Method for playing a toss game

Abstract

An apparatus for playing a toss game includes a projectile consisting of two weights connected by a tether and a stand. The stand includes a base supporting a goal. The goal includes at least two crossbars, each of which is assigned a point value. Optionally, vertical members are also assigned point values. A method of playing a toss game is played in series. A series consists of competitors tossing a predetermined number of projectiles at the goal. The competitors score points with projectiles by looping over, wrapping around, or intersecting crossbars. Optionally, points are scored by encircling vertical members with the projectile suspended solely by the vertical member. Points are deducted if a projectile is dislodged from the goal. Competitors attempt to obtain an aggregate score equal to a target value. Procedures for resolving ties and tosses that cause competitors to exceed the target value may be employed.

1 . A method of playing a toss game between at least two competitors comprising: 
 providing at least one projectile comprising two weights connected to one another by a flexible tether;    providing a stand comprising a base resting on a surface and a goal extending upward from said base, said goal including a pair of uprights and at least two crossbars connecting said uprights, each of said crossbars being assigned a point value;    conducting a series of play, said series comprising: 
 each competitor tossing one or more projectiles at said goal until all competitors have each tossed a predetermined number of projectiles; and  
 calculating an aggregate score for each competitor equal to the aggregate score from a previous series of play, if any, plus the point values for each crossbar a projectile looped over, wrapped, or intersected minus the point values for any projectile dislodged from the stand; and  
   if any competitor has an aggregate score equal to a predetermined target value, declaring the competitor the winner, otherwise, conducting additional series of play until at least one competitor has reached an aggregate score equal to said target value.    
     
     
         2 . A method of playing a toss game between at least two competitors comprising: 
 providing at least one projectile comprising two weights connected to one another by a flexible tether;    providing a stand comprising a base resting on a surface and a goal extending upward from said base, said goal including a pair of uprights and at least two crossbars connecting said uprights, said uprights defining vertical members, each of said crossbars and vertical members being assigned a point value;    conducting a series of play, said series comprising: 
 each competitor tossing one or more projectiles at said goal until all competitors have each tossed a predetermined number of projectiles; and  
 calculating an aggregate score for each competitor equal to (a) the aggregate score from a previous series of play, if any, plus (b) the point values for each vertical member a projectile encircled with said projectile suspended only by said vertical member, plus (c) the point values for each crossbar a projectile looped over, wrapped, or intersected minus (d) the point values for any projectile dislodged from the stand; and  
   if any competitor has an aggregate score equal to a predetermined target value, declaring the competitor the winner, otherwise, conducting additional series of play until at least one competitor has reached an aggregate score equal to said target value.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein each crossbar is assigned a different point value.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the point values of each crossbar vary inversely with their distance from said base.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein each vertical member is assigned a different point value.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the point values is increased if the projectile bounces off said surface before encircling said vertical member.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 if, during a series of play, a projectile tossed by a first competitor scores a point value that causes said first competitor's aggregate score to exceed the target value, not including the point value in calculating said first competitor's aggregate score and suspending play for said first competitor for the remainder of that series.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 if play is suspended for a first competitor and another competitor dislodges a projectile tossed by said first competitor, reducing said first competitor's score by the pount value of the first competitor's projectile dislodged and, if the dislodgment reduces said first competitor's aggregate score below said target value, lifting said suspension and allowing said first competitor to toss any remaining projectiles.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 if play is suspended for a first competitor and a second competitor obtains an aggregate score equal to said target value, lifting said suspension, allowing said first competitor to toss any remaining projectiles to dislodge said second competitor's projectiles, and, if any of said second competitor's projectiles are dislodged, deducting the point value scored for the dislodged projectile from the second competitor's aggregate score.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 if, during a series of play, a projectile tossed by a competitor scores a point value that causes the competitor's aggregate score to exceed the target value, not including the point value in calculating the competitor's aggregate score and allowing the competitor to continue playing the series until the competitor has thrown the predetermined number of projectiles.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 if, during a series of play, a projectile thrown by a first competitor scores a point value that causes said first competitor's aggregate score to exceed the target value, not including the point value in calculating said first, competitor's aggregate score, reducing said first competitor's aggregate score by the point value, and suspending play for said first competitor for the remainder of that series.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 if play is suspended for a first competitor and a second competitor obtains an aggregate score equal to said target value, lifting said suspension,. allowing said first competitor to toss any remaining projectiles to dislodge said second competitor's projectiles, and, if any of said second competitor's projectiles are dislodged, deducting the point value scored for the dislodged projectile from the second competitor's aggregate score.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 if, at the completion of a series of play, two or more competitors have an aggregate score equal to the predetermined target value, conducting a playoff series comprising: 
 each tied competitor tossing a predetermined number of projectiles;  
 calculating a playoff score equal to the point values for each crossbar a projectile looped over, wrapped, or intersected minus the point values for any projectile dislodged from the stand by another projectile; and  
 declaring the tied competitor with the highest playoff score to be the winner.  
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein each tied competitor serially tosses a single projectile until all tied competitors have tossed a predetermined number of projectiles.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said step of calculating said aggregate score further comprises adding the point value of each opposing competitor's projectile dislodged by one of the competitor's projectile.