GB2045623A - Darts card game - Google Patents

Abstract

A pack of playing cards includes cards corresponding to each of the possible numerical scores which can be obtained on a dartboard. These cards may be distinguished so that they can be arranged in 3 or 4 suits, or they may be all of the same suit. Jokers can be included. Suits of cards may have different-coloured faces. A scoreboard is used having six tracks of spindly-arranged holes for marker dart pegs. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Card games This invention relates to card games and in particular to packs of cards for playing games.

In accordance with the basic idea of the invention, card games are based on the well known game of darts.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a pack of cards for playing card games based on the well known game of darts, the pack comprising 68 cards divided into 4 suits, the individual suits being distinguishable from one another by a suitable marking or by use of different colouring and each suit including 1 7 cards, the cards of the first suit bearing indications representative of: Nos. 1-5 single Nos. 1-5 double Nos. 1-5 treble "inner" "bull" the cards of the second suit bearing indications of: Nos. 6-10 single Nos. 6-10 double Nos. 6-10 treble "inner" "bull" the cards of the third suit bearing indications of: Nos. 11-1 5 single Nos. 11-15 double Nos. 11-15 treble "inner" "bull" and the cards of the fourth suit bearing indications of:: Nos. 16-20 single Nos. 16-20 double Nos. 16-20 treble "inner" "bull".

In the used of such a pack for certain games, as will be later described, three "inners" and three "bulls" may be omitted, and hence according to a variation of the aspect of invention there is provided a pack of 62 cards formed in this way. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a pack of cards for playing games based on the well-known game of darts, the pack comprising 62 cards which bear indications of values equal to the numbers 1-20, doubles of the numbers 1-20, trebles of the numbers 1-20, the number 25 and the number 50, there being no distinction as regards suits between the cards.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a pack of cards for playing games based on the well-known game of darts, the pack comprising 66 cards divided into 3 suits, the suits being distinguishable from one another by a suitable marking or by the use of different colouring; the first suite containing cards bearing markings indicative of the Nos. 1-20 single, 25 and 50; the second suit containing cards bearing markings indicative of the numbers 1-20 doubles, 25 and 50; and the third suit bearing markings indicative of the numbers 1-20 trebles, 25 and 50. It will be appreciated that the markings on the cards of this pack correspond to the 62 possible scores obtainable on a dart board by throwing a single dart.In the use of this pack, two of the "inner" cards (i.e., the number value 25 cards) and two of the "bull" (i.e., the number value 25 cards) and two of the "bull" cards (i.e., the number value 50 cards) may be omitted, in which case the resulting pack exactly corresponds to the 62 possible scores one can obtain on a dart board.

In an optional and advantageous variation of the invention, there may also be provided a score board which corresponds in appearance to the conventional dart board, such a board being provided with recesses to receive pegs or other markers. In a particularly advantageous version of the invention the markers may be simulated darts, for example moulded from plastics material. Unlike a conventional dart board, such a score board in the form of a dart board will have already-formed recesses in each scoring area, to receive the marker pegs. Such a board and pegs may be sold in conjuction with any one or more of the packs of cards specified above as in accordance with the first, second or third aspects of the invention.

The layout of the individual cards is prefrably, although not essentially, such that the cards can be inverted and retain the same appearance. Also the numerical value of each card will be normally located in the top left hand corner and the bottom right hand corner as is conventional for known packs of playing cards. The legend on the front side of each card may include a visual representation of a portion of a dart board which includes the numerical value of the card concerned. Such a visual representation may be that of the whole board or a portion of the dart board, for example that of the top half of the dart board.

In any of these alternatives, it is preferred to show a dart sticking in the scoring area on the board which corresponds to the value of the card. Alternatively a card may include a representation of two dart boards, rotationally oriented so that the scoring area corresponding to the value of the card is shown at the top and with a dart sticking therein. Such representations are preferably in colour according to the colours conventionally used in known dart boards.

If desired, where a pack includes different suits, the different suits may be denoted by a device such as a "spray" of three darts to denote trebles, two cross darts to denote doubles, and a single dart to denote a single.

In the case of a pack of cards according to the first invention, the different suit may be denoted by different colours.

