Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for playing a bridge game with three players utilizing a standard four-suit bridge deck of fifty-two cards, comprising the steps of dealing a thirteen-card hand to each of the three players; dealing a thirteen-card hand to a fourth non-player (the “Dummy”) with some of the cards dealt face up and some of the cards dealt face down (the “blind”); contract bidding for the Dummy hand by each bidding player without dependence on a conventional partner-to-partner bidding system by combining the specific strength of the bidding player&#39;s hand with the known strength of the face-up cards of the Dummy hand along with a reasonable guess as to the contents of the blind; enabling the highest bidder to partner with the Dummy hand; and playing the remaining part of the game in the same manner as conventional contract bridge.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of 61/436,421, filed Jan. 26, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to the card game of contract bridge. It permits three persons to bid and play the conventional game of contract bridge, using a standard point count bidding system of the type used in the conventional four-handed version of the game. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Regular four-handed contract bridge is played by two pairs of opposing teams and consists of two parts: 1) bidding and 2) play of the hand. Bidding conventionally occurs with all hands “closed,” i.e., viewed only by the player holding the hand. Various “bidding systems” have been developed for partners to communicate with each other the contents of their closed hands for the purpose of reaching a contract which will produce the highest possible score when their combined hands are subsequently played. The person on the highest bidding team who originally bid the suit in which the contract is to be played is known as the Declarer and the Declarer&#39;s partner is known as the Dummy. Once the defending team presents the opening lead card of the first trick, the Dummy then displays all cards of his/her entire hand face up on the table and the Declarer plays both his/he own and the Dummy&#39;s hand. 
         [0006]    Typical prior art bridge card games are shown, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,009,884 and 4,238,434. 
         [0007]    One deficiency of conventional bridge games played by four people is that bidding systems are often the subject of disagreement between partners, and arguments commonly arise between partners due to what one partner might term a “misbid” by the other. This type of dissension can detract from the enjoyment of the game as well as can lead to misplayed hands which result in wins for the other team. 
         [0008]    Another deficiency of conventional bridge games is that they are designed to be played by four people. This can create problems in arranging games when one of the foursome is not available due to sickness, travel or otherwise, as the other three players need to find a fourth. The game is placed on hold or delayed until the fourth player is located. 
         [0009]    Numerous attempts have been made to develop a three-handed bridge game which has the basic bidding and playing aspects of the conventional four-handed bridge game, but to the knowledge of the inventor, such prior games have proven cumbersome, for instance, requiring specially marked decks, or being played in a way that strays considerably from the traditional principles of conventional contract bridge. 
         [0010]    The use of a wide variety of card games is known in the prior art. More specifically, card games heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of playing bridge-type card games are highly structured and require four players as well as special apparatus. They also require a generally high level of skill in bidding, with the more seasoned players having an advantage over less experienced players. Furthermore, the teaming of a highly skilled player with a less skilled player does not always balance out the abilities of the pair with their competition, since the less skilled player cannot make creative or deceptive bids in the same manner as the more highly skilled player. 
         [0011]    Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved bridge-type card game which can be highly entertaining and challenging, as well as instructive in the principles of bridge play. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of card games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved card game design and method wherein the gambling sense and bridge playing skill can be utilized. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved card game and method for playing the prior art card game and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0013]    To attain this, the present invention relates to a method for playing a bridge game with three players utilizing a standard four-suit bridge deck of fifty-two cards, comprising the steps of dealing a thirteen-card hand to each of the three players; dealing a thirteen-card hand to a fourth non-player (the “Dummy”) with some of the cards dealt face up and some of the cards dealt face down (the “blind”); without dependence on a conventional partner-to-partner bidding system, contract bidding for the Dummy hand by each bidding player by combining the specific strength of the bidding player&#39;s hand with the known strength of the face-up cards of the Dummy hand along with a reasonable guess as to the contents of the blind; enabling the highest bidder to partner with the Dummy hand; and playing the remaining part of the game in the same manner as conventional contract bridge. Advantageously, between two and six cards, and preferably three cards, are dealt face-down to the Dummy. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a kit for use in playing the game of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a view of a mat which arranges the game for use by the players; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a view of the mat and betting chips for playing the game. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    The present invention now provides a new and improved card game which has many of the advantages of the prior art games and presents new challenges. The new game is highly entertaining and facilitates play when only three persons are available and without the need for the use of a special apparatus. 
