Abstract:
A game board surrounded and partially supported by perimeter walls that extend above and below the playing surface of the game board. The game board has a plurality of sockets for holding either covers, projectile coins, or player tokens, and a smaller plurality of those sockets have holes through the game board. Supporting the game board from underneath is a deflection structure that deflects projected tokens which fall though the holes and urges them out through elongated openings at the bottom of each wall. Projectors, such as catapults, are mounted slidingly on each perimeter wall. Players have covers with which they can cover a portion of the holes on their “properties. The board has designated paths for player token movement according to turn and a die role. An elevated socket is provided. The rules for an exemplary game to be played with the game board are explained.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of US provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/653,051 filed May 30, 2012 by the same inventors. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to board games. More particularly, it relates to providing a board game that mixes strategy and luck management with physical skill. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Board games are popular and often rely on intellectual skill and luck management. Less common is a board game that also requires physical skill. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a need exists for a board game that combines, intellectual skill, luck management, and physical skill. 
       Objects and Features of the Invention 
       [0005]    A primary object and feature of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems and fulfill the above-mentioned needs. 
         [0006]    Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a board game in which scoring is accomplished with a projectile. 
         [0007]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a novel game board having a plurality of player “properties” each having a plurality of holes and covers for holes, where the covers are placed and removed strategically. 
         [0008]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide board game in which scoring is achieved by catapulting, or otherwise projecting, a projectile onto an opponent&#39;s cover and without the projectile going into one of the opponent&#39;s holes. 
         [0009]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide an alternate jackpot scoring means. 
         [0010]    It is an additional primary object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system that is amusing, inexpensive and portable. Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent with reference to the following descriptions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment hereof, this invention provides a board game that requires strategy, luck management, and physical skill. The game is for two to eight players, preferably aged eight years old or older. A square game board is provided comprising forty-nine square sockets oriented forty-five angular degrees to the sides of the game board. The twenty-eight perimeter square sockets provide a primary track for clockwise movement of player pieces around the game board, where movement is determined by a die roll. Two secondary, “Jackpot Lane” tracks are provided transverse to the sides of the game board and crossing in the middle of the game board. An elevated square on a pedestal is in the center of the game board. Entry to Jackpot Lane is via landing on the middle square of the perimeter track on any side of the perimeter track. The playing surface of the game board has ridges around each square, making the square into shallow square sockets. 
         [0012]    The game board is elevated and surrounded by a four-walled enclosure abutting the four sides of the square game board. A catapult, or other projectile-hurling device, is slidingly mounted on each wall for hurling projectile coins, or tokens, onto the game board surface. 
         [0013]    Jackpot Lanes divide the board into fourths, and each fourth is divided by a corner-to-corner diagonal ridge into two player properties of twelve square sockets each, of which three are perimeter track square sockets. Accordingly, there are eight player properties, or playing positions, on the game board. The right-most square of the three property perimeter track square sockets is designated as a starting point for a playing piece of that property&#39;s player. The other nine square sockets of the player property have holes in them, and each player has nine covers for covering those holes. The covers fit within the shallow socket defined by the ridges. Four of the nine covers are designated with multipliers, being ×5, ×4, ×3, and ×2 and five of the nine covers have no multipliers. All square sockets of a particular property are colored or shaded the same and each property is preferably colored or shaded differently from every other property on the game board. In addition to nine covers and a playing piece, each player receives a plurality of projectile coins, denominated $20, $10, $5, and $1. Each player receives three $20, three $10, five $5, and five $1 projectile coins before the game starts. The projectile coins are sized smaller than the holes in the board so that the projectile coins can fall through the holes in the game board if projected onto a square with an uncovered hole. 
         [0014]    In setting up to begin the game, each player covers seven of the nine holes on his property using the four multiplier covers and three of the blank covers. The player may arrange the covers on his property in any pattern he desires. Strategically, it is preferred to place the high multiplier covers near the open holes, to increase the risk to a player who is trying to project a projectile coin onto a high multiplier cover. 
