Patent Publication Number: US-2003222397-A1

Title: Portable self-contained game

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
     [0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Application Serial No. 60/385,788, filed Jun. 3, 2002, entitled Improved Portable Self-Contained Game. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates to game devices, and more specifically to a game of chance and entertainment having a housing apparatus for both playing and storing the game.  
       [0003] Numerous games of amusement have dice-like playing pieces, and many apparatus for playing such games of amusement are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,329, discloses such a game including its housing apparatus. The game disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,329 has a container which doubles as a shaker cup. Improvements to this game and the container can increase the aesthetic appearance of the game and can make the game less expensive to manufacture and/or market. Improvements to this game and the container can make the game easier to store and transport, and can increase the longevity of the game against wear. Further, improvements to this game and the container can make the play of the game even more exciting to players.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] The present invention is a game apparatus for use in playing a game which may include a plurality of dice and a master cube. A container for the game has a cover and a base, with the cover and the base having tubular peripheral engagement portions to telescopically mate with and frictionally engage each other. The tubular peripheral engagement portions interact in a non-planar configuration, thereby facilitating grasping of the cover portion relative to the base portion. In one aspect, the cover holds the playing pieces in place during storage and transportation, and includes a window for viewing the playing pieces through the cover. In another aspect, the cover and the base slope the playing pieces and a scoring chart relative to a flat underlying surface. In yet another aspect, the cover can be flipped over and used as a chute. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred game apparatus of the present invention.  
     [0006]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the base portion of the game apparatus of FIG. 1.  
     [0007]FIG. 3 is a side view showing how the cover of the embodiment of FIG. 1 attaches to the base portion.  
     [0008]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view showing how the cover attaches to the base portion, taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 1.  
     [0009]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cover of the embodiment of FIG. 1, turned over for use as a chute.  
     [0010]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative base and cover for the present invention.  
     [0011]FIG. 7 is a top view of the cover portion of the embodiment of FIG. 6.  
     [0012]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second alternative construction of a base and cover.  
     [0013]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third alternative construction of a base and cover.  
     [0014]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the base for the embodiment of FIG. 9.  
     [0015]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth alternative embodiment of a base.  
     [0016]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inside of the cover for use with the base embodiment of FIG. 11.  
     [0017]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a clamshell embodiment in the open position.  
     [0018]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the clamshell embodiment of FIG. 13 in the closed position.  
     [0019] FIGS.  15 - 18  are perspective views showing alternative clamshell embodiments in the closed position. 
    
    
     [0020] While the above-identified drawing figures set forth preferred embodiments, other embodiments of the present invention are also contemplated, some of which are noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the illustrated embodiments of the present invention by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other minor modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this invention.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0021] The game apparatus  10  of the present invention can be used to play any of several different games, but is specifically intended for use in playing the game described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,329 entitled “Self-Contained Game” (“&#39;329 game”). The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,329 is incorporated herein by reference.  
     [0022] As shown in each of the ten embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 5 , FIGS. 6 and 7, FIG. 8, FIGS. 9 and 10; FIGS. 11 and 12, FIGS. 13 and 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, a game apparatus  10  includes a container  12  made up of a cover  14  and a base  16 . The cover  14  is selectively securable upon the base  16  to form a closed chamber for storing playing pieces  18 ,  20 .  
     [0023] As shown for instance in FIGS.  2 - 4 , the base  16  has a first recess  22  which can be referred to as the rack. A plurality of dice-like playing pieces  18 , such as for the five dice version disclosed in the &#39;329 game, are included as shown in FIG. 4. The preferred dice  18  are five identically-sized, six-sided cubes, with each cube having indicium of a number of dots representing a number from “1” to “6”. As is known, the dice  18 , when rolled on a generally horizontal flat surface, will come to rest with one of the number indicium facing upward which is used for the score. Workers skilled in the art will appreciate that the dice-like playing pieces  16  could have a number of different shapes or could have any of a wide variety of indicium (including differing colors, surface finishes, symbols, etc.) displayed thereon, but the preferred playing pieces  16  include five standard dice. The rack  22  is sized to correspond to the collective shape and size of the dice  18 . The dice  18  are contained in the rack  22 , both during storage of the game  10  and, in part, during the play of the game  10 .  
