Abstract:
A method and apparatus for a game of chance and odds by alternate participation of opposing players rolling a die and moving its game piece, the number of spaces designated by the die, toward opponent on a path. During game play, players attempt to position its game piece near, without landing on or going beyond, opposition&#39;s game piece to force opponent to forfeit. A player is awarded points when opponent forfeits or opponent&#39;s game piece lands on or goes beyond a player&#39;s game piece. A player may also be awarded points if its game piece lands in the anterior adjacent space of opponent&#39;s game piece. After points are awarded, players reposition its game pieces at the opposite ends of the path and game play is repeated until a player has accumulated the required number of points to win.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a gambling game and more particularly, pertains to a new path apparatus and method of play that combines chance and odds for providing entertainment.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    There are numerous games that have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be played with skill and are also games of chance. However, the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides a method and apparatus primarily developed for entertainment as hereinafter described.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention is directed to a path apparatus and method of play to allow two opposing players to devise a strategy and to be able to chance to win. While combining luck and odds in the game so as to allow any player to compete at the same time and maintain its interest and being simple enough to allow young and old players to play each other and enjoy the game.  
           [0006]    To attain this, the present invention comprises a six-sided die, two game pieces representing each player, two score markers representing each player&#39;s score, a score path and a singular path having a first and second end, having defined thereon a plurality of spaces. Each space on the path will accommodate a single game piece to indicate a player&#39;s position. The game pieces are moved along the path of play towards its opposition according to the number rolled on the die. The game piece starting positions are located at opposite ends of the path. The singular pathway may be of any shape, size or length. The score path may be of any shape, size or length. The game apparatus may also be made of any type of rigid or semi-rigid material of any thickness.  
           [0007]    The method of playing the game can be accomplished by using the path apparatus, or alternatively the method of playing the game can be incorporated into a computer program so that the game can be played using a computer display, keyboard and mouse.  
           [0008]    There has thus been outlined the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.  
           [0009]    For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The present invention will be better understood and will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a drawing of the present invention and its components.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a drawing of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a drawing of additional alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 through  27  are drawings of the present invention during a simulated game. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]    With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 27 thereof, a new Gambling Game embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.  
         [0016]    As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a path  100  of play having a plurality of spaces  101  disposed thereon, two game pieces  102  and  103  representing each player. Starting positions  104  and  105  for player&#39;s game pieces  102  and  103 . A six-sided die  113 , wherein each of the sides has a different indicia thereon indicating a number 1 through 6. A score path  112  having a plurality of spaces  106  disposed thereon, two score markers  110  and  111  representing each player&#39;s score for movement along the score path  112 . Starting positions  107  and  108  for player&#39;s score markers  110  and  111 . A winning space  109  on the score path  112 .  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a drawing of an alternate embodiment of the present invention comprising two parallel paths  200  of play having a plurality of spaces  201  and  201   a  disposed thereon, four game pieces  202 ,  202   a,    203  and  203   a  representing the players. Starting positions  204 ,  204   a,    205  and  205   a  for player&#39;s game pieces  202 ,  202   a,    203  and  203   a . A six-sided die  213 , wherein each of the sides has a different indicia thereon indicating a number 1 through 6. A score path  212  having a plurality of spaces  206  disposed thereon, two score markers  210  and  211  representing each player&#39;s score. Starting positions  207  and  208  for player&#39;s score markers  210  and  211 . A winning space  209  on the score path  212 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a drawing of an additional alternate embodiment of the present invention comprising three parallel paths  300  of play having a plurality of spaces  301 ,  301   a  and  301   b  disposed thereon, six game pieces  302 ,  302   a,    302   b,    303 ,  303   a  and  303   b  representing the players. Starting positions  304 ,  304   a,    304   b,    305 ,  305   a  and  305   b  for player&#39;s game pieces  302 ,  302   a,    302   b,    303   303   a  and  303   b . A six-sided die  313 , wherein each of the sides has a different indicia thereon indicating a number 1 through 6. A score path  312  having a plurality of spaces  306  disposed thereon, two score markers  310  and  311  representing each player&#39;s score. Starting positions  307  and  308  for player&#39;s score markers  310  and  311 . A winning space  309  on the score path  312 .  