         [0015]    For some numbers of players, each player may have more than one property. For example, in a four-player game, each player may have two properties. For further example, in a three-player game, each player may have two properties with the remaining two properties considered “frozen” properties. Landing on a perimeter track square of a frozen property is treated as a free space, with no consequences. If a projected coin lands on a frozen property, it is placed in Jackpot Lane. Frozen properties have all nine holes covered. 
         [0016]    To play, a die is cast to determine who starts, and that player again casts a single die, preferably a six-sided die. The player moves his playing piece from his property&#39;s starting square a number of spaces equal to the number indicated on the rolled die. Depending on the square landed upon, different consequences result. 
         [0017]    If a player lands on a frozen property square, there are no consequences and the next player takes his turn. 
         [0018]    If a player lands on an opponent&#39;s perimeter track square that is one of the two perimeter track square sockets that are not a starting square, then the player gets to launch a projectile coin at that opponent&#39;s property in an attempt to get more projectile coins. The projecting player uses the catapult on the side of the board adjacent to his own property. Different results are determined based on where the projectile coin lands. If the coin lands on a multiplier covered square on the opponent&#39;s property, the opponent must pay the player an amount equal to the value of the coin projected times the multiplier on the cover. If the coin lands on a blank square, or misses the opponent&#39;s property entirely, or lands on a frozen property, the coin is placed on the nearest Jackpot Lane square to the square upon which the coin landed, and the player gets nothing. If the coin goes through a hole on the opponent&#39;s property, the opponent keeps the coin. If the projectile falls through a hole, it slides down an inclined plane and out of an opening in the wall below the level of the board. There are four triangular inclined planes below the board forming a pyramid, for sliding fall-through coins through each of the four walls. 
         [0019]    If the player lands on an opponent&#39;s starting square, the player may either cover one of the opponent&#39;s holes or remove one of the blank covers on the player&#39;s own property, at the player&#39;s option. 
         [0020]    If the player lands on one of the four Jackpot Lane square sockets on the perimeter track, the player first gets to shoot for the jackpot. If the player can project a $ 10  coin into the Jackpot square on the pedestal in the middle of the board, that player wins all the coins in all square sockets in Jackpot Lane. If the player does not have a $ 10  coin, the player cannot shoot for the Jackpot. If the projected coin misses and lands on a blank square or a frozen property square, the coin is placed on the nearest Jackpot Lane square. If the projected coin goes through any opponent&#39;s open holes, that opponent keeps the coin. If the coin goes through the player&#39;s own open hole, the money goes to Jackpot Lane. On the player&#39;s next turn, the player rolls the die and moves on Jackpot Lane. If there are any coins on Jackpot Lane square sockets upon which the player lands, the player collects those coins. 
         [0021]    Player&#39;s are eliminated when they run out of coins. The last player with coins wins. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a game board, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the game board of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view illustrating exemplary movement paths on the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1 , and defining cross section A-A, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary set of playing parts for the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view illustrating exemplary square sockets of the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1  configured as a “frozen” property , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view illustrating exemplary square sockets of an exemplary player property on the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1  without hole covers, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view illustrating exemplary square sockets of an exemplary player property on the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1  configured to start play, and defining cross section B-B′, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view through cross section B-B′ illustrating exemplary covers, holes, and ridges of the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of an exemplary square having a hole with an exemplary projectile coin therein, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 10  is a side elevation view through cross section A-A′ illustrating an exemplary pedestal square of the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation view illustrating an exemplary catapult on an exemplary enclosure wall of the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary coin-sliding pyramid underlying the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation x-ray view of illustrating a wall of the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view illustrating an exemplary coin-sliding pyramid underlying the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary fourth of the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    Reference to the drawings may be made easier by understanding the convention that the hundreds digit(s) of the reference number is the figure number in which the referenced item first appears. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a game board  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  is not drawn strictly to scale. Square game board  100  has an enclosure  102  of four walls  101  upon each of which, one projectile projector  134 , exemplified as a catapult  134  (one of four labeled) is mounted to slide along each wall  101 , as illustrated by the double arrows. The game board  100  is shown in this view with no playing parts  400  (see  FIG. 4 ) on the game board surface  104 . The game board surface  104  is demarcated into forty-nine square sockets  108  (one of sixteen property name square sockets labeled),  120  (one of eight starting square sockets labeled),  130  (one of four Jackpot Lane entry square sockets labeled), and  132  (one of seventy-two hole square sockets labeled), by ridges  106 . Ridges  106  may be formed as a one-piece lattice or by attaching lengths of ridge  106  material to the game board surface  104 . The ridges  106  form sockets  108 ,  120 ,  130 , and  132  for covers  402  (see  FIG. 4 ) and playing tokens  410  (see  FIG. 4 ). Triangular spaces adjacent the enclosure  102  are not used in the present embodiment of the game. 
