Patent Publication Number: US-2023137827-A1

Title: Card holding and playing system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application and claims the benefit of and takes priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/563,798 filed on Dec. 28, 2021, which in claims the benefit of and takes priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/131,468 filed on Dec. 29, 2020, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a card holding and playing system for holding down playing cards, whether in a fanned position or in stacked piles, and more particularly to a card holding and playing system that is both effective and practical by utilizing compact, low profile, lightweight, portable, and durable retaining devices with low and high friction elements that allow for one-handed, secure card play. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Card games in various forms have been very popular for all kinds of occasions. However, holding down several cards, whether in a card caddy pick or draw pile and/or exposed on the table (e.g., the deal, melds, tricks, passed cards, discards, river) can be cumbersome if conditions such as wind, turbulence or an uneven playing surface are present. There have been attempts to control for wind with enhancements to the caddy and the development of magnetic or “wind-resistant” cards. However, this invention differs in offering a complete card playing solution that is both effective and practical as a compact, lightweight, portable, user-friendly kit that does not damage cards or require the expense of specialty cards which are difficult to shuffle, may rust, and are in limited supply. A flexible weighted retaining mechanism on this invention conforms to various card stack depths, whether one card or several, and then returns to its original shape, all without marking or denting the playing cards. A second retaining mechanism utilizes light magnetic forces to accomplish the same for smaller card stacks. This invention&#39;s card caddy has enough structure to hold cards while rotating, while also featuring a minimized design to create greater access in pulling or discarding playing cards. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant apparatus as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. Thus, the several embodiments of the instant apparatus are illustrated herein. 
     A primary object of the instant invention is to provide a card holding and playing system that utilizes a plurality of retaining devices for holding down and drawing cards which is effective, compact, lightweight, portable, and durable, and allows for one-handed, secure card play. 
     Another object of the instant invention is to provide a card holding and playing system which can be used to hold down one or more cards or card stacks in windy or turbulent conditions or on uneven playing surfaces by utilizing a first retaining device, namely the flexible retaining device, which is preferably symmetrical and includes a pair of weighted elements, with each one of the pair of weighted elements located at opposite ends of the flexible retaining device. 
     Another object of the instant invention is to provide a card holding and playing system which can be used to hold down one or more cards or card stacks in windy or turbulent conditions or on uneven playing surfaces by utilizing a second retaining device, namely the retaining disc, which is lightweight, slippery and contains a magnetic element to exert light magnetic forces onto a ferrous surface to allow for dealing, holding down, and arranging cards in a secure manner and without it being necessary to lift and reattach the retaining disc from the ferrous surface. Light magnetism and a low friction casing allow the retaining disc to easily slide over cards with gentle, one-handed pull/push manipulation, while an air gap at the retaining disc&#39;s edge allows cards to be easily inserted under the retaining disc while it remains attached to the ferrous surface. Light magnetism also enables quick clean-up, with the plurality of retaining discs naturally attracting into a compact vertical column. 
     Accordingly, certain aspects of the instant invention are directed to a card holding and playing system, which includes a card caddy comprised a card tray with a center divider and a base located under the card tray; a plurality of retaining devices, namely the flexible retaining device and the retaining disc; and one or more single or foldable game plates. 
     In another embodiment, the first and second retaining devices may be utilized for other purposes besides playing cards, for example to hold menus or napkins or paper plates or any paper pile as effective, lightweight, and portable “paper weights” to be used on ferrous surfaces. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the flexible retaining device comprises a weighted, spherical, low friction, substantially non-ferrous element that is partially exposed at both ends of the device allowing ease of card insertion and removal at multiple angles and with sufficient weight to hold down stacks of playing cards. 
     Additionally, the retaining disc is preferably configured to have a light magnetic element encased in the center of a slippery, heat resistant material with flat top and bottom surfaces for stacking several retaining discs and an air gap at its edge for allowing easy card insertion and removal. 
     Furthermore, the card tray offers a leaner solution for holding playing cards with its minimalist structure including a set of four corners, preferably bevelled in an outward orientation with openings wide enough to accommodate different card sizes and orientations, allowing ease of access to the cards, particularly in light of a flexible retaining device that lies centered above the card stacks. 
     In one embodiment, the card tray is made of durable, lightweight, and slippery material such as, but not limited to, polycarbonate, acrylic, and aluminium. 
     In one embodiment, the card tray and divider comprise a singular unit with the divider preferably containing a ferrous metal or magnetic rod at its center in order to receive attachable components of the system. In another embodiment, the divider may be removably attachable to the center of the card tray via a magnetic or friction fit mechanism with the base. 
