Patent Publication Number: US-7900928-B2

Title: Target game

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/668,253 filed on Jan. 29, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Technology 
     This disclosure relates to target games. More particularly, this disclosure is directed to a target game that provides improved containment, greater scoring opportunities and is more challenging to the players, requiring greater skill and accuracy. 
     2. Brief Description of Related Art 
     There exist many target games of various configurations and rules. One game in particular—Sapo or Toad (or Frog)—is a toss-style game that is played by tossing tokens onto a horizontal surface, constituting a playing surface, of a generally wooden box structure having apertures of different values in the horizontal surface for receiving the tokens. The object of the game is to toss the tokens so that they fall through highest-valued apertures on the playing surface. 
     The apertures have different point values depending on their difficulty. One aperture, generally having the highest point value, is protected by the Sapo, which is the most difficult aperture as the token must be tossed into the Sapo&#39;s mouth to earn points. Tokens that fall through the apertures slide through channels toward the front of the game and are collected or received in open scoring bins, with the scoring bins being associated with the particular apertures on the playing surface. To increase the requisite skill level and scoring potential, larger number of apertures, smaller sizes thereof and obstacles (such as spinning wheels) have been employed. 
     Generally, from the playing surface there rise a pair of low-profile opposing sidewalls and a low-profile back wall, which provide a boundary about the playing surface. This boundary provides little containment of tokens that are tossed at the playing surface, as these tokens may skip on the playing surface and bounce off the playing surface over the boundary. 
     Furthermore, the open bins provide no protection from tokens errantly tossed directly into the scoring bins. Additionally, tokens that may have rolled or vacillated on their edges sliding through the channels into the scoring bins instead of sliding flatly may errantly bounce out of the open bins. 
     As improved game play and enjoyment are of importance in the target games, it would be advantageous to increase requisite skill level, ways of scoring and containment to improve the play and enjoyment of the game of Sapo. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a target game to receive tokens into apertures having associated scores. The target game includes a first playing surface, a second playing surface and a plurality of scoring bins. The first playing surface includes a plurality of first apertures. The second playing surface intersects the first playing surface and extends above from the first playing surface. The second playing surface also includes a plurality of second apertures. The plurality of scoring bins is disposed below the first playing surface and in communication with the first apertures and the second apertures. Each of the scoring bins is in communication with a respective aperture of the first apertures and the second apertures. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a target game to receive tokens into apertures having associated scores. The target game includes a housing having a first playing surface, a second playing surface and a plurality of scoring bins. The housing includes at least opposing sidewalls and a top wall. The top wall is disposed between and extends along the opposing sidewalls. The top wall is configured as the first playing surface that includes a plurality of first apertures. The second playing surface intersects the first playing surface and extends above from the first playing surface. The second playing surface includes a plurality of second apertures. The plurality of scoring bins is disposed in the housing and in communication with the first apertures and the second apertures. Each of the scoring bins is in communication with a respective aperture of the first apertures and the second apertures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various features and attendant advantages of the example embodiments will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of an example target game; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a perspective view of tokens for playing the target game of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the example target game of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the example target game of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the example target game of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the example target game of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a back view of the example target game of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a back cross-sectional view of the example target game of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of the example target game of  FIG. 1A  including a containment and advertising curtain assembly; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the example target game of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a back view of the example target game of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view  100  of an example target game. The example target game includes sidewalls  101  and  102 , with each respective sidewall  101  and  102  having an upper curved portion  104  and  106 . The example target game further includes a horizontal playing surface  112  and a vertical playing surface  108 . The upper curved portions  104 ,  106  of the respective sidewalls  101 ,  102  and the playing surfaces  108 ,  112  form a game containment area  115  allowing a player to stand farther from the target game, yet contain the tossed tokens  125  ( FIG. 1B ) in the game containment area  115 . 
     The vertical playing surface  108  includes plural apertures  110  and the horizontal playing surface includes  112  includes plural apertures  114 . Apertures  110 ,  114  may include a variety or combinations of differently-shaped openings or slits in the respective playing surfaces  108 ,  112  to accept tokens  125  tossed by players at the target game. The variety of differently-shaped openings challenges the players, requiring greater skill and accuracy, provide different scoring opportunities, and increase enjoyment of the game. The vertical playing surface  108  also provides extra scoring opportunities and facilitates a variety of scoring schemes to be employed. 
