Boules-Style Game and Apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus and rules for playing a boules-style game. The apparatus includes one or more specially configured rigid gamepads having a flat upper surface on which balls can roll smoothly, each gamepad having a raised ridge around its periphery defining a base area, and shapes formed in the base area by raised ridges enclosing one or more additional distinct areas. Game balls may be configured to provide slightly unpredictable rolling characteristics, for example by providing them with grooves, ridges, lumps, dimples, or other surface anomalies. The game may be played in an open area with one or more gamepads placed on the ground spaced apart from each other. Gameplay includes players rolling the balls onto the gamepad from a distance. Each gamepad may have a post affixed thereto extending vertically from the gamepad. A bonus ball may be balanced atop the post, subject to being dislodged and awarding bonus points. Points are awarded based on a predetermined point value of the base area, and higher predetermined point values of the areas defined by the raised ridges, and the final positions of the balls and or bags.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system of gaming apparatus comprising:
 at least one game area with a peripheral boundary that defines a base area having a first point value;   a vertical post disposed in the center of the game area; and   at least one marked boundary disposed on a top surface of the game area enclosing an area having a second point value higher than the first point value.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base area comprises a first circle and the at least one marked boundary comprises a second circle within the first circle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the game area further comprises a central socket for removably attaching the vertical post to the game area. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the game area further comprises a central opening for the vertical post to be passed through. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of balls configured to roll across the top surface of the game area. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a bonus ball configured to balance precariously on top of the vertical post. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one marked boundary comprises a raised ridge. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of marked boundaries disposed on the top surface of the gamepad, each boundary comprising a circle formed of a raised ridge, each circle tangentially intersecting with at least one other of the circles.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of marked boundaries comprises:
 three inner circles formed of raised ridges, each circle tangentially intersecting and equidistant to the vertical post,   a middle circle formed of a raised ridge, the middle circle enclosing the three inner circles, and   an outer circle forming the peripheral boundary.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the outer circle is formed of a raised ridge. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the outer circle is formed of a non-raised boundary. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the game area comprises a game pad. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the game pad is made of a material that allows rolling of a ball across the top surface of the game pad. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the material is at least one of plastic, metal, or wood. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the game pad is made of a vinyl material, the system further comprising a plurality of bean bags. 
     
     
         16 . A method of playing a game using specially configured apparatus including at least one gamepad with a periphery that defines a base area having a first point value; a vertical post coupled to the gamepad; and at least one ridge disposed on a top surface of the gamepad enclosing an area having a second point value higher than the first point value.