Abstract:
A method of playing an educational card game designed to entertain while teaching children the geography of the United States of America. The invention includes a game board and a deck of specialized game cards. The game board displays a map of the United States with each state specifically color-coded. Each respective card identifies a particular State and bears color-coding corresponding to the State&#39;s particular color-coding on the game board. In a preferred embodiment, the object of the game is to dispose of all of the cards in one&#39;s hand through the play of cards identifying states which are geographically contiguous with one another. Various versions of the method of play are presented herein.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an educational card game, and, more particularly, to an educational card game which may be used to teach the geography of the United States of America. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Recent polls and studies have shown that a substantial number of children and young adults in the United States do not have a comprehensive grasp of the geography of their own country. Indeed, many young adults in the world today have difficulty identifying the names or locations of the various States of the Union. Accordingly, there is a clear and long-standing need for teaching materials and methods to help better educate children in this subject. 
         [0003]    Interactive learning is rapidly expanding in the area of education. Interactive learning activity, regardless of the specific form of such activity, is thought to more fully engage the student (regardless of age) and facilitate learning in ways that traditional static methods do not. Further, it is frequently considerably easier to encourage a child to play what he or she perceives to be a game rather than ask such a child to engage in what the child knows is an educational activity. Therefore, educational games present an ideal vehicle for educating children through an interactive medium which is not generally perceived as a learning exercise by the child. 
         [0004]    Many games known in the art, such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,927,719 and 6,457,716, are complicated or overly focused on teaching exceedingly large amounts of information at the expense of maintaining the children&#39;s interest. The game disclosed herein is easily learned and maintains an ideal balance between educational purpose and entertainment value. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the invention to provide a game apparatus and a method of use, providing for the play of an educational game whereby players are entertained while acquiring knowledge of the geography of the United States. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention describes a design for an educational card game designed to provide entertainment while teaching players about the geography of the United States. The invention includes a game board and a deck of specialized game cards. The game board displays a map of the United States with each state specifically color-coded. Each respective card identifies a particular State and bears color coding corresponding to the State&#39;s particular color coding on the game board. The accompanying method discloses the use of the game board and cards in an entertaining and educational game. More than one variation of play is presented, although all variations of play involve acquiring and discarding cards based upon the geographical location of the States identified on those cards. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates the game board. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a sample game card. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a second sample game card. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating game play. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating an alternate manner of game play. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    The invention disclosed herein is a game set, including a game board and cards, and a method of play. The purpose of the game is to help the players become familiar with the fifty states of the Union, the contiguous neighbors of each state, and the location of each state in the country. The game can also be used to teach players about various geographical, economic, or other facts concerning each respective state. The game may be played by individuals of any age, but it is particularly suited for children in the third through eighth grades. 
         [0013]    The game apparatus consists of a map ( 100 ) and a deck of fifty cards. The map ( 100 ) is a map of the United States with each state identified by name. The borders of each state are clearly delineated on the map such that an observer can easily deduce which states are contiguous with one another. Each state further bears a particular color coding. Any number or variation of colors may be used. 
         [0014]    Each of the fifty cards bears the name of a state and other factual information about that state. Exemplary cards ( 105 ,  110 ) are illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . One card is provided for each of the fifty states in the United States. Each card has a front ( 115 ,  120 ) and a back ( 125 ,  130 ). In a preferred embodiment, each card has the following information or graphics printed upon it: (a) the name of the state, (b) the two letter postal abbreviation of the state, (c) the state flag, (d) the nickname of the state, (e) the size of the state by rank out of all fifty states, (e) the population of the state by rank out of all fifty states, (f) the state capital, (g) the state bird, and (h) the state flower, as seen in the exemplary cards ( 105 ,  110 ). Each card also bears an outline of the state itself ( 135 ,  140 ) which is color coded so that the color of each state on the cards is identical to the color of the respective state on the map. As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it will be noted that the capital of each state ( 145 ,  150 ) may be depicted on each respective card in the geographically correct location in the state. It will be recognized that each card may bear more or less information, or information concerning other subjects, depending on the particular facts which are to be conveyed by the game. Each card also includes a point value ( 155 ,  160 ) of one, five, ten, or fifteen points which are used in certain variations of game play. The back side of the card ( 165 ,  170 ) would include a repetitive design ( 175 ) or other such markings as typically found on traditional playing cards. Of course, the back side of the card ( 165 ,  170 ) could bear any words, markings, or other graphics which might be desired. 