     [0024] In the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 11 and  13 , the rack  22  is disposed in a straight line, with no room for separation between dice  18 . Alternatively, the rack  22  may have a curve  24 , to hold the playing pieces in a curved line, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 10. The curve  24  of the rack  22  is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it allows the dice  18  in the rack  22  to be more easily and separately grasped, leaving slight separation between adjacent dice corners on the convex side  26  of the curve  24 . In either a straight line or a curved line configuration, the single recess of the rack  22  as shown could be alternatively replaced with separate (square) recesses for each of the dice  18 .  
     [0025] The base  16  has a second recess  28  that can be referred to as the master square. The preferred location for the master square  28  is on top (i.e., for discussion purposes, to the “north”, if the game  10  is placed on a table and directions are oriented like a map) of the rack  22 , centered from right to left (east to west). A master die or master cube  20  is included. Workers skilled in the art will appreciate that the master cube  20  could have a number of different shapes (i.e., need not be cubical at all) or could have any of a wide variety of indicium displayed thereon, but the preferred master cube  20  is a cube having indicia H 1 , H 2 , H 3 , L 1 , L 2  and L 3  on its six sides as taught in the &#39;329 game. When rolled on a generally horizontal flat surface, the master cube  20  will come to rest with one of its indicium facing upward being used for the score. The master cube  20  is cast together with the plurality of dice  18  in at least one roll of the game.  
     [0026] The master cube  20  is preferably sized differently than any of the dice  18 . In the preferred embodiment best shown in FIG. 4, the master cube  20  has sides which are approximately 115% the length of the sides of the dice  18 . With this differing size, the master cube  20  can be readily distinguished by a player from any of the dice  18 . Further, many players will find casting a master cube  20  of larger size together with the dice  18  to be a more exciting proposition which (in the player&#39;s view) affects the roll, as the smaller dice  18  can easily bounce off the larger master cube  20  or be turned over through contact with the larger master cube  20 . From such a viewpoint, casting the dice  18  with the master cube  20  will result in dice values which are very different from casting the dice  18  without the master cube  20 . The master square  28  is sized to correspond to the shape and size of the master cube  20 . The master cube  20  is contained in the master square  28 , both during storage of the game  10  and, in part, during the play of the game  10 .  
     [0027] The base  16  preferably includes a third recess which can be referred to as the bullpen  30 , used as taught in the &#39;329 game. The bullpen  30  is preferably located in the base  16  to the bottom (south) of the rack  22 . The bullpen  30  preferably has a flat bottom  32  and walls  34  to temporarily retain the dice  18  and the master cube  20  when desired, in accordance with the &#39;329 game. The bullpen  30  is preferably substantially larger than any of the playing pieces  18 ,  20 , indicating to players that a playing piece  18 , 20  placed in the bullpen  30  is not necessarily secured in its position or value, but could be recast at the option of the player.  
     [0028] The base  16  is constructed with a planar support undersurface  36  which facilitates placing the base  16  on a planar table. For instance, the base  16  could include legs (not shown) having ends which collectively define a planar support undersurface  36 . In the embodiments shown, the entire lower periphery of the base  16  is part of the planar support undersurface  36 . In the preferred embodiment best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bottom  32  of the bullpen  30  is parallel to the planer support undersurface  36 . The rack  22 , conversely, has surfaces such as a rack bottom  38  which is oriented such that the rack  22  retains the dice  18  in a sloped forward position relative to the planar support undersurface  36 . Similarly, the master square  28  has surfaces such as a master square bottom  40  which is oriented such that the master square  28  retains the master cube  20  in a sloped forward position relative to the planar support undersurface  36 . In the preferred embodiment best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dice  18  in the rack  22  and the master cube  20  in the master square  28  are angled forward at about 5° relative to the planar support undersurface  36 . This angle places the dice  18  and the master cube  20  in an optimal viewing position for the casting player, while not being so far angled that other players (e.g., across the table) cannot see the indicia facing upward on the dice  18  and master cube  20  retained in the rack  22  and master square  28 , respectively. Depending upon the intended environment of use, angles within a preferred range of from about 5° to about 40° relative to the planar support undersurface  36  are appropriate. For instance, the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 angles the dice  18  and master cube  20  at about 20° relative to the planar support undersurface  36 .  
