Abstract:
This Traits card game allows each player to select cards identifying personality traits that he or she finds desirable or favorable. The players then use a bidding structure to bid on each chosen trait&#39;s relative importance to each player. The players next utilize their memorization skills to identify who won the bid for each trait, and the value of the highest bid. The player who can identify by memory the most bids wins the game. Thus, the game allows players to get to know each other by finding out what traits each player finds desirable, but also utilizes competitive bidding and the memorization and recall skills of each player.

Description:
[0001]    There are no related patent applications. 
         [0002]    This application did not receive federal research and development funding. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    The present invention generally relates to a playing card game designed for two to eight players and includes at least two decks of cards; one deck corresponds to and includes cards that display personality traits; whilst, the other deck displays values to be placed by the players on the personality traits. More particularly, the invention relates to a card game that allows players to identify and competitively bid on personality traits that are important to them, while also utilizing each player&#39;s memorization skills to recall who bid the highest value for each trait and a value of the winning bid. 
         [0004]    There are games that utilize a system of bidding. For example, games like setback and poker require a player to evaluate their “hand” of cards and to place bets based on the cards shown in their hand while considering the odds of others in having better hands. The type of bidding in these games occurs after a dealer deals the cards to each player. 
         [0005]    There are no other known card games that identify distinct personality traits, allow players to identify those traits which are most important to each player, and allow players to get to better know and become familiar with each other. The present invention incorporates the aforementioned game elements and a unique series of steps to create an enjoyable game experience which allows players to learn more about one another, including value systems and interests. Words written on individual cards may evoke strong likes or dislikes of particular characteristics. These words may then be discussed in more depth during the game. It should be noted that the competition and winning of the present game is simply a device that the inventor uses to bring the players together. An intention of the inventor is for the players to develop their abilities to relate to one another through the light-hearted discussion of positive personality traits. Moreover, the present game actually teaches the players about themselves by causing them to realize the personality traits that are important to themselves. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]    In the preferred embodiment, the invention, also known as the TRAITS card game, is a new card game which utilizes cards marked with 52 designated personality traits accompanied by each trait&#39;s description and a deck of value cards that are standard poker sized playing cards. The value cards may comprise poker cards and utilize their associated values for playing the Traits game. Typically, both the trait cards and the value cards are 2 1/2″×3 1/2″ in size. 
         [0007]    An object of the game is for each player to identify those traits in which they have a strongly positive emotional connection, bid on a relative importance of each trait, and then remember who bid the highest on each trait and a value of the winning bid. The bidding process includes placing a value on each trait card in accord with the importance that the bidding player places upon the particular trait. The player not only recognizes what personality trait he/she finds important but also a respective importance value that each player places on the various traits. The player that guesses the closest to the correct information wins the trait, and the player who ends the game with the most traits wins the game. Throughout the game, discussions may ensue as to the reasons as to why players place a particular value on a particular trait. 
         [0008]    Optimal play occurs with four players, though it can be modified to play with less or more. The following description accounts for four players. 
         [0009]    Two decks of fifty-two trait cards each are provided, but the players may decide to use only one of the decks instead of selecting their favorite 52 traits from the 104 traits provided. 
         [0010]    Before the game begins, the players may decide to select their favorite traits from the trait cards that are provided. One method of doing this is to take the 2 decks or 104 trait cards and draw eight face-up in front of the other players. Each player then selects one card that represents his or her favorite trait. The four chosen trait cards are placed in a stack and reserved while the four remaining cards are discarded. The player then deals another set of eight cards, and the players repeat the process until the entire deck of trait cards has been presented. The chosen trait deck should consist of 52 cards. 
         [0011]    If during the selection of the first four trait cards a player picks his or her chosen trait but also sees another remaining trait that is still appealing, that player may pick the desired card and reserve it for the next set of eight choices. The player may substitute use of the reserved card in place of any of the other cards he or she chooses. An object of this part of the game process is to make sure the players do not discard a trait that they might have later selected. 
         [0012]    A deck of 52 standard playing cards, such as poker cards, is then divided among the players so that each player receives a full suit. For example, Player  1  receives the full suit of hearts, Player  2  receives the full suit of spades, Player  3  receives the full suit of diamonds, and Player  4  receives the full suit of clubs. 
         [0013]    The deck of chosen trait cards is then shuffled. The game begins when each player takes a turn bidding on the shown trait using their suit of standard playing cards. The preferred method of keeping track of player turns is to pass the trait deck to the player who has the turn of making the first bid for a trait card. The players then bid on the card based on the traits respective importance to each player. The more desired the trait, the higher the bid. The playing cards are ranked with the ace being the highest possible bid and a 2 being the lowest. The bidding continues until no one is willing or able to bid higher, or one of the players bids an ace. 