         [0039]    Twenty-eight square sockets  108  (one of sixteen property name square sockets labeled),  120  (one of eight starting square sockets labeled), and  130  (one of four Jackpot Lane entry square sockets labeled) around the perimeter of the playing surface  104  define a perimeter track  306  (see  FIG. 3 ) for movement of playing tokens  410  (see  FIG. 4 ). Starting square sockets  120  have an identifying mark  138 , illustrated as a circle. Transverse to the walls  101  of the enclosure  102  are twelve square sockets  136  (one of twelve Jackpot Lane square sockets labeled) and  130  (one of four Jackpot Lane entry square sockets labeled) in two orthogonal rows for movement of playing tokens  410 . Entry to Jackpot Lane  304  (see  FIG. 3 ) is via landing on the middle square  130  (one of four Jackpot Lane entry square sockets labeled) of the perimeter track  306  (see  FIG. 3 ) on any side of the perimeter track  306 . A fiftieth square, the Jackpot square  128 , is raised on a pedestal  1002  (see  FIG. 10 ) in the center of game board  100 . In a particular embodiment, more than one socket may be supported above the game board surface  104 . 
         [0040]    Jackpot Lanes  304  (see  FIG. 3 ) divide the board into fourths, and each fourth is divided by a radial diagonal ridge  140  (two of four labeled) into two player properties  113  and  114 ,  115  and  116 ,  117  and  118 , and  119  and  112  of twelve square sockets  120  (one starting square),  108  (two of property perimeter track square sockets) and  132  (nine hole square sockets), each. Accordingly, there are eight player properties  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117 ,  118 , and  119 , or playing positions, on the game board surface  104 . The right-most square  120  (one of eight starting square sockets labeled) of the three property perimeter track square sockets  120 ,  108  (two of these) is designated as a starting point  120  for a playing piece  410  (see  FIG. 4 ) of that property&#39;s player. The other nine square sockets  132  of the player property have holes  110  in them, and each player has nine covers  402  (see  FIG. 4 ) for covering those holes  110 . The covers  402  fit within the shallow socket defined by the ridges  106 . 
