Apparatus for a board game

Abstract

This invention provides apparatus for a board game relating to horse racing and to the racing industry in particular, simulating activities relating thereto, both on and off the track. The apparatus comprises a board, place markers, simulated bank notes and outcome generating means. The board has markings depicting first and second horse racing courses which represent respective lower and higher levels of racing. The courses are arranged as inner and outer rectangles surrounding an enclosed area. Each course comprises a plurality of discrete place marker landing zones defining for receiving player place markers according to outcomes generated by the throw of dice.

1 . Board game-playing apparatus for playing a game involving at least two players, the apparatus comprising a board having a major surface, a plurality of differentiated place markers, tokens of monetary value, and outcome generating means, the board major surface having markings, said markings defining graphical representations of first and second horse racing courses, the first and second courses representing respective lower and higher levels of racing standard, each course comprising a plurality of discrete place marker landing zones defining areas to be occupied by place markers of players in the game, according to outcomes generated using said outcome-generating means. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a set of written rules according to which a horse racing game is to be playable using the apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein a rule in the set of rules is applicable to an outcome generated with the outcome generating means. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical representations are applied to a surface adapted to receive the sets of place markers. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the surface is adapted by comprising a planar surface for each place marker landing zone. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the landing zones are coplanar. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outcome generating means comprises random number generating means. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the random number generating means comprises a die. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus further comprises a pack of cards. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the pack comprises at least two separable decks. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the board is marked with an area designated for receiving at least one of the decks. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the landing zones are categorised, each category relating to an outcome for a player whose place marker lands on said zone. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein a first category of zones is associated with transition of a player's horse from one course to another. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein a second category of zones is associated with an opportunity of purchasing an asset in accordance with the game. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  comprising a zone marked as representing an opportunity to purchase a bookmaker licence as a game asset. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein a third category of zones is associated with an opportunity for a player to place a bet relating to the game. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the race courses are arranged as inner and outer rectangles surrounding an enclosed area, the second race course being surrounded by the first race course. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the enclosed area comprises a marked card deck-receiving area. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the board major surface comprises markings representing four courses of different respective racing standard. 
     
     
         20 . A kit for use in playing a board game relating to the horse racing industry, the kit comprising: a board having a major surface, a plurality of differentiated place markers, tokens of monetary value, outcome generating means and a set of rules according to which said game is to be played, the board major surface having markings, said markings defining graphical representations of first and second horse racing courses, the first and second courses representing respective lower and higher levels of racing standard, each course comprising a plurality of discrete place marker landing zones defining areas to be occupied by place markers of players in the game according to outcomes generated using said outcome-generating means. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 20  wherein the landing zones are categorised, each category relating to an outcome for a player whose place marker lands on said zone. 
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 21  wherein a first category of zones is associated with transition of a player's horse from one course to another. 
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 21 , wherein a second category of zones is associated with an opportunity of purchasing an asset in accordance with the game. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 23  comprising a zone marked as representing an opportunity to purchase a bookmaker licence as a game asset. 
     
     
         25 . A kit according to  claim 20 , further comprising a pack of cards. 
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 25  wherein one of the cards has markings identifying it as providing a syndication opportunity governed by the set of rules. 
     
     
         27 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the cards has markings identifying it as providing a player with an opportunity of purchasing an additional horse asset to race. 
     
     
         28 . The kit of  claim 27  wherein the pack contains no more than two cards with said markings providing a player with an opportunity of purchasing an additional horse asset to race.