AU2006342155B2 - Card and selection device games - Google Patents

Description

WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 1 CARD AND SELECTION DEVICE GAMES Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/732,896 entitled "Card and Spinner Games," filed 5 November 1, 2005, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. entitled "Card and Selection Device Games," filed October 31, 2006. The complete disclosure of those applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. Background of the Disclosure The present disclosure is directed to games where play may be facilitated by 10 one or more cards and/or one or more selection devices. Examples of card and/or selection device games are found in U.S. Patent Nos. 1,461,633; 1,520,316; 1,556,678; 2,008,829; 2,044,266; 2,077,124; 2,095,367; 2,102,535; 2,370,229; 2,546,441; 3,232,622; 3,235,260; 3,685,831; 3,762,714; 3,841,637; 4,014,547; 4,029,321; 4,040,191; 4,123,058; 4,302,012; 4,309,035; 15 4,466,515; 4,667,959; 5,318,299; 6,540,229; 6,609,715; 6,659,462; 6,902,163; D268,771; and D288,698; and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2001/0052672 and 2005/0167918. The complete disclosures of those patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes. Summary of the Disclosure 20 Some embodiments provide a method of playing a game. The game may include a plurality of cards and a selection device, the selection device configured to be activated by a user to select a supplemental action from a plurality of supplemental actions. The method may include viewing a first card having a first indicium in a WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 2 discard pile; activating the selection device to select a supplemental action from the plurality of supplemental actions, the plurality of supplemental actions including a supplemental action that allows discarding at least one card having a second indicium; performing the supplemental action selected by the selection device; selecting a 5 second card having a third indicium that corresponds with the first indicium of the first card; and discarding the second card in the discard pile. Some embodiments provide a method of playing a game. The game may include a plurality of cards and a spinner assembly configured to select a supplemental action from a plurality of supplemental actions, the spinner assembly including a 10 pointer and a base having a plurality of sections, at least some of the sections including indicia representative of at least one supplemental action. The method may include viewing a first card having a first indicium; spinning at least one of the pointer and the base relative to the other of the base and the pointer to select a supplemental action, the plurality of supplemental actions including a supplemental action -that 15 requires at least a first player to exchange at least one card, other than the first card, for another card of at least a second player; determining the at least one supplemental action based on the position of the pointer after the at least one of the pointer and the base stops spinning; perfonning the at least one supplemental action; selecting a second card having a second indicium that corresponds with the first indicium of the 20 viewed first card; and discarding the second card. Some embodiments provide a method of playing a game. The game may include a plurality of cards and a spinner assembly configured to select a supplemental action from a plurality of supplemental actions, the spinner assembly including a WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 3 pointer, at least one holder configured to support a discard pile of one or more cards of the plurality, and a base having a plurality of sections, at least some of the sections includes at least one supplemental action. The method may include viewing a first card having a first indicium from the discard pile; spinning the base relative to the 5 pointer to select a supplemental action, the plurality of supplemental actions including a supplemental action that requires at least a first player to show at least one card, other than the first card, to at least a second player; viewing at least one supplemental action on a section that the pointer is directed to after the base stops spinning; performing the at least one supplemental action; selecting a second card having a 10 second indicium that corresponds with the first indicium of the viewed first card; and placing the second card on the discard pile adjacent the first card. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows some embodiments of a card and selection device game. Fig. 2 shows playing cards for the card and selection device game of Fig. 1. 15 Fig. 3 shows a top view of the card and selection device game of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a flowchart showing some embodiments of a method of playing the card and selection device game of Fig. 1. Detailed Description of the Disclosure Referring to Fig. 1, some embodiments of a game 10 are shown, which may 20 include a card support structure 12, a plurality of playing cards 14, and a selection device 16. Card support structure 12 may include any suitable structure configured to hold and/or support one or more stacks or piles of cards. Additionally, the card support structure may include any suitable structure configured to allow the players to WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 4 see at least a top or a first card of the stack. For example, the card support structure may include a support stand 18 and one or more holders 20, as shown in Fig. 1. The support stand may include any suitable structure configured to support one or more stacks of cards 14. For example, the support stand may include a circular or 5 cylindrical support, as shown in Fig. 1. Although a circular support is shown, the support stand may include any suitable shape and/or structure configured to support one or more stacks or piles of cards. Holders 20 may include any suitable structure configured to hold and/or retain one or more stacks or piles of cards 14. For example, the holders may include one or 10 more perimeter walls 22 and one or more dividing walls 24, as shown in Fig. 1. The perimeter walls may be arranged to form any suitable number of holders. For example, perimeter walls 22 in Fig. I forms two holders, which may accommodate two stacks or piles of cards (such as a draw pile W and a discard pile D). Perimeter walls 22 may have one or more side portions 26 and one or more 15 corner portions 28. The side and/or corner portions may conform to the stack(s) or pile(s) of cards. Additionally, the side and/or corner portions may be any suitable height(s). For example, side portions 26 may have a first height and corner portions 28 may have a second height. The second height may be sized to contain any suitable number of cards, such as a complete deck of cards. The first height may be any 20 suitable height, such as a height less than the second height. Although perimeter walls 22 are shown to have the first height that is relatively lower than the second height, the first height may be equal to or higher than the second height. For example, the first height may be sized to contain a complete deck, WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 and the second height may be lower than the first height. Additionally, although perimeter walls 22 are shown to have side portions 26 and comer portions 28, the perimeter walls may have only side portions, only corner portions, or any suitable combination. 5 Moreover, although perimeter walls 22 are shown to have four side portions 26 and four corner portions 28, the perimeter walls may have any suitable number of side and/or corner portions. Furthermore, although perimeter walls 22 are shown to be sized to accommodate two stacks or piles of cards 14, the perimeter walls may be sized to accommodate any suitable number of stacks or piles of cards. 10 Dividing walls 24 may divide one card pile from another within the perimeter walls. The dividing walls may be any suitable form, shape, and/or height. For example, the dividing walls may be in the form of the shaft of an arrow 30 used for selection device 16, as further discussed below. Although the dividing walls are shown to be in the form of an arrow, the dividing walls may be any suitable form, 15 shape, and/or height. Playing cards 14 may be any suitable size and/or shape configured to allow players of the game to grasp the playing card and position that card within a card holder. Additionally, the playing cards may be any suitable number, such as 112 cards. Moreover, playing cards may have gripping features (not shown) to improve 20 contact with a player's fingers. Those gripping features may include grooves, ridges, undulations, and/or rough portions, among others, or any suitable combination to promote handling.

WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 6 At least some of the playing cards may include one or more card indicia 32. Those indicia may include any suitable type of indicia configured to correspond to and/or match indicia on other playing cards and/or to signify particular supplemental actions that one or more players may and/or must take. The indicia may be in any 5 suitable form, such as numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination, configured to correspond to indicia on other playing cards. For example, the card indicia may include numeric indicia 34, symbolic indicia 36, and color indicia 38, as shown in Fig. 2. Numeric indicia 34 may include any suitable numbers, such as 0-9, and may be 10 on any suitable location(s) on playing cards 14, such as on a center portion 40 and/or one or more corner portion(s) 42, as shown in Fig. 2. Although numeric indicia 34 are shown to include single digit numbers, the numeric indicia may additionally, or alternatively, include multiple digit numbers. Additionally, although numeric indicia 34 are shown to be on center portion 40 and comer portions 42, the numeric indicia 15 may alternatively, or additionally, be located on any suitable portion(s) of playing cards 14, such as on perimeter portion(s). Symbolic indicia 36 may include any suitable symbol(s) on any suitable location(s) on playing cards 14. For example, symbolic indicia 36 may include one or more selection device indicia 44 that may require activation of selection device 16, as 20 shown in Fig. 2. The symbolic indicia also may include one or more reverse indicia 46 that may require reversing direction of play, one or more skip indicia 48 that may require one or more players to skip one or more turns, one or more draw indicia 50 that may require one or more players to draw one or more cards, and/or one or more WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 7 wild card indicia 52 that may be played as if it contained some or all of the numeric indicia and/or color indicia on the playing cards, as shown in Fig. 2. The symbolic indicia may be located on the center portion and/or the corner portions of playing cards 14. Although symbolic indicia 36 are shown to include 5 particular symbols that require particular supplemental actions, the symbolic indicia may include any suitable symbol(s) that may require any suitable supplemental action(s). Additionally, although symbolic indicia 36 are shown to be on the center and corner portions of playing cards 14, the symbolic indicia may alternatively, or additionally, be on any suitable portion(s) of the playing cards, such as on perimeter 10 portion(s), etc. Color indicia 38 may include any suitable color(s) on any suitable location(s) on playing cards 14. For example, color indicia 38 may include one or more blue indicia 54, one or more red indicia 56, one or more green indicia 58, one or more yellow indicia 60, and/or any suitable color(s), as shown in Fig. 2. The color indicia 15 may be on one or more perimeter portions 61 of playing cards 14, as shown in Fig. 2. Although color indicia 38 are shown to include particular color indicia, the color indicia may include any suitable color indicia. Additionally, although color indicia 38 are shown to be on perimeter portions of playing cards 14, the color indicia may alternatively, or additionally, be on any suitable portions of playing cards 14, 20 such as on the center and/or corner portion(s) of the playing cards. Moreover, although card indicia 32 is shown to include numeric indicia 34, symbolic indicia 36, and color indicia 38, the card indicia may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable type(s) of indicia, such as text and/or alphanumeric indicia. Furthermore, WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 8 although cards 14 are shown, the game may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable playing pieces, such as tokens, coins, documents, etc., which may include one or more of the card indicia discussed above. Selection device 16 may include any suitable structure configured to be 5 activated by a user to select one or more supplemental actions from a plurality of supplemental actions that one or more players may be required to perform. For example, selection device 16 may include a spinner structure 62 having a pointer 64 and a spinner 66, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The pointer may include any suitable structure configured to point at one or 10 more sections of the spinner. For example, pointer 64 may include an elongate member 68 movably mounted and/or attached to support stand 18, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. In some embodiments, the pointer may be at least partially contained within the dividing walls, such as within arrow 30 of the dividing walls. Although pointer 64 is shown to be movably connected within the dividing walls, the pointer may be 15 located in any suitable location. Additionally, although pointer 64 is shown to include a specific structure, the pointer may include any suitable structure configured to point to one or more sections of the spinner. Spinner 66 may include any suitable structure configured to provide a plurality of supplemental actions that one or more players may be required to follow. For 20 example, the spinner may include an annular wheel 70 including a plurality of sections 72, as shown in Figs. I and 3. The annular wheel may be referred to as a roulette-type spin wheel. Annular wheel 70 may be movably mounted, such as pivotally and/or rotatably mounted, to the support stand.

WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 9 Although spinner 66 is shown to include a specific annular structure, the spinner may include any suitable structure configured to provide a plurality of supplemental actions that one or more players may be required to follow. Additionally, although spinner 66 is shown to be movably connected to support stand 5 18, pointer 64 may alternatively, or additionally, be movably connected to the support stand. In other words, either or both the pointer and the spinner may be spun relative to the other to select one or more supplemental actions. At least some of sections 72 may include one or more spinner indicia 74. Those indicia may include any suitable type(s) of indicia configured to be 10 representative of at least one supplemental action. The spinner indicia may be in any suitable form, such as numeric, text, alphanumeric, symbolic, color, and/or any suitable combination. For example, spinner indicia 74 may include symbolic indicia 76, as shown in Fig. 3. The symbolic indicia may be representative of one or more supplemental 15 actions that one or more players may be required to follow. The supplemental actions may relate to at least some of the playing cards and have positive, negative, neutral, and/or unknown consequences for the player(s). For example, symbolic indicia 76 may include one or more discard indicia 78 that may require one or more players to discard one or more cards (including cards with particular number, symbolic, and/or 20 color indicium or indicia), one or more draw indicia 80 that may require one or more players to draw one or more cards (including cards with particular number, symbolic, and/or color indicium or indicia), one or more trade hands indicia 82 that may require one or more players to trade (or exchange) one or more cards (including cards with WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 10 particular number, symbolic, and/or color indicium or indicia), one or more show hand indicia 84 that may require one more players to show at least a portion of their hand to one or more of the other players, and/or one or more almost indicia 85 that may require one or more players to say particular word(s) and the player who says 5 those words first may discard one or more cards. Additionally, or alternatively, symbolic indicia 76 may include one or more war indicia 86. The war indicia may require one or more players to select a card with a value indicium (such as a number indicium) of highest value from one or more cards having value indicia associated with that player, and showing the selected card to the 10 other players. After showing selected cards, one or more players may discard their selected cards in response to the comparison, such as when the value indicia of those cards have a value higher than the value indicia of other selected cards. Although symbolic indicia 76 is shown to include particular indicia, the symbolic indicia may include any suitable indicia representative of one or more supplemental actions that 15 one or more players may be required to perform. Additionally, although spinner indicia 74 is shown to include symbolic indicia 76, the spinner indicia may include any suitable type(s) of indicia, such as numeric, color, text, and/or alphanumeric indicia. In some embodiments, annular wheel 70 may include a plurality of pointer 20 posts 88 configured to contact and/or pivot the pointer as the spinner is spinned. The contact of the pointer with the posts may produce one or more spinner noises to enhance the game experience. In some embodiments, pointer posts 88 may be WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 11 arranged to separate sections 72 from one another to facilitate determining which particular section pointer 64 is pointing to. Although spinner structure 62 is shown to be integrated and/or combined with card support structure 12, the spinner structure may be separate from the card support 5 structure. Additionally, although selection device 16 is shown to include a spinner structure 62, the selection device may alternatively, or additionally, include any suitable structure configured to select one or more supplemental action(s) that one or more players may be required to follow. For example, selection device 16 may alternatively, or additionally, include one or more dice, one or more cards, etc. 10 Illustrative examples of a method 100 of playing game 10 will be further described with reference to Fig. 4. A player may begin his or her turn at 102. That player may view a card, such as a top card on a discard pile at 104. If the t op card requires activating the selection device (such as provided by a card including selection device indicium) at 106, then the player may activate the selection device (such as by 15 spinning at least one of the pointer and the base relative to the other of the base and the pointer) at 108. The player may view the supplemental action(s) (such as represented by symbolic indicia) selected by the selection device at 110. The player may then perform the supplemental action(s) selected by the selection device at 112 and his or her turn may end at 114. 