GB2097682A - Snooker-type game - Google Patents

Abstract

A plurality of discs (8) have a low coefficient of friction relative to a planar surface whereby one of said discs can be flicked by a player so as to slide over said planar surface and strike another of said discs with the object of causing the struck disc or a subsequently struck disc to pass through one of apertures 3. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for playing a game This invention relates to apparatus for playing a game.

The object of the invention is to provide apparatus for playing a game loosely based on the game of snooker and which can be played in a restricted space, the apparatus being comparatively inexpensive.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for playing a game, comprising a planar playing surface which is substantially horizontal in use, the playing surface being surrounded by a retaining wall, at least one aperture defined by said surface or by said surface and said retaining wall, and a plurality of discs having a low coefficient of friction relative to the planar surface, said at least one aperture being of sufficient size to allow said discs to pass therethrough, whereby one of said discs can be flicked by a player so as to slide over said planar surface and strike another of said discs with the object of causing the struck disc or a subsequently struck disc to pass through said aperture or one of the said apertures.

In a preferred embodiment, said planar surface is rectangular and an aperture is provided at each corner, said apertures being defined by the planar surface and said retaining wall. A pocket may be provided beneath each aperture to retain discs passing therethrough.

One of the discs may be designated as a striker disc which may be of larger diameter than the remaining discs. The colours of the discs preferably correspond generally to the colours of the balls of a game of snooker. There is thus preferably provided a first set of discs, each of a different colour, a second set of discs all of the same colour, but not having the same colour as any of the discs of the first set, (e.g. red) and a striker disc of yet another colour which may be white.

The planar surface is preferably marked to indicate the positions of the discs at the start of a game, for example with circles of the same colours as the discs. Preferably, the circles form an array at the centre of the planar surface. In one preferred arrangement, circles corresponding to said first set of discs are surrounded by circles corresponding to said second set of discs. Preferably, said circles corresponding to said first set of discs are arranged so that a circle corresponding to a first one of said first set of discs is surrounded by circles corresponding to the remaining discs of said first set of discs. The surface is also preferably marked to indicate one or more areas within which the striker disc is placed before being flicked by a player. Such areas are referred to herein as striker bays.In a preferred embodiment, a striker bay is provided for each of a plurality of players, for example four. Preferably, each striker bay is an elongate rectangular area extending parallel to and in the proximity of an edge of the planar surface.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of apparatus for playing a game according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1 without the discs.

As shown in the drawings, the apparatus comprises a square planar playing surface 1 which is substantially horizontal in use and is surrounded by a retaining wall 2. A quadrant-shaped aperture 3 is provided at each corner of the playing surface 1, each aperture being defined by the surface and a corner of the retaining wall 2. A pocket 4 is provided beneath each aperture 3. The playing surface is supported by legs 5 at each corner to allow the apparatus to be used on a table. Alternatively, or in addition, foldable legs may be provided to allow the apparatus to be used on the floor. A scoring device 6 is provided on each side of the retaining wall 2 comprising slidable cursors 7 to enable each player to keep his score. A plurality of discs 8 are provided, the discs being made of a material, for example a plastics material, having a low coefficient of friction relative to the surface 1.In order to achieve this, the surface 1 may comprise a sheet of smooth plastics material such as polystyrene.

One of the discs is designated as a striker disc 9 which is white and of a larger diameter than the remaining discs.

The remaining discs comprise a first set of discs each of a different colour, i.e. green, orange, blue, yellow, brown, pink and black, and a second set of discs each of the same colour, i.e. red.

The playing surface 1 is marked to indicate the positions of said remaining discs at the start of a game by means of circles 10 of the same colours as the discs. The centre circle 10 and the six circles surrounding the centre circle correspond to the first set of discs. These circles are surrounded by circles corresponding to the second set of discs. The surface is also marked by lines parallel to the retainer walls to indicate a striker bay 11 for each of the four players A to D within which the striker disc 9 is placed before it is flicked by the respective player. The surface is further marked with "reserve spots" 12 on which a disc is placed during play if the respective coloured circle 10 is wholly or partly occupied by another disc.