         [0018]    The present invention also removes the element of miscommunication of bids between partners which often hampers enjoyment of the game and which can cause disagreements between partners concerning appropriate bidding systems and strategies. 
         [0019]    This new and improved card game may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed, as well as taught to the public by means of a playing mat displaying the basic guidelines for bidding and play of the hand. 
         [0020]    Thus, a challenging bridge-like game is provided for experienced bridge players in the absence of the traditionally required fourth bridge player. This game also can enable novice bridge players to practice the play of a hand without having mastered a bidding system which is understood by both partners. 
         [0021]    The invention essentially comprises a card game of enhanced contract bridge and a method of playing same which is akin to contact bridge in the sense of following suit and the use of trump cards but entirely different in procedure. In the particularly preferred embodiment, the game is suitable for three players, and a regular deck of fifty-two cards is utilized. In conventional bridge, the partner of the winning bidder becomes the “Dummy” for the purpose of playing the hand, and the Dummy&#39;s hand is exposed to the other players only at the completion of the bidding. In the present invention, the “Dummy” is fixed in position, and is partially exposed during the bidding process. To commence a hand of the game, the cards are dealt out equally to the three players and the dummy. All players keep their cards private. The Dummy is dealt with seven to eleven cards face up and two to six cards face down in a “blind,” which in this game is called, “The Hutch.” Preferably, three of the Dummy&#39;s thirteen cards are dealt face down in the blind. The three players then bid, using conventional bridge bids and terminology to “contract” for the number of tricks they will take during the play of the hand. The winning bid, according to conventional bridge rules, indicates the trump (or no-trump). The person who wins the bid changes seats with whoever was sitting opposite the Dummy. After the change of seats, the person sitting to the left of the winning bidder leads a card, and the cards in the blind are turned over and added to the Dummy. The play of the hand proceeds until all thirteen tricks are played and won. According to a predetermined system, each player gives the winning bidder a chip if he/she makes his/her bid, and additional chips for over-tricks, game bids or slam bids (where “game” and “slam” are determined according to conventional bridge rules.) If the bidder does not make his/her bid, he/she gives each of the other two players the number and value of chips which he/she would have won from them had he/she made the bid, plus additional chips for each additional trick by which he/she does not make his/her bid. Play of the game progresses for as long as the players determine. 
         [0022]    It can be seen that one advantage of the game of the present invention is that contract bidding for the Dummy hand by each bidding player can be made without the potential interference of a “misbid” or “miscommunication” by the bidder&#39;s partner. This reduces arguments and prevents distraction from the enjoyment of the game. 
         [0023]    It can also be seen that the inventive game does not require any special apparatus, although an instructional apparatus has been developed by the inventor to facilitate play of the game by novice bridge players. The chance element in the present invention is a Dummy hand which is in part “closed” as in conventional bridge (the “blind”) and in part exposed, as in some versions of two or three person bridge or as can be seen on other card games such as poker or blackjack. Notwithstanding the myriad of card games encompassed by the prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements, the game of the present invention and method for playing and scoring the same is unique. 
         [0024]    In the areas of utilizing bridge principles while eliminating the need for a fourth player, and providing an element of chance (the blind), the card game according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of both the conventional game of bridge and the concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides a card game primarily developed for the purpose of utilizing the skills required for playing a hand of bridge and appealing to a sense or risk and risk-assessment (with respect to the blind) and of eliminating the need for designated partners and a “bidding system” to communicate potential bids between partners. The present invention is particularly instructive regarding the basic principles of playing a hand of bridge because, unlike conventional contract bridge, the present invention creates the potential for more than one player being reasonably likely to make the same bid, if won, because the winning bidder will acquire the right to play the Dummy hand, especially in the case where the Dummy hand is the better hand, according to the traditional conventions of bridge, e.g., the Dummy has many Aces, Kings, Queens and/or Jacks, or has five or more cards in one suit. 
         [0025]    Also unique to the present invention is a scoring system of players paying the bidder for making his/her bid or the bidder paying chips to each of the other player if he/she does not make his/her bid, which provides a mechanism for “immediate” reward, similarly to a hand of poker. 
         [0026]    The game is conveniently provided in a kit as shown in  FIG. 1 . This kit  100  includes a playing chips  110 , instructions  120 ,  130 , and scorecards  140 , and are provided in a carrying box  150 . A playing mat  160  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  FIG. 3  shows the mat arranged for play with betting chips provided for each of the three players. The mat has spaces intended for holding the cards of the players and the Dummy. 
         [0027]    As noted herein, the apparatus used for playing three-handed bridge according to the present invention includes a standard bridge deck of fifty-two playing cards consisting of the four suits of spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs. Each suit conventionally has thirteen cards, running from the Ace through the King. The game disclosed herein may also be played with an instructional playing mat as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  which will facilitate play of the game for those unfamiliar with the conventional game of bridge. As developed by the inventor, the mat contains the following information: rank of suits; the Goren High Card Point System wherein Aces and face cards are given point values from 1 through 4; the number of high card points conventionally thought necessary for a “game” in conventional bridge (when only high card points are counted); the definition of “game” in conventional bridge, and specially-marked places for the Dummy and the “blind” (the latter labeled on inventor&#39;s mat as “The Hutch”). 
         [0028]    Since the game of contract bridge is so well understood internationally, there is no need to provide detailed instructions regarding the general rules. The following describes the play of three-handed bridge utilizing the method of the invention. This can also be provided in the kit. 
         [0029]    Although this game provides many of the interesting features of the conventional game of contract bridge, for example, accurate point count bidding, finesses, bluffing, cross-trumping, etc., the game eliminates the need for partners to have a complex bidding system in place to communicate with each other their respective holdings. Each player is responsible for determining a bid based on his/her own holdings and the holding of the Dummy. Each player may also gamble on whether the three cards in the “blind” will be useful to him/her in making his contracted-for bid. Each of the three players, by viewing ten of the thirteen cards in the Dummy, can make a reasonable estimate of the number of tricks he/she is likely to take and in which suit (or in no-trump.) Unlike conventional bridge, in which it is highly unlikely that both teams will be bidding the same suit, in the present invention, any of the three players could realistically hold cards complementing the Dummy sufficiently that one or more of them could conceivably bid and make the same bid. (For instance, if the Dummy shows a strong five-card suit, a player with two or three of the same suit in his/her own hand could conceivably make a bid of one or more in that suit.) In addition, because of the method of scoring each hand disclosed below though the use of chips of low, medium and high value, there is often a premium on winning the bid for less than what would be a “game” bid in conventional contract bridge scoring, where players typically push to higher rather than lower bids because of the points won for “game” bids. 
         [0030]    After the bidding, the winning bidder seats him/herself opposite the Dummy, and play of the hand proceeds according to the rules of conventional bridge. The present invention thus allows experienced bridge players to enjoy the play of the hand and gives novices an opportunity to learn the play of the hand and the meaning of bids before mastering the complexities of a partner-to-partner bidding system. 
         [0031]    While experienced bridge players may keep score according to the conventional rules of bridge, the present invention establishes a scoring system in which three different values of chips are identified, low, medium and high. If the winning bidder makes his/her bid, each of the other players gives him/her a low value chip. If the winning bidder makes his/her bid plus an overtrick, each of the other players gives him/her a low value chip plus one low value chip for each overtrick. If the winning bidder makes a game, each of the other players gives him/her a medium value chip. If the winning bidder makes a game plus an overtrick, each of the other players gives him/her a medium value chip plus one low value chip for each overtrick. If the winning bidder makes a small slam, each of the other players gives him/her a high value chip. If the winning bidder makes a grand slam, each of the other players gives him/her two high value chips. If the winning bidder fails to make his/her bid, he/she gives each of the other players the number and value of chips he/she would have been given had he made his/her bid, plus a low value chip for each additional trick by which he/she fails to make his/her bid.