     In one embodiment, the flexible retaining device is magnetic and detachable such that players may use the flexible retaining device on any ferrous surface to hold down one or more cards or card stacks. In other embodiments, the flexible retaining device may be removably or fixedly attached to surfaces via friction fit and/or snap fit mechanisms. 
     In one embodiment, the base is magnetic, detachable and adorned with artwork such that players may use the base separately with the first or second retaining device as a game plate or for other purposes entirely and may use the tray without a base. 
     In one embodiment, at least one ferrous plate is preferably a trifold plate secured with a silicone, vinyl, Tyvek, polypropylene, polyurethane, or other laminate material or combination of top and bottom laminate materials. Foldable and single plates have a top surface that is preferably slippery with a low coefficient of friction and a bottom surface that is grippy or layered with a grippy treatment, material, or other mechanism to prevent the plate from moving on a surface. The plates may be made of lightweight substantially ferrous metal that is galvanized or otherwise protected from rust. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of card holding and playing kit, in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the system that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the system in detail, it is to be understood that the system is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description, and/or illustrated in the drawings. The system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     These together with other objects of the system, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the system, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the system, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the system. 
     The foregoing has outlined the more pertinent and important features of the present system in order that the detailed description of the system that follows may be better understood, and the present contributions to the art may be more fully appreciated. It is of course not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations or permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel architecture described below is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  illustrates a schematic overview of the card holding and playing system showing a rotatable card caddy with a flexible retaining device, a plurality of retaining discs, and a set of game plates wherein the set of game plates may comprise a single game plate and/or folding game plates depending on need. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram showing the rotatable card caddy with the flexible retaining device to secure stacks of playing cards. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic side view of the rotatable card caddy with the flexible retaining device. 
         FIG.  4 A  is a schematic diagram showing an exploded view of the rotatable card caddy comprising a card tray and a rotatable base with the flexible retaining device. 
         FIG.  4 B  is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the card tray with a divider. 
         FIG.  4 C  is a schematic diagram of a ferrous metal or magnet located at the center of the divider. 
         FIG.  4 D  is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of the card tray. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  are schematic diagrams showing the flexible retaining device with a spherical weight on either end of the device. 
         FIGS.  5 C- 5 D  are schematic diagrams of the spherical weight with internal annular grooves. 
         FIG.  5 E  is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the flexible retaining device without the spherical weights. 
         FIG.  5 F  is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of the flexible retaining device without the spherical weights. 
         FIG.  5 G  is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a groove head fixedly attached to either end of the flexible retaining device. 
         FIG.  5 H  is a schematic diagram showing an alternate embodiment of one of the spherical weights with a flange. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 B  are schematic diagrams showing another flexible retaining device. 
         FIGS.  7 A- 7 D and  8 A- 8 B  are schematic diagrams showing asymmetrical flexible retaining devices with a single weighted element. 
         FIG.  9 A  is a schematic diagram showing a spherical weight partially exposed at one end of the retaining device depicted in  FIG.  8 A . 
         FIG.  9 B  is a schematic diagram showing a magnet element encapsulated in one end of the retaining device depicted in  FIG.  8 A . 
         FIG.  10 A  is a schematic diagram showing an exploded view of the retaining disc. 
         FIG.  10 B  is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the retaining disc. 
         FIGS.  10 C- 10 D  are schematic diagrams showing side views of the top and bottom parts of the retaining disc. 
         FIG.  11 A  is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of a bearing plate for the base of the rotatable card caddy. 
         FIG.  11 B  is a schematic diagram showing a top view of the bearing plate for the base of the rotatable card caddy. 
         FIG.  11 C  is a schematic diagram showing a side view of the bearing plate for the base of the rotatable card caddy containing bearing balls inside. 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic diagram showing multi-layer game plates with a ferrous core encased in a laminate material with living hinges to accommodate the folding mechanism wherein a plurality of games plates is connected. 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic diagram showing a single game plate with a ferrous core encased in a laminate material. 
         FIG.  14 A- 14 B  is an alternate embodiment of the base of the card holding and playing system with the base having a magnet embedded within three layers. 
         FIG.  15 A- 15 B  illustrate the card tray and base in both a “play” and “storage” position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of several embodiments of the apparatus and does not represent the only forms in which the present apparatus may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the apparatus in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification. All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the terms “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. 
     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments of the claimed invention. 
