of the invention can include using a flat gameboard. Alternative embodiments encompass different materials of the gameboard, for example colored plastic, fabric or other like material to construct the gameboard, so that it can be foldable and/or rolled tightly for storage. Alternative embodiments of the invention also include using multiple elements such as plastic, wood or other materials which can provide dimensionally textured and/or contoured surfaces to the gameboard.

106 100 107 108 For example, in the embodiments of this invention, the circle lanesof the gameboardmay be the same height, or may be different in vertical height. The rectangular lanesmay have raised and/or recessed numbers, as well as raised and/or recessed letters. In another embodiment, the quadrantsmay have raised numbers, recessed numbers, raised letters, recessed letters, and/or pockets which provide dimension and random chance to play the game.

100 100 By adding different dimensional surfaces to the gameboard itself, the dice react differently when it lands on the gameboard. For example, rolling a die on a flat surface, will react differently as opposed to rolling a die on a surface with different contours. As such, the embodiments that include contours, ridges and/or pockets throughout the gameboardcould be an element of the game and creates an increased difficulty and random play.

100 100 100 In an embodiment of the game, the gameboardis a table top game and sized accordingly so at least 8 people of average size can fit around the gameboardcomfortably. However, the actual size of the gameboard is not restricted to the inventive concept, and thus can be adapted for a variety of different sizes, including miniature and oversized as well. In addition, it is within the scope of the invention that the game occur in an online environment with players situated at computers and/or phones and playing each other on a virtual gameboard. Further, it shall be noted that the letters and numbers of the alphabet and the numerical system, shall not limited the invention of this gameplay, for example, the inventive concept of the gameboard can be comprised of different languages and numerical values for reference in other countries or other forms of communications and numerical valuations.

2 FIG. 2 FIG. 200 200 205 210 200 215 200 illustrates an embodiment of a score card. In the embodiment shown in, scorecardhas two columns. The first columnis for a player to use as a scratch pad and to write down claimed words. The second columnillustrates a list of rolls for each round, and a space for a value of a letter and point value. The scorecardincludes a score boxfor total word score(s) during that round of play. A person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize other variations of the scorecardmay be used for gameplay.

3 FIG. 300 300 300 300 illustrates an embodiment of dice. Diceare conventional six-sided dice. In an embodiment, two six-sided diceare used for gameplay. In alternative embodiments, it is contemplated and within the scope of the invention that other types of dice may be used with gameplay. For example, dicemay include symbols, letters, more than six sides, less than six sides, and other known variations.

4 FIG. 400 FIG. 400 400 400 illustrates an embodiment of a token. In the embodiment shown in, the tokenis shown as a circular piece. The tokenmay be other shapes, for example, square, rectangular, triangle, or a three-dimensional game piece.

11 FIG. 1100 100 200 300 400 1110 300 300 300 300 300 In an embodiment, illustrated in, a methodincludes a method of playing a game with game pieces,,, and. The method of playing the game includes stepwhich is a player rolling two dice. The roll of the dicedetermines how many turns each player will have to roll the diceper round of the game. For example, if a player rolls 7 on the dice, players will each get 7 turns to roll the dieand collect letters and point values.

1120 300 300 1130 100 300 107 At step, round play begins and each player takes a turn to roll the dice. Each player takes a turn to roll the dice. At step, each player may chose a single letter or multiple letters from the gameboardbased on their roll of the dice. For example, if a player rolls a 5, the player may choose to pick a single letter from any lane that the number 5 is in. However, if the player rolls the 5, and the die actually lands in the circle lanethat includes 5,then the player can claim all the letters in that lane. If the player rolls a 5, and the die actually lands in the rectangle 5 quadrant, then the player can select all letters in the rectangle lane, The player marks the claimed letters on their score card, and then also takes note of the point value, which is in this case, 5.

400 100 400 100 170 100 400 107 Alternately, the player may choose to use their tokento take a chance at more specific letters on the gameboard. In this instance, the player places their tokenon the gameboard, specifically in a circle or rectangle laneof their choosing, and on a specific number. For example, the player chooses 5, if the player then rolls a 5 on their turn, the player can collect all letters that are within that lane. However, if the player does not roll the selected target number, then the player may choose only 1 letter from within that lane. The player may chose to use the tokenon every turn if so desired. The player may also use the tokento gain additional value points or bonuses by targeting certain letters in in certain circle or rectangle lanesto form specific words.

1140 300 At step, each player may attempt to form potential words using the letters selected during each roll of the dice. As in this instance as determined above by this example, the players have 7 rounds to play this type of gameplay to determine what letters they can use to form words after 7 rolls of the die. After 7 rounds, the players have a pre-determined amount of time to form words and close out this round. For example, the players may choose 1 or 2 minutes after the 7th roll to form their words.

In a form of easy play, the players may use each letter only once in a word, and may form as many words as possible within that time frame. Words can be formed from the acceptable words of any form of reference that the players agree upon prior to commencing the rounds.

