GB2423263A

GB2423263A - Piece collecting game

Info

Publication number: GB2423263A
Application number: GB0601575A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Gordon Grainge
Original assignee: INGE CONCEPTS Ltd
Current assignee: INGE CONCEPTS Ltd
Priority date: 2005-02-17
Filing date: 2006-01-26
Publication date: 2006-08-23
Also published as: GB0601575D0

Abstract

A set of game play pieces comprising a plurality of sets of playing pieces; a plurality of sets of play money, each set comprising a different denomination; rules to determine the method of game play and a container to house the rest of the apparatus wherein each set of playing pieces is provided with means of identifying which set it belongs to and wherein at least some members of a set of playing pieces are not the same shape as other members of the set. Preferably the pieces can form a car, house, ship or country shape.

Description

1 2423263

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to Apparatus for playing a game, in particular but not exclusively to apparatus for games involving the acquisition of property.

BACKGROUND ART KNOWN TO THE APPLICANT

Games involving the property market are well known and usually involve individual players moving their playing piece or pieces around a board to buy or sell property and the winner is the one that either bankrupts his/her opponents or has bought all of the property.

The most famous board game of this type is that was also the subject of Patent protection is still sold today under the Registered Trade Mark of' Monopoly" .

However, for all of these traditional board games, one thing is certain a "board" of some sort is required. If a board is required a table or surface to play the game is also required. The surface could be a floor or any object that has a substantially parallel surface with the floor.

In any event, a board forces competing players to be in close proximity to each other which can be exciting during the course of game play but may also cause friction between players as their close proximity may enable them to "see their opponents hand" or at least tempt them to do so.

As a result, tempers may tend to fray and there is a possibility that the game can end before it is completed because one player has either accused another of cheating and "stormed off' or anger by an opponent at another player seeing their "hand" may cause the pieces or indeed the board and the pieces to be moved violently in a fit of rage.

The invention seeks to try and alleviate these problems.

Whilst the present invention is embodied in several different aspects, it will be apparent from this broad background review that each of these aspects are so linked as to form part of the same inventive concept.

STATEMENTS OF THE PVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game comprising a set of game play pieces which comprise: a) a plurality of sets of playing pieces and; b) a plurality of sets of play money, each set comprising a different denomination; rules to determine the method of game play and; a container to house the set of game play pieces and rules wherein each set of playing pieces is provided with means of identifying which set it belongs to and wherein at least some members of a set of playing pieces are not the same shape as other members of the set.

Such a game has a tendency to alleviate the aforementioned problem because the board and hence the close proximity of opposing players which may otherwise have caused conflict between players during the game is now no longer an issue. In addition, as the game does not have a die or dice, these items cannot be lost.

It is intended that each of the members of a particular set of playing pieces are so sized and shaped as to connect together to form a completed structure that is of a readily identifiable shape. It is to be appreciated that the finished readily identifiable shape could be anything and need not resemble the members of a particular set.

However, if the game is for example about ships and their construction, the readily identifiable shape will be that of a ship. If the game for example concerns football and the winning of a championship, the shape will be a football if the game for example concerns the conquest of countries around the globe each particular set could construct the shape of the same or a different country. If the game is for example about cars and their construction, the readily identifiable shape will be that of a car.

Members of each set of playing pieces need not be similar in shape as members of other sets, however preferably the shapes of members that make up any given set of playing pieces are identical for each set of playing pieces.

There are many ways in which set differentiation may be determinable and in this particular instance set differentiation will be determined through the use of different colours for each set.

Preferably, one face of a playing piece is the same colour as every other playing piece.

Preferably, a complete set of playing pieces of a particular set connect together to form a readily recognisable shape of a structure that is directly related to the purpose of the game.

Preferably the shape may be selected from the group comprising a car, house, ship and country shape.