     The apertures  110 ,  114  are sized such that tokens  125  ( FIG. 1B ) may be accepted through the respective apertures  110 ,  114 . More specifically, some apertures may be round openings and larger than the circumference of the tokens  125 , allowing the tokens  125  to fall through in any orientation (e.g., horizontal or vertical), while other apertures may be slits or openings that are larger than the thickness of the tokens  125  allowing (accepting) the tokens  125  that are vertical only (on edge) to fall through. Still another aperture may be elevated above the horizontal surface  112 , e.g., a slit or opening in the mouth of a frog that accepts the tokens  125 , which allows or accepts tokens  125  that are oriented horizontally only. 
     The example target game also includes a flat base  123  that rests on a surface, such as a floor. The horizontal playing surface  112 , the sidewalls  101 ,  102  and base  123  form a housing that encloses plural scoring bins  124 , which are associated with respective apertures  110 ,  114  of the horizontal and vertical playing surfaces  108 ,  112  and receive tokens  125  ( FIG. 1B ) falling through the respective apertures  110 ,  114 . 
     The front of the example target game also includes a translucent door  116  rotatably affixed by hinges  120  and  122  to sidewall  102  (or alternatively to sidewall  101 ), depending on whether the door  116  should open to the left or to the right. Although the hinges  120 ,  122  are shown on the outside of the housing for clarity, it is to be noted that the hinges  120 ,  122  may be hidden hinges that are affixed to the interior of sidewall  102  (or alternatively to sidewall  101 ) and door  116 . The outer part of the door  116  includes a knob  118  to open and close the door  116 . 
     The door may be closed during play to enclose the scoring bins  124 , preventing tokens  125  ( FIG. 1B ) falling through the apertures  110 ,  112  from errantly bouncing out of the scoring bins  124  and preventing tokens  125  being tossed directly into the scoring bins  124  resulting in unfair play. While the door  116  may be made entirely out of a particular material (e.g., wood, Plexiglas and the like), the door  116  may also include a Plexiglas or other translucent material in the center allowing the players to observe scoring bins  124  or receipt of tokens  125  in the scoring bins  124  during play. Upon completion of play (e.g., a particular game), or any time during thereof, the door  116  may be opened to remove the tokens  125  from the scoring bins  124  for the next round of play or for a new game. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a perspective view of tokens  125  for playing the target game of  FIG. 1A . The tokens  125  are dimensioned for receipt via apertures  110  and  114  on the vertical playing surface  108  and the horizontal playing surface  112 , respectively. More specifically, the tokens  125  may be of any shape (e.g., round, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, and the like) which may be received via apertures  110 ,  114 . The tokens  125  may be made of any material or combinations of materials, including metal (e.g., brass), yet be sufficiently heavy and durable to be easily tossed from a number of feet away from the target game for receipt via apertures  110  and  114 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a front view  200  of the example target game of  FIG. 1A . The front view  200  depicts various configurations of the apertures  110  on the vertical playing surface  108  and their respective scoring bins  124  to receive tokens  125  falling through the apertures  110 . The vertical playing surface  108  may include dampening material to absorb or dampen momentum of tossed tokens  125  and to contain the tokens  125  in the game containment area  115  (shown in  FIG. 1A ). The apertures  114  on the horizontal playing surface  112  and their respective scoring bins  124  will be described in reference to  FIG. 3  below. Although the Sapo or frog aperture  210  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , it will also be described in reference to  FIG. 3  below. The apertures  110  on the vertical playing surface  108  include apertures  202 - 208 . At this point it is sufficient to mention that each of the apertures on the vertical playing surface  108  and the horizontal playing surface  112  is related to a respective scoring bin  124 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     The scoring bins  124  are arranged in five tiers of scoring bins  124 , with the four top-most tiers corresponding to respective rows of apertures  114  of horizontal playing surface  112  described in reference to  FIG. 3  below, and the lowest tier corresponding to apertures  110  in the vertical playing surface  108  (apertures  202 - 208 ). The first top-most tier includes three scoring bins  126 - 130  and a vertical stop member  132  to contain tokens  125  received in these scoring bins. The next lowest-tier includes five scoring bins  133 - 139  and a vertical stop member  140  to contain tokens  125  received in these scoring bins. Still the next lowest-tier includes three scoring bins  142 - 146  and a vertical stop member  148  to contain tokens  125  received in these scoring bins. Yet the next lowest-tier includes five scoring bins  149 - 155  and a vertical stop member  156  to contain tokens  125  received. Lastly, the bottom-most tier includes four scoring bins  158 - 164  and a vertical stop member  166 . The vertical stop member  166  may be monolithic with the base  123  illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
     The scoring bins  124  of each tier receive tokens  125  from respective apertures  110 ,  114 . As will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 5  below, the channels from apertures  110 ,  114 , which lead to and form respective scoring bins  124  are separated by partitions  216  to keep tokens  125  segregated so that they may be collected in respective scoring bins  124 . 