A pack of cards in accordance with the first aspect of the invention may if desired be employed to play the normal 52 card pack games, merely by omission of 4 cards from each suit, thereby reducing each suit to 1 3 cards.

By way of example, a brief description will now be made of certain games which can be played with cards according to an embodiment of the invention.

The first game is a game which is played with a pack of cards in accordance with the third aspect of the invention. The pack of cards is laid face down with one card upturned adjacent. The players in turn take either the upturned card of the top card from the pack in each turn, and each turn also includes the play of a card with the object of building to a score of 101, 201, 301 or "Shanghai". For the purpose of explanation it is here pointed out that "Shanghai" has the meaning which is conventional in darts, namely three cards which are a single, a double and a treble of the same numerical value from 1 to 20. For example a "Shanghai" of sixes would be three cards as follows: single 6, double 6, and treble 6. Each player builds his score by making a pile of cards in front of him and more than one pile may be started.Any player may build on any of his own piles but may only build on a pile of an opponent by adding a single card of the "double" type or of a "bull" type which "finishes" that pile, that is to say establishes a final score thereof of 101, 201, 301. One player may also finish off his opponent's pile by completing a "Shanghai". When the pack which is being drawn from has been used up, the cards remaining in players hands are "played out" by playing for tricks gained by the numerical values of the cards.

If desired a scoring system may be adopted whereby a score of 301 scores 9 points, 201 7 points, 101 5 points, Shanghai 3 points, and the larger number of tricks at the end of the final playing out stage scores 1 point.

Games will normally be played " the best of three games" or "the best of five games".

Other games based on the "rummy" principal will occur to the skilled games player.

In a second game which may be played using cards in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, seven cards are dealt to each player, one card of the remainder of the pack is faced upwards and the remainder placed face down. Players aim to win the upturned card if they wish to obtain it by winning tricks. Each player aims to collect those cards he requires to convert his entire hand to a holding which is one of the following possibilities: (a) A group of three cards as specified below with the remaining four cards adding up to 101 or 201 and including one double card.

(b) A group of three cards as specified below and four cards adding up to a "finish" (namely 101, 201 or 301).

(c) Five cards adding up to a "finish" and two cards adding up to a "finish" (namely treble 17 = 51 and 50 bull, together = 101). A group of three cards as specified above is constituted by a Shanghai or by three "inners" or by three "bulls".

As an optional variation of this game each player may be required to start with a double card. As in conventional darts it is mandatory to finish on a "double" or a "bull".

A third game which can be played with a pack in accordance with the first, second or third aspect of the invention involves seven cards being dealt to each player, with one card being faced up in the centre and the remainder of the pack placed adjacent to it face down. Once again each player in turn may take either the faced card or the top card from the pack. The object of the game is for each player to first reach a score of 101 by building his own column beginning and ending a column with a double. One card is added after each pick-up.

Naturally the 101 score can be replaced if desired by 201, 301, or any other convenient darts "finishing" score.

As yet another alternative, the well known game of "Pontoon" may be played using a pack in accordance with any one of the three aspects of the invention, and the well known various forms of patience in particular clock patience may be played in accordance with the rules of patience. With regard to the rules of Patience, Pontoon, and other known card games, and the rules of conventional darts, the reader is referred to the Encyclopaedia "The Way to Play" published by Bantam Books by arrangement with Paddington Press Limited of London, New York and Toronto, ISBN No. 0-553-01042-5.

In yet another version of a card game to be played with a pack in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, suitable principally for four players, the cards may all be dealt out face down and play then proceeds playing for "tricks", the value of the cards being determined by their numerical value and in the case of equality in accordance with a pre-determined ranking of the four suits.

Each player then picks up the tricks he has won and the players build in turn to reach a conventional darts finishing score, starting a pile of cards with a double and finishing with a double.

A further game utilises a pack in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. Each player draws in turn from the pack, which is placed face downwards, and then when he has drawn a double he may lay it down to begin building his "pile" which by agreement with the players before the game starts must total 101, 301, 501, etc., finishing on a double or a bull. The players continue to draw in turn until one player is able to "finish". If no player is able to "finish" before the pack is exhausted, the game may then proceed in various ways. For example, all players may be required to throw in their cards and the total cards are then shuffled, and redealt to the players. Alternatively, each player may be required to pass a pre-determined number of his cards to his opponent immediately on his left and an equal number to his opponent immediately in his right.This re-distribution of cards will normally result in a player being able to "finish" but if it fails to do so another stage of re-distribution may be adopted.

