Word game and methods for conducting same

Abstract

This invention provides a game for one or more players that is played as a game show, as an interactive home computer game, as an interactive on-line game and as a board game. The game challenges players to answer clues in various categories by identifying an answer of one or more words to the clue, wherein each word in the answer consists exclusively of two or more syllables from the syllables provided. The game provides both entertainment and educational value to the players and audience, if present. The invention also provides methods for conducting and playing the game.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A word game playable by one or more players comprising: 
 a game board viewable simultaneously by all players, wherein the game board further comprises (i) at least one category, (ii) at least one value option within each category and (iii) a plurality of syllables in a plurality of syllable text boxes;    a clue associated with each value option, wherein the clue is revealed when the value option is selected; and    an answer for the clue, comprising at least one word, wherein the answer consists entirely of the syllables in the syllable text boxes.    
     
     
         2 . The word game of  claim 1 , further comprising points, cash or prizes awarded to the player who correctly answers the associated clue, and wherein each player's score comprises the accumulated points, cash or prizes.  
     
     
         3 . The word game of  claim 2 , further comprising a penalty for an incorrect answer.  
     
     
         4 . The word game of  claim 1 , further comprising a scoreboard for maintaining each player's score.  
     
     
         5 . The word game of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of rounds played by the players.  
     
     
         6 . The word game of  claim 5 , wherein the player with the greatest score at the end of the last round played by the players is the winner.  
     
     
         7 . The word game of  claim 1 , further comprising a prize associated with the at least one value option, wherein when the correct answer is given by a player, a prize board replaces the game board, and wherein the prize board comprises (i) the syllable text boxes forming the correct answer, and (ii) a hidden prize or penalty associated with each syllable text box.  
     
     
         8 . The word game of  claim 1 , wherein the game is played as a game show.  
     
     
         9 . The word game of  claim 1 , wherein the game is played as an interactive home computer game.  
     
     
         10 . The word game of  claim 1 , wherein the game is played as an interactive on-line game via the internet.  
     
     
         11 . The word game of  claim 1 , wherein the game is played as a board game.  
     
     
         12 . A method for conducting a word game using a predetermined number of players, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a game board that is visible by the players, wherein the game board comprises (i) at least one category, (ii) at least one value option within each category and (iii) a plurality of syllables in a plurality of syllables text boxes, from which at least one value option is selected by a player;    providing a clue to the players along with the number of syllables found in the correct one or more word answer, wherein the correct answer to the clue consists of two or more syllables selected exclusively from the syllables on the game board;    providing points, cash or prizes to the player giving a correct answer; and    repeating the preceding steps until the game is ended.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising removing from the game board each of the syllables combined to form the correct answer after the correct answer has been given.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising penalizing the player giving an incorrect answer.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing a prize for one or more value options and displaying a prize board when the correct answer is given by a player, wherein a syllable text box is selected by a player from the prize board having (i) the syllable text boxes forming the correct answer, and (ii) a hidden prize or penalty associated with each syllable text box.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing an option to play or pass to the player who provides the correct answer.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing the players from a particular age group, and tailoring the game clues to match the age group of the players.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing the players from a particular interest group, and tailoring the game clues to match the interest group of the players.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising conducting the game as a game show.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising conducting the game as an interactive home computer game.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising conducting the game as an interactive on-line game via the internet.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising conducting the game as a board game.  
     
     
         23 . A method for playing a word game having a plurality of players, wherein the game play by each player comprises the steps of: 
 reviewing a game board that is visible to the players, wherein the game board comprises (i) at least one category, (ii) at least one value option within each category and (iii) a plurality of syllables in a plurality of syllable text boxes;    selecting a value option;    receiving a clue for the selected value option;    providing a one or more word answer to the clue, wherein the answer consists entirely of two or more syllables from the syllable text boxes on the game board;    receiving points, cash or prizes for a correct answer; and    repeating the preceding steps until the game is ended.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising receiving a penalty for an incorrect answer.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising, when a prize for one or more value options is provided and the correct answer is given, selecting a syllable text box from a prize board having (i) the syllable text boxes forming the correct answer, and (ii) a hidden prize or penalty associated with each syllable text box.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising playing a plurality of rounds.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising playing the game as a game show.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising playing the game as an interactive home computer game.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising playing the game as an interactive on-line game via the internet.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising playing the game as a board game.