Although each complete set of playing pieces could connect together in a three dimensional manner to form the readily recognisable shape of a structure, it is preferable if each complete set of playing pieces connect together in a two dimensional manner to form the readily recognisable shape of the structure.

It may be readily apparent solely through the shape of each particular member of a particular set where each member "goes" to during the formation of the readily recognisable shape of any such structure.

Preferably however, each member of a particular set possesses peripheral shape and one other determining factor to determine its particular location during the formation of the readily recognisable shape of any such structure.

The other determining factor could be three dimensional moulding or a cut out applied to one face of each member.

More preferably, the other determining factor is a distinct two dimensional pattern applied to one face of each member of the set.

Even more preferably, each member of the set has a different pattern applied to at least one face.

Preferably, the peripheral shape of a number of members of a set are determined by the particular aspect of the overall non completed structure that that the, or each member of the set represents.

More preferably, it is every member of the set.

Although a complete set of playing pieces need not connect together to form a readily recognisable shape, preferably, a complete set of playing pieces connect together to form a readily recognisable shape of a house as the purpose of the game is to construct houses and sell completed houses.

The sets of play money used could be iii the form of notes and coins however it is preferable if the play money is solely in the form of coins or counters of the same shape. If the coins are plastics counters, the reality of the situation means that only one die shape to produce the counters need be cut, minimising the cost of manufacturing for the game.

Preferably denomination value is determined in the same way as casino counters to provide an element of grandeur to the game.

Preferably, the apparatus does not include a game play surface.

The invention includes within its scope apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any appropriate selection or combination of the accompanying drawings.

The invention further includes within its scope a game for sale at an appropriate vendor incorporating said apparatus for playing a game as specified herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWThIGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying sheets of drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of a completed structure in the form of a property formed from six individual playing pieces that are so sized and shaped as to connect together to form the completed property shown Figure 2 illustrates a plan view of the shapes of the six individual playing pieces shown in figure 1 prior to being connected together to form the completed structure.

Figure 3 illustrates the cost (in this particular embodiment in pounds sterling) of each individual playing piece during the course of game play together with the names of each of the individual playing pieces.

Figure 4 illustrates a typical random selection of the playing pieces and play money at the start of a game for four players, each Oolumn of pieces (inclusive of playing pieces and play money) belonging to an individual player.

Figure 5 illustrates a different types and sets of playing pieces that can be used for the game.

Figure 6 illustrates yet further types and sets to those illustrated in figure 5.

Figure 7 illustrates a "for sale" version of some members of the playing pieces depicted in figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a completed set of six same coloured plastics playing pieces connected together correctly to form a completed property that is generally referenced 1. Figure 2 shows the shape of each individual playing piece of a set of playing pieces prior to the assembly of the property I and is generally referenced 10. The pieces 10 formed from polyethylene consist of: 1) a trapezoidal roof 11 that has sloping sides that are substantially equal in the degree of slope; 2) a cut wall 12 which to all intents and purposes of is oblong shaped with a right angle triangular piece missing from the bottom of the longest side of the piece 12. The apex of the triangle containing the right angle extends approximately 2/5ths the way up from the base of the longest side of the piece 12 and one of the other angles of the triangular "missing" piece contacts one of the shortest sides of the oblong piece 12; 3) a square window 13, the length of any one side of which is equal in length to one of the shortest sides of piece 12 and when pieces 12 and 13 are placed together so that they are mutually contacting along these sides, the combined length of the pieces 12 & 13 are substantially equal to the longest side of the trapezium 11; 4) a door 14 comprising a pentagon having sides of uneven length, which can be considered as formed from a combination of a square portion with a right angled triangular portion (denoting the roof of the door), the hypotenuse side of the triangle being located along the top side of the square, in this particular playing pieces considered normal attitude of operation; 5) a solid wall 15 comprising an oblong, the shortest side of which is substantially equal in length to any one of the non triangular incorporating portion of the door 1 4.When pieces 14 and 15 are placed together so that they are mutually contacting along the shortest side of the oblong 15 and one of the sides of the square adjacent the triangle of piece 14, the combined length of the pieces 14 & 15 are substantially equal to the longest side of the trapezium 11 and the triangular portion of piece 14 is designed to complement the triangular cavity in piece 12 and finally; 6) a base 16 which comprises an oblong piece, the longest side of which is substantially equal to the longest side of the trapezium 11.