Illustrative examples of cards for packs according to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of the face of one example of a card for use in a pack according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the face of a second example of a card for use in a pack according to the invention; Figure 3 is a view of the face of a third example of a card for use in a pack according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a view of the face of a fourth example of a card for use in a pack according to the invention; Figure 5 is a view of the face of a fifth example of a card for use in a pack according to the invention; Figure 6 is a view of the face of a sixth example of a card for use in a pack according to the invention; Figure 7 is a view of the face of a seventh example of a card for use in a pack according to the invention; Figures 8 and 9 illustrate further exemplary cards; and Figures 10-12 show yet further examples of faces of cards useful in the invention.

The cards shown in Figs. 1-5 are for a pack in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The rear sides of all the cards are similar and may carry any desired design or repeating pattern. For example the repeating pattern may include repetitions of a "spray" of three darts. The face side includes a representation of two dartboards, each with the "double twenty" space adjacent to the top edge of the card. In each of the four corners of the card there is a "spray" of three darts and a numeral which indicates the scoring value of the card. There is also an indication of whether the card is a single, double, treble, inner, or bull. As a desirable refinement of the invention, a dart is shown sticking in each dart board in an area corresponding to the score value of the card.

The indication of single, double or treble is preferably given by the use of these words above or below a numeral. If desired the top right-hand and bottom left-hand corners may bear the resultant numerical value of the score value of the card.

For example the card "Double seven" would have 7 DOUBLE in its top left-hand and bottom right-hand corners and 14 in its top right-hand and bottom left-hand corners. The card illustrated in Fig. 1 has a representation of two dartboards 10, 1 2 in which there are respective darts 14, 16, in the "6" area. It has a score value of 6.

The card illustrated in Fig. 2 has a score value "treble 10" and as illustrated each corner bears the legend T. 10 30 T. 10 stands for treble ten and if desired the word "treble" may be printed out in full.

However in a modified design, see for example Figs. 4-7, such a card could bear 10 TREBLE in the top left and bottom right-hand corners, and 30 in the top right and bottom left-hand corners.

The representation of two dart boards may be used in either case and are seen (Fig. 5) at 18, 20. The two darts 22, 24 are in respective treble 10 areas.

The card illustrated in Fig. 3 has a score value double 1 5 equals 30 points and similar comments apply. An alternative design of the face of a "double ten" card is shown in Fig.

4, and alternative design of a "treble ten" card (compare Fig. 2) is shown in Fig. 5. Figs.

4 and 5 illustrated a preferred feature in that the "double" and "treble" types of cards, as well as being identified by these words, are also identified by the feature that the "sprays" of darts associated with the number in the top left and bottom right corners respectively include two and three darts. A "single" type card, not illustrated, would then include a single dart.

Figs. 6 and 7 show the faces of cards having a different design in the central area.

Instead of showing two complete dartboards, the motif in the central area is a pair of identical segments of the board, being the segment in which the scoring area on the board corresponds to the score value of the card. Fig. 6 shows a "treble 20" card with the scoring area extending vertically upwards from the bull. Fig. 7 shows a "single 6" card in which the scoring area 6 extends, as in a real dart board, directly to the right of the bull.

In any of the packs of cards according to the invention, a "joker" or a pair of "jokers" or occasionally more than two "jokers" may be included. In certain games these may be used as "wild" cards, i.e. as a card which can take on any value at the choice of the person who plays it.

An advantage of a pack according to the first aspect of the invention is that, having 4 suits and various values in each suit, it can be used as a pack with which various convention 52-card-pack card games can be played.

Figs. 8 and 9 show the face side of examples of cards in a pack according to the invention in which, instead of a representation of a whole dart board, each card carries a representation of three dart board segments with the middle one being that appropriate to the value of the card. As before, a dart is shown in the relevant scoring area. The scoring numbers of the areas are disposed just outside the periphery, to improve the resemblance to a conventional dart board.