In order that the invention may be better understood, a set of rules for use in conjunction with the apparatus described above will now be described by way of example: General Description The game is designed to be played by two, three or four persons independently or, when played by four persons, partners may be selected.

The game is played on a square board with four pockets, one at each corner. There are four retainer walls, one on each side to retain the discs within the playing area. There are seven colour discs of given values (See colour value). The black as marked on the playing surface takes the centre position. The other colours as marked on the playing surface form the inner circle.

There are twenty four red discs which are positioned on the outer circles as marked. The red and coloured discs measured 1.1/4" Dia: x 1/4" thick. There is also a white striker which measures 1.3/4" Dia: x 1/4" thick.

Twelve or twenty four red discs may be used from choice according to the size of the board, or to decrease time of play. The time normally taken playing with twenty four red discs is approximately 30 to 45 minutes on a large board (36" x 36").

The time normally taken playing with twelve red discs, particularly on a small board (30" x 30") is approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

A scoring device comprising slidable cursors on each wall enable players to keep their own scores which are visible to opposing players.

Object of the Game Each player in turn will use their skills by flicking the white disc which is called the striker disc from within their own striker bay marked 'A' 'B' 'C' and 'D', into the array in the middle of the board, where all the coloured and red discs are set out in their positions. The object of the game is for each player in turn to pot a red disc, which is followed by attempting to pot a coloured disc, the colour of the disc being specified by the player before the striker disc is flicked. Each time a colour is potted, it must be returned to the board. The red discs remain down. A player's turn ends when he fails to pot the intended disc. When all the red discs are down, the colours must be potted in the ascending order of the colour values, starting with the lowest value which is yellow, and finishing with the black which is the highest value.As the colours are potted, they remain down, until the black has been potted, thus ending the game. The player with the highest score wins the game.

To Start Game A toss of a coin may be used to decide first, second, third and fourth in order of play, which are denoted on the board as striker bays 'A' 'B' 'C' and 'D', turns being taken in a clock-wise direction.

If partners are selected they will face each other and scores will be taken by only one of the partners meaning only two scoring devices are in use. Play will always be in a clock-wise direction and players will take their turns accordingly.

The first player - 'A', will place the white striker in the striker bay marked 'A'. The striker may be placed in any position of choice within the bay, making sure the striker is contained within the bay and does not overlap the lines at any point, as this can result in a penalty. (See Foul 10 in the attached table of foul strikes).

Any player can demand reposition of the striker, providing the objection is made before the strike is taken.

If the bay is fully occupied with red and coloured discs, whereby it becomes impossible to place the striker in the bay without fouling the lines, the player will forfeit a turn and the striker must be passed on to the next player. The player is said to be in Snook.

Once player 'A' has decided a position in the bay the white striker is flicked into the centre circle, dispersing the reds and colours with the object of potting a red, which will remain down if potted. If a red disc is potted, the striker must be taken back to the bay for the next strike, which must be named colour. If the colour is potted it must be returned to its position on the board providing the colour position is not occupied. If the position is occupied, the colour must be returned to a reserve spot as marked, but it must be placed by the opposing players, so as no advantage can be gained by the player.

The Flick is made by using the forefinger or middle finger according to the player's choice.

Any disc may be initially hit in order to pot a red or colour, whichever is being played for.

1. When playing to pot Red and the striker is potted, regardless of what disc is hit, a penalty is given of the Red against the player by awarding points to the opposing players to the value of the Red. (See colour value) (See Foul 7 & 8).

Likewise when playing to pot a named colour, that is, a colour designated by the player after potting a red, and the striker is potted, a penalty is given of the named colour against the player by awarding points to the opposing players to the value of the named colour. For example Black (50 points). See colour value. (See Foul 8).

2. When playing to pot a Red and the player is successful, points are taken by the player to the value of the Red. (see Colour Value). The Red remains down and the player returns the striker to the striker bay to continue play, making sure to name a colour before taking the next strike to pot a colour. If the colour is potted, points are taken by the playerto value of the colour (See Colour Value). The colour must then be returned to the board to its position or a reserve spot as explained earlier. Play will continue by the player returning the striker to the striker bay and again trying to pot another red disc followed by another colour and so on until a pot is missed, when the striker is passed on to the next player.