In order to form the completed property in figure 1, pieces 14 and 15 are placed on top of piece 16. Then pieces 12 and 13 are placed on top of pieces 14 and 15 such that the triangular cavity in piece 14 overlies the triangular portion of piece 14 and then the longest side ofpiece 11 is placed on top ofpieces 12 and 13.

As can be seen for each of the pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16, one face of each of the pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 is provided with a two dimensional representation symbolising the type of piece it is.

For example, one face of the solid wall 15 is covered with a two dimensional representation of bricks and the base 16 is provided with a two dimensional representation of swirls of earth or foundations.

Figure 3 is a representation of the pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 connected together as per figure 1 containing the game value in pounds sterling of each piece 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16.

Figure 4, shows a typical random selection of the playing pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 together with play money 21, 22, 23 (or counters) at the start of a game for four players, and this selection is generally referenced 20. Each column of pieces (inclusive of playing pieces and play money) from the selection 20 represents the pieces belonging to one of the players at the start of the game.

Any column of play money 21, 22, 23 in the selection 20 is identical and comprises one piece 21 of the highest denomination which in this embodiment is given the value of 100,000 pounds sterling, 3 pieces 22 each of the given value of 25,000 pounds sterling and five pieces 23 each of the given value of 5,000 pounds sterling.

Each playing piece 21, 22, 23 is of the same size, is circular and is made from the same material as the playing pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16. To differentiate the denomination of each piece 21, 22, 23 the value of each piece 21, 22, 23 is printed in the centre of each piece 21, 22, 23.

In addition, the circumferential periphery of each piece is provided with two colours which exist within alternate bands that extend radially between two concentric circles, the first being the outer edge of the piece 21, 22, 23 and the other being a circle of lesser diameter.

The number of radially extending bands between these concentric circles increase with the increasing size of the denomination. The largest denomination 21 has sixteen bands of equal size, the middle denomination 22 has ten bands and the lowest denomination 23 has eight bands.

For each denomination, one band colour remains the same and the area swept out by this band colour is the same for each piece 21, 22, 23. The largest denomination 21 has bands of equal size.

The game is intended for a plurality of players up to six in total. As such, the apparatus for playing the game will comprise: a) sufficient sets of different coloured playing pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 required to form twelve completed properties of the type reference 1. Each set is coloured red, yellow, blue green, blue, black, white, pink, brown, grey, orange and purple.

b) a bag to hold the apparatus (not illustrated) of sufficiently thick material such that a player cannot see the apparatus through the bag once it is contained therein.

c) sufficient counters of play money 21, 22, 23 to make up 3,000,000 pounds sterling consisting of 12 counters of playing piece 21, 36 counters of playing piece 22 and 60 counters of playing piece 23 together with a set of rules It is recommended that in any such game that is played the number of sets of coloured playing pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 placed in the bag vary depending on the number of players playing the game. If there are 3 players, there should be six sets, if there are four players there should be seven sets, five players, nine sets and six players then ten sets.

In order for four players to play the game, and using the selection 20 in figure 4 as an appropriate example, all of the play money 21, 22, 23 is first withdrawn from the bag and each player is supplied with 200,000 pounds sterling from the play money 21, 22, 23 in the form of one counter of play money 21, 3 counters of play money 22 and 5 counters of play money 23.

The rest of the unused play money is then placed out of reach of all of the players but one player is designated as "banker".

Then each player takes turns in drawing four distinct (i.e. different determined by "feel" although the colour will not be known) pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 from the bag and displays them in front of him or her.