         [0014]    During the bidding process, the first person making a bid for a trait card must bid on the card and cannot pass the bid without first bidding. This provides the bidder with an advantage by allowing him or her to be the first person to bid the highest card in his/her hand. However, this also saddles the bidder with a disadvantage by forcing him or her to make a bid on an unwanted card. 
         [0015]    The person with the highest bid places their winning bid card underneath the trait card. The next player in turn bids on the next exposed trait card and begins the process of bidding until the highest bid is made, and the pair of cards is placed on the stack of card sets. This process continues until all 52 trait cards have been presented and bid upon. A new deck of mixed cards that comprises trait cards paired with their respective highest bid playing cards is formed by this process. This deck equals 104 cards. 
         [0016]    A player then cuts the deck of paired cards so that the trait card and its corresponding bid card are still paired. The deck may be cut this way several times. The trait card must always remain above and covering the bid card. 
         [0017]    Each player then takes a turn looking at the trait card and guessing from memory who made the winning bid, and the associated value of the winning bid for that card. The method of keeping track of player turns is the same as previously described. The deck of paired cards is passed to the player who has the turn of making the first guess on a winning bid. Once all players have guessed, the bid card is exposed and the suit and value of the bid card identifies both who won the bid and what amount won the bid. The player who correctly guesses the identity of the highest bidder, and guesses closest to the value of the winning bid, wins the trait card. If nobody guesses the correct value of the winning bid, and two or more players correctly identify the identity of the winning bidder, then the player correctly identifying the person that bid the highest value on a trait wins the trait card over a player who did not guess the correct bidder but guessed a correct bid. If two players correctly identify the winning bidder and guess an equally close bid, with one bid being higher than the correct bid and one bid being lower than the correct bid, the player having the lower bid wins the trait card. If none of the players have correctly identified who successfully bid on the card, then nobody wins the trait card. Trait cards won may be denoted as points for determining a score in the game. 
         [0018]    The player who wins the most trait cards after all 52 trait card pairs have been exposed wins the game. It is important to continue taking turns so that every player gets a chance to be first in guessing who was the highest bidder and what the winning bid was. 
         [0019]    The game may be modified to accommodate between two to eight players. This modification may include providing an additional set of playing cards having a different motif and including more trait cards for bidding. Alternatively, the number of trait cards may be reduced and the players choose from a smaller number of trait cards during the bidding process. 
         [0020]    If there are only two players, the game begins as described above, but each player selects two trait cards from the eight trait cards dealt. After 52 trait cards have been selected from those cards presented, the players segregate the deck of regular playing cards into two piles, one of red suited cards and one of black suited cards. One player then takes the red suit of cards, and the other takes the black suit of cards. The players then use their respective suits to bid on the trait cards as previously described, and the game progresses in the same manner as stated above. It is possible for two players to bid on 24 trait cards if they decide to play with only two suits of playing cards. 
         [0021]    If there are three players, the game begins as described above, but each player selects one trait card from the eight trait cards dealt. Having presented all the trait cards and each player selecting one from each set of eight cards dealt, results in 39 cards being selected. After the 39 trait cards have been selected from those cards presented, the players then each select a suit of cards from a deck of standard playing cards having a total number of suits that equals the same number of players. The remaining suit is discarded. The players then use their respective suits to bid on trait cards as previously described, and the game progresses in the same manner as stated above. 
         [0022]    If there are five to eight players, 2 decks of trait cards or 104 traits can be used. Each player selects one trait card from each set of thirteen trait cards dealt. After all the trait cards are presented a variable number of trait cards are selected. For five players, there will be 65 trait cards chosen. For six players, there will be 78 trait cards chosen. For seven players, there will be 91 trait cards chosen. For eight players all 104 trait cards are used. 
         [0023]    For a group of five to eight players, a second deck of regular playing cards must be used. The second deck should have a different motif or backing so as to distinguish a total of eight visually different suits. Each player then selects one full suit of playing cards, and uses this suit to bid on the trait cards as previously described, and the game progresses in the same manner as stated above. 
         [0024]    It becomes important that as more people play, the player displaying the trait cards or starting the bidding announce the trait cards being played. This verbal announcement makes the trait cards known to the players who may have difficulty reading the traits because of seating arrangements. 
         [0025]    Players do not have to start the game by using all 104 trait cards. The players may decide to discard trait cards they feel would not ever be selected as favorite traits. For example, four players might decide to play with their favorite 78 trait cards and display six trait cards at a time instead of eight. 