     Reference will now be made to non-limiting embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the Figures. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  illustrate a card holding and playing system  10 , wherein the system  10  comprises a rotatable card caddy  100  with a flexible retaining device  14 , a stackable retaining disc  200 , and a plurality of foldable game plates  300 . In a preferred embodiment, the foldable game plate  300  further comprises three multi-layered ferrous plates,  301 ,  302 ,  303 , bonded by top and bottom laminate material with living hinges  305 . In one embodiment, the system  10  includes one or more single game plates  320  with a ferrous core encased in a laminate material. In another embodiment, the ferrous core is powder coated, galvanized, plated, or painted and has a grippy material and/or coating on its underside. 
       FIGS.  2  and  3    illustrate a card tray  100   a  mounted on a base  26 , wherein the base  26  may be rotatable in some embodiments and non-rotatable in other embodiments, with a flexible retaining device  14  that is preferably symmetrical and is configured to be removably attached to a divider  24  or a game plate  300  via magnet  13 A located at the middle of the flexible retaining device  14 . In a preferred embodiment, the card tray  100   a  comprises four corners  120 , a flat surface  12 , and a divider  24  centered on the flat surface  12  to accommodate two decks of cards. In one embodiment, the flexible retaining device  14  comprises a pair of weighted elements  16  and  18 , wherein element  16  is secured at end  44  of the flexible retaining device  14  and element  18  is secured at end  46  of the flexible retaining device  14 . In a preferred embodiment, elements  16  and  18  are substantially spherical and are made of low friction, weighted, non-ferrous material. In another embodiment, elements  16  and  18  are only partially exposed at the ends  44  and  46 . 
     In one embodiment, the card tray  100   a  is made of highly polished polycarbonate and is sufficiently large to hold cards of different sizes. Alternatively, the card tray  100   a  may be made of metal, acrylic, plastic composite, or other material that is durable and lightweight. 
     In one embodiment, the rotatable card caddy  100  has a bottom with sufficient grip so that the caddy does not slide on a surface. 
     In one embodiment, a set of four corners  120  of the card tray  100   a  bevel out slightly to allow cards to slide in and out more easily. In addition, in one embodiment the base  26  comprises a top bearing plate  47 A, a bottom bearing plate  47 B, a magnet  13 C located inside the top bearing plate  47 A, and a plurality of steel balls  41  in between the bearing plates. In a preferred embodiment, the base  26  is rotatable and the flat surface  12  is attached to the top bearing plate  47 A, wherein the flat surface  12  and the top bearing plate  47 A swivel simultaneously on the bottom plate  47 B of the base  26 . The flexible retaining device  14  is securely attached to the top center of the divider  24  via magnets  13 A and  13 B while the flat surface  12  is secured to the top of the base  26  via magnets  13 B and  13 C. The first flexible retaining device  14  may hold down two decks of cards, one on either side of the divider  24 , via the weighted elements  16  and  18 . The divider  24  may be removably attachable. In another embodiment, the divider  24  is permanently installed at the center of the card tray  100   a . In one embodiment,  13 C is a ferrous metal. 
       FIG.  4 A  depicts a number of individual components disclosed in the card holding and playing system  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the divider  24  has a non-magnetic hollow structure in the middle configured to accommodate magnet  13 B, wherein the height of magnet  13 B equals the height of the divider  24  such that magnets  13 A and  13 C are in contact with magnet  13 B. In one embodiment, the base  26  is a clear acrylic Lazy Susan comprising steel ball bearings  41  with art work on a top  28 , the magnet  13 C embedded in the center of the top bearing plate  47 A, and the bottom bearing plate  47 B with a non-slip bottom. In another embodiment, the base  26  may be permanently affixed on the bottom of the card tray. 
       FIG.  4 B  depicts a preferred embodiment of the rotatable card caddy  100  which comprises four vertical openings  82 ,  83 ,  84 , and  85  on a peripheral next to the four corners  120 . It also shows a preferred securing mechanism using a ferrous metal or magnet  13 B to secure the flexible retaining device  14  and the rotatable base  26  to the top of the divider  24  and to the bottom of the flat surface  12  of the card tray  100   a , respectively. The cylindrical magnet  13 B, which may alternatively be a ferrous metal, is shown in  FIG.  4 C . It is exposed on the top of the divider  24  and the bottom of the flat surface  12  as shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 D . In another embodiment, the magnet  13 B is encased in a thin layer of material at its north and/or south ends. The card tray  100   a  is held in position on the rotatable base  26  via a south end of the magnet  13 B and a north end of magnet  13 C in the top bearing plate  47 A of the base  26 . 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  show a preferred embodiment of the flexible retaining device  14 , wherein the flexible retaining device  14  comprises an arm  42  and a magnet  48 A encapsulated in a broken-out section  48  at a middle portion of the arm  42 . The arm  42  is held in position via the magnet  48 A and a ferrous surface, such as the north end of the magnet  13 B in the divider  24  or a game plate  300 . Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the weighted elements  16  and  18  are attached to the arm  42  by securing them onto two male members  201  and  202  having annular grooved heads formed on their outer surface. The male members  201  and  202  are configured outwardly and downwardly near the ends  44  and  46 . 