     [0029] As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, a scoring pad  42  can be placed in the bullpen  30  and retained in the bullpen  30  during transportation and storage of the game  10 . A pencil holder  44  may also be provided in the base  16 , and a pencil  46  placed therein for scoring of the game  10 . The preferred location for the pencil holder  44  is between the bullpen  30  and the rack  22 .  
     [0030] The cover  14  is selectively securable upon the base  16 . In the embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 12 , the cover  14  slides downward onto the base  16 , but is completely removable from the base  16 . In the embodiments of FIGS.  13 - 18 , the cover  14  is attached with a hinge  48  to the base  16 , hinging the cover  14  and the base  16  together in a clam-shell configuration. When secured upon the base  16 , the cover  14  and the base  16  form a closed chamber for storing the playing pieces  18 ,  20 . When the cover  14  is removed from the base  16 , a player has access to the playing pieces  18 ,  20  for casting, and has access to the base  16  for placing the playing pieces  18 ,  20  into the bullpen  30  and/or rack  22  and/or master square  28  during a turn.  
     [0031] In the clamshell hinged structure of FIGS.  13 - 18  and more importantly in the fully removable cover structures of FIGS.  1 - 12 , the cover  14  and the base  16  preferably have a tubular peripheral engagement. In the preferred embodiments shown, the cover  14  has an outer tube portion  50 , while the base  16  has an inner tube portion  52 . Alternatively, the outer tube portion could be provided on the base  16  with the inner tube portion provided on the cover  14 . The two tube portions  50 ,  52  telescopically mate with and frictionally engage each other, thereby securing the cover  14  upon the base  16 . If desired, a mating interference bump/recess profile can be further provided on the cover  14  and base  16 , so the cover  14  and base  16  positively seat together in a closed position with a tactile click.  
     [0032] The game  10  can be made with a very low, sleek profile, having a height if desired which is only slightly greater than the height of the dice  18  and master cube  20 . The preferred embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 5  has a maximum height of about 2 inches toward the top (north) side  54 , sloping to a height of about 1 inch toward the bottom (south) side  56 .  
     [0033] One beneficial aspect of the tubular peripheral engagement shown in the preferred embodiments of FIGS.  1 - 7  involves the fact that the outer tube portion  50  does not terminate in a planar edge. Rather, the outer tube portion  50  terminates in a raised portion  58  centrally located on the left (west) side  60  and a raised portion  58  centrally located on the right (east) side  62 . Thus, the engagement surface between the cover  14  and the base  16  (i.e., the surfaces of the cover  14  and the base  16  which contact each other in the closed position) is not flat or planar, but instead includes two portions  58  raised relative to the plane defined by the planar support undersurface  36  of the base  16 .  
     [0034] This non-planar configuration of the outer tube portion  50  relative to the inner tube portion  52  facilitates grasping of and separating the cover  14  relative to the base  16 . In particular, the container  12 , including both the base  16  and the cover  14 , has an overall width from the left (west) side  60  to the right (east) side  62  selected from about 2 to about 8 inches, and preferably a width of approximately 5 inches. At this width, the container  12  as a whole can be easily grasped with one hand, with a player&#39;s fingers on one (i.e., right or left) side  62 ,  60  and the player&#39;s thumb on the other (left or right) side  60 ,  62 . Most adults will be able to place a single hand across the cover  14  and grasp the base  16  on both sides  60 ,  62 , holding the game  10  closed. Similarly, most adults will be able to hold the game  10  closed with a single hand extending across the base  16  and grasping both sides  60 ,  62  of the cover  14 .  