     The apertures  204 - 208  may be round openings through which tokens  125  are received and which fall through the apertures  204 - 208 , sliding through respective channels (shown in  FIG. 5 ) toward the front of the target game, being stopped by vertical stop member  166 , and collected or received in respective scoring bins  158 - 164 . It is noted that apertures  204 - 208  may also be slits that are oriented vertically or horizontally to receive tossed tokens  125  in the different orientations to increase requisite skill level, enhancing game play, providing different scoring opportunities and enjoyment. 
     The tokens  125  received through aperture  204  are collected in scoring bin  158 , tokens  125  received through aperture  202  are collected in scoring bin  160 , token received through aperture  206  are collected in scoring bin  162  and token received through aperture  208  are collected in scoring bin  164 . The particular configuration of the apertures  110 , including apertures  202 - 208 , in relation to the channels connecting the apertures to the respective scoring bins  158 - 164  is illustrated and described in reference to  FIG. 7  below. 
     An inner surface of the door  116  includes a locking mechanism  212  and sidewall  101  ( FIG. 1A ) includes a receiving mechanism  214  to secure the door  116  via the locking mechanism  212  in a closed position, such as during play (e.g., during a game), to prevent tokens  125  from errantly bouncing out of the scoring bins  124  and preventing tokens  125  being tossed directly into the scoring bins  124 . The locking/securing mechanism  212 ,  214  may be a simple magnet/metal combination or another conventional device to secure the door  116  in a closed position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top view  300  of the example target game of  FIG. 1A . The top view  300  depicts the horizontal playing surface  112  including a variety of apertures  114 , including round apertures  302 - 306 ,  308 - 312 ,  314 - 318 ,  320  and  324 . The horizontal playing surface  112  may include dampening material to absorb or dampen momentum of tossed tokens  125  and to contain the tokens  125  in the game containment area  115  (shown in  FIG. 1A ). The horizontal playing surface  112  also includes apertures  307 ,  313 ,  319  and  325 , which are slits that accept tokens  125  in a vertical orientation. The foregoing apertures  307 ,  313 ,  319  and  325  may be disposed at a variety of positions and in a variety of orientations (vertical, horizontal, diagonal) on the horizontal playing surface  112 . 