         [0015]    Each state is color coded with the same color or markings as the state on the map ( 100 ) so as to facilitate play for those unfamiliar with the geography of the United States. Younger players can quickly identify a state and its location by simply matching the shape and color of the state on the card to the color and shape of the state on the map ( 100 ). The methods of play are all based upon the play of cards bearing contiguous states. Cards bearing the names/images of contiguous states are utilized in a manner generally equivalent to sequentially ranked cards or cards of the same suits as found in a traditional deck of playing cards. Specifically, the methods of play are as follows: 
       First Method of Play 
       [0016]    In the most basic version of the game, each player receives seven cards at the inception of play and the object of the game is to dispose of all of the cards in one&#39;s hand. This version can be played with two or more players. As players acquire cards in their hand that equal a three or more card spread of states that are contiguous, i.e., border on one another, they lay them down in front of them face up.  FIG. 4  illustrates the method of play of the preferred embodiment of the game. 
         [0017]    To begin play, the dealer, who may also be a player, deals seven cards, face down, to each player, from left to right. The first card from the deck after dealing is then turned face up. The players may review their own cards, but each player&#39;s respective cards are to be shielded from the view of other players. The player to the left of the dealer has the first turn. To begin the turn, the opening player either picks up the top face-up card or draws a card from the deck. The opening player then plays his or her cards, if possible, i.e., laying down three or more contiguous cards, if he or she has any such combination. Once the player has played any cards, he or she discards a card of the player&#39;s choice face-up to the discard pile. Play then continues with the next player following the same routine. The second player, and each successive player, picks up a card and then either lays down a spread of three or more contiguous cards, if he or she has any such combination, or he or she may also lay down cards that are contiguous to spreads of cards already played by other players. This continues until one player is able to play the final card with one discard. The first player to discard all of his or her cards wins the game. 
         [0018]    This version can also be played using a point system. As noted, each card includes a point value ( 155 , 160 ). If a point system is used to score the game, each player would accumulate the cumulative number of points set forth in the cards that he or she has laid down that comprise one or more spreads of contiguous states minus the cumulative point value of all unmatched cards still remaining in the player&#39;s hand. Accordingly, a specific point goal may be set prior to the start of the game and the first player to achieve that goal would win the game. 
       Second Method of Play 
       [0019]    The second variation is played in a manner similar to the classic card game gin. This version is played by two players. Each player receives ten cards. The first card of the undealt face-down deck is then turned up in the discard pile. The player that did not deal has first option to pick up this card and discard another. If the player passes, the dealer has the option of picking up the turned-up card and discarding another. If the dealer elects not to select this card, the second player draws the first card from the face-down deck and then discards a card. The object of this version is to make at least two sets of three spreads of contiguous states and one spread of four contiguous states. Longer spreads of contiguous states are valid as long as they are accompanied by three-card spreads or one ten-card spread. Players may either lay such spreads down upon achieving each respective spread or wait until they have obtained the cards for all of the necessary spreads. Play continues until one player acquires all of the cards required to accomplish the foregoing goal. The first player to obtain and play the requisite spreads is the winner of the game. 
         [0020]    This version can also be played using a point system in a manner similar to the first method of play. In this second version, the player who obtains and plays the requisite spreads would earn a fixed amount of points, e.g., twenty points, as well as all points reflected in unmatched cards (i.e., cards that are not part of a spread of contiguous states) in the opponent&#39;s hand. A specific point goal may be set prior to the start of the game and game play, with additional hands, would continue until one player achieves the pre-defined point goal. 
       Third Method of Play 
       [0021]    The third method of play, also known as the party version, is played by five or more players. The object of the party version is to be the first player to dispose of all of his or her cards.  FIG. 5  illustrates the steps in the third method of play. 
         [0022]    In this version, all the cards, i.e., the entire deck, are dealt from left to right to the players. The player to the left of the dealer starts the play by discarding any one card or any combination of cards that are contiguous. These cards form a single discard pile. Obviously, it is most advantageous to lay down a combination of contiguous cards; however, the player may not be in possession of the necessary cards to do so. The next player must then play a card from their hand that is a contiguous state to the top card in the discard pile. If the player does not have a contiguous card, they pass to the next player. If all players pass back to the player that originally played the top card, that player can now play a new card or cards not contiguous to the top card. This routine continues until one player plays their last card. When playing multiple hands of this version, the deal passes to the left so each round is started by a new player. 
         [0023]    In all of the foregoing versions of play, the states of Hawaii and Alaska are considered contiguous to one another as with the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. However, Hawaii and Alaska may not be used to connect a spread of non-contiguous states. In other words, neither Alaska nor Hawaii could be used to connect Washington to California. However, connecting Alaska to Hawaii and then to California, Washington, or Oregon would be a proper play. 
         [0024]    In addition, other factual information on the cards can be used to vary game play. For instance, spreads may be formed by combining cards having population or size ranks in sequential order. It will also be noted that certain versions of the game are more complex than others. As a result, the game is easily tailored to players of different ages through the selection of a particular version or versions. 
         [0025]    While the invention has been described in reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that certain modifications or variations may be made to the apparatus, system, and method without departing from the scope of invention claimed below and described in the foregoing specification.