     [0035] Removal of the base  16  from the cover  14  is performed by slightly retracting the fingers and thumb of the grasping hand. The player can place one hand downward across the front side of the cover  14 , with the player&#39;s thumb and fingers extending downward at opposing corners  64  to grasp only the cover  14 . Because the corners  64  of the cover  14  project downward, grasping areas  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74  of significant height are provided on the cover  14 . In the preferred embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 5 , the top (north) side  54  has a cover grasping surface  66  which is about 1½ inches deep, while the bottom (south) side  56  has a cover grasping surface  68  which is about ⅔ inch deep. Because of the raised portions  58 , the depth of the cover grasping surfaces  70 ,  72 ,  74  on the right and left (east and west) sides  60 ,  62  are not constant. Rather, the upper (northerly) cover grasping surface  70  is about 1½ inch deep, the central cover grasping surface  72  is about ½ inch deep, and the bottom (southerly) cover grasping surface  74  is about ⅔ inch deep. Depending upon the amount of frictional engagement or positive “click” engagement between the cover  14  and the base  16 , the player may be able to place the base  16  on a table and remove the cover  14  merely be lifting the cover  14 , with the weight of the base  16  and playing pieces  18 ,  20  overcoming the engagement force. The easiest place to grasp the cover  14  without interference from the base  16  is along the more substantial cover grasping surfaces  66 ,  70 , i.e., toward the top (north), while the hardest place to grasp the cover  14  without interference from the base  16  is along the smallest cover grasping surface, i.e., in the central grasping surface  72  in the middle of the right and left (east and west) sides  60 ,  62 .  
     [0036] However, the engagement force between the cover  14  and the base  16  can be more substantial, either as a result of design to prevent unintentional opening, or as a result of deformation of the cover/base during ownership of the game  10 . A more substantial engagement force will not be overcome by gravity, but rather can only be overcome by pulling the base  16  relative to the cover  14 . A player can place one hand across the back side of the base  16 , with the player&#39;s thumb and fingers extending upward toward the raised portions  58  to grasp the base  16 . The easiest place to grasp the base  16  is centrally toward the raised portions  58 , where a base grasping surface  76  of about 1 inch deep is provided on opposing right and left (east and west) sides  62 ,  60  of the container  12 . With the cover  14  easily grasped in one hand and the base  16  easily grasped in the other, the player can readily separate the cover  14  from the base  16 . The two raised portions  58  thus result in a non-planar configuration of the tubular peripheral engagement portions which allows the player to have more room for grasping the base  16  with one hand, without interfering with the cover  14 , and vice versa.  
     [0037] While raised portions could additionally be provided on the top (north) and bottom (south) sides  54 ,  56 , providing the raised portions  58  on only two opposing sides  60 ,  62  sufficiently allows the separation function. While raised portions could alternatively be provided on the top (north) and bottom (south) sides  54 ,  56 , the right (east) and left (west) side locations are preferred, in part because the width of the preferred container  12  is slightly less than its length (thus making the container  12  easier to grasp on right (east) and left (west) sides  62 ,  60  than on top (north) and bottom (south) sides  54 ,  56 ), in part because the raised portions  58  on the right (east) and left (west) sides  62 ,  60  fit in better with the overall top to bottom (north to south) slope of the cover  14 , and in part because right/left (east/west) orientation of the thumb and fingers is less likely to obscure the name plate  78 , which is written from left to right (west to east).  
     [0038] The raised portion  58  is preferably sloped to the corners  64 . The slope tends to induce self-seating alignment of the cover portion  14  relative to the base portion  16  when the cover portion  14  is placed on the base portion  16 . That is, the slope tends to bias and center the cover portion  14  relative to the base portion  16  and assist in aligning the mating portions of the telescoping engagement portions together. The slope of the raised portion  58  is preferably curved. The curved, sloped engagement avoids any sharp edges and provides an aesthetically pleasing look.  
     [0039] As an alternative to the raised portions  58 , and as particularly appropriate for clam-shell configurations, the cover  14  may include one or two lifting tabs  80  as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 8, 9,  15  and  16 . The lifting tabs  80  provide alternative locations to bias the cover  14  upward in separating the cover  14  from the base  16 . In clam-shell configurations of FIGS.  13 - 18 , the hinge  48  prevents the cover  14  from coming out of alignment from the base  16 . Further, because the hinge  48  holds the cover  14  to the base  16 , the need for frictional engagement between the cover  14  and the base  16  as provided by the cooperating telescoping tubular sections is significantly reduced. As a further alternative to securing the cover  14  to the base  16  through cooperating telescoping tubular sections and as particularly applicable to clam-shell configurations, the cover  14  may be positively secured to the base  16  with a spring clip  82 . To open the clamshell construction, the player depresses the spring clip  82  with a finger or thumb, thereby releasing the cover  14  from the base  16  for hinged movement.  