There will now be disclosed a further faceside design for cards of a pack of cards, for use in playing card games as described above.

in Figs. 10-12 of the drawings:- Figure 10 shows the face side of a "single 5" card; Figure 11 shows the face side of a "double 5" card; and Figure 12 shows the face side of a "treble 5" card.

The illustrated cards are 3 cards of a pack which may be used in accordance with the invention. It will be understood that in such a pack there will be 3 cards of similar design having each of the numerals 1-4 and 6-20 instead of the numeral 5 as illustrated. The particular feature of these cards is the use of the relevant numeral associated with a single, double or treble dart motif generally in the middle of both the top and bottom halves of the face side of the card; the one-dart motif being used for "singles" cards, the two-dart motif being used for "doubles" cards and the three-dart motif being used for "trebles" cards. Any desired design may be used for the "inner" and "bull" cards.

With this arrangement, an overall attractive appearance and easily-read face side of each card can be provided.

The rear side of all the cards of the pack will be the same and may be a repeating pattern of the kind seen on conventional playing cards. Any desired colours may be used and if desired suits may be distinguished by use of a different background colour on the face side of the card.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a scoreboard may be included. Such a scoreboard may consist of a flat circular board having a series of holes in its upper most face. These holes are constructed to receive individual pegs or markers. The markers may be plastics moulded articles simulating darts. The holes are arranged in two, three, four, five, or six parallel tracks with each track containing 101 holes in series. The board may have a central hole with is common to all the tracks and constitutes the last hole of each track, that is to say, the 101 sot or "finishing" hole.

With such a scoreboard, a simulated darts game can be played with darts or cards as the case may be and the score of any number of players from two to six can be recorded by moving up the marker pegs in accordance with the scores achieved by each player in his turn. The series of holes of each track may be grouped in fives or tens, in other words there may be a regular spacing between the holes longitudinally of the track except the space after every 5th hole may be slightly greater than the regular spacing. This permits an easy counting of the number of holes when a player is moving his marker peg.

Preferably, the tracks are arranged in spiral configuration, starting near the edge of the board and extending in spirally to the centre.

In an alternative arrangement, each track may have its own separate finishing hole.

Other games will occur to a person skilled in the art, based on the inventive principle outlined in this Application, namely the making of sets of playing cards in accordance with possible scores on a dart board and the play of the cards while utilising some or all of the rules of the known game of darts.

CLAIM 1. A pack of cards for playing card games based on the well known game of darts, the pack comprising 68 cards excluding jokers which are optional, the pack being divided into 4 suits, the individual suits being distinguishable from one another by a suitable marking or by use of different colouring and each such suit including 1 7 cards, the cards of the first suit bearing indications representative of: Nos. 1-5 single Nos. 1-5 double Nos. 1-5 treble "inner" "bull" the cards of the second suit bearing indications of: Nos. 6-10 single Nos. 6-10 double Nos. 6-10 treble "inner" "bull"; the cards of the third suit bearing indications of: Nos. 11-15 single Nos. 11-15 double Nos. 11-15 treble "inner" "bull" and the cards of the fourth suit bearing indications of: Nos. 16-20 single Nos. 16-20 double Nos. 16-20 treble "inner" "bull".

2. A pack of cards for playing games based on the well-known game of darts, the pack comprising 62 cards excluding jokers which are optional, the cards bearing indications of values equal to the numbers 1-20, doubles of the numbers 1-20, trebles of the numbers 1-20, the number 25 and the number 50, there being no distinction as regards suits between the cards.

3. A pack of cards for playing games based on the well-known game of darts, the pack comprising 66 cards excluding jokers which are optional the pack being divided into 3 suits, the suits being distinguishable from one another by a suitable marking of by use of different colouring; the first suit containing cards bearing markings indicative of the Nos.

1-20 single, 25 and 50; the second suit containing cards bearing markings indicative of the numbers 1-20 doubles, 25 and 50; and the third suit bearing markings indicative of the numbers 1-20 trebles, 25 and 50. It will be appreciated that the markings on the cards of this pack correspond to the 62 possible scores obtainable on a dart board by throwing a single dart. In the use of this pack, two of the "inner" cards (i.e., the number value 25 cards) and two of the "bull" cards (i.e., the number value 50 cards) may be omitted, in which case the resulting pack exactly corresponds to the 62 posssible scores one can obtain on a dart board.