20 If the top card does not include selection device indicium at 106, then the player may view the cards in hand (or hand cards) at 116. The player may then determine if any of the hand cards include an indicium that at least substantially matches and/or corresponds to an indicium of the top card at 118. If the player has WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 12 more than -one matching card at 120, then the player may select which of those matching cards to discard at 122 and may then discard that card at 124, such as placing the selected card above and/or adjacent the top card on the discard pile. If the player has only one matching card at 120, then the player may place that card in the 5 discard pile above and/or adjacent the top card at 124. If the player determines that none of the hand cards matches the top card at 118, then the player may pick a card (such as a top card) from a draw pile at 126. The player may then view that drawn card at 128. If that drawn card includes at least one indicium that at least substantially matches and/or corresponds to at least one indicium 10 of the top card at 130, then the player may place that card in the discard pile above and/or adjacent the top card at 124. If the drawn card does not include at least one indicium that at least substantially matches and/or corresponds to at least one indicium of the top card at 130, then the player's turn may then end at 114. If the discarded card includes an indicium representative of one or more 15 supplemental actions at 132, then the player may perform the supplemental action(s) at 134 and his or her turn may end at 114. If the discarded card does not include indicium representative of one or more supplemental actions at 132, then the player's turn may end at 114. The plurality of supplemental actions may include any suitable supplemental 20 actions, such as the following: * Discarding at least one card that has one or more particular indicium, such as particular number and/or color indicium; WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 13 * Exchanging at least one card (such as one or more card associated with the player) for another card with at least one other player; * Showing at least one card (such as one or more card associated with the player)to at least one other player; 5 o Drawing at least one card from the draw and/or discard pile, such as drawing successively until a card with a particular indicium is drawn or drawing a particular number of cards; * Selecting a card with a value indicium of particular value (such as the highest value) from one or more cards having value indicium, showing the selected 10 card to at least one other player, and discarding one of the compared cards in response to the comparison, such as the selected card if the value indicium of that card has a particular value (such as a value higher) than the value indicium of other selected cards; * Reversing direction of play; 15 a Skipping or forfeiting one or more turns; and/or * Calling for a particular indicium or indicia for one or more successive players to match with their cards. Additionally, the supplemental action may affect the player who activated the selection device and/or one or more other players. Although method 100 includes 20 particular illustrative supplemental actions, the method may additionally, or alternatively, include any suitable supplemental actions. During the course of the game, if a player has only one card left, then the player may say one or more specified words (which may be agreed to before the WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 14 game). If the player fails to yell those specified words and another player catches that player's failure, then the player may be required to pick one or more cards from the draw pile and/or discard pile.. For example, the player may be required to pick two cards from the draw pile 5 Players may take turns going through the method and the goal is to play until any suitable stopping point. For example, the method may be played until one player is able to discard all his or her cards. That player may be the winner. Alternatively, or additionally, the method may be played for a specified time period and/or specified point value to play to. Any suitable scoring may be used to determine the winner, 10 such as basing the scoring, at least in part, on at least some of the indicia of the hand cards of each player. For example, cards may have point values and the player with the lowest or highest score at the end of the time period may win. Alternatively, or additionally, the player that reaches a particular score may win. Although particular stopping points have been discussed, the method includes any and all suitable 15 stopping points. Additionally, the method may include any suitable preparation steps before beginning the round and/or the game. For example, at least some of the playing cards may be shuffled and a certain number of cards, such as seven cards, may be dealt to each player. Additionally, the cards may be placed in a draw pile and/or a top card of 20 that pile placed in the discard pile. Moreover, an order of play may be determined before the round and/or game. The order of play may be based on any suitable order, such as by descending or ascending age of the players.

WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 15 Although the method above includes specific sequence and combination of steps, the steps discussed above may be performed in different sequences and in different combinations, not all steps being required for all embodiments of the game. Additionally, although the method includes specific steps, the method may include 5 any suitable steps in addition, or alternative, to the steps discussed above. For example, the player that has one or more cards with selection device indicia may be required to spin and follow the selected supplemental action before he or she may discard the spin card. The game also may include a set of instructions or rules and/or an inventory of 10 contents. An example of instructions, rules, and inventory that might be used for the game is provided below. Although a specific example is provided, the game may include a set of any suitable instructions, rules and/or inventory, including any suitable combination of the instructions, rules, and inventory already discussed above. CONTENTS 15 1 Spin Wheel 112 cards as follows: 19 Blue cards - 0 to 9 (includes 5 Spin Cards #1-5) 19 Green cards - 0 to 9 (includes 5 Spin Cards #1-5) 19 Red cards - 0 to 9 (includes 5 Spin Cards #1-5) 19 Yellow cards - 0 to 9 (includes 5 Spin Cards #1-5) 20 8 Draw Two cards - 2 each in blue, green, red and yellow 8 Reverse cards - 2 each in blue, green, red and yellow 8 Skip. cards - 2 each in blue, green, red and yellow 4 Wild cards 4 Wild Draw Four Cards 4 Wheel Reference Cards 25 OBJECT OF THE GAME Be the first player to score 500 points. Points are scored by getting rid of all the.cards in your hand before your opponent(s). You score points for cards left in your opponents' hands. 30 SET UP Place the Wheel Reference cards nearby; these will help you identify the icons on the wheel whenever it is spun. 35 FUNCTIONS OF THE ACTION CARDS Draw Two Card - When this card is played, the next person to play must draw 2 cards and miss their turn. This card can only be played on WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 16 matching colors and other Draw Two cards. If turned up at the beginning of play, the same rule applies. Reverse Card - Reverses direction of play. Play changes direction to the 5 right, and vice versa. The card may only be played on a matching color or on another Reverse card. If this card is turned up at the beginning of play, the dealer goes first, and then play moves to the right instead of the left. 10 Skip Card - The next player in turn after this card has been played loses their turn and is "skipped." The card may only be played on a matching color or on another Skip card. If a Skip card is turned up at the beginning of play, the player to the left of the dealer is "skipped," hence the player to the left of that player commences play. 15 Wild Card - The person playing this card calls for any color to continue the play, including the one currently being played, if so desired. A Wild card can be played at any time - even if the player has another playable card in their hand. If a Wild card is turned up at the beginning of play, the 20 person to the left of the dealer determines the color, which continues play. Wild Draw Four Card - This card allows you to call the next color played and requires the next player to draw 4 cards from the DRAW pile and 25 forfeit their turn. If turned up at the beginning of play, return this card to the deck and pick another card. Note: This card may only be played when the player holding it does not have a card in their hand that matches the color on the DISCARD pile. If the player holds matching numbers or action cards, however, this card may be played. 30 Spin Cards (20) - Five cards of each color (numbers 1 through 5) have a swirling pattern around the NUMBER (like a thumbprint) indicating they are Spin cards. A player may play a Spin card as they would a regular number card, however, whenever a Spin card is played-, the next player 35 must spin the wheel. Spinning the wheel takes the place of that player's turn. (See SPIN WHEEL). THE SPIN WHEEL If the player preceding you plays a Spin card, you must spin the wheel and 40 follow the action of the icon indicated by the arrow, as follows: Almost - The player that spun the wheel discards all but 2 cards. Discard Number - The player that spun the wheel chooses a number in 45 their hand and can discard all cards of that same number. You can choose to keep some cards of that number if you do not wish to discard all of them. Discard Color - The player that spun the wheel chooses a color in their 50 hand and can discard all cards of that same color. You can choose to keep some cards of that color if you do not wish to discard all of them. Draw Red - Draw until you pickup a red card (or Wild card). You must keep all of the cards you have drawn. 