     [0040] The container  12  may be made out of any suitable substantially rigid material, such as molded or drawn of plastic. The container  12  can, for instance, be formed of plastic having a consistent thickness of about {fraction (1/16)} of an inch, as best shown in FIG. 4.  
     [0041] If desired, the container  12  could be made even more streamlined, with the cover plate surface lowered down to the level of the raised portion  58 , and with the corners  64  of the cover  14  extending all the way down to the planar support undersurface  36  of the base  16  (so the corners  64  of the cover  14  would touch an underlying table). However, leaving a small height (in the preferred embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 5 , a minimum height of about ⅓ inch provided along the bottom (south) side  56 ) on the entire periphery of the base  16  significantly strengthens the base  16  and makes the base  16  more rigid and robust. Similarly, leaving a small height (in the preferred embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 5 , a minimum height at the central cover grasping surface  72  of about 12 inch) on the entire periphery of the cover  14  significantly strengthens the cover  14  and makes the cover  14  more rigid and robust.  
     [0042] It is common for players to play the game  10  in locations wherein no flat rolling surfaces (such as a tabletop) are readily available, such as in a car or plane. FIG. 5 depicts the cover  14  flipped over to form a chute  84  for the traveling version of the game  10 . The chute  84  primarily includes three of the sidewalls  54 ,  56 ,  60 ,  62  of the peripheral engagement portion of the cover  14 . In the preferred embodiment, the cover  14  includes a cover face  86  which, when flipped over, is surrounded by one relatively low bottom (south) side wall  56 , and relatively high right (east), left (west) and top (north) side walls  62 ,  60 ,  54 . The relatively low wall  56  defines an opening into the chute  84 . The chute  84  is thus used to retain the master cube  20  and the dice  18  for the cast. Many players will find casting into the chute  84  to be a more exciting proposition, as it more similarly reflects shaking of dice  18  at a gambling casino craps table.  
     [0043] If desired, the lower inside surface of the cover face  86  could be coated with a soft material, such as a cloth, felt or rubber layer (not shown). Such a soft material makes the game quieter and even more like a gambling casino craps table. The soft material helps to lessen wear on the playing pieces  18 ,  20 , both during casting and during transportation of the game  10 . The soft material will further be viewed by some players as affecting the roll values in comparison to casting on a hard, bouncer surface.  
     [0044] The bullpen  30  doubles as a recess for holding a score pad  42  during storage of the game  10 . As best shown in FIG. 4, the cover  14  has a pad retaining surface  88 , positioned to overlie the placement of the score pad  42  in the bullpen  30 . The pad retaining surface  88 , in the preferred embodiment, is provided as a recess into the slope of the cover face  86 . During storage and shipping, the undersurface of the pad retaining recess  88  contacts the score pad  42  and retains the score pad  42  in position. Because the score pad  42  is flat, the undersurface of the pad retaining recess  88  should be flat (planar) and parallel to the bottom surface  32  of the bullpen  30 . In the preferred embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 5 , both the bottom surface  32  of the bullpen  30  and the undersurface of the pad retaining recess  88  in the cover  14  extend parallel to the plane defined by the support undersurface  36  of the base  16 , i.e., horizontal when the container  12  is placed on a horizontal table. The non-planar configuration of the tubular peripheral engagement thus extends at different heights both relative to the support undersurface  36  or an underlying table and relative to the generally planar undersurface of the pad retaining recess  88 .  