Then each player takes three further pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 from the bag, but this time the three pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 are the players own choice, for example, he/she can pick three identical pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16.

A typical result of these actions for four players just prior to the start of game play is the selection 20 and each player's result just prior to the start of game play is deemed to be that particular player's "building site".

How who starts first is decided amongst the players as there is no die or dice to roll. Once this has been done, the player has a series of options open to him or her and they comprise: 1) DRAWING A PLAYING PIECE 11.12,13,14,15 OR 16 FROM THE BAG If a player chooses this option, then the player may choose from one of the following series of choices (i) (v) as follows: i) If the player before the draw possessed three or more pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the same set (or colour) the player may keep the piece at no cost and immediately take a further turn at a choice of options or; ii) The player can pay the rack rate in play money 21, 22, 23 for the piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 as indicated in figure 3 if he/she now possesses either one or two pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the same set (colour) iii) The piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 can be auctioned for play money to any of the other players and the highest bid can either be accepted or rejected iv) The piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 drawn from the bag can be bartered for another one or more pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of different sets (or colours) owned by a specific player and the bartering process could also include but does not necessarily have to involve any play money 21, 22, 23.

v) If none of the above choices appeal or are applicable to the player who has drawn the piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, then the piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 is returned to the bag 2) AUCTIONING A PLAYING PIECE 11. 12, 13,14,15 OR 16 A player may elect to auction one or more pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 in his/her possession for play money 21, 22, 23. If the player decides to auction more than one piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, they must all be of the same set (colour).

Any of the players can take part in the auction irrespective of whether or not they possess a piece (or pieces) 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the same set that is the subject of the auction.

The final bid can either be accepted or rejected.

3) BIDDING FOR A PLAYING PIECE 11, 12. 13, 14, 15 OR 16 If a player is able, he/she may choose to make a play money 21, 22, 23 bid for one or more pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the same set held in the possession of one other player.

However, in order to be in a position to make this type of bid, the player must themselves possess at least one piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the set that he/she is bidding for.

Once bidding has started, any other number of players can then join in should they wish to contest the bid regardless of whether or not they possess a piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the same set that is the subject of the bid.

At any point during this bidding process bartering of pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 is allowed to occur and the final bid (that may be either accepted or rejected) may well include an element of pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 and play money 21, 22, 23.

4) BARTERING OF A PLAYI]NG PIECE 11, 12, 13. 14,15 OR 16 An offer can be made to a single specific player to exchange a piece (or pieces) 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of one particular set held by that particular player, for any number of pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of a different set (colour).

This type of deal is to the exclusion of all of the other players and may include an amount of play money 21, 22, 23 (from either player) as part of the bartering process.

The bartering may be accepted or rejected by the other player.

Alternatively, an offer maybe made to sell a piece (or pieces) 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of one particular set held by that particular player, to a single specific player for play money 21, 22, 23.

The player who is being offered the piece or pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 must themselves be in possession of at least one piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 of the same set (colour) that is being offered up for bartering.

In such a barter, the play money 21, 22, 23 offer is negotiable and the final offer can be accepted or rejected.

Once a player chooses one of the above four options it cannot be altered and once each player has had their turn, it becomes the turn of the next player to choose which of the above four options they wish to use Immediately all of the pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 forming a set and thus enabling a property of the type disclosed in figure 1 to be assembled, (i.e. construction work on the building site has been completed) it is sold to "The Bank" via the Banker for 200,000 pounds Sterling of play money 21, 22, 23.

If the final piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 enabling the property to be completed is drawn out of the bag, the sale value of the property is increased by the cost in pounds sterling of play money 21, 22, 23 of the final piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 drawn from the bag.