55 WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 17 Draw Blue - Draw until you pick up a blue card (or Wild card). You must keep all of the cards you have drawn. Trade Hands - All players trade hands, passing to the left. If any player 5 receives a hand with only one card, that player must yell particular word(s) or the 2-card penalty applies. Show Hand - Show your hand to all other players, giving them an opportunity to see it, and then resume normal play. 10 War - Each player selects the highest number card of any color in their hand (if they have one) and reveals them at the same time. The player with the highest card gets to discard that card and all other players put their cards back in their hands. If there is a tie, the tied players face-off 15 with their next highest card, and the winner discards all the War cards they played. Play then continues with the next person after the winner taking their turn (in the current direction of play). Spin - All players rush to yell particular word(s). The first player to yell it 20 gets to discard one card of their choice. Play then continues with the next person after the winner taking their turn (in the current direction of play). If the Wheel causes you to discard multiple cards, you get to decide which of your cards is placed on the top of the DISCARD pile, affecting 25 the next player's turn. Thus, you can change the color, number or symbol that is in play. GOING OUT When you play your second-to-last card, you must yell particular word(s). 30 If you don't yell those words and another player catches you before the next player plays, you must draw two cards. Once a player has no cards left, the round is over. Points are scored (see SCORING) and play starts over again. 35 If the last card played in a hand is a Draw Two or Wild Draw Four card, the next player must draw the 2 or 4 cards respectively. These cards are counted when the points are totaled. Likewise, if the last card played is a Spin card, the next player must spin the wheel and that action must be 40 resolved, so that any cards drawn or discarded also affect the points totaled. If no player is out of cards by the time the DRAW pile is depleted, the DISCARD pile is reshuffled and play continues. 45 SCORING The first player to get rid of their cards receives points for cards left in all of players' hands as follows: All number cards (0-9) ....Face Value 50 Draw Two ......................... 20 Points Reverse ............................ 20 Points Skip .................................. 20 Points W ild .................................. 50 Points Wild Draw Four ................ 50 Points 55 WO 2007/120196 PCT/US2006/042792 18 WINNING THE GAME The WINNER is the first player to reach 500 points. However, an alternative scoring method is to keep a running total of the points each player is caught with at the end of each hand. When one player reaches 5 500 points, the player with the lowest points is the winner. ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO PLAY At the beginning of a game, players may decide on a different point value to play to (i.e. 250) instead of 500, for longer or shorter games. Players 10 may also choose to play without keeping score, so that the first player to get rid of all of their cards is the winner. The disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred 15 form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites "a" or "a first" element or the 20 equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a 25" different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus for use with a game, the apparatus comprising: a card support structure (12) for holding a plurality of playing cards 5 (14) characterized in that a selection device (16) is rotatably secured to the card support structure, the selection device comprising an annular wheel (70) rotatably disposed about the card support structure, the card support structure further comprising a pair of holders (20) each being configured to receive a portion of the plurality of playing cards therein, the pair of holders being partially defined by a 10 dividing wall (24), wherein only a single pointer (64) extends from a periphery of the card support structure and the pointer is used to select one of a plurality of indicia (74) disposed on a surface of the annular wheel that rotates about the card support structure, wherein each of the plurality of indicia signifies an action to be performed in the game and wherein some of the plurality of indicia disposed on the 15 surface of the selection device depicts an action that causes a player to increase or decrease the amount of cards held by that player through discarding or passing of cards; and wherein each of the plurality of playing cards has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and each card of the plurality of playing 20 cards has one of a plurality of a first indicia and one of a plurality of a second indicia located on the first surface of each card of the plurality of cards, at least one of the first indicia or the second indicia of each card is the same as the first indicia or the second indicia of another card of the plurality of playing cards and wherein at least some of the plurality of playing cards include selection device indicium also 25 located on the first surface, which when visible in one of the pair of holders requires rotation of the selection device.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that the single pointer (64) extends from the dividing wall, the dividing wall dividing the card support 30 structure into the pair of holders.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that the single pointer (64) is an arrow (30) and the shaft of the arrow is defined by the dividing wall. 20