In an alternate form of round play, players may use each letter only once, in only one word. In this game play, the players can tally the point value of the word formed, by adding together each letters point value, which is determined by the roll of the die, and the corresponding value on the gameboard.

1150 At step, a score value is calculated for each player based on a word value for each word formed in the previous step. An alternate type of word scoring which is further by random selection and chance, can be used to calculate the points of the words. In this alternate type of word play, players roll the die, collect letters for 7 rolls of the die, then have either 1 or 2 minutes to form their words. When the players have formed all their words within the agreed upon timeframe, then each player rolls a die to determine the point value of their word. For example, if player 1 has 10 words, and rolls a 2, then player 1 has a total of 20 points for that round. If player 2 has 10 words and rolls a 1, then player 2 only has 10 points for that round. Additionally, players can opt for a type of play that combines both types of point scoring.

Additionally, it should be noted that the value of 8 players is not a limitation of the present invention. For example, players can be for as many as can comfortably fit around the gaming board. For larger game play, it's possible that larger boards can be created and additional target tokens can be used.

12 12 FIGS.A throughT 12 12 FIGS.A throughT 12 12 FIG.Aa throughE 12 12 FIGS.F throughT 1100 100 200 300 400 1100 300 300 300 illustrate various possible outcomes of playing the game utilizing the methodwith game pieces,,, and. In exemplary, a group of five players is playing the game utilizing the method. The first roll of the diceyielded a “2” using dice, which determined that one round of the game will consist of two roll of the dieper player.illustrate the first roll for each of the five players, which determines the first letter or letters each player may use to form words.illustrate the second roll for each of the five players, which determines the second letter or letters each player may choose to form words from, and the various ways word value may be determined.

12 FIG.A 300 100 5 300 105 108 107 300 200 shows one possible outcome for the first player after rolling the diceonto the gameboard. The first player rolled a “” and the dicelanded on the third circle. The first player may chose a single letter from any of the letters in the fifth quadrantof each rectangular lanebecause the first player rolled a number that did not correspond to the number of the circle on which the dicelanded. In this example, the first player may choose a single letter from “E”, “N”, “E”, “H”, and “T”. The first player then marks their chosen letter and the corresponding point value on their scorecard.

12 FIG.B 300 100 300 105 108 107 300 105 300 200 shows one possible outcome for the second player after rolling the diceonto the gameboard. The second player rolled a “5” and the dicelanded on the fifth circle. The second player may choose all of the letters from the fifth quadrantof each rectangular lanebecause the dicelanded on the circlecorresponding to the number rolled on the dice. In this example, the second player may use any of the letters “E”, “N”, “E”, “H”, and “T”. The second player then marks their chosen letters and the corresponding point value on their scorecard.

12 FIG.C 300 100 400 105 300 300 105 108 107 400 105 105 400 200 shows one possible outcome for the third player after rolling the diceonto the gameboard. In this example, the third player placed a tokenon the fifth circlebefore rolling the dice, then rolled a “5” and the dicelanded on the third circle. The third player may choose all of the letters in the fifth quadrantof each rectangular lanebecause the third player placed the tokenon a circleand happened to roll the number corresponding to the circleon which the tokenwas placed. In this example, the third player may use any of the letters “E”, “N”, “E”, “H”, and “T”. The third player then marks their chosen letters and the corresponding point value on their scorecard.

12 FIG.D 300 100 400 108 107 100 300 300 105 107 400 108 200 shows one possible outcome for the fourth player after rolling the diceonto the gameboard. In this example, the fourth player placed a tokenon the fifth quadrantof the rectangular laneat the bottom of the gameboardbefore rolling the dice, then rolled a “5” and the dicelanded on the third circle. The fourth player may choose all of the letters in the rectangular laneon which the tokenwas placed because the fourth player rolled the number corresponding to the quadranton which the token was placed. In this example, the fourth player may use any of the letters “S”, “T”, “U”, “V”, “W”, “X”, “Y” and “Z”. The fourth player then marks their chosen letters and the corresponding point value on their scorecard.

12 FIG.E 300 100 400 108 107 100 300 300 105 107 400 108 200 shows one possible outcome for the fifth player after rolling the diceonto the gameboard. In this example, the fifth player placed a tokenon the fifth quadrantof the rectangular laneat the bottom of the gameboardbefore rolling the dice, then rolled a “4” and the dicelanded on the third circle. The fifth player may chose a single letter from any of the letters in the rectangular laneon which the tokenwas placed because the fifth player rolled the number that was different from the number of the quadranton which the token was placed. In this example, the fifth player choose a single letter from the letters “S”, “T”, “U”, “V”, “W”, “X”, “Y” and “Z”. The fifth player then marks their chosen letter and the corresponding point value on their scorecard.

