Gift exchange and trading game

Abstract

This game is a method for playing this gift or item exchange game at a party or other gathering, for the purpose of enhancing the enjoyment and interaction of the participants, while exchanging gifts or trading items. The game is played with Turn Cards, Trader Cards, and Block Cards. The turn cards establish the order of play, the trader cards instruct a player through predetermined instructions to select an unclaimed item which concludes the turn. The trader card may instruct the player to select a turn card or claimed item from a targeted player. The targeted player may then give up the turn card or claimed item, or may request a block card with predetermined instructions to prevent the player from taking the targeted player's turn card or claimed item. A turn is completed when a player selects an unclaimed item. The game ends when no unclaimed items remain.

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         5 . An apparatus for playing an item exchange game with at least three opposing players and a plurality of items to be exchanged, using at least a set of turn cards, a set of trader cards and a set of block cards, each card within said set of turn cards having a turn card marking indicating a unique relative priority within the set of turn cards, each card of said set of trader cards having instructional markings selected from the group consisting of claiming an item and claiming a turn card of an opposing player; and each card of said set of block cards having conditional markings required to block an opposing player from using a trader card to claim said player's turn card or claimed item. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said item is claimed by a player. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said item is unclaimed by a player. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said cards are electronic devices. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said turn cards are dealt face down. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said turn card marking indicating a unique relative priority establishes the order of said least three opposing players. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said unclaimed items are disguised. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said unclaimed items are not visible to players. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said opposing players is equal to the said plurality of items. 
     
     
         14 . A method of playing an item exchange game with a first player and at least three opposing players and a plurality of items to be exchanged, using at least a set of turn cards, a set of trader cards and a set of block cards, each card within said set of turn cards having a turn card marking indicating a unique relative priority within the set of turn cards, each card of said set of trader cards having instructional markings selected from the group consisting of claiming an item, wherein item is claimed or unclaimed, and claiming a turn card of an opposing player; and
 each card of said set of block cards having conditional markings required to block an opposing player from using a trader card to claim a turn card or an item, the method comprising:   a. said first player receiving a turn card from said set of turn cards;   b. said first player obtaining a trader card from said set of trader cards;   c. if the obtained trader card indicates to take an unclaimed item, then said first player following the instructional markings on the obtained trader card;   d. if the obtained trader card indicates to take a turn card or item from a first opposing player, then said first player following the instructional markings on the obtained trader card unless the first opposing player requests a block card from the set of block cards and the conditional markings on the received block card are successfully executed by said first player;   e. if a second opposing player requests said first player's turn card or claimed item, then said first player selecting an action from the group of actions consisting of forfeiting the requested turn card; forfeiting the requested claimed item; and requesting a block card;   f. if a block card is requested, then determining whether the conditional markings on the received block card are unsuccessfully executed by said first player;   g. if the conditional markings on the received block card are unsuccessfully executed; then said first player taking a second turn card or second claimed item from a third opposing player;
 requesting a second trader card from said set of trader cards and repeating step (c); or 
 taking an item not claimed by another player and repeating step (b); 
   h. if the third opposing player unsuccessfully executes, then said first player doing nothing.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said first and third opposing player are the same opposing player. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said opposing player may not lose possession of said claimed item if said player successfully executes the conditional markings of the block card three times.