4. The apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device depicts an action requiring at least a first player to exchange at least one card with at least a second player. 5

5. The apparatus as in any one of claims I to 3, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device depicts an action requiring at least a first player to show at least one card in their hand to at least a second player. 10

6. The apparatus as in any one of claims I to 3, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device depicts an action requiring a player to draw at least one card from a draw pile located in one of the pair of holders. 15

7. The apparatus as in any one of claims I to 3, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device depicts an action requiring each player to exchange all their cards in their hand with another player. 20

8. The apparatus as in any one of claims I to 3, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device depicts an action requiring a player who has rotated the selection device about the card support structure to show all of their cards in their hand to all other players of 25 the card game.

9. The apparatus as in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device depicts an action requiring a player who has rotated the selection device about the 30 card support structure to discard cards in their hand until they only have two cards in their hand.

10. The apparatus as in claims 1-3, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device depicts an 21 action requiring a player who has rotated the selection device about the card support structure to discard all of their cards in their hand that are of the same color or number. 5

11. A method of playing a card game, comprising: dealing a predetermined amount of cards to each player of the card game to create an amount of cards held by each player, the predetermined amount of cards being dealt from a deck of cards each card of the deck of cards having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and each card of the deck of 10 cards having one of a plurality of a first indicia and one of a plurality of a second indicia located on the first surface of each card of the deck of cards, at least one of the first indicia or the second indicia of each card is the same as the first indicia or the second indicia of another card of the deck of cards and wherein at least some of the plurality of cards include selection device indicium also located on the first 15 surface that requires rotation of a selection device; providing a card selection device having the selection device rotatably mounted to the card selection device; placing the deck of cards in the card selection device to provide a draw pile after the predetermined amount of cards has been dealt to each player; 20 selecting a first card from the deck of cards and placing it face up in the card selection device to provide a discard pile, wherein the first indicia, the second indicia and the selection device indicium, if applicable, of the first card of the discard pile is viewable; discarding a card from the predetermined amount of cards dealt to 25 each player by matching either the first indicia or the second indicia of a card on top of the discard pile, wherein the discarded card becomes the card on top of the discard pile; rotating the selection device about the card selection device when the discarded card includes the selection device indicium and wherein a pointer of the 30 card selection device has only a single pointer that is used to select only one of a plurality of indicia disposed on a surface of the selection device, each of the plurality of indicia signifying an action to be performed in the game, wherein some of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device causes a 22 player to increase or decrease the amount of cards held by that player through discarding or passing of cards; and determining a winner of the game when a player no longer has any cards. 5

12. The method of claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the selection device depicts an action requiring at least a first player to exchange at least one card with at least a second player and another one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the selection device depicts an action requiring at 10 least a first player to show at least one card to at least a second player.