12 12 FIGS.F throughJ 300 108 illustrate one example of how word value and score value may be determined for each player after each player has rolled the dicefor the second time and chosen a second letter or letters in accordance with same rules as explained above. In this example, the word value for each word is determined by (1) multiplying the number of occurrences of the first chose letter or letters in each word by the point value corresponding with the first chosen letter or letters, (2) multiplying the number of occurrences of the second chose letter or letters in each word by the point value corresponding with the second chosen letter or letters, and (3) adding the resulting multiplication of the first chosen letter or letters to the resulting multiplication of the second chosen letter or letters into a single combined word value. In this example, the point value for each letter is determined by the number of the quadrantcorresponding to the chosen letter or letters.

12 FIG.F 105 108 107 108 107 200 108 108 200 For example, as shown in, the first player rolls a “4”, which lands on the third circle. The first player may chose a single letter for their second letter from the letters “U”, “I”, “I”, “D”, and “O”, which are each found in the fourth quadrantof each rectangular lane. Each of those letters has a corresponding letter point value of “4” because each of those letters is found in the fourth quadrantof each rectangular lane. In this example, the first player's scorecardhas been marked with their first letter selection from the first roll, in this case the letter “E” from the fifth quadrantwith a corresponding letter value of “5”, and their second letter selection from the second roll, in this case the letter “D” from the four quadrantwith a corresponding letter value of “4”. The first player has written two words on their scorecard, each word having a single occurrence of the letters “E” and “D”. Therefore, each word has a word value of “9”, bringing the first players totally score value to “18”.

12 12 FIGS.K throughO 300 300 illustrate another example of how word value and score value may be determined for each player after each player has rolled the dicefor the second time and chosen a second letter or letters in accordance with same rules as explained above. In this example, the word value for each word is determined by the number on the dicerolled by that player during the second roll.

12 FIG.K 105 108 107 200 For example, as shown in, the first player rolls a “4”, which lands on the third circle. The first player may chose a single letter for their second letter from the letters “U”, “I”, “I”, “D”, and “O”, which are each found in the fourth quadrantof each rectangular lane. In this example, each word has a corresponding word value of “4” because the first player rolled a “4” during their second roll. The first player has written two words on their scorecardutilizing the letters chosen during their first and second rolls. Therefore, each word has a word value of “4”, bringing the first players totally score value to “8”.

12 12 FIGS.K throughO 300 300 In the example shown in, the second and the third player have the same score value. In this case, to determine a tie breaker, the five players can agree to one of the following: (a) have the tied players each roll the diceagain to determine a new point value for each word, then recalculate the word value and score value for each tied player based on what they rolled, or (b) have the tied players play another roll of the diceaccording to the rules as explain above to see if either player can form any new word or words based on the new roll, resulting in a higher score value.

12 12 FIGS.P throughT 300 300 illustrate yet another example of how word value and score value may be determined for each player after each player has rolled the dicefor the second time and chosen a second letter or letters in accordance with same rules as explained above. In this example, the point value for each word is determined by the number on the dierolled by that player during the second roll and the occurrence of each chosen letter or letters within the word is counted once.

12 FIG.P 105 108 107 200 For example, as shown in, the first player rolls a “4”, which lands on the third circle. The first player may chose a single letter for their second letter from the letters “U”, “I”, “I”, “D”, and “O”, which are each found in the fourth quadrantof each rectangular lane. In this example, each word has a corresponding word value of “4” because the first player rolled a “4” during their second roll. The first player has written a single word on their scorecardutilizing the letters chosen during their first and second rolls. Even though the word includes two occurrences of the chosen letters, one occurrence of the first letter and one occurrence of the second letter, the word is assigned a word value of “4”.

This disclosure describes various elements, features, aspects, and advantages of various embodiments and examples and configurations thereof of composite compositions. It is to be understood that certain descriptions of the various embodiments have been simplified to illustrate only those elements, features and aspects that are relevant to a more clear understanding of the disclosed embodiments, while eliminating, for purposes of brevity or clarity, other elements, features and aspects. Any references to “various embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one example,” “one embodiment,” “an example,” or “an embodiment” generally means that a particular element, feature and/or aspect described in the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The phrases “in various embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” may not refer to the same embodiment.” Furthermore, the phrases “in one such embodiment” or “in certain such embodiments,” or “in one example,” while generally referring to and elaborating upon a preceding embodiment, is not intended to suggest that the elements, features, and aspects of the embodiment introduced by the phrase are limited to the preceding embodiment; rather, the phrase is provided to assist the reader in understanding the various elements, features, and aspects disclosed herein and it is to be understood that those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that such elements, features, and aspects presented in the introduced embodiment may be applied in combination with other various combinations and sub-combinations of the elements, features, and aspects presented in the disclosed embodiments. It is to be appreciated that persons having ordinary skill in the art, upon considering the descriptions herein, will recognize that various combinations or sub-combinations of the various embodiments and other elements, features, and aspects may be desirable in particular implementations or applications. However, because such other elements, features, and aspects may be readily ascertained by persons having ordinary skill in the art upon considering the description herein, and are not necessary for a complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments, a description of such elements, features, and aspects may not be provided. As such, it is to be understood that the description set forth herein is merely exemplary and illustrative of the disclosed embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined solely by the claims.