       FIGS.  5 C and  5 D  illustrate a preferred embodiment of the weighted elements  16  and  18  which is configured to have a female member  30  having annular grooves internally. The weighted elements  16  and  18  are substantially non-ferrous and spherical with a relatively flat top allowing them to be secured against the arm  42  tightly. Alternatively, the weighted elements  16  and  18  are selected from any one of a hollow sphere, a hollow semi-sphere, a hollow ellipse sphere, and a hollow semi-ellipse sphere. In some embodiments, the weighted elements are permanently fixed to the flexible retaining device. In other embodiments, the weighted elements are removably attached to the two ends of the flexible retaining device. In yet another embodiment shown in  FIG.  5 H , the weighted elements  16  and  18  have atop flange  501  on which the arm  42  is additionally secured. 
     In one embodiment, male members  201  and  202 , ends  44  and  46 , and arm  42  comprise a singular unit as shown in  FIGS.  5 E- 5 G . In another embodiment, the male members  201  and  202  are removable such that a user may replace the ends  44  and  46  with male members of different diameters to accommodate heavier and/or lighter weighted elements. In some embodiments, male members  201  and  202  may be silicone, TPE, metal, or plastic composite. 
     Another embodiment  114  of the flexible retaining device, as shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  comprises an arm  52  and two flanges  34  and  36 . The flanges  34  and  36  hold the weighted elements  76  and  78  and preferably extend beyond the halfway point of each weighted element  76  and  78 . In one embodiment, the flanged areas  34  and  36  that hold the weighted elements  76  and  78  in place has a chamfer so that each weighted element  76  and  78  can stay in contact with a card stack as the height of the stack increases or decreases. 
       FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  illustrate one embodiment of another flexible retaining device  51  with two asymmetrical ends. In this embodiment, a first end  56  possesses a smaller circumference and a slit  60  to allow for the insertion of a magnetic element. A second end  54  possesses a larger circumference in relation to the first end  56  and contains a weighted element  58 . In this configuration, the arm  50  is preferably made of silicone or TPE. Light magnetism and a low friction underside allow the flexible retaining device  51  to easily slide over cards with gentle, one-handed pull/push manipulation. Additionally,  FIGS.  7 C- 7 D and  8 A- 8 B  illustrate other embodiments of an asymmetrical flexible retaining device  51  with one weighted element. 
     In one embodiment, the flexible retaining device  51  preferably comprises a large circumference in one end and a small circumference in the other end, wherein a weighted element in the shape of a sphere or hemisphere is exposed at the end with the larger circumference; and a magnet element is completely or partially encapsulated at the end with the smaller circumference. 
     In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS.  7 C and  7 D , magnetic elements  61  and  63  are completely encapsulated at the end with the smaller circumference. Alternatively, the magnets  61  and  63  are partially encapsulated; in yet another alternative element, the magnet element  61  and  63  may be constructed of a variety of shapes, including spherical, cubical, trapezoidal or any similar design. 
     In one embodiment, the weighted element  58  is a partially exposed weighted ball  64  which is held in place by a flange with a chamfered area  62  so that the weighted ball stays in contact with a card stack as the height of the stack increases or decreases. The bottom of weighted ball  64  and the bottom of arm  53  and  55  are slippery enough to allow the retaining device to easily slide over cards. 
     In one embodiment, the end with a smaller circumference has a flat bottom  66  with a slippery finish. In another embodiment, the top side of arm  55  is flush. 
     In another embodiment of a flexible retaining device as shown in  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B , the device has two asymmetrical ends. The end  67  with a partially exposed weighted ball  68  rotatably bends at joint  69  as the height of a card stack increases or decreases. 
       FIG.  9 A  illustrates a schematic diagram showing one end of the flexible retaining device  51  with a partially exposed weighted ball  68 .  FIG.  9 B  illustrates a schematic diagram showing the other end with an encapsulated magnetic element  61  and a flat bottom. 