         [0026]    The above and further objects, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a simplified flowchart of the process for playing the game. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a simplified flowchart of the bidding process for use in playing the Traits game. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a simplified flowchart of the points awarding process for use in playing the Traits game. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 4A-C  shows an embodiment for the preferred method of the bidding process when playing the game with four players. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  shows a preferred method of the bidding process when playing the game with two players 
           [0032]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  shows a preferred method of the bidding process when playing the game with three players 
           [0033]      FIG. 7A and 7B  shows for the preferred method of the bidding process when playing the game with five to eight players. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION   
       [0034]    While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense. From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  shows the process for playing the game. The process includes providing 104 trait cards and determining which trait cards will be used in playing the game. A smaller deck may be built with these trait cards. A suit in a deck of standard playing cards is given to each player. These standard playing cards are used to bid on trait cards to build a mixed deck of cards. These cards are shuffled and when a particular trait card is displayed, players guess who won the trait card during the bidding process and a denomination on the winning bid. 
         [0036]    Two decks of trait cards are provided. Each deck of cards includes 52 cards that have a particular trait displayed on one side thereof. A deck of 52 trait cards is built or created using these two decks of cards. One method of building such a deck is to use the 2 decks or 104 trait cards and draw eight face-up in front of the other players. Each player then selects one card that represents his or her favorite trait. The four chosen trait cards are placed in a pile to be used in playing the game. The four remaining cards are discarded. The player then deals another set of eight cards, and the players repeat the process until the entire deck of trait cards has been presented. The chosen trait deck should consist of 52 cards. 
         [0037]    If during the selection of the first four trait cards a player picks his or her chosen trait but also sees another remaining trait that is still appealing, that player may pick the desired card and reserve it for the next set of eight choices. The player may substitute use of the reserved card in place of any of the other cards he or she chooses. 
         [0038]    A deck of 52 standard playing cards, such as poker cards sold under the brand names of Bicycle® and Player®, is then divided among the players so that each player receives a full suit, each suit including denominations of 2 through an ace. For example, Player  1  receives the full suit of hearts, Player  2  receives the full suit of spades, Player  3  receives the full suit of diamonds, and Player  4  receives the full suit of clubs. These cards are used to bid on trait cards in accord with  FIG. 2 . A trait card is exposed and the players take turns bidding on the trait card according to their personal tastes. The winning bid card and its appropriate trait card are paired together to create the mixed deck. This continues until all trait cards are exposed and bid upon. The mixed deck is then shuffled in a manner that maintains the integrity of the deck by preventing the bid card and its associated trait from becoming separated. 
         [0039]    During the bidding process, the preferred method of keeping track of a particular player&#39;s turn is to pass the trait deck to the player who has the turn of making the first bid for a trait card. The players then bid on the trait card based on the traits respective importance to each player. The more desired the trait, the higher the bid. The playing cards are ranked with the ace being the highest possible bid and a 2 being the lowest. The bidding continues until no one is willing or able to bid higher, or one of the players bids an ace. 
         [0040]    During the bidding process, the first person making a bid for a trait card must bid on the card and cannot pass the bid without first bidding. This provides the bidder with an advantage by allowing him or her to be the first person to bid the highest card in his/her hand. However, this also saddles the bidder with a disadvantage by forcing him or her to make a bid on an unwanted card. 
         [0041]    The person with the highest bid places their winning bid card underneath the trait card. The next player in turn bids on the next exposed trait card and begins the process of bidding until the highest bid is made, and the pair of cards is placed on the stack of card sets. This process continues until all 52 trait cards have been presented and bid upon. A new deck of mixed cards that comprises trait cards paired with their respective highest bid playing cards is formed by this process. This deck equals 104 cards. 
         [0042]    A player then cuts the deck of paired cards so that the trait card and its corresponding bid card are still paired. The deck may be cut this way several times. The trait card must always remain above and covering the bid card. 
         [0043]    Each player then takes a turn looking at the trait card and guessing from memory who made the winning bid, and the associated value of the winning bid for that card. The method of keeping track of player turns is the same as previously described. The deck of paired cards is passed to the player who has the turn of making the first guess on a winning bid. Once all players have guessed, the bid card is exposed and the suit and value of the bid card identifies both who won the bid and what amount won the bid. Points are awarded in accord with  FIG. 3 . The player who correctly guesses the identity of the highest bidder, and guesses closest to the value of the winning bid, wins the trait card. If nobody guesses the correct value of the winning bid, and two or more players correctly identify the identity of the winning bidder, then the player correctly identifying the person that bid the highest value on a trait without going over the winning bid value wins the trait card. Moreover, a player who did not guess the correct bidder but guessed a correct bid loses to a player who correctly identifies the winning bidder. If two players correctly identify the winning bidder and guess an equally close bid, with one bid being higher than the correct bid and one bid being lower than the correct bid, the player having the lower bid wins the trait card. If none of the players have correctly identified who successfully bid on the card, then nobody wins the trait card. Trait cards won may be denoted as points for determining a score in the game. 