13. The method as in claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the selection device depicts an action requiring each player to exchange all their cards with another player and another one of the plurality of indicia 15 disposed on the selection device depicts an action requiring a player who has rotated the selection device about the card selection device to show all of their cards to all other players of the card game.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of indicia 20 disposed on the selection device depicts an action requiring a player who has rotated the selection device about the card selection device to discard cards in their hand until they only have two cards and another one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the selection device depicts an action requiring a player who has rotated the selection device about the card selection device to discard all of their cards that are 25 of the same color or number.

15. The method as in claim 11, wherein the selection device is an annular wheel rotatably disposed about the card selection device, the card selection device being disposed in a central opening of the annular wheel and the card selection 30 device further comprises a pair of holders each being configured to receive a portion of the plurality of playing cards therein, the pair of holders being partially defined by a dividing wall and the single pointer of the card selection device extends from the dividing wall. 23

16. The method as in claim 15, wherein the single pointer is an arrow and the shaft of the arrow is defined by the dividing wall and wherein the annular wheel further comprises a plurality of pointer posts configured to contact the single pointer as the annular wheel rotates about the card selection device. 5

17. The method as in claim I1, wherein the deck of cards includes a predetermined amount of cards each having one of the plurality of first indicia, one of the plurality of second indicia and a third indicia, wherein the first indicia is a number and the second indicia is a color and the third indicia is the selection device 10 indicium that requires a player to rotate the selection device about the card selection device thereby selecting only one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device.

18. A method of playing a card game, comprising: 15 dealing a predetermined amount of cards to each player of the card game to create an amount of cards held by each player, the predetermined amount of cards being dealt from a deck of cards each card of the deck of cards having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and each card of the deck of cards having one of a plurality of a first indicia and one of a plurality of a second 20 indicia located on the first surface of each card of the deck of cards, at least one of the first indicia or the second indicia of each card is the same as the first indicia or the second indicia of another card of the deck of cards and wherein at least some of the plurality of cards include a third indicia also located on the first surface that requires rotation of a selection device; 25 providing a card selection device having the selection device rotatably mounted to the card selection device; placing the deck of cards in the card selection device to provide a draw pile after the predetermined amount of cards has been dealt to each player; selecting a first card from the deck of cards and placing it face up in 30 the card selection device to provide a discard pile, wherein the first indicia, the second indicia and the third indicia, if applicable, of the first card is viewable; replacing the first card to provide a discard card by matching either the first indicia or the second indicia of a first player's card with the first indicia or the second indicia of the first card and placing it on the discard pile; 24 repetitively replacing the discard card to provide another discard card by matching either the first indicia or the second indicia of a next player's card with the first indicia or the second indicia of the discard card and placing it on the discard pile; 5 rotating the selection device about the card selection device when a player has placed a card having the third indicia on the discard pile, wherein rotation of the selection device about the card selection device is to be performed by another player whose turn is after the player who placed the card having the third indicia on the discard pile; 10 selecting only one of a plurality of indicia disposed on a surface of the selection device when rotation of the selection device stops, each of the plurality of indicia disposed on a surface of the selection device signifying an action to be performed in the game by the player who has rotated the selection device, wherein some of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device 15 causes at least one player of the card game to increase or decrease the amount of cards held by the at least one player through discarding or passing of cards; and determining a winner of the game when a player of the card game no longer has any cards. 20

19. The method as in claim 18, wherein the deck of cards includes a predetermined amount of cards each having one of the plurality of first indicia, one of the plurality of second indicia and the third indicia, wherein the first indicia is a number and the second indicia is a color and the third indicia requires a player to rotate the selection device about the card selection device thereby selecting only one 25 of the plurality of indicia disposed on the surface of the selection device once the selection device has stopped rotating.

20. The method as in claim 18, wherein one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the selection device depicts an action requiring each player to exchange 30 all their cards with another player and another one of the plurality of indicia disposed on the selection device depicts an action requiring a player who has rotated the selection device about the card selection device to show all of their cards to all other players of the card game.