Word forming games

Abstract

Game play apparatus includes a letter array, means operable by players to randomly select a subset of letters from the letter array that includes predetermined numbers of (a) consonants, (b) vowels, and (c) at least one predetermined letter, means for associating each subset with the respective player, means for forming letters from the player's subset of letters into words, and means for recording words formed. An example game apparatus includes score cards, two-sided game pieces, and set of rules of game play. In an illustrative game method of game play, three consonants, two vowels, and one “E” are selected by each player, and each player records and scores the words formed by the other.

I claim: 
     
         1 . Game playing apparatus for two or more players, comprising:
 a plurality of letters arranged as a letter array;   means operable by each player for randomly selecting, from the letter array, a subset of letters that includes:
 at least a predetermined number of consonants; 
 at least a predetermined number of vowels; and 
 a minimum number of at least one predetermined letter; 
   means for associating each subset of selected letters with the respective player;   means for each player to form, into words, individual letters from the player's associated subset of selected letters; and   means for recording words formed by each player.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for assigning a predetermined score to each recorded word. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said means farther includes means for recording a total of the assigned scores. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said means is a printed scorecard and a set of rules. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising timing means. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the letter array is a plurality of individual game pieces each bearing letter indicia thereon. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 :
 wherein the individual game nieces have two sides, one side of which bears the letter indicia thereon;   wherein the plurality of individual two-sided game pieces includes a number of game pieces on which the letter indicia is a consonant, a number of game pieces on which the letter indicia is a vowel, and a number of game pieces on which the letter indicia is the at least one predetermined letter; and   wherein the plurality of individual two-sided game pieces functions as the means operable for randomly selecting, means for associating, and means for forming.   
     
     
         8 . A method of playing, a word forming game, the method comprising:
 randomly selecting, by each player, a subset of letters from a plurality of letters arranged as a letter array;   removing a letter, once selected, from the plurality of letters;   selecting, by each player, at least one predetermined letter;   associating the letters selected by each player with the respective player;   forming, by each player, words from the player's selected letters;   recording the words formed; and   assigning a score to each word formed.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 :
 wherein randomly selecting a subset of letters includes randomly selecting at least a predetermined number of consonants and randomly selecting at least a predetermined number of vowels; and   wherein selecting at least one predetermined letter consists of selecting a predetermined number of one predetermined letter.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 :
 wherein the predetermined number of consonants is three;   wherein the predetermined number of vowels is two;   wherein the predetermines letter is the letter E; and   wherein the predetermined number of the predetermined letter is one.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein assigning a score to each word formed includes one or more of:
 assigning a predetermined score that increases with the number of letters used to form the word; and   assigning a bonus score to each word that uses all six of a player's selected letters.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a turn includes each player performing the steps of the method in the order listed, and wherein a game includes at least two turns. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more of:
 totaling the score achieved by each player in a turn, at the end of the turn, and   totaling the score achieved by each player during the game.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein recording the words formed is performed by player other than the player forming the words. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the score assigned to each word is a predetermined score based on the number of letters used to form the word. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined score assigned to each word increases with the number of letters used to form the word. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein assigning a score to each word formed includes assigning bonus score to each word that uses of a player's selected letters. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining one or more types of words that are eligible for being assigned a score, if formed by a player, by mutual agreement of the players. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining whether one or more words formed by a player are eligible for being assigned a score, by mutual agreement of the players. 
     
     
         20 . A method of playing a word Forming game in two or more turns, the method comprising:
 a first turn that farther comprises, for each player:
 randomly selecting three consonants and two vowels from a plurality of letters arranged as a letter array; 
 removing the selected letters from the plurality of letters; 
 selecting one letter E; 
 forming words from the six selected letters; and 
 recording the words formed; 
   a second turn that further comprises, for each player:
 randomly selecting three consonants and two vowels from the remaining plurality of letters; 
 removing the selected letters from the plurality of letters; 
 selecting one letter E; 
 forming words from the six selected letters; and 
 recording the words formed; and 
   totaling a score for each player based on a predetermined score assigned to each word formed by the player during the game that is based on, and increases with, the number of letters used to form the word.