Method and apparatus for forming words

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing randomized letters for forming anagrams is provided. In a particular aspect of the invention, there is provided a game board having a plurality of tracks corresponding to each player in a competitive game of forming anagrams. Each track includes a plurality of holes for receiving pegs, each hole representing a score awarded to a respective player. The game board further includes an area to place a stack of cards, face down. The cards bear different combinations of letter combinations, such as that found on license plates. During play, points are awarded to each player according to the successful formation of at least one word from the randomized letters shown on the license plates. Further complexity is added by including a second set of cards, such as cards bearing a single additional letter to be used in conjunction with the first stack of cards, to provide additional randomized sequences of letters from which to form anagrams. In another aspect of the invention, the game is played with the cards only and scores are manually tallied.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A game for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations, comprising: 
 a set of cards each having a plurality of letters and bearing a likeness of a license plate, at least one of said cards having said plurality of letters that at least partially varies from said plurality of letters of at least one other of said cards;    such that during a round of game play at least two cards are drawn from said set of cards and at least one player attempts to form at least one word from said letters presented on said at least two cards drawn and is awarded a number of points based on a successful formation of said at least one word.    
     
     
         2 . The game for forming anagrams of  claim 1 , wherein said set of cards consists of a set of primary cards each having a plurality of letters, at least one of said primary cards having said plurality of letters that at least partially varies from said plurality of letters of at least one other of said primary cards, and a set of secondary cards having a group of at least one letter, at least one of said secondary cards having a group of at least one letter that at least partially varies from said group of at least one letter of at least one other of said secondary cards, wherein at least one primary card is drawn from said set of primary cards and at least one secondary card is drawn from said set of secondary cards during said round of game play and at least one player forms anagrams from said letters on said at least one primary and secondary cards.  
     
     
         3 . The game for forming anagrams of  claim 1 , wherein all players simultaneously attempt to form at least one word from said letters presented on said at least two cards drawn and are awarded a number of points based on a successful formation of said at least one word.  
     
     
         4 . The game for forming anagrams of  claim 1 , additionally comprising: 
 a board having at least one track with a start position and an end position about which a set of pieces are moved at least partially based on said number of points awarded.    
     
     
         5 . The game for forming anagrams of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one track is comprised of a series of holes in said board in which said pieces rest.  
     
     
         6 . The game for forming anagrams of  claim 1 , wherein said number of points awarded for each of said anagrams is directly proportional to a count of said plurality of letters used to form said anagram.  
     
     
         7 . The game for forming anagrams of  claim 1 , wherein said number of points awarded is directly proportional to a count of said anagrams formed.  
     
     
         8 . The game for forming anagrams of  claim 1 , wherein said number of points awarded is augmented where a single anagram is formed with each of said plurality of letters.  
     
     
         9 . A method for playing a game for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations, comprising the steps: 
 selecting from a set of cards at least two of said cards during a round of game play, said cards each having a plurality of letters and bearing a likeness of a license plate, at least one of said cards having said plurality of letters that at least partially varies from said plurality of letters of at least one other of said cards;    forming a set of words during a round of game play from said plurality of letters on said at least two cards; and    awarding a number of points based on a successful formation of said set of words.    
     
     
         10 . The method for playing a game for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations of  claim 9 , wherein said set of cards consists of a set of primary cards each having a plurality of letters, at least one of said primary cards having a plurality of letters that at least partially varies from said plurality of letters of at least one other of said primary cards, and a set of secondary cards having a group of at least one letter, at least one of said secondary cards having a group of at least one letter that at least partially varies from said group of at least one letter of at least one other of said secondary cards, and wherein at least one primary card is drawn from said set of primary cards and at least one secondary card is drawn from said set of secondary cards during said round of game play.  
     
     
         11 . The method for playing a game for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations of  claim 9 , wherein the step of forming words from said plurality of letters is performed simultaneously by all players.  
     
     
         12 . The method for playing a game for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations of  claim 9 , additionally comprising the step: 
 moving at least one of a set of pieces around a board having at least one track with a start position and an end position at least partially based on the number of points awarded.    
     
     
         13 . The method for playing a game for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one track is comprised of a series of holes in said board in which said pieces rest.  
     
     
         14 . A computer-based game system for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations, comprising: 
 means for output for displaying at least one image bearing a likeness of a license plate and presenting a plurality of letters, at least one of said images having said plurality of letters;    means for input to allow at least one of a group of players to enter a set of anagrams from said plurality of letters;    means for processing to receive said set of anagrams entered by said at least one player and award a number of points based on a successful formation of said at least one anagram; and    means for storage to record and maintain a total of said number of points awarded to said at least one player during at least two game rounds.    
     
     
         15 . The computer-based game system for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations of  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of letters is randomly generated by said means for processing.  
     
     
         16 . The computer-based game system for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations of  claim 14 , wherein said image displayed is randomly selected from a set of previously generated images maintained in said means for storage.  
     
     
         17 . The computer-based game system for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations of  claim 14 , wherein said image displayed is selected from a set of previously generated images maintained in said means for storage.  
     
     
         18 . The computer-based game system for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations of  claim 14 , wherein each of said set of previously generated images is a photograph of an actual license plate.  
     
     
         19 . The computer-based game system for forming anagrams and awarding a number of points according to such formations of  claim 14 , additionally comprising: 
 means for communication enabling at least two players to play said game simultaneously.