         [0041]    The catapults  134  (one of four labeled) each have a support portion  124 , a spring portion  126 , and a projectile-receiving portion  122 . In a particular embodiment, catapults  134  may be made of separate pieces attached together. In various additional embodiments, various projectile-hurling devices  134 , or projectile projectors  134 , may be used. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the game board  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each enclosure wall  101  has a horizontal rectangular opening  206  at the bottom that does not extend for the length of the enclosure wall  101 , thereby forming legs  208  at each corner. The height of enclosure wall  101  should be sufficient to accommodate pyramidal deflector walls  204  (one of four visible in this view) that are steep enough to easily slide, or otherwise deflect, projectile coins  420 , or projectile tokens  420 , (see  FIG. 4 ) out of horizontal rectangular opening  206 . Each enclosure wall  101  has a horizontal slot  202  between horizontal opening  206  and the top of wall  101 . The slot  202  receives a leg  1104  (see  FIG. 11 ) of catapult  134  support portion  124  to stabilize the catapult  134 . Enclosure wall  101  is made of a resilient material to assist in installing the catapults  134 . Pyramidal deflector wall  204  receives projectile coins  420  (see  FIG. 4 ) that fall through holes  110  and slide them on pyramid wall surface  210  through enclosure wall opening  206  and, preferably, outside enclosure wall  101 . The rectangular shape of opening  206  is not a limitation of the present invention. A portion of pyramid deflector wall  204  can be seen through slot  202 , as shown. Slot  202  is exemplified as being the same length as the rectangular opening  206 , but the present invention is not so limited. In particular embodiments, pyramid deflector wall  204  may be part of a truncated pyramid having a base that fits within the enclosure wall  101  and a truncated top  1006  (see  FIG. 10 ) that is small enough to avoid interference with projectile coins  420  (see  FIG. 4 ) falling through holes  110  near the center of the game board  100 . In an additional embodiment, pyramidal deflector walls  204  need not be flat and may number more or less than four. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view illustrating exemplary movement paths  304  and  306  on the exemplary game board  100  of  FIG. 1 , and defining cross section A-A, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Perimeter track  306  is the primary path around which the player&#39;s piece  410  (see  FIG. 4 ) moves in accordance with a die roll. Jackpot Lanes  304  are alternate paths by which the player&#39;s piece  410  (see  FIG. 4 ) moves in accordance with a die roll, if the player&#39;s piece  410  first lands on a Jackpot Lane starting square  130  when moving on the perimeter track  306 . Jackpot Lanes  304  run transverse to the enclosure walls  101  and cross in the middle of the playing board surface  104 . Jackpot Lane  304  entry square sockets  130  are counted for movement around the perimeter track  306  but change the direction of movement if landed on at the end of a move. A player whose playing piece  410  lands on a Jackpot Lane entry square  130  will move across the board along Jackpot Lane  304  on that player&#39;s next turn. As will be seen in a discussion of the rules, below, there are advantages to landing on a Jackpot Lane entry square  130 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view illustrating an exemplary set of playing parts  400  for the exemplary game board  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Playing parts  400  include eight playing pieces  410 , or player tokens  410 , include tokens  411 ,  412 ,  413 ,  414 ,  415 ,  416 ,  417 , and  418 . In various embodiments, playing tokens  410  may be of various design and materials consistent with fitting in the square sockets  108 ,  120 , and  130  of the game board surface  104  and consistently maintaining a shape. Covers  402  include four multiplier covers  404 ,  405 ,  406 , and  407 , marked as “×2”, “×3”, “×4”, and “×5”, respectively. Covers  402  also includes five blank covers  403  (one of five labeled). Cover  408  is shown in side elevation and is a side illustration of any of covers  403 - 407 . Covers  402  are preferably cardboard, plastic, or similar lightweight, fairly rigid, material. Projectile coins  420  include projectile coins  421 ,  422 ,  423 , and  424 , marked as “$20”, $10″, “$5”, and “$1”, respectively. Projectile coin  425  is a side elevation view of a projectile coin and is a side illustration of any of projectile coins  421 - 424 . Projectile coins  420  are preferably cardboard, plastic, or similar lightweight, fairly rigid, material. The diameter of projectile coins  420  is less than the diameter of holes  110 . The exemplary projectile coins  420  are illustrated as all being the same size, but the present invention is not so limited. In an alternate embodiment, the projectile coins  420  may be different sizes for different values. Playing die  430 , preferably a six-sided die, is rolled to determine movement of playing tokens  410  around the perimeter track  306  and along Jackpot Lane  304 . In various additional embodiments, projectile coins  420  may be of various shapes and may not appear to be coins as much as tokens. For example, spherical tokens could be used. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view illustrating exemplary square sockets  108  and  120  and covers  403 - 407  of the exemplary game board  100  of  FIG. 1  configured as a “frozen” property  500 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A “frozen property”  500  is one that has no player associated with it in a particular playing of the game, and so all holes  110  are covered with covers  403 - 407 . Frozen properties  500  occur when there are an odd number of players. The perimeter track square sockets  120  and  108  are neutral square sockets when part of a frozen property. There is no opportunity to score when landing on neutral square sockets. There are circumstances were an active player may have the configuration of  FIG. 5 , as when an opposing player lands on square  120 , that opposing player has an option to either cover one of his opponent&#39;s square sockets or uncover one of his own. Two such events could convert a starting configuration  700  (see  FIG. 7 ) to the configuration of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view illustrating exemplary square sockets  120 ,  108 , and  132  of an exemplary player property  600  on the exemplary game board  100  of  FIG. 1  without hole covers  402 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Player property  600  is a pre-game configuration. No covers  402  have been placed and no playing tokens  410  have been placed on the game board surface  104 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view illustrating exemplary square sockets of an exemplary player property  700  on the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1  configured to start play, and defining cross section B-B′, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In preparing to play the game, each player places his four multiplier covers  404 - 407  and three of his blank covers  403  on square sockets  132  of his property  700  (as one of properties  112 - 119 ). In some games, such as a four-player game, each player may have more than one property  112 - 119 . A player piece  415  is shown on starting square  120 . Each other active property  112 - 119  will have a similar configuration of two holes  110  uncovered at the start of the game. The arrangement of multiplier covers  404 - 407  cannot be changed during a game. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view through cross section B-B′ illustrating exemplary covers  403 ,  404 ,  405 , holes  110 , and ridges  106  of the exemplary game board  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The thickness of the covers  403 - 405  is preferably equal to the height of the ridges  106  to provide a smooth surface on which projected projectile coins  420  can slide after landing. The fit of the covers  403 - 405  within the ridges  106  is not too tight, so as to assist manual removal. In a particular embodiment, the height of the covers  403 - 405  may be slightly greater than the height of the ridges  106 . 
         [0049]    In setting up the game, all active properties are set up as in property  700 , but with individual variation in placement of particular covers  402 . In addition to nine covers  402  and a playing piece  411 - 418 , each player receives a plurality of projectile coins  420 , denominated $20, $10, $5, and $1. Each player receives three $20, three $10, five $5, and five $1 projectile coins  420  before the game starts. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of an exemplary square  136  having a hole  110  with an exemplary projectile coin  421  therein, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The diameter of the projectile coin  421  is less than the diameter of the hole  110 . Projectile coins may be of various sizes, optionally correlated to the represented value on the face of the coin. In a particular embodiment, the projectile coins  420  may have various shapes. 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation view through cross section A-A′ illustrating an exemplary pedestal square  128  of the exemplary game board of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Pedestal  1002  is inserted in a bore  1004  through the game board surface  104  to support pedestal square  128 . The bore  1004  is in the center of the game board surface  104 , just above the top of the pyramidal deflector walls  204 , shown here as a truncated pyramid having a width  1006  that is small enough to allow projectile coins  420  to fall through holes  110  that are near the center of game board  100 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation view illustrating an exemplary catapult  134  on an exemplary enclosure wall  101  of the exemplary game board  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Catapult  134  includes a support portion  124 , a reed spring portion  126  extending from the support portion  124 , and a projectile receiver  122  coupled to reed spring portion  126 . Catapult  134  support portion  124  has a top leg  1102  that extends over the top of enclosure wall  101  and downward against the interior surface of wall  101 , as shown, and a bottom leg  1104  that extends over the bottom edge of slot  202  and downward against the interior surface of enclosure wall  101 . In operation, projectile receiver  122  receives a projectile coin and is deflected downward  1108  against the bias of reed spring portion  126  by a player&#39;s finger  1106 . At a point determined by practice and experience, the user lets go of the catapult  134  and the reed spring portion  126  propels the projectile coin upward and forward  1110 . Projectile receiver  122  has a bottom lip and two side ridges to assist in holding the projectile coin  420 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary coin-sliding pyramid  1200  underlying the exemplary game board surface  104  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Four truncated pyramidal deflector walls  204  form the coin-sliding truncated pyramid  1200 . In typical operation, the projectile coin  420  that falls through a hole  110  will be slid or deflected toward the player who is entitled to keep it by pyramid walls  204 . In a particular embodiment, the pyramid  1200  may not be truncated. In an additional embodiment, the pyramidal deflector walls  204  may not be flat. 