         [0044]    The player who correctly is awarded points for the most trait cards after all 52 trait card pairs have been exposed wins the game. It is important to continue taking turns so that every player gets a chance to be first in guessing who was the highest bidder and what the winning bid was. 
         [0045]    Now turning to  FIGS. 4A through 4C  which represent a deck of regular playing cards that has been divided among the players so that each player receives a full suit. For example, Player  1  receives the full suit of hearts  20 , Player  2  receives the full suit of spades  21 , Player  3  receives the full suit of clubs  22  and Player  4  receives the full suit of diamonds  23 . A card  10 A is dealt face up from the deck of trait cards  10  that has been shuffled. The trait cards  10  have been mutually chosen as mentioned previously. Each player takes a turn bidding on the shown trait card  10 A using their suit of standard playing cards, as shown in FIG,  4 B. The respective bid cards are represented by  20 A,  21 A,  22 A,  23 A. The bid is based on the traits respective importance to each player. The more desired the trait, the higher the bid. The playing cards are ranked with the ace being the highest possible bid and a 2 being the lowest. The bidding continues until no one is willing or able to bid higher, or one of the players bids an ace. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 4C , Player  1  has won the bid with a ten of hearts  20 A. Next, the ten of hearts  20 A is paired with the trait card  10 A to begin creating a new deck of mixed cards that comprises trait cards paired with their respective highest bid playing cards. This process continues until all 52 trait cards have been presented and bid upon to create a mixed deck that preferably equals 104 cards for four players. 
         [0047]    A player then cuts the deck of paired cards that comprise the mixed deck so that the trait card and its corresponding bid card are still paired. The deck may be cut this way several times. The trait card must always remain above and covering the bid card. 
         [0048]    Each player then takes a turn looking at the trait card and guessing from memory who made the winning bid, and the associated value of the winning bid for that card. Once all players have guessed, the bid card is exposed and the suit and value of the bid card identifies both who won the bid and what amount won the bid. The player who correctly guesses the identity of the highest bidder, and guesses closest to the value of the winning bid, wins the trait card. If nobody guesses the correct value of the winning bid, and two or more players correctly identify the identity of the winning bidder, then the player correctly identifying the person that bid the highest value on a trait wins the trait card over a player who did not guess the correct bidder but guessed a correct bid. If two players correctly identify the winning bidder and guess an equally close bid, with one bid being higher than the correct bid and one bid being lower than the correct bid, the player having the lower bid wins the trait card. If none of the players have correctly identified who successfully bid on the card, then nobody wins the trait card. Trait cards won may be denoted as points for determining a score in the game. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , if there are only two players, the game begins as described above, but each player selects two trait cards from the eight trait cards dealt. After 52 trait cards have been selected from those cards presented, the players segregate the deck of regular playing cards into two piles, one of red suited cards and one of black suited cards. One player then takes the red suit of cards, and the other takes the black suit of cards. The players then use their respective suits to bid on the trait cards as previously described, and the game progresses in the same manner as stated above. It is possible for two players to bid on 24 trait cards if they decide to play with only two suits of playing cards. 
         [0050]    In accord with  FIGS. 6A and 6B , if there are three players, the game begins as described above, but each player selects one trait card from the eight trait cards dealt. Having presented all the trait cards and each player selecting one from each set of eight cards dealt, results in 39 cards being selected. After the 39 trait cards have been selected from those cards presented, the players then each select a suit of cards from a deck of standard playing cards having a total number of suits that equals the same number of players. The remaining suit is discarded. The players then use their respective suits to bid on trait cards as previously described, and the game progresses in the same manner as stated above. 
         [0051]    In accord with  FIGS. 7A and 7B , if there are five to eight players, 2 decks of trait cards or 104 traits can be used. Each player selects one trait card from each set of thirteen trait cards dealt. After all the trait cards are presented a variable number of trait cards are selected. For five players, there will be 65 trait cards chosen. For six players, there will be 78 trait cards chosen. For seven players, there will be 91 trait cards chosen. For eight players all 104 trait cards are used. 
         [0052]    For a group of five to eight players, a second deck of regular playing cards must be used. The second deck should have a different motif or backing so as to distinguish a total of eight visually different suits. Each player then selects one full suit of playing cards, and uses this suit to bid on the trait cards as previously described, and the game progresses in the same manner as stated above. 
         [0053]    It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.