4. A modification of the pack according to claim 1 in which three of the "inners" and three of the "bulls" are omitted.

5. A pack of cards in accordance with any one of claims 1-4 in combination with a scoreboard.

6. A combination according to claim 5 in which the scoreboard has recesses therein, and including marker pegs to be inserted in the recesses 7. A pack of cards according to any one of claims 1-4 in which each card can be inverted and retain the same appearance.

8. A pack of cards according to any one of claims 1-4 and 7 in which each card bears a representation of a portion of a dart board which includes thescoring area corresponding to the card concerned.

9. A pack of cards according to claim 8 in which the representation includes that of a dart sticking in the relevant scoring area.

10. A pack of cards according to any one of claims 1-4 and 7-9 in which the indication of "singles" "doubles" and "trebles" includes a representation of one, two, and three darts respectively.

11. A pack of cards according to any preceding claim in combination with a scoreboard in the form of a flat disc having a series of holes in its upper face, each such hole being capable of receiving a score marker peg and the holes being arranged in a plurality of tracks, each track commencing near the periphery of the disc and extending generally spirally towards its centre.

1 2. The combination of claim 11 in which each track comprises 101, 201, 301 or 501 holes.

1 3. A scoreboard, for use in playing a card game as disclosed herein, the scoreboard consisting of a flat disc having a series of holes in its upper face, each such hole being capable of receiving a score marker peg and the holes being arranged in a plurality of tracks, each track commencing near the periphery of the disc and extending generally spirally towards its centre.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS (12 Nov 1979) 1. A pack of cards for playing games based on the well-known game of darts, the pack comprising 66 cards excluding jokers which are optional the pack being divided into 3 suits, the suits being distinguishable from one another by a suitable marking or by use of different colouring; the first suit containing cards bearing markings indicative of the Nos.

1-20 single, 25 and 50; the second suit containing cards bearing markings indicative of the numbers 1-20 doubles, 25 and 50; and the third suit bearing markings indicative of the numbers 1-20 trebles, 25 and 50.

2. A pack of cards according to claim 1 modified in that two of the cards bearing the indication 25 and two bearing the indication 50 are omitted.

3. A pack of cards for playing card games based on the well known game of darts, the pack comprising 68 cards excluding jokers which are optional, the pack being divided into 4 suits, the individual suits being distinguishable from one another by a suitable marking or by use of different colouring and each suit including 1 7 cards, the cards of the first suit bearing indications representative of: Nos. 1-5 single Nos. 1-5 double Nos. 1-5 treble "inner" "bull" the cards of the second suit bearing indications of: Nos. 6-10 single Nos. 6-10 double Nos. 6-10 treble "inner' ' "bull" the cards of the third suit bearing indications of: Nos. 11-15 single Nos. 11 - 15 double Nos. 11-1 5 treble "inner" "bull" and the cards of the fourth suit bearing indications of:: Nos. 16-20 single Nos. 16-20 double Nos. 16-20 treble "inner" "bull"

4. A pack of cards according to claim 2 modified in that there is no distinction as regards suits between the cards.

5. A modification of the pack according to claim 3 in which three of the "inners" and three of the "bulls" are omitted.

6. A pack of cards in accordance with any one of claims 1-4 in combination with a scoreboard, and in which the scoreboard has recesses therein, and includes marker pegs to be inserted in the recesses.

7. A pack of cards according to any one of claims 1-4 in which each card can be inverted and retain the same appearance.

8. A pack of cards according to any one of claims 1-5 and 7 in which each card bears a representation of a portion of a dart board which includes the scoring area corresponding to the card concerned.

9. A pack of cards according to claim 8 in which the representation includes that of a dart sticking in the relevant scoring area.

10. A pack of cards according to any one of claims 1-5 and 7-9 in which the respective indications of "singles" "doubles" and "trebles" include representations of one, two, and three darts respectively.

11. A pack of cards substantially as herein particularly described in the foregoing specification.