Methods and systems for word gaming

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for word gaming and referred to herein as “Word Sport.” In various embodiments the word game may include a speed or time factor to add excitement. In one embodiment one, two, or more players, that may include a virtual player (e.g., a computer), are randomly allocated a plurality of game pieces (e.g., 25 each) that have a letter or wild card feature to them. A wild card game piece that modifies the method of play may include, for example, the great equalizer, crash and burn, musical chairs, covet your neighbors play, game piece exchange, or letter conversion to wild card. The game may be played with time constraints using, for example, a game clock. In one variation, the gaming pieces may be managed using a game piece dispensing device that may result in time constraints to the gaming play.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A word game system, comprising: 
 a count up and count down timer for establishing multiple finish times.    
     
     
         2 . The word game system according to  claim 1 , wherein the word game system is directed to a word formation game and further comprises one or more wild cards that change the method of play in the word formation game.  
     
     
         3 . The word game system according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 at first full set of game pieces including a first unique indicator on half of the first full set of game pieces so that the first full set may be quickly and easily sorted into two half sets.    
     
     
         4 . The word game system according to  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a second full set of game pieces including a second unique indicator so that the second full set of game pieces may be quickly and easily sorted from the first full set of game pieces if the first full set of game pieces and second full set of game pieces are mixed together.    
     
     
         5 . The word game system according to  claim 4 , wherein the second full set of game pieces further includes a third unique indicator on half of the second full set of game pieces so that the second full set may be quickly and easily sorted into two half sets.  
     
     
         6 . The word game system according to  claim 5 , wherein the third unique indicator on half of the second full set of game pieces is of the same design as the first unique indicator.  
     
     
         7 . The word game system according to  claim 6 , wherein the game pieces are tile pieces and further include letters of an alphabet that may be combined to form words.  
     
     
         8 . The word system of  claim 1 , wherein the count up and count down timer is a gaming clock including a touch top start and stop switch.  
     
     
         9 . The word game system of  claim 8 , wherein the gaming clock is electronic and includes a memory for storing the multiple finish times.  
     
     
         10 . The word game system of  claim 9 , wherein the gaming clock contains multiple digital displays for displaying time.  
     
     
         11 . The word game system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a game piece dispenser that may be manually activated by any player to dispense an equal number of game pieces to all players simultaneously in response to an action of one player.    
     
     
         12 . A word game system, comprising: 
 one or more wild cards that change the method of play in a word formation game.    
     
     
         13 . The word game system of  claim 12 , wherein the word game system is implemented using a computer or computer system.  
     
     
         14 . A word game system, comprising: 
 a game piece dispenser that may be manually activated by any player to dispense an equal number of game pieces to all players simultaneously in response to an action of one player.    
     
     
         15 . The word game system of  claim 14 , wherein the game piece dispenser includes a game piece magazine for holding at least some of the game pieces, a dispensing dish for receiving a game piece when the game piece dispenser is manually activated, and a plunger.  
     
     
         16 . A method of playing a word formation game, comprising the steps of: 
 determining multiple place finishes of players according to the amount of time or extent of use of game pieces in word formation; and    allocating points for each of the respective multiple place finishes.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 timing player's completion times to establish a sequence of the multiple place finishes so as to determine the place of finish of various players and allocate points accordingly.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the word formation game is played in a tournament manner.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein points may be obtained by use of particular letters or formation of particular words.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the word formation game is implemented using a computer or computer system.