     [0045] The cover  14  has a piece retaining section  90 . The piece retaining section  90  is positioned such that, when the cover  14  is secured upon the base  16  with the playing pieces  18 ,  20  within the rack  22  and the master square  28 , the piece retaining section  90  contacts and retains the playing pieces  18 ,  20  in a stationary position relative to the base  16 . The piece retaining section  90  facilitates storage and transportation of the game  10 , both in significantly reducing noise associated with shaking of the dice  18  within the container  12  and significantly reducing wear on the indicia faces of the dice  18  and master cube  20  during transportation. One preferred piece retaining section  90  is provided just as the planar undersurface of the cover face  86  as best shown in FIG. 4. If desired however, downwardly directed stubs  92  may be placed on the undersurface of the cover face  86  as shown in FIG. 12, so the exterior surface of the cover face  86  may extend at a height higher than the top surface of the playing pieces  18 ,  20  when retained in the rack  22  and master square  28 .  
     [0046] The piece retaining section  90  is preferably provided as a translucent or transparent window  94 . The window  94  is thus located such that, when the playing pieces  18 ,  20  are retained within the rack  22  and master square  28 , at least some indicia facing the window  94  are visible through the window  94 . Alternatively, the cover  14  may be formed of a translucent or transparent plastic, such that the entirety of the cover  14  provides such a window  94 . As another alternative, the window  94  could be provided as a hole or slot through the cover  14 . Providing a window  94  through which the playing pieces  18 ,  20  can be viewed provides several advantages. A player can see the interior of the game  10  when making a purchase. Further, the players are likely to have a better understanding of proper playing placement of the dice  18  and master cube  20  in the rack  22  and master square  28 , respectively, when this placement can be viewed even before the cover  14  is removed from the base  16 . The window  94  also helps a player identify and recall which game it is, which is particularly useful when the game  10  is stored as one of numerous games in a dark drawer or closet.  
     [0047] A scoring chart  96  is preferably visibly positioned on the outside of the cover  14 . The scoring chart  96  is used to determine a player&#39;s score for a turn, depending upon the indicia displayed on the playing pieces  18 ,  20 . For instance, the scoring chart  96  can be on an outer surface of the window  94 , as shown in the preferred embodiments of FIGS.  6 - 9 . Alternatively, the scoring chart  96  can be placed over the pad retaining recess  88 . In either of these preferred placements, the scoring chart  96  can be easily viewed during play simply by placing the cover  14  in a viewable location. The cover  14  has a support undersurface which contacts a flat supporting structure during placement thereon. In the preferred embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 5 , the support undersurface of the cover  14  includes the underlying edge  98  of the bottom (south) side  56  and the underlying edge  100  of the top (north) side  54 . The scoring chart  96  is preferably on a planar face of the cover  14  such as the cover face  86 , such that when the cover  14  is placed on a supporting structure such as a table with the support undersurface  98 ,  100  of the cover  14  contacting the supporting structure, the scoring chart  96  can be viewed equally by all players.  
     [0048] Similar to the dice  18  and the master cube  20 , the scoring chart  96  may be placed as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 on an outer surface of the cover  14  which is slanted relative to the cover support undersurface  98 ,  100 , such that the scoring chart  96  is displayed in a sloped position when the cover  14  is placed upon a flat supporting structure. While angles from about 5° to about 80° are suitable for different purposes, a preferred angle is about 5°. This angle is chosen to provide optimal viewing by the player casting, while still permitting the other players to see the scoring chart  96 .  
     [0049] The scoring chart  96  may consist of information which is desired to have exposed at all times. Therefore, the scoring chart  96  is visible on the exterior of the container  12  when the cover  14  is secured on the base  16 . Alternatively, it may be desired to have certain information on the scoring chart  96  when the game  10  is first purchased, which will not be identical to the scoring chart  96  used by players familiar with the game  10 . Accordingly, the present invention provides for a peelable label  102  extending over the scoring chart  96 , shown in FIG. 7. The peelable label  102  may, for instance, provide promotional information, or a coupon for subsequent game purchases. The peelable label  102  may also have rules, which may be read by beginning players but are not often referred to during the play of the game  10 .  
     [0050] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, while virtually the entirety of the invention has been described as to how the invention is used in conjunction with the &#39;329 game, the improvements can be readily adapted into other games having different playing pieces  18 ,  20  and different rules.