Dice throwing board game

Abstract

Game board apparatuses for a dice throwing game and methods of playing the dice throwing game are provided. In embodiments, a game board apparatus for a dice throwing game includes a board having a playing surface including one or more scoring areas where dice are projected and roll to land for points. A score piece path is positioned on the playing surface, the score piece path including a plurality of score piece positions. A score piece is removably engageable with the score piece positions. In some instances, the score piece is positioned to block dice throws by an opponent player.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A game board apparatus for a dice throwing game, the apparatus comprising:
 a board having a playing surface where dice are projected and roll, the playing surface including one or more scoring areas where the dice land for points;   a score piece path positioned on the playing surface, the score piece path comprising a plurality of score piece positions; and   one or more score pieces removably engageable with one or more of the plurality of score piece positions and configured to block dice throws by an opponent player.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the playing surface is an unbounded rolling surface for the dice. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more scoring areas comprise:
 one or more primary scoring areas; and   one or more enhanced scoring areas, at least one of the one or more enhanced scoring areas being positioned within the one or more primary scoring areas; and   one or more alternate enhanced scoring areas.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the playing surface further comprises one or more penalty areas. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the board comprises a first playing surface component and a second playing surface component coupled to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a closing feature configured to connect the first playing surface component and the second playing surface component and allow the first playing surface component and the second playing surface component to move with respect to each other between a playing position and a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The dice throwing game of  claim 6  wherein the closing feature comprises at least one hinge. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more dice. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the dice is a polyhedral dice including a plurality of facets, each facet denoting a points value. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the score pieces comprises a main body and a placement feature coupled to the main body, and the main body is configured to block the dice throws by the opponent player. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the board comprises a recess formed on a rear surface or a side surface of the board. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the score piece path has a “Z” shape. 
     
     
         13 . A method of playing a dice throwing game, the method comprising:
 throwing dice by a player such that the dice are projected to roll and land on a playing surface of a game board;   determining a final location of the dice on the playing surface;   calculating a turn total for the player based at least in part on the determined final location of the dice;   moving a score piece along a score piece path on the playing surface based on the turn total, the score piece path comprising a plurality of score piece positions; and   removably engaging the score piece to one or more of the plurality of score piece positions such that the score piece blocks dice throws by an opponent player.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising deploying the game board from a closed position to a playing position. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the game board comprises a first playing surface component and a second playing surface component coupled to each other by a closing feature,   the closing feature is configured to connect the first playing surface component and the second playing surface component and allow the first playing surface component and the second playing surface component to move with respect to each other between the playing position and the closed position.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising determining that the dice are thrown from behind a throw line on the playing surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising determining that the dice roll on the playing surface at least once. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the moving a score piece along a score piece path comprises:
 moving the score piece incrementally forward for a positive turn total; and   moving the score piece incrementally backward for a negative turn total.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising determining that the score piece is positioned at an end position of the plurality of score piece positions of the score piece path. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising entering a redemption turn for an opponent player.