     The horizontal playing surface  112  also includes the Sapo having aperture  210  ( FIG. 2 ) in the frog&#39;s mouth that accepts tokens  125  in a horizontal orientation and feeds the received tokens to aperture  322  in the horizontal playing surface  112 . The top view  300  further illustrates a back wall  326  and top wall  328  between and connecting the vertical playing surface  108  and the back wall  326 . It should be noted that the horizontal playing surface  112  includes an extension portion  330  that extends out beyond the sidewalls  101  and  102  toward the player. The extension portion  330  provides an added playing surface to the horizontal playing surface  112 , increasing the probability that tokens  125  land on the horizontal playing surface  112  instead of falling in front the target game and allowing the player to stand farther from the target game. Furthermore, as the extension portion  330  overhangs the door  116  when in a closed position during play, it also prevents the tokens tossed at the target game from falling behind the door  116  over its top. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3  concurrently, the horizontal playing surface  112  includes four rows of apertures  114 , which are connected via respective channels ( FIG. 5 ) to respective scoring bins  124  as follows. More specifically, the farthest row of apertures on the horizontal playing surface  112  includes apertures  319 - 325 , which are associated with respective scoring bins  149 - 155 . The next closest row includes apertures  314 - 318 , which are associated with respective scoring bins  142 - 146 . Yet the next closest row includes apertures  307 - 313 , which are associated with respective scoring bins  133 - 139 . Finally, the closest row of apertures includes apertures  302 - 306 , which are associated with respective scoring bins  126 - 130 . As can be seen, tokens  125  received via the apertures  114  on the horizontal surface  112  are collected in the respective scoring bins  124 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view  400  of the example target game of  FIG. 1A . Side view  400  clearly illustrates the extension portion  330  of the horizontal playing surface  112  projecting or extending out past the sidewalls  101 ,  102  (sidewall  101  not shown in  FIG. 4 ). Also illustrated in greater detail is sidewall  102  having the upper curved portion  106 . It is noted that sidewall  101  ( FIG. 1A ) also has the upper curved portion  104  ( FIG. 1A ), which is analogous to the upper curved portion  106  of sidewall  102  as described below. The upper curved portion  106  of the sidewall  102  has an upward slope  404  that begins at a low-profile front edge  402  (about 4 inches above the horizontal playing surface  112 ) and terminates about the top of the vertical playing surface  108  (about 14 inches above the horizontal playing surface  112 ). 
     The upper curved portion  104  ( FIG. 1A ) and upper curved portion  106  of sidewalls  101 ,  102 , respectively, provide both an esthetic quality as well as containment for tokens  125  tossed at the target game, as momentum carries the tokens  125  into the depth of the game containment area  115  bounded by the horizontal playing surface  112 , the upward-sloping portions  104 ,  106  of sidewalls  101 ,  102 , respectively, and by the vertical playing surface  108 . At about the vertical playing surface  108 , the upper portion  106  of sidewall  102  levels out and finally terminates at the back wall  326 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side cross-sectional view  500  of the example target game of  FIG. 1A . It is noted that door  116  is not shown for clarity. In the cross-sectional view  500 , channel surfaces  502 - 508  allow tokens  125  that fall through apertures  114  on the horizontal playing surfaced  112  to slide toward the front of the target game to be collected or received in scoring bins  124 , while channel surface  510  allows tokens  125  that fall through apertures  110  on the vertical playing surface  108  to slide toward the front of the target game to be collected or received in respective scoring bins  124 . Channel surfaces  502 - 510  are generally diagonally disposed within the target game from the back down to the front to allow tokens  125  received through apertures  110 ,  114  to slide down to the respective scoring bins  124  at the front of the target game. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5 , each channel surface  502 - 510  is divided by partitions  216  ( FIG. 2 ) to form respective channels, each of which begins at a particular aperture and terminates at a particular scoring bin. More specifically, channel surface  502  is divided by partitions  216  into three channels leading from apertures  302 - 306  ( FIG. 3 ) to scoring bins  126 - 130 , respectively. Channel surface  504  is divided by partitions  216  into five channels leading from apertures  307 - 313  ( FIG. 3 ) to scoring bins  133 - 139 , respectively. Channel surface  506  is divided by partitions  216  into three channels leading from apertures  314 - 318  ( FIG. 3 ) to scoring bins  142 - 146 , respectively. Channel surface  508  is divided by partitions  216  into five channels leading from apertures  319 - 325  ( FIG. 3 ) to scoring bins  149 - 155 , respectively. It is noted that apertures  302 - 325  are on the horizontal playing surface  112 . 