3. After every pot, the striker must be returned to the striker bay for the next strike.

4. If a colour is not returned to the board after potting it when there are still red discs on the board, a penalty is given against the player and points awarded to the opposing players. The striker is passed on to the next player. (See Foul 3).

5. If the player fails to name a colour and a strike is taken which alters the position of discs but no discs are potted, a penalty is given against the player and points awarded to opposing players (2 points), and the striker is passed on to the next player. (See Foul 7B).

6. If the player fails to name a colour and a colour is potted, a penalty is given against the player by awarding points to the opposing players to the value of the colour potted. The colour must be returned to the board to a position as described above. The striker must then be passed on to the next player. (See Foul 7C).

7. If the player fails to name a colour and the striker is potted, a penalty is given against the player by awarding points to opposing players to the value of a red (5 points) (Plus 2 points for not naming colour). The striker is passed on to the next player. (See Foul 7B).

When all the red discs have been successfully potted, the colour discs are not returned to the board after they have been potted in the correct order. Play will continue with the object of potting the colour discs in order of colour value, starting with the yellow which is the lowest value - 10 points and finishing with the highest value, black which is 50 points. The colour discs will remain down as they are potted. When the black is potted, the game is ended. The player with the highest score is the winner.

Colour Value Red - 5 Blue - 25 Yellow - 10 Pink - 30 Brown - 15 Orange - 40 Green - 20 Black - 50 FOUL STRIKES PENALTY POINTS LOST 1 Missing Disc when taking strike Loss of Turn & 3 Lost 2 Striker or Discs flying off board Loss of Turn & 4 Lost 3 Failing to name colour Loss of Turn & 2 Lost 4 Taking Strike out of tu rn 3 Lost 5 Taking Strike without returning Loss of Turn & 5 Lost coloured disc two board 6 Striking a Disc that is touching Loss of Turn & 25 Lost behind or touching boundary line 7a Striker Disc Potted on its own Lose Points to the Value of colour intended to pot i.e. red 5, yellow 10 etc.

b Failure to name colour & Strike As above plus 2 points potted c Failure to name and colour Lose value of colour and striker is potted potted & 2 for not naming colour & 5 for potting striker 8 Potting more than one disc Loss of Turn & points to the value of Discs potted 9 Touching Discs when returning Lose 4 points Striker 10 Striker overlapping Striker Bay Lose 1 point & taking strike when asked to Loss of Turn reposition

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus for playing a game, comprising a planar playing surface which is substantially horizontal in use, the playing surface being surrounded by a retaining wall, at least one aperture defined by said surface or by said surface and said retaining wall, and a plurality of discs having a low coefficient of friction relative to the planar surface, said at least one aperture being of sufficient size to allow said discs to pass therethrough, whereby one of said discs can be flicked by a player so as to slide over said planar surface and strike another of said discs with the object of causing the struck disc or a subsequently struck disc to pass through said aperture or one of the said apertures.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said planar surface is rectangular and an aperture is provided at each corner, said apertures being defined by the planar surface and said retaining wall.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a pocket is provided beneath each aperture to retain discs pasing therethrough.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one ofthe discs is designated as a striker disc and is of larger diameter than the remaining discs.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a first set of discs, each of a different colour, a second set of discs all of the same colour, but not having the same colour as any of the discs of the first set, and a striker disc of yet another colour.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceeding claim, wherein the planar surface is marked to indicate the positions of the discs at the start of a game.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said marking comprises circles of the same colours as the discs.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the circles form an array at the centre of the planar surface.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein circles corresponding to said first set of discs are surrounded by circles corresponding to said second set of discs.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said circles corresponding to said first set of discs are arranged so that a circle corresponding to a first one of said first set of discs is surrounded by circles corresponding to the remaining discs of said first set of discs.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the surface is marked to indicate one or more areas within which the striker disc is placed before being flicked by a player.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein one of said areas is provided for each of a plurality of players.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein each said area is an elongate rectangular area extending parallel to and in the proximity of an edge of the planar surface.

14. Apparatus for playing a game, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in conjunction with a set of rules as herein described.