Apparatus and method for playing betting and bluffing card games with strategy board game mechanics

Abstract

The present invention combines the elements of strategy board games and round based betting and bluffing card games into a unified structure which yields turn based games that are easy and fun for humans to learn and play but hard for computers to master.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A board game apparatus, comprising: a game board for strategic movement of cards placed on the oame board squares, any number of betting chips, and two or more decks of cards, each containing cards of different colors, the front face of each card showing a strategic piece for use on the board. 
     
     
         2 . A board game apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the back side of the cards or chips may show a queen or crown or star icon to indicate that a card or chip may be flipped over if it reaches the opponent's home row resulting on a promotion of that piece to become another type of piece. 
     
     
         3 . A board game apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the game board uses a splayed row, rotated rectangular boxes, or symbols on the row closest to the players to indicate cards may be played there. 
     
     
         4 . A board game apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein betting circles are present on or around the board which may be used to place bets. 
     
     
         5 . A board game apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein a particular square is marked with a symbol such as a crown to indicate where a player's king must begin play. 
     
     
         6 . A board game apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein particular squares are marked with a symbol such as a crown to indicate what square must be defended from occupation by an enemy king. 
     
     
         7 . A board game apparatus which combines any or all of the elements of  claims 1  through  6 . 
     
     
         8 . A method of playing a multi-round hand based game where players alternate between playing a betting round following by a strategic board game using the cards drawn, compromising the steps of:
 Initially selecting a color from a fixed set of colors, and being supplied with a card deck of the given color, from which a player may form their hand and place cards of their color onto the board.   Beginning a hand by drawing a hand of a set number of cards, typically five. Playing a betting round where players alternate turns placing betting chips on betting circles or into a pot, where players must match the opponents bet in order to enter the combat round, or may fold and forfeit the hand if they do not wish to bet.   Playing a combat round where players alternate turns choosing one of a set of possible actions, including moving cards on the board as strategic pieces, playing cards from their hand onto the board, drawing cards from their deck, and capturing enemy cards on the board.   Following a determination of a winner of the combat round, chips bet are distributed to the winner.   
     
     
         9 . A method of playing a game as in  claim 8  wherein the player may use their turn in order to raise the bet during the combat round, forcing their opponent to match the raise bet or fold, losing the hand. 
     
     
         10 . A method of playing a game as in  claim 9  wherein if a player uses their turn to raise the bet, an opponent who matches the raised bet may either request to continue the turn based strategy combat round, or immediately force the showdown to occur, revealing players hands and ending the turn based combat with the winner determined based on the comparison of player's hand values. 
     
     
         11 . A method of playing a game as in  claim 8  wherein the player may bet chips directly on the board which may then be used as pieces during the combat round. 
     
     
         12 . A method of playing a game as in  claim 8  where the chips placed directly on the board as bets may be flipped over when reaching the final row of the board to indicate they have promoted to become a queen or other piece. 
     
     
         13 . A method of playing a game as in  claim 8  wherein before a hand begins, a specific card or card type such as a King must be removed from the deck and placed on a particular square that is marked for that purpose. 
     
     
         14 . A method of playing a game as in  claim 8  where the winning hand is determined by the highest hand value combining cards of a player's color both in the player's hand and including cards on the board which have not been captured or mated. 
     
     
         15 . A method of playing a game as in  claim 8  where the winner of the hand is determined by the mate or capture of a predetermined piece such as a King during the combat round. 
     
     
         16 . A method of playing a game as in  claim 8  where the winner of the hand is determined by a showdown triggered when a predetermined piece of either player such as their King is mated or captured during the combat round, wherein the hands of both players are revealed to determine the winner of the hand according to the highest hand formed by each player. 
     
     
         17 . A method of playing a game as in  claim 8  where the winner may be determined without hands being revealed or the showdown being triggered, in the event that a specific piece such as a King may be moved onto a special square marked with a symbol such as a crown. 
     
     
         18 . A method of playing a game as in  claim 8  where a player may raise the bet during the combat round in which case their opponent must either match the increased bet in order to proceed to combat round, fold and forfeit the hand, or re-raise further. 
     
     
         19 . A method of playing a game which combines any or all of the elements of  claims 8  through  18 .