     A vertical cavity  512  is formed between the back wall  326  and the vertical playing surface  108 , which is divided by partitions  216  into four channels, each for a respective aperture  202 - 208  (shown in greater detail in  FIG. 7  below). In addition, channel surface  510  is divided by partitions  216  into four channels connecting to respective channels in the vertical cavity  512 , thereby providing continuous channels that lead from apertures  202 - 208  ( FIG. 2 ) to scoring bins  158 - 164 , respectively. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a back view  600  of the example target game of  FIG. 1A . As illustrated in the back view  600 , the back wall  326  of the target game is lower than the vertical playing surface  108 . Yet, the back wall  326  is sufficiently tall enough to enclose apertures  202 - 208  of the vertical playing surface  108 , forming the vertical cavity  512  ( FIG. 5 ) between the back wall  326  and the vertical playing surface  108  enclosed by top wall  328  and sidewalls  101 ,  102 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a back cross-sectional view  700  of the example target game of  FIG. 1A . The back cross-sectional view  700  illustrates apertures  110  on the vertical playing surface  108  and partitions  216  ( FIG. 2 ) in the vertical cavity to keep tokens  125  falling through apertures  202 - 208  segregated so that they may be collected in respective scoring bins  158 - 164 . More specifically, tokens  125  falling through aperture  208  slide to and are collected in scoring bin  164 , tokens  125  falling through aperture  206  slide to and are collected in scoring bin  162 , tokens  125  falling through aperture  202  slide to and are collected in scoring bin  160 , and lastly, tokens  125  falling through aperture  204  slide to and are collected in scoring bin  158 . 
     While lateral partitions  216  are generally straight, the center partition  216  includes sections  702 - 706 , which are at angles with respect to one another to allow tokens  125  falling though apertures  202  and  206  to be segregated into respective scoring bins  160 ,  162 . More specifically, as aperture  202  is vertically above aperture  206  on the vertical playing surface  108 , section  702  is oriented diagonally from sidewall  102  to sidewall  101  to allow tokens  125  falling through aperture  202  to slide down the correct channel and be collected in the correct scoring bin  160 , while section  704  is oriented diagonally from sidewall  101  to sidewall  102  to allow tokens  125  falling through aperture  202  to slide down the correct channel and be collected in the correct scoring bin  162 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a front view  800  of the example target game of  FIG. 1A , which includes a curtain assembly  801 . The curtain assembly  801  provides not only containment for the tokens  125  tossed by players at the target game, but also protects the surrounding area (e.g., walls and the like) from the tokens  125  and provides space  810 ,  812  to receive advertisements, as well as any other written/printed or other material that may be desired. The curtain assembly  801  includes a curtain  802 , which is attached to a horizontal bar  804  from which it can be unrolled to appropriate length desired. 
     The tokens  125  that miss or ricochet off the target game may hit the curtain  812  and thereafter may further slide down into receiving pockets  814 ,  816  to be collected. Although only receiving pockets  814 ,  816  are illustrated, it is to be noted that additional one or more receiving pockets may be provided between receiving pockets  814 ,  816  or anywhere on curtain  802 , as may be desired. The bar  804  is supported by vertical assemblies  806  and  808 , which will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10  below. At this point, it is sufficient to mention that the vertical assemblies  806 ,  808  are adjustable to lift or lower the curtain assembly  801  in relation to the target game. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a side view  900  of the example target game of  FIG. 8 . The side view  900  illustrates a side view of the vertical assembly  808  of the curtain assembly  801  in more detail. It is to be noted that vertical assembly  806  is analogous to vertical assembly  808  described below. As illustrated in side view  900 , the curtain  802 , which includes receiving pockets  814 ,  816  (only pocket  816  shown), is attached to a horizontal bar  804  from which it can be unrolled to appropriate length desired. Vertical assembly  808  may include a vertically telescoping rail having an upper portion  902  and a lower portion  906 , supported by fixation devices  904 ,  908 . 
     The fixation devices  904 ,  908  are attached to the back wall  326 . Both fixation devices  904 ,  908  may include apertures through which vertical assembly  808  may be inserted and the height thereof adjusted. Fixation device  908  may be a terminal fixation device (e.g., without an aperture), which supports the vertical assembly  808  and the height of the vertical assembly  808  may be adjusted via the telescoping rail  902 ,  906 . Alternatively, or in addition, the vertical rail may or may not be non-telescoping and each fixation device  904 ,  908  may include an aperture, allowing the height of the vertical rail  808  to be adjusted by moving the vertical rail through the apertures of fixation devices  904 ,  908 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a back view  1000  of the example target game of  FIG. 8 . In the back view  1000 , vertical assemblies  806 ,  808  of  FIG. 8  are illustrated in greater detail. As described above in reference to  FIG. 9 , vertical assemblies  806 ,  808  may each include a vertically telescoping rail facilitating height adjustment, having an upper portion  902  and a lower portion  906 , supported by fixation devices  904 ,  908 . As also described above, the vertical rail may also be non-telescoping, where height adjustment may be achieved by moving the vertical rails through apertures of fixation devices  904 ,  908 . 