At regular intervals or at the request of any player, a statement will be drawn up by the Banker of the assets of each player being the amount of play money 21, 22, 23 held by each player (the assets' will include a further 100,000 pounds sterling of play money 21, 22, 23 for any property on the building site that is more than 50% {i.e. four or five pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 complete}).

A player, who after the completion of their turn, has no remaining pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 takes no further part in the game unless he or she is the banker although if the player is the banker he/she may pass on the mantle of banker to one of the remaining players.

The game is ended when either: 1) There are no more pieces available in the bag when it becomes time for a player to draw one; 2) When the last playing piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 drawn from the bag is declared "dead", as the player drawing the module has not retained it and no other player has bid for it or 3) The moment when there are less than three players left in the game.

When the game ends any player possessing any number of properties that are more than 50% complete (i.e. possessing four or five pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, of the same set (or colour) each player in this situation is paid 100,000 pounds sterling of play money 21, 22, 23 for the or each house that they possess in this state of partial completion.

Towards the end of the game, players will become aware of the identity of the remaining pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 remaining in the bag. In terms of strategy, players should consider what other players might do when it is their turn.

Players are advised to deal as advantageously as possible with their single pieces II, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, their "double" pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 and even their "triple" pieces 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 well before the last piece 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 is drawn from the bag.

If the game is not going well for a particular player, that player is advised to make decisions that will reduce that player's losses.

Winner The player with the most money is the winner. The other player's losses are the differences between their money and thc amount held by the winner.

In an alternative embodiment the number of players and the number of sets that they have to form may vary as too, may the number of pieces that form any particular set and the amount of play money that each player is entitled to at the start of the game. For further details of this, the reader is referred to a set of rules below for a particular embodiment or version of the game known by the Trade Mark "HEXAD".

How to Play the Game of HEXAD.

A game for two to six players. There are ten differently coloured identical playing sets each consisting of six "building pieces". The object of the game is to accumulate the most money by "wheeling & dealing" and selling partially completed or completed houses to the Bank for the following values: 4 piece set 130,000; 5 piece set 150,000 & a complete 6 piece set 200, 000.

A selection POOL is created by placing all the playing pieces face down on the table and, after shuffling, they are lined up in six separate sections to ease selection by the players. If more convenient the pieces may be put into a bag from which they are chosen.

Recommended number of playing sets is four more sets than the number of players.

Each player is given 100,000 in denominations of 3 - 25,000 and 5 - 5, 000 chips. The balance of the money is given to the Bank.

Preliminaries At their turn, each player chooses one of each of the six different building pieces from the selection on the table (or from the bag) and places them face up in front of them in full view, alongside the play money which, at the later stages of the game should be well spread to assist counting.

Note 1. A full 6 piece set is sold to the Bank at the moment it is completed. A 4 or 5 part set can only be sold immediately when the relevant playing piece is drawn from the Pool or can only be sold immediately when the relevant playing piece is drawn from the Pool.

Note 2. The acceptance of an offer to sell cannot be refused. Auction bids, exchange or buying offers can be refused.

Note 3. When part sets are sold to the Banlc, any other piece or pieces of the same set on other site/s are surrendered to the Bank with no recompense. Any piece of the same set which is subsequently selected is forfeited to the Bank and the selection counts as a turn.

Each player, at their turn, has a choice of one of the following six options.

OPTION 1. Select a piece from the table (or from the bag) and decide on one of the following choices.

(a) Retain it on your site and if completing a 4 or 5 piece set it may be immediately sold to the Bank.

(b) or offer it up for auction or exchange it for another players piece or pieces of a single colour with or without a play money element or sell it to a single player for play money only.

OPTION 2. Offer to exchange a piece, or more than one piece of a single colour for another player's piece, or pieces of a single colour. This exchange may involve an element of play money either way. No other player may compete.

OPTION 3. Offer a piece, or more than one piece of a single colour, up to a bidding auction.

OPTION 4. Make an offer to buy a piece, or more than one piece of a single colour, from another player for play money only. Another player may make a higher offer.