       FIG.  10 A  shows a perspective view of a portable, movable, and stackable retaining disc  200  with magnet  202  encased in a top portion  201  and a bottom portion  203 . The top portion  201  and the bottom portion  203  are made of low friction, heat resistant, semi-flexible or rigid material. 
       FIG.  10 B  shows a side view of the retaining disc  200  demonstrating top and bottom symmetry with a heat seal or molded edge preferably centered vertically so that the disc is reversible. An air gap at the edge of the retaining disc  200 , together with the low friction, semi-flexible and/or rigid material of top  201  and bottom  203 , allow for ease of card insertion and removal while the retaining disc remains attached to a ferrous surface, enabling one-handed play. The retaining disc  200  may slide easily along cards and/or the game plate with gentle pull/push manipulation or the retaining disc may be picked up and moved around freely. 
     In one embodiment as shown in  FIGS.  10 B- 10 D , the top portion  201  and the bottom portion  203  are flat in the middle so that the number of cards held can be expanded by vertically stacking cards and the retaining discs in an alternating manner. For example, stacks of completed melds or tricks can be secured in this way. The size of the flat area of top  201  and bottom  203  may vary based on a specific desire of contact area and holding power of the retaining disc  200  related to the size of encased magnet  202  and the volume of cards needed to be held in position. The preferred embodiment is an encased magnet  202  with a low pull force that is strong enough to hold 13+ stacked cards on a horizontal playing surface. At the same time, the pull force is low enough for a user to easily separate an individual retaining disc from a stack of retaining discs. In another embodiment, each retaining disc  200  additionally encases an outer ring of lightweight filler, such as foam, that surrounds magnet  202 . A plurality of retaining discs  200  naturally stack into a compact column for storage, attracted by their magnetic force. 
       FIGS.  11 A- 11 C  show an alternative embodiment of a bearing assembly  401  comprising two square bearing plates  401 A and  401 B and a plurality of bearing balls  402 . In an alternate embodiment of the base  26 , bearing plate  401 A is fixedly attached to receiving grooves in top bearing plate  47 A while  401 B is fixedly attached to receiving grooves in bottom bearing plate  47 B. 
       FIGS.  12  and  13    illustrate schematic diagrams of trifold  300  and single  320  game plates with a core made of lightweight substantially ferrous metal preferably with a thickness between 0.005 and 0.02 inches and galvanized or otherwise protected from rust. In a preferred embodiment, the game plates are sized to fit into the card tray  100   a  resting on and magnetically attracted to the north end of magnet  13 B located in divider  24 . 
     In one embodiment as shown in  FIG.  12   , the trifold game plate  300  is laminated or otherwise covered in durable and lightweight materials or a combination of materials such as vinyl or Tyvek. The underside of the game plate  300  has a gripping material or coating so that the plates  301 ,  302 , and  303  do not slide on a surface. The top of the game plate  300  has a low friction laminate surface or may alternatively be powder coated, galvanized, plated, or painted. The trifold game plate  300  comprises three separate metal sheets  301 ,  302 , and  303 . In this embodiment, each plate is connected to the next corresponding plate via a glued and/or heat sealed top and bottom laminate with living hinges  305 . Alternatively, the game plate can be utilized individually as a single game plate  320  with a ferrous core encased in a laminate material as shown in  FIG.  13    or powder coated, galvanized, plated or painted and with a gripping material or coating on its underside. 
       FIGS.  14 A and  14 B  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the base  26  for the card holding and playing system, wherein a base  400  is shown having a top layer  402 , a middle layer  406  and a bottom layer  408 . In this embodiment, a magnet  406  is contained with the middle layer  404  and surrounded by the top layer  402  and bottom layer  408 . In another embodiment, the top layer  402  possess a low friction finish, and the bottom layer  408  possesses a high friction finish so that the base  400  does not slide on a surface where the card holding and playing system is located. In this embodiment, the flat surface  12  of the card tray  100   a  is secured to the base  26  via magnets  13 B and  13 C. The magnet  13 B in the card tray  100   a  pivots about the magnet  13 C or  404  (depending on the embodiment) to allow rotation of the card tray  100   a.    
       FIGS.  15 A and  15 B  illustrate the card tray  100   a  and the base  400 , wherein during play, the base  400  is located below the card  100   a  and during storage, the base  400  is stored within the card tray  100   a  resting on the divider  24 . 
     It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure. Elements of an implementation of the kit described herein may be independently implemented or combined with other implementations.