     In operation, in accordance with  FIGS. 1-10 , the above-described example target game provides improved game play and enjoyment, increasing requisite skill level to challenge players, providing additional ways of scoring and improving containment during play. The increase in the requisite skill level and additional ways of scoring are obtained, among other feature, by providing, in addition to the horizontal playing surface  112  having a plurality of apertures  114 , a vertical playing surface  108  having a plurality of apertures  110  connected to respective scoring bins  124 . The different apertures  110 ,  114  may be used to provide different point structures depending on their difficulty, making the game more challenging and rewarding. 
     Tokens  125  that fall through the apertures  110 ,  114  slide through channels toward the front of the target game and are collected in respective scoring bins  124 . An esthetically-pleasing game containment area  115  is provided by the vertical playing surface  108 , the upwards-slopping upper portions  104 ,  106  of sidewalls  101 ,  102 , the horizontal playing surface  112  and the extension portion  330  of the horizontal playing surface  112 . Dampening materials on the horizontal playing surface  112  and the vertical playing surface  108 , the door  116  enclosing the scoring bins  124 , as well as the curtain assembly  801 , may further provide additional levels of containment during play. 
     Further with regard to the operation of the example target game in accordance with  FIGS. 1-10 , a game may be played as follows. The game may be played with at least two players and up to as many players as may be desired (e.g., six players), and the game may include multiple rounds. For each round of the game, a player may receive a predetermined number of tokens  125  (e.g., six tokens). Each player may toss as many tokens  125  at once as the player may desire. For example, the player may toss one token  125  at a time or any number of tokens  125  up to the allotted number of tokens  125 . The player may stand a predetermined distance away from the target game. That is, the predetermined distance from the target game may be determined for each game or round thereof, and for different types of players. For example, it may be determined that adults should be at least 12 feet from the target game, while children should be at least 6 feet from the target game. Alternative predetermined distances from the target game may easily be determined and utilized. 
     The points for each player are accumulated by adding scores for each of the allotted tokens  125 , using point values indicated on respective scoring bins  124  corresponding to the associated apertures  110 ,  114  on the horizontal and vertical playing surfaces  108 ,  112 , respectively, which receive tokens  125 . A player that collects a particular total score (e.g., total score of 50,000 points) via one or more rounds wins the game. Various scores may be assigned to apertures  110 ,  114  based on difficulty or other criteria. If a player does not score during a round, the player is penalized by having to subtract a number of hundreds from a player&#39;s total score. For example, if the player has a total score of 2,700 points through a particular number of rounds played, and during a next round scores no points, 700 points are subtracted from the players score, leaving a total score of 2,000. As another example, if a player has a total score of zero through a particular number of rounds, and during a next round scores no points, the player still will have a total score of zero. 
     Furthermore, the tossed tokens  125  must first touch the vertical playing surface  108  or the horizontal playing surface  112  in order to score points. For example, if a token  125  hits one of the sidewalls  101 ,  102  first and bounces into one of the apertures  110 ,  114 , it does not count. If a token  125  lands on the horizontal playing surface  112  and is subsequently pushed in by another token  125 , the points of the token  125  that is pushed in count. 
     A bonus may be added to the total score, where three tokens  125  that land in the same aperture  110 ,  114  count as four tokens  125 . If all tokens  125  allotted during a round (e.g., six tokens) land on the horizontal playing surface  112  without falling into any of the apertures  110 ,  114 , the player receives a bonus of 1,000 points. However, if all tokens  125  allotted during a round (e.g., six tokens) fall into apertures  110 ,  114 , the player receives a bonus of 3,000 points. If a token  125  is tossed into Sapo&#39;s mouth, the player yells “Sapo” and receives a bonus of 25,000 points. As noted above, a player that collects a particular total score (e.g., 50,000 points) via one or more rounds wins the game. Alternate scoring systems may easily be employed as desired. 
     The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 
     In the foregoing description of the embodiments, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the description. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate example embodiment.