OPTION 5. Make a proposal to sell a piece, or more than one piece of a single colour, to a particular player for play money only. Another player may show an interest in buying.

OPTION 6. Sell a 4 or 5 piece set to the Bank.

End of Game The game is ended when the final playing piece has been selected from the table, or drawn from the bag, and any choice available to that selection has been taken or allowed to lapse.

Winner There is either an outright winner - or - non-winners are losers to the extent of the difference between their score and the winning score or - the player with the lowest score (or all the players other than the winner) contributes to a pot which is taken by the player with the highst number of wins after an agreed number of games.

The most aggressive and satisfying way of playing a single game is for the player with the most play money to be paid an agreed sum by the player with the least play money.

At the end of the game there is the option of settlement. The losers pay an agreed amount to the winner or an amount equating to the difference in their play monies or the player with the most play money is paid an agreed amount by the player with the least play money. When there are more than two players, each player starts off with three tokens.

The worst loser after each game forfeits a token to the pot. The game eventually devolves to tow players playing for the fmal pot. The number of playing sets will reduce by one as a player forfeits a third token and leaves the game.

Another set of rules follows for another variant of the game known by the Trade Mark "Swap Buy Or Steal" How to play the game of Swap Buy Or Steal" A game for two, three, four or up to six players. There are eight differently coloured identical playing sets with each set consisting of six "playing pieces". The object of the game is to build complete houses from the playing pieces to sell to the Bank for 200,000. All completed houses are removed from the game.

Before the commencement of the game, all the forty-eight playing piecesare shuffled face down on a table and then divided into six separate vertical or horizontal ranks to ease the subsequent selection by the players. Four ranks of the individual playing pieces (24 pieces in total) are sectioned off to form the POOL. When six players are involved only two ranks of the individual playing pieces (12 pieces in total) are sectioned off to form the POOL.

Set-up.

Each player chooses one playing piece from each of the separate ranks not included in the Pool, making 6 playing pieces in total, and places them face up in front of them in full view.

With two players a further set of six pieces is chosen. With three players a further playing piece is chosen in turn and then asubsequent piece making 8 pieces in total. Each player is given 75,000 in chips. The balance is given to the Bank.

The Play There will be many occasions when a player will need to gain a playing piece or pieces from other players towards the completion of a house. If the first player has more pieces of a particular house than one other particular player, the first player has the "power" to claim a piece of pieces of that particular house belonging to the second player by a swap with a matching piece or pieces of their own of a different colour or colours, or buy them using the play money at the valuations stated below. If two players own 50% of a house i.e. 3 pieces each, they each have the "power" to swap or buy.

Roof. 50,000 Bedroom (window) 30,000 Bathroom (window) 10,000 Door 10, 000 Lounge (window) 30,000 Base 50,000 Another choice by a player is to select a playing piece from the face-down pieces on the table. The player is then provided with the following choices having selected another playing piece: 1. This may usefully be retained on site.

2. Immediately used to claim a matching playing piece owned by another player by a swap if possessing the "power" of that particular house.

3. Immediately used the playing piece as a means to steal, but only if this playing piece establishes a numerical supremacy over one or more players, where this supremacy did not exist before. The other player, or a choice of one particular player (where more than one player has been overpowered) surrenders the playing piece or pieces to the first player for no recompense.

4. If this sixth playing piece completes the house, a bonus payment is added to the 200,000 payment by the Bank equal to the valuation of the final playing piece drawn.

A player with no playing pieces takes no further active part in the game. The game fmishes when the last playing piece is drawn from the table and any available option taken.

The winner is the player with the most play money.

The ideal scenario is for a "set" of games to be played equal to the number of players with each player having the opportunity to start a game with the play money won being retained after each game and accumulated.

Claims

I. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a set of game play pieces which comprise: c) a plurality of sets of playing pieces and; d) a plurality of sets of play money, each set comprising a different denomination; rules to determine the method of game play and; a container to house the set of game play pieces and rules wherein each set of playing pieces is provided with means of identifying which set it belongs to and wherein at least some members of a set of playing pieces are not the same shape as other members of the set.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the members of a particular set of playing pieces are so sized and shaped as to connect together to form a completed structure that is of a readily identifiable shape that is related to the individual pieces.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shapes of members that make up any given set of playing pieces are identical for each set of playing pieces.
4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein set differentiation is determined through the use of different colours for each set.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one face of a playing piece is the same colour as every other playing piece.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a complete set of playing pieces of a particular set connect together to form a readily recognisable shape of a structure that is directly related to the purpose of the game.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shape may be selected from the group comprising a car, house, ship and country shape.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each complete set of playing pieces connect together in a substantially two dimensional manner to form the readily recognisable shape of the structure.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each member of a particular set possesses peripheral shape and one other determining factor to determine its particular location during the formation of the readily recognisable shape of any such structure.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the other determining factor is a distinct two dimensional pattern applied to one face of each member of the set.
11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each member of the set has a different pattern applied to at least one face.
12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the peripheral shape of a number of members of a set are determined by the particular aspect of the overall non completed structure that that the, or each member of the set represents.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the peripheral shape of every member of a set is determined by the particular aspect of the overall non completed structure that that the, or each member of the set represents.
14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a complete set of playing pieces connect together to form a readily recognisable shape of a house if the purpose of the game is to construct and sell' completed houses.
15. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the play money is solely in the form of coins or counters of the same shape.
16. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any appropriate selection or omhinitjnn nffhp mniinvin 1riwina
17. A game for sale at an appropriate vendor incorporating said apparatus for playing a game as claimed in any preceding claim.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein denomination value is determined in the same way as casino counters to provide an element of grandeur to the game.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus does not include a game play surface.

18. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any appropriate selection or combination of the accompanying drawings.

19. A game for sale at an appropriate vendor incorporating said apparatus for playing a game as claimed in any preceding claim.

Amendments to the claims have been flIed as follows 1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a set of game play pieces which comprise: c) a plurality of sets of playing pieces and; d) a plurality of sets of play money, each set comprising a different denomination; rules to determine the method of game play; a container to house the set of game play pieces and rules wherein each set of playing pieces is provided with means of identifying which set it belongs to, and wherein at least some members of a set of playing pieces are not the same shape as other members of the set and wherein each of the members of a particular set of playing pieces are so sized and shaped as to connect together to form a completed structure that is of a readily identifiable shape that is related to the individual pieces.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shapes of members that make up any given set of playing pieces are identical for each set of playing pieces.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein set differentiation is determined through the use of different colours for each set.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one face of a playing piece is the same colour as every other playing piece.

5. Apparatus as claimed iii any preceding claim, wherein a complete set of playing pieces of a particular set connect together to form a readily recognisable shape of a structure that is directly related to the purpose of the game.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the shape may be selected from the group comprising a car, house, ship and country shape.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each complete set of playing pieces connect together in a substantially two dimensional manner to form the readily recognisable shape of the structure.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each member of a particular set possesses peripheral shape and one other determining factor to determine its particular location during the formation of the readily recognisable shape of any such structure.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the other determining factor is a distinct two dimensional pattern applied to one face of each member of the set.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each member of the set has a different pattern applied to at least one face.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the peripheral shape of a number of members of a set are determined by the particular aspect of the overall non completed structure that that the, or each member of the set represents.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the peripheral shape of every member of a set is determined by the particular aspect of the overall non completed structure that that the, or each member of the set represents.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a complete set of playing pieces connect together to form a readily recognisable shape of a house if the purpose of the game is to construct and sell' completed houses.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the play money is solely in the form of coins or counters of the same shape.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein denomination value is determined in the same way as casino counters to provide an element of grandeur to the game.