         [0054]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation x-ray view of illustrating a wall  101  of the exemplary game board  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The relationship of the game board surface  104 , ridges  106 , and coin-deflecting pyramidal deflector walls  204  can be seen. In an additional embodiment, the pyramidal deflector walls  204  are not flat. 
         [0055]      FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view illustrating an exemplary coin-sliding pyramid  1200  underlying the exemplary game board  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Cross support  1402  is a fin and is preferably truncated triangular or, less preferably, triangular. Cross support  1402  extends between two interior bottom corners of the enclosure  102  and has a bottom edge (as shown) that is level with the bottom of enclosure  102 . The upper edges of cross support  1402  support side edges of pyramid walls  204 . Truncated triangular side supports  1404  and  1406  are fins that also have lower edges (as shown) that are level with the bottom of enclosure  102 . Side supports  1404  and  1406  have top edges that extend to support side edges of pyramid walls  204 . Side supports  1404  and  1406  each has a third edge that is fixedly abutted and coupled to cross support  1402 . The bottom edges  1202  of pyramid walls  204  are visible in this view. Cross support  1402  and side supports  1404  and  1406  are exemplary. In various additional embodiments, various methods of supporting pyramid  1200  may be used. 
         [0056]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary fourth of the exemplary game board  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 15  illustrates game board markings in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Jackpot Lane entry square sockets  130  are shown marked “Jackpot Lane” with directional arrows  1502  indicating movement into and out of Jackpot Lane. Jackpot Lane square sockets  136  are shown with dollar markings. Pedestal square  128  is preferably marked as “JACKPOT”. The property name square sockets  1508  and  1510 , (similar to property name square sockets  108  in  FIG. 1 ) bear names uniquely identifying the properties  112 ,  119 . In various alternate embodiments, various naming schemes can be used. For example, names based on actual real estate, places from science fiction or fantasy fiction, or entirely made up names, may be used. Preferably, all square sockets of a particular property  112 - 119  have the same color or shading. In a particular embodiment, covers  403 - 407  have colors corresponding to a property  112 - 119 . In another preferred embodiment, the perimeter track  306  square sockets  1508 ,  1510 ,  1520  and  1522  (and  108  in  FIG. 1  (one of sixteen property name square sockets labeled) and  120  in  FIG. 1  (one of eight starting square sockets labeled)) have a common color, except for the Jackpot Lane entry square sockets  130  (one of four labeled in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-15 , the play of the game is described. In setting up to begin the game, each player covers seven of the nine holes on his property using the four multiplier covers  404 - 407  and three of the blank covers  403 . The player may arrange the covers  402  on his property in any pattern he desires. Strategically, it is preferred to place the high multiplier covers  404 - 407  near the open uncovered holes  110 , to increase the risk to a player who is trying to project a projectile coin  420  onto a high multiplier cover  404 - 407 . 
         [0058]    For some numbers of players, each player may have more than one property  112 - 119 . For example, in a four-player game, each player may have two properties  112 - 119 . For further example, in a three-player game, each player may have two properties  112 - 119  with the remaining two properties  112 - 119  considered “frozen” properties  500 . Landing on a perimeter track square  108  or  120  of a frozen property  500  is treated as a free space, with no consequences. If a projected coin  420  lands on a frozen property  500 , it is placed in Jackpot Lane  304  on the nearest Jackpot Lane square  136 . Frozen properties  500  have all nine holes  110  covered. 