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 4 through 27, in accordance to FIG. 1, illustrates the movement of game pieces  102  and  103  along the game path  100  and the movement of score markers  110  and  111  along the score path  112  during a simulated game. Players are identified as Player “A” and Player “B”.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a drawing of the start of a game whereas the positioning of game pieces  102  and  103  are disposed thereon the path ends  104  and  105  of the path  100  and score markers  110  and  111  disposed thereon the score start spaces  107  and  108  of the score path  112 .  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number five (5) after being rolled by player A and moving its game piece  102 , toward player&#39;s B game piece  103 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number three (3) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  103 , toward Player&#39;s A game piece  102 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number three (3) after being rolled by Player A and moving its game piece  102 , toward Player&#39;s B game piece  103 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number two (2) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  103 , toward Player&#39;s A game piece  102 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number three (3) after being rolled by Player A and moving its game piece  102 , toward Player&#39;s B game piece  103 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a drawing of repositioning of game pieces  102  and  103  back to the starting positions  104  and  105  after Player B forfeiting to avoid landing on or going over Player&#39;s A game piece  102  on its next roll of the die  113 . Player A moving its score marker  110  one space  106  toward winning space  109 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number six (6) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  103 , toward Player&#39;s A game piece  102 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number five (5) after being rolled by Player A and moving its game piece  102 , toward Player&#39;s B game piece  103 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 13 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number three (3) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  103 , toward Player&#39;s A game piece  102 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 14 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number four (4) after being rolled by Player A and moving its game piece  102  towards Player&#39;s B game piece  103  the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113  resulting in player&#39;s A game piece  102  landing on player&#39;s B game piece  103 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15 is a drawing of repositioning of game pieces  102  and  103  back to the starting positions  104  and  105  after Player&#39;s A game piece  102  landed on Player&#39;s B game piece  103 . Player B moving its score marker  111  two spaces  106  toward the winning space  109 .  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number one (1) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  103 , toward Player&#39;s A game piece  102 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number four (4) after being rolled by Player A and moving its game piece  102 , toward Player&#39;s B game piece  103 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 18 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number four (4) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  103 , toward Player&#39;s A game piece  102 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 19 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number three (3) after being rolled by Player A and moving its game piece  102 , toward Player&#39;s B game piece  103 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 20 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number one (1) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  102 , toward Player&#39;s A game piece  103 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 21 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number four (4) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  103 , toward Player&#39;s A game piece  102 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113  resulting in player&#39;s A game piece  102  landing in the anterior adjacent space of opponent&#39;s game piece  103 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 22 is a drawing of repositioning of game pieces  102  and  103  back to the starting positions  104  and  105 . Player A moving its score marker  110  two spaces  106  toward the winning space  109 .  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 23 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number five (5) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  103 , toward Player&#39;s A game piece  102 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 24 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number six (6) after being rolled by Player A and moving its game piece  102 , toward Player&#39;s B game piece  103 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 25 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number two (2) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  103 , toward Player&#39;s A game piece  102 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 26 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number one (1) after being rolled by Player A and moving its game piece  102 , toward Player&#39;s B game piece  103 , the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 27 is a drawing of a die  113  depicting the number six (6) after being rolled by Player B and moving its game piece  103  toward Player&#39;s A game piece  102  the number of spaces  101  along the path of play  100 , the number of spaces  101  moved being equal to the number rolled on the die  113  resulting in Player&#39;s B game piece  103  landing beyond Player&#39;s A game piece  102 . Player A moving its score marker  110  two spaces  106  and landing onto the winning space  109 . Player A is the winner of the game.  
       What is claimed is: