Abstract:
A deck of rock, paper, scissors playing cards and methods of play therewith are disclosed. The deck has fifty-two cards including four wild cards identified as little sister cards and little brother cards, and forty-eight cards including fourteen paper cards, fourteen rock cards, fourteen scissor cards, two crumpled paper cards, two broken rock cards, and two broken scissors cards. Each of the cards has a point value.  
     The associated method includes playing the cards against each other wherein the cards have a hierarchy based on the pictorial. The hierarchy determines the winner of each game. The cards having point values for determining the points awarded for each card.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/416,599, entitled “The Original Rock Paper Scissors Card Game,” which was filed on Oct. 7, 2002. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of playing cards and more particularly, relates to rock, paper, scissors playing cards and methods of play therewith.  
         DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
         [0003]    Playing cards have been around for a very long time. English playing cards are known and used all over the world. In England, Whist, Cribbage, Rummy, and Nap are popular card games. In other European countries, Skat, Jass, Mus, Scopa, and Tarock are played, using cards of totally different face-designs many of them with roots far older than English cards.  
           [0004]    A standard deck of cards in the United States has three groups of cards including numbered cards, face cards (i.e., king, queen, and jack cards), and ace cards. Further, the standard deck of cards has four suits that include hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs. Each of the numbered cards, face cards, and ace cards is marked with one of the suits (e.g., 7 of hearts). For example, there are four eights in a typical deck of cards. Each of the cards numbered with the number eight has a different suit thereon (i.e., one eight has a heart thereon, one eight has a spade thereon, one eight has a diamond thereon, and one eight has a club thereon). There are numerous card games played with these standard playing cards.  
           [0005]    There are variations to the standard card games previously explained. For example, UNO is a card game that does not use the cards previously described.  
           [0006]    The Applicant has developed a new deck of playing cards with colorful and playful pictures of rocks, papers, scissors, broken rocks, crumpled papers, broken scissors, little sister, and little brother thereon and methods of play therewith and methods of play therewith.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention is a novel rock, paper, scissors deck of playing cards and methods of play therewith. The deck of cards has colorful, playful pictures of rocks, papers, scissors, broken rocks, crumpled papers, broken scissors, little sisters and little brothers thereon. The deck of cards and methods of play are fun and educational requiring recognition of visual characters, addition, subtraction, and reasoning skills. The methods of play include the Get All The Cards, Most Points, Win Game!, and Reach The Goal games. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a “paper” card according to the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 illustrates a “rock” card according to the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 illustrates a “scissor” card according to the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 illustrates a “crumpled paper” card according to the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 illustrates a “broken rock” card according to the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 illustrates a “broken scissor” card according to the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 illustrates a “little sister” card according to the present invention; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 illustrates a “little brother” card according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]    The present invention has fifty-two cards  20  in a deck. Each of the cards  20  has a point value  10  as shown in FIGS.  1 - 8 . The deck of cards  20  has four wild cards. The four wild cards include two little sister cards  11  and two little brother cards  12  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “wild cards”) as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. The remaining forty-eight cards are broken down into paper cards  13  (FIG. 1), rock cards  14  (FIG. 2), scissor cards  15  (FIG. 3), crumpled paper cards  16  (FIG. 4), broken rock cards  17  (FIG. 5), and broken scissors cards  18  (FIG. 6). Specifically, there are fourteen of the paper cards  13 , fourteen of the rock cards  14 , fourteen of the scissor cards  15 , two of the crumpled paper cards  16 , two of the broken rock cards  17 , and two of the broken scissors cards  18  in the deck.  
         [0018]    The crumpled paper cards  16  are distinguished from the paper cards  13  by showing a crumpled piece of paper  21  or some other indication of damage/injury as shown in FIG. 4. The broken rock cards  17  are distinguished from the rock cards  14  by a bandage  23  on the rock or some other indication of damage/injury as shown in FIG. 5. The broken scissor cards  18  are distinguishable from the scissors cards  15  by a bandage  22  on the scissor or some other indication of damage/injury as shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0019]    The point value  10  has a value or symbol therein. The value can be any number, which represents the point value for that particular card. In the preferred embodiment, the point value  10  of the paper cards  13 , the rock cards  14 , and the scissor cards  15  is any number from 1 to 5, wherein the number represents the points awarded for that card  20  (e.g., 1 is worth 1 point, 2 is worth 2 points, etc.). The “X” symbols in the point values  10  on the crumpled paper cards  16 , the broken rock cards  17 , and the broken scissors cards  18  (hereinafter collectively referred to as “damaged cards”) are worth zero points. The star symbols in the point values  10  on the little sister cards  11  and the little brother cards  12  are worth 10 points.  
         [0020]    In an alternative embodiment, the paper cards  13 , the rock cards  14 , the scissor cards  15 , the crumpled paper cards  16 , the broken rock cards  17 , and the broken scissors cards  18  have historical and geographical landmarks, historical documents, and a variety of cutting devices thereon. For example, the paper cards  13  may have a photograph, drawing, or visual representation of the Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta, Louisiana Purchase, United States Constitution, Oath of Office for President, Gettysburg Address, Pledge of Allegiance, and National Anthem. The scissors cards  14  may have a photograph, drawing, or visual representation of hair cutters, tin snips, scissor lifts, grooming scissor, medical scissors, toenail scissors, industrial scissors, animal shears, and pruning shears. The rock cards  14  may have a photograph, drawing, or visual representation of Mount Everest, Rock of Gibraltar, Rock Mountains, Grand Canyon, Mount Fuji, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Washington, Washington Monument, Lincoln Monument, Great Wall of China, Great Dams, Great Museums, moon, meteors, and planets. Obviously, in addition, the crumpled paper cards  16 , the broken rock cards  17 , and the broken scissors cards  18  will have evidence of an injury or be damaged as explained above.  
         [0021]    In an alternative embodiment, the point values  10  of the paper cards  13  and the rock cards  14 , are determined based on the prominence of the historical and geographical landmarks, and historical documents, and the point values  10  of the scissor cards  15  are based on the type of the cutting devices, displayed on the card  20 . For example, Mount Everest may be given a higher point value than Mount Washington because Mount Everest is known the world over whereas Mount Washington is known predominantly in the United States.  
         [0022]    The present invention includes these unique cards  20  and methods of play that relate to the cards  20 . The general hierarchy rules of the game are explained as follows. The paper card  13  wins over the rock card  14 , but the paper card  13  loses to the scissor card  15 . The rock card  14  wins over the scissor card  15 , but the rock card  14  loses to the paper card  13 . The scissor card  15  wins over the paper card  13 , but the scissor card  15  loses to the rock card  14 .  
         [0023]    Further to the general hierarchy rules, the wild cards  11 ,  12  win over all of the other cards  20 . One wild card  11 ,  12  does not win over another wild card  11 ,  12 . For example, if the little sister card  11  is drawn against the little brother card  12 , these cards tie.  
         [0024]    Further to the general hierarchy rules, the damaged cards  16 ,  17 ,  18  lose to all of the other cards  20 . One damaged card does not win over another damaged card. For example, if the crumpled paper card  16  is drawn against the broken rock card  17 , these cards tie. Further, when there is no winner and new flip is required, the damaged cards are automatically out of and do not flip again until a winner is declared for those cards  20 . There is one exception to this automatic out rule and that is if all players flip a damaged card. If that is the case, the players having the damaged cards flip again to determine a winner.  
         [0025]    The following examples illustrate the cards  20  and outcome of a game for three players according to the present invention.  
         [0026]    Example one: 1 rock card, 1 paper card, 1 scissor card results in no winner and all of the players play again. Example two: 2 rocks cards, 1 paper card results in a win for the player having the paper card. Example three: 2 paper cards, 1 rock card results in a tie between the players having the paper cards and a playoff is required for game one and two explained below. Example four: 1 rock card, 1 damaged rock card, 1 little sister card results in a win for the player having the little sister card. Example five: 1 broken rock card, 1 broken scissor card, 1 paper card results in a win by the player having the paper card. Example six: 1 broken rock card, 2 crumpled paper cards results in no winner and all of the players play again (exception to the automatic rule).  
         [0027]    The following examples illustrate the cards  20  and outcome of a game according to the present invention.  
         [0028]    Example seven: four player—2 rock cards, 2 paper cards results in a tie between the players having the paper cards and a playoff is required for game one and two explained below. Example eight: four players—2 rock cards, 1 paper card, 1 scissor card results in no winner and all of the players play again. Example nine: six players—1 rock card, 1 paper card, 1 scissor card, 2 crumpled paper cards, 1 broken rock card results in the players having the rock card, paper card, and the scissor card replaying their cards  20 .  
         [0029]    Game One: Win All the Cards  
         [0030]    The Win All The Cards embodiment is played with two to four players. If three players are playing, one of the wild cards  11 ,  12  is removed from the deck of cards  20 . All of the cards  20  in the deck are shuffled with the picture sides down and evenly distributed between, or dealt out to, each player with the picture sides down. Each player will place the cards  20  in a stack in front of him or her with the picture sides down. All players will simultaneously flip one of their cards  20 , so that the picture on the card  20  is showing or facing upward. In an alternative embodiment, the players recited “rock, paper, scissors, go” and then simultaneously flip one of their cards  20 , so that the picture on the card  20  is showing or facing upward.  
         [0031]    The cards  20  (i.e., little sister cards  11 , little brother cards  12 , paper cards  13 , rock cards  14 , scissor cards  15 , crumpled paper cards  16 , broken rock cards  17 , and broken scissors cards  18 ) are compared according to the previously described general hierarchy rules to determine a winner of the hand. The winner takes all of the cards  20  dealt for that hand.  
         [0032]    If no one player wins and there can be no playoff for a win, all of the players simultaneously flip another card  20 . If two or more players tie for the win, a playoff between the winners is played. The playoff requires each of the winners to place two cards  20  with the picture sides facing down in front of them on top of their tied cards  20 . In an alternative playoff embodiment, each of the winners places three cards  20  with the picture sides facing down on top of the tied cards in front of them. Thereafter, each of the tied players flips another card  20  face up and on top of these picture side down cards  20  to decide a winner. The player with the winning card  20  takes the cards  20  placed picture side down, the cards  20  from the previous flip, and the cards  20  from the present flip. If there is no winner, another playoff is played, and the player with the winning card  20  takes the cards  20  placed picture side down, the cards  20  from the two previous flips, and the cards from the present flip. This playoff, tie breaking process, or push continues until there is a sole winner. The winner of the playoff, tie breaker, or push may use the cards  20  with the picture side facing down in the cards  20  won pile. If a player runs out of cards  20  and cannot continue with the playoff, tie breaker, or push, the player is out of the game. Once a player uses up his or her dealt cards  20 , the player may shuffle the cards  20  he or she won and continue to play. Once a player is out of cards  20 , he or she is out of the game. Once one of the players wins all of the cards  20 , the game is over and that player wins the game.  
         [0033]    Game Two: Most Points, Win Game! 
         [0034]    The Most Points, Win Game embodiment is played with two to four players. If three players are playing, one of the wild cards  11 ,  12  is removed from the deck of cards  20 . All of the cards  20  in the deck are shuffled with the picture sides down and evenly distributed between, or dealt out to, each player with the picture sides down. Each player will have a stack of cards  20  in front of him or her with the picture sides down. All players will simultaneously flip one of their cards  20 , so that the picture on the card  20  is showing or facing upward. In an alternative embodiment, the players recited “rock, paper, scissors, go” and then simultaneously flip one of their cards  20 , so that the picture on the card  20  is showing or facing upward.  
         [0035]    The cards  20  (i.e., little sister cards  11 , little brother cards  12 , paper cards  13 , rock cards  14 , scissor cards  15 , crumpled paper cards  16 , broken rock cards  17 , and broken scissors cards  18 ) are compared according to the previously described general hierarchy rules to determine a winner of the hand. The winner takes all of the cards  20  played for that hand and places them in a separate pile.  
         [0036]    If no one player wins and there can be no playoff for a win, all of the players simultaneously flip another card  20 . If two or more players tie for the win, a playoff between the winners is played. The playoff requires each player to place two cards with the picture sides facing down on top of the tied cards in front of them. In an alternative playoff embodiment, each of the winners places three cards  20  with the picture sides facing down on top of the tied cards in front of them. Thereafter, each of the tied players flips another card  20  face up and on top of these picture side down cards  20  to decide a winner. The player with the winning card  20  takes the cards  20  placed picture side down, the cards  20  from the previous flip, and the cards  20  from the present flip. If there is no winner, another playoff is played, and the player with the winning card  20  takes the cards  20  placed picture side down, the cards  20  from the two previous flips, and the cards from the present flip. This playoff, tie breaking process, or push continues until there is a sole winner. If a player runs out of cards  20  and cannot continue with the playoff, tie breaker, or push, the player is out of the game, and the game is over.  
         [0037]    Once the first player runs out of cards  20 , the game is over. Once the game is over, all of the players add their points in the point values  10  of the cards  20  that they won and subtract the points in the point values of the cards  20  originally dealt to them and still in their hand to obtain a grand total. The player having the highest grand total wins the game.  
         [0038]    Game Three: Reach the Goal—Win! 
         [0039]    The Reach The Goal—Win embodiment is played with two to seven players. A goal or score is set prior to distributing or dealing the cards  20  to the players. In the preferred embodiment, the goal is set at 100 points or more points. One of the players is designated a scorekeeper. The scorekeeper keeps track of the points each player wins. The points are taken from the point values  10  of the cards  20  that a player wins.  
         [0040]    All of the cards  20  in the deck are shuffled with the picture sides down. For each round, seven cards are distributed or dealt out to each player with the picture sides down. At the beginning of the game, each player will have a stack of seven cards  20  with the picture sides down in front of him or her. All players will simultaneously flip one of their cards  20 , so that the picture on the card  20  is showing or facing upward. In an alternative embodiment, the players recited “rock, paper, scissors, go” and then simultaneously flip one of their cards  20 , so that the picture on the card  20  is showing or facing upward.  
         [0041]    The cards  20  (i.e., little sister cards  11 , little brother cards  12 , paper cards  13 , rock cards  14 , scissor cards  15 , crumpled paper cards  16 , broken rock cards  17 , and broken scissors cards  18 ) are compared according to the previously described general hierarchy rules to determine a winner of the hand. In this game, if two or more players tie for the winning hand, the winners flip another card  20 . The winner of this hand takes the cards  20  from the previous flip and the cards  20  from the present flip. If there is still no winner, another card  20  is flipped until a winner is determined. The winner receives all of the cards  20  from the previous flips and the current flip. If any player runs out of cards  20 , the player is out of that round. In the event that all of the players, at the same time, run out of cards  20  trying to determine a winner, the points from the point values  10  are evenly divided (and rounded up if necessary) between them.  
         [0042]    The winner, or one of the winners, takes all of the cards  20  dealt for that hand and keeps them in front of them. When the last player is out of cards  20 , therefore ending the hand, each player adds up their own points and a scorekeeper places this calculated value under the player&#39;s name. If needed, additional rounds of seven cards are distributed or dealt out to each player with the picture sides down until one player reaches the goal. Once a player reaches or exceeds the goal (e.g., 100 points), that player wins, and the game is over. If more than one player reaches or exceeds the goal at the same time, the highest total score wins. If there is still a tie at or over the goal score, the tied players play another hand to decide a winner. The highest score wins.  
         [0043]    In an alternative embodiment to Game Three, the players play only the seven cards they are initially dealt. The player having the highest total score at the end of the seven cards wins the game and decides what they wish to throw.  
         [0044]    In another alternative embodiment to the games previously described, the players are able to look at their cards  20  during the game.  
         [0045]    Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.