         [0059]    To play, a die  430  is cast to determine who starts, and that player again casts a single die  430 , preferably a six-sided die  430 . The player moves his playing piece  410  from his property&#39;s starting square  120  a number of spaces equal to the number indicated on the rolled die  430 . Depending on the square landed upon, different consequences result. 
         [0060]    If a player lands on a frozen property  500  square, there are no consequences and the next player, going clockwise, takes his turn. 
         [0061]    If a player lands on an opponent&#39;s perimeter track square that is one of the two perimeter track square sockets  108  that are not a starting square  120 , then the player gets to launch a projectile coin  420  at that opponent&#39;s property  112 - 119  in an attempt to get more projectile coins  420 . The projecting player uses the catapult  134  (one of four labeled in  FIG. 1 ) on the enclosure wall  101  of the game board  100  adjacent to his own property  112 - 119 . Different results are determined based on where the projectile coin  420  lands. If the projectile coin  420  lands on a multiplier covered  404 - 407  square  132  (one of seventy two labeled in  FIG. 1 ) on the opponent&#39;s property  112 - 119 , the opponent must pay the player an amount equal to the value of the coin  420  projected times the multiplier on the cover  404 - 407 . If the coin  420  lands on a blank covered  403  square  132 , or misses the opponent&#39;s property  112 - 119  entirely, the coin  420  is placed on the nearest Jackpot Lane square  130 - 136  to the square upon which the coin  420  landed, and the projecting player gets nothing. If the coin  420  goes through a hole  110  on the opponent&#39;s property, the opponent keeps the coin. If the projectile coin  420  falls through a hole  110 , it slides or bounces down an inclined plane pyramid deflector wall  204  and out of an opening  206  in the enclosure wall  101  below the level of the game surface  104 . There are four triangular inclined plane pyramid walls  204  below the game surface  104  forming a pyramid  1200 , for sliding or deflecting fall-through coins  420  through each of the four walls  101  via openings  206 . 
         [0062]    If the player&#39;s playing piece  410  lands on an opponent&#39;s starting square  120 , the player may either cover one of the opponent&#39;s holes  110  with one of the opponent&#39;s unused covers  402  or remove one of the blank covers  403  on the player&#39;s own property  112 - 119 , at the player&#39;s option. 
         [0063]    If the player lands on one of the four Jackpot Lane entry square sockets  130  on the perimeter track  306 , the player first gets to shoot for the Jackpot. If the player can project a $ 10  coin  422  into the Jackpot square  128  on the pedestal  1002  in the middle of the game board surface  104 , that player wins all the coins  420  in all square sockets  136  in Jackpot Lane  304 . If the player does not have a $ 10  coin  422 , the player cannot shoot for the Jackpot. If the projected coin  422  misses and lands on a blank square  403  or a frozen property  500  square, the coin  422  is placed on the nearest Jackpot Lane square  136 . If the projected coin  422  goes through any opponent&#39;s open holes  110 , that opponent keeps the coin  422 . If the coin  422  goes through the player&#39;s own open hole  110 , the coin  422  goes to Jackpot Lane  304 . Regardless of the outcome of shooting at the Jackpot, on the player&#39;s next turn, the player rolls the die  430  and moves on Jackpot Lane  304  according to the die roll result. If there are any coins  420  on Jackpot Lane square sockets  136  upon which the player lands, the player collects those coins  420 . 
         [0064]    Player&#39;s are eliminated when they run out of coins  420 . The last player with coins  420  wins. 
         [0065]    Although applicant has described applicant&#39;s preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the above specification and the claims below. While applicant has described one exemplary game that may be played with game board  100 , other games that may be played with the game board  100  are within the scope of the invention. 
         [0066]    Further, many other advantages of applicant&#39;s invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions.