GB1578761A - Dice game - Google Patents

Description

(54) DICE GAME (71) We, M. F. BAKER AND COMPANY LIMITED, of 6, West Park Crescent, Roundhay, Leeds, LS8 2HF in the County of York, a British Company, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to games of chance.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game comprising a plurality of random number selectors and a set of charts for playing a series of football competitions, the charts including one with numbered squares for indicating the sequence in which matches are to be played and for recording the results of matches, one for indicating which selectors are to be used according to various conditions, and one for recording points derived from the results of the matches.

Preferably, the chart for indicating which selectors are to be used is arranged to choose the selctors in such a way that, after at least one or more sets of matches have been played, the chances of a successful result for one of the participants in a match are improved relative to the chances of success for the other participant if the one participant has achieved results in its one or more earlier matches which are better by a predetermined margin than the results of the other participant in its one or more earlier matches.

The apparatus of the invention is suitable for playing a football league competition in which participants play each other in sets of matches, each set comprising one or more matches, each match being between two participants, so that at the end of the competition each participant has played the same number of matches. Normally but not necessarily there are an even number of participants and in each set of matches each participant takes part in a match so that the number of matches played by each participant is equal to the number of sets of matches played.

Preferably each random number or score selector is such that at each operation there is an equal chance of selecting any one from a number of possible results. More preferably the random score selectors are dice, each having six surfaces and each surface being marked with a score. Each surface of a die is marked with a score which is the number of goals scored by a particular participant during a match.

Preferably the means for choosing the score selectors in such that the score selector chosen for a particular participant will depend also on whether that participant is playing the particular match on its "home ground", "away ground" or a "neutral ground".

The chart for indicating the sequence in which matches are to be played will preferably indicate the particular participant for each match in each set of matches. This fixtures chart will normally include an area for each match on which the results of that particular match may be inscribed.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a league position chart to enable the participants to be arranged according to the results of matches which have been played. This chart may for instance be such that a league table may be built up after each set of matches or after each of a plurality of sets of matches. More preferably the apparatus will also include a further chart wherein, after each match or set of matches, the success or otherwise of a particular participant may be recorded. For instance zero, 1 or 2 points may be awarded to the participants depending on the result of a match. A cumulative points total may then be entered for each participant as the league competition progresses.

Preferably the apparatus includes one or more further charts which are arranged to enable one or more knock out cup competitions to be played involving the same or different participants and some at least of the random score selectors.

More preferably, the apparatus will include further means for choosing score selectors for knock-out cup competitions so that a particular score selector chosen for a particular participant will depend on an arbitrary grading allocation to that participant, and, most preferably, also on the grading allocated to the other participant.

The various charts are preferably arranged so that the game covers a number of football seasons, each season involving at least one league competition.

Preferably there is provision for at least one knock out competition during a season. For example the game may be such that there is provision for one league competition corresponding to the English or Scottish football league competition, two knock out competitions corresponding to the FA Cup and the Football League Cup, at least one European Football League Club knock out competition (for instance one or more of the European Cup, the Cup Winners Cup and the UEFA Cup). There may also be included provision for international competitions such as the European Championship and the World Cup which includes features of both league and knock out competitions.

In the case where the game involves more than one competition, the apparatus may also include a chart indicating a possible sequence of play of sets of matches for one particular season and a still further chart indicating the particular competitions which should be played in one particular season.

There will now be described apparatus, by way of example only, in accordance with the present invention and the method by which a game may be played using this apparatus. The apparatus and method will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 to 7 show various items of the apparatus.

Apparatus in accordance with the present invention is based on the game of football and enables several football competitions to be "played" as follows: a) A sixteen team league competition b) A football League Cup competition (English or Scottish) c) A football Association Cup (English or Scottish) d) A European Cup competition e) A European Cup Winners Cup Competition f) A UEFA Cup competition It is intended that the complete game will cover eight seasons and the above competitions are played in each season. In addition the apparatus allows one to play the international matches in the European Championships and the World Cup.

Each of these competitions takes place twice in the eight season game.

The game can be played by only a single person and indeed there are no specific rules for playing with two or more people. However it is very simple to allocate the different activities in the game to different people so that two or more people can play the game.

In general the seasons of the game are played on a series of charts arranged in a particular sequence and the results of individual matches are determined by rolling two (or more) dice or one die twice. These dice are specially selected in a manner to be described below for each match to reflect the strength of the teams concerned. Thus the stronger a team is in comparison with its opponents, the greater is its chance of winning that particular match. There is however, as in a real game of football, the chance of a surprise result and furthermore home ground advantage is also taken into consideration.

The apparatus includes an instruction book and a chart book, the latter including all the charts for the complete eight season game. At the beginning of the chart book there is a table which indicates the order of charts for each season, as follows

COMPETITIONS SEASONS I - 8 16 team super League All of these are played every season. You will see Football League (FL) Cup that the first 2 charts are for the super League Football Association (FA) Cup season 1. The next 2 are for the FL and FA Cups, European Cup (EUR) Cup also for Season 1. These are followed by charts European Cup Winners' (ECW) Cup for the EUR, ECW, and UEFA Cups for Season 1. UEFA Cup The next 2 are again for the super League, this time for Season 2. All the others follow as before, to give 8 sets for the 8 seasons.

After the charts for the 8th season, the chart book includes a "COMPETITION WINNERS" section, where a complete record may be kept of all winning teams. Following this section, there are charts for two series of international competitions, the World Cup and the European Championships.

These competitions may be played, as in real life, at 4 season intervals, for instance, as indicated in the following table:

1 First Series Second Series World Cup after season 2 after season 6 European Championships after season 4 after season 8 The sequence of play within each season is indicated on a chart called the Points Recorder chart, which is shown in Figure 7. The use of the points recorder chart is referred to below, but at the bottom of the chart there is a section entitled "Timing of Competitions".This section is to be followed from left to right as the game is played and it can be seen that each season opens with the playing of four matches for each team in the league competition (the super league-match sets 1 to 4), after which the first league positions for each team are calculated. Having done this, there are a further 4 match sets and then follows round 3 of the Football League Cup, rounds I and 2 being omitted. Then two more matches are played in the super league (match sets 9 and 10) followed by round 4 of the Football League Cup. The Football Association Cup commences after match set 14 of the super league and the European competitions after match set 16.

The European Championships and the World Cup are treated entirely separately from the normal season and are played in full as they occur in the particular season of the game.

The various competitions played during the game will now be described separately.

To enable one to play the super league, the apparatus includes a "fixtures and results chart". Figure 1 shows the chart as it is provided with the apparatus and Figure 2 shows a similar chart which has been partially completed. As will be appreciated the player of the game selects 16 teams and writes them in the same order in the column headed HOME and also in the row headed AWAY. Then each blank square represents a particular match and each team plays all other teams both at home and away. In the appropriate square the result of that particular match is entered as soon as it is played. For each match the home team score is written first so that for instance the result of the match Manchester United V. West Ham United, in which the home team Manchester United scored one goal and the away team West Ham United scored two goals, is written 1.2.

There are 240 squares in the fixtures and results chart and these represent 240 matches which have to be played in the 16 team league in a complete season. These matches have been arranged into 30 sets of 8 matches and the matches of each set are played together, in a similar manner as the various matches of a single Saturday afternoon in the real football league programme.

A number from 1 to 30 is allocated to each set of matches and each match square on the fixtures and results charts has a number printed in it. This number indicates the particular match set to which the match belongs. The method of playing the super league is to locate each match of a particular set according to the number of the set being played and to play each of the 8 matches in that set. The arrangement of sets as shown on the fixtures and results chart is such as to give an orderly arrangement of matches through the season so that for instance each club plays alternately at home and away.

Provided with the apparatus is a set of dice, each dice being of cuboid form and each of the 6 faces thereof having a numeral showing thereon. The numeral indicates the score of a particular team in a match. The dice are distinguished from each other by having different coloured numerals. Seven dice are used to play the super league and Figure 3 shows the markings on each dice. The result of each match is determined by two throws of the dice, involving one or two dice. Provided with the apparatus is a dice selection chart (Figure 4). This chart includes four tables one of which is headed "SUPER LEAGUE MATCHES". The dice to be used for the matches in this super league are determined using this table.

For the first four match sets, the matches are played on the basis that none of the teams has any league form. Accordingly the same dice are used for each of the matches, namely the blue and the red dice. The blue dice is used for the home team and the red dice for the away team. To determine the result of a particular match the two dice are rolled together and the result is then written into the appropriate match square on the fixtures and results chart. It will be seen that there is a somewhat greater chance of a home team victory than an away team victory.

Figure 4 shows the fixtures and results chart after two match sets have been played.

Also provided with the apparatus is a points recorder chart (Figure 5). The teams are entered in the left hand column of this chart as shown in Figure 5 and the top row indicates the match sets I to 30 of the super league season. After the first four match sets have been played the points won by each team may be entered. The points are entered on the chart on a cumulative basis. The number of points awarded are two for a win, one for a draw and zero for a lose. Thus Manchester United lost its first game and won its second and the entries under match sets 1 and 2 are 0 and 2 respectively. Tottenham Hotspur won both its first game and drew its second game and the appropriate entries are therefore 2 and 3. The chart shown in Figure 5 has been completed up to match set 4. Accordingly the points total for each team after lout matches is shown under column 4.

Provided with the apparatus is a league position chart (Figure 6). The league position chart enables a league table to be built up at various stages through the season after particular numbers of match sets have been played. The chart is built up from right to left and as can be seen in Figure 6 the first column is headed 4 and is provided for a league table to be built up after 4 match sets have been played.

This column has been completed according to the points position as shown on the points recorder chart, the teams arranged from top to bottom in order of the number of points obtained.

Match set 5 and all subsequent match sets are played using the dice selector (Figure 4) and the information obtained from the most recently entered column on the points recorder chart (Figure 5). As can be seen from the fixtures and results chart one of the matches in match set 5 is Leeds United v Bolton Wanderers, Leeds United being at home. Now after four match sets Leeds United have obtained 4 point and Bolton Wanderers 6 points. Accordingly the away team have a points advantage of 2 points. Reference to the dice selector chart indicates that in order to play this match the blue dice has to be rolled for the home team, Leeds United, and the red die for the away teams, Bolton Wanderers. This example illustrates the way in which the dice selector chart is used in order to select the particular dice to be used for each match.As can be seen from the dice selector chart (Figure 4) and the scores on the dice shown in Figure 3, the chance of a particular team winning a particular match is inceased relative to the other team as the points advantage of the first team increases relative to the other team. Thus, as can be seen from the Super League Matches table of the dice selector chart, an away team points advantage of between 4 and 6 effectively cancels out the normal home team advantage since both teams use the same die. With a bigger away teams point advantage the chance of the away team winning increases even more until with a points advantage of 21 or more the away team has the greatest possible chance of beating the home team. Of course at match set 5 the maximum points advantage is only 8 but as the league progresses the points advantage can reach much higher numbers.

It should be stated that on the various charts provided with this apparatus the teams are allocated letters of the alphabet which may be found useful in working out their relative positions etc.

Having played match set 5 and filled in the results on the fixtures and results chart, the points recorder chart is brought up to date and in a similar way match sets 6 to 8 are played. After playing match set 8 the league position chart may be brought up to date in a similar manner as with match set 4. A similar procedure is followed until all thirty match sets have been completed.

It should be noted that certain of the match sets on the points recorder chart are specially marked with the numeral presented in white on a black background at the head of the column. This indicates that the league position chart should be brought up to date when the particular column on the points recorder chart has been completed.

It will also be noticed that on the points recorder chart the team letters are printed in certain squares. In column 5 for example these are the squares A to H and this indicates that all these teams are at home in match set 5. This enables the points recorder to be completed from the results on the fixtures and results chart with little likelihood of error. Illustrating the method by means of an example, for match set 26 one fills in the points recorder chart by taking first of all the squares on which appear letters starting with C and working downwardly to P. These are the home teams for this particular match set and, by making two entries in the points recorder for each match, the completion of the entries in the column is straight forward.

On completion of match set 30 the final position column (left hand column of Figure 6) may be completed by arranging the teams according to the total number of points obtained. If two or more teams have scored the same number of points the team may be arranged according to goal difference using the right hand columns of the fixtures and results chart (Figure 1). The total number of goals scored by a particular team both home and away are added up and the total number of goals scored against that team both home and away are subtracted in order to obtain goal difference. Then the teams are arranged according to goal difference (highest positive goal difference or lowest negative goal difference).

It will be appreciated that for a particular match set the points difference information should be taken from the points recorder chart rather than the league position chart since the former is up to date for all the match sets being played whereas the latter is only updated every fourth match set (except of course for the last two match sets).

If desired the league can also be played making use of an extra die known as the "form" die. The numerals represented on this die are shown in Figure 3 (yellow die). This die is used after match set 8 when that team or teams having scored the most points between match sets 4 and 8 may be written in the appropriate spaces below the league position chart i.e. in the rows headed "FORM" TEAMS, the number of points which is the maximum being written in the top right hand corner of the appropriate rows. Then for the next four match sets the yellow die is rolled on behalf of a "form" team as well as the die indicated in the Super League Matches table of the dice selector, and the sum of the scores for the two dice is then the score for that team. The yellow die should only be rolled once on each occasion and if two form teams are playing each other then it is rolled for each team.

As the league position chart is built up, the form teams are located at each stage by comparing a particular column with the previous column located to the right.

In the manner described above the Super League may be played once for each season of the game.

As mentioned above the Football League Cup and the Football Association Cup may also be played in each season of the game. Rounds 1 and 2 of the Football League Cup and rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the FA Cup are omitted. Both round 3 of the FL Cup and round 4 of the FA Cup are played with 32 teams. In the case of the FL Cup the teams comprise 11 teams from Division 1 of the Football League, ten teams from Division 2, six teams from Division 3 and five teams from Division 4.

The teams for the FA Cup may be drawn from the various Divisions on the same or a different basis and certain non-league teams may replace Division 3 and 4 teams.

Provided with the apparatus is a set of cards which are for use in the cup competitions. Each card has marked on it a reference number and there are cards for each of the numbers 1 to 32.

For each cup competition there is provided with the apparatus a series of charts, each chart being for use with the competition in a particular season. A chart for season I of the Football League Cup is shown in Figure 7. Particular teams are chosen and entered in the team table on the left of the chart so that each team has a number corresponding to a number on one of the cards. The cards are shuffled and the whole pack is placed face down. The cards are then turned over in turn and the teams corresponding to the numbers of the cards are entered in the "Third Round" table. Thus the team for the first card turned over is entered in the first space in the left hand column and that for the second card turned over is entered in the first space in the right hand column. This then represents a particular tie for the third round.The remaining cards are turned over in a similar manner to give the 16 ties for the round.

The results of the matches are determined using the same dice that were used for the super league matches. The dice to be used for a particular match are determined using the table of the dice selector chart (Figure 4) headed "cup ties with home ground advantage". As can be seen from this table the dice are selected according to the home and away team ratings, these ratings corresponding to the particular division of the team involved, non-league clubs (in the FA Cup) having the rating 5.

As an example where a second division team is at home to a non-league club the home team die is the green die and the away team die is the yellow die. This table of the dice selector chart takes into account home team advantage as well as the supposed relative abilities of the clubs involved. However certain cup ties are played on neutral grounds and there is a table included with the dice selection chart which enables the dice for such cup ties to be selected. Since there is no possibility of a home team advantage for such cup ties, there are fewer dice combinations and indeed a team having a rating I playing a team having a rating 3 involves the same dice combination as a team having a rating 3 playing a team having a rating 1.

The method of entering the results in a cup competition depends upon the situation. If a clear win for either team is the result then it is entered in the middle box of the appropriate table (see the first row of the Third Round table in Figure 7).

If a match is drawn it is entered as shown in the second row of the Third Round table in Figure 7. After playing all the ties in the round, all drawn matches are replayed with home/away reversed. If a clear win is the result then it is entered as shown in the third row of the Third Round table. If, however, the replay is a draw then it may be entered as shown in the fourth row of the Third Round table in Figure 7. Extra time must then be played and the dice selector chart shows that the yellow die is used to see if any goals can be scored in extra time. Accordingly the yellow die is rolled once for each team and the number of goals added to that teams score. If this produces a result then this may be entered as shown in the fifth row of the Third Round table of Figure 7.

If the match is still not decided after extra time then, although the boxes to the left and right of the centre box can be completed the centre box should be left vacant. Then the whole game must be replayed again as required by the relevant rules of the competition and the result entered in the centre box.

The above description covers all ties played as a single leg but, for instance, the Semi-Finals of the FL Cup are played on a 2-leg, home and away basis, and the scores are entered as is shown in the first row of the Semi-Final table of Figure 7 in the case where there is a win. The result of the first leg was 2.1 in favour of the home team and the result of the second leg was 4.2 in favour of the home team. If the aggregate score is a draw the centre box is not filled in until extra time has been played as is illustrated in the second row of the Semi-Final table of Figure 7. If there is still no result after playing extra time the centre box is not filled in and the whole tie is replayed as required and the result entered in the centre box.

The apparatus may also be used to play the Scottish Cup and League Cup competitions. Since the Scottish League Cup is a complicated competition involving matches in groups to decide the 8 quarter finalists it is simplified by omitting the earlier rounds. Thus 8 teams are selected for the quarter finals and then the method of play is as described above using the chart shown in Figure 7 (although of course omitting round 4 and entering only 8 teams in the teams and ratings table).

The Scottish FA Cup is played in the same way as the English FA Cup but there are fewer rounds.

Further charts (not shown) are provided for playing the European club competitions (the European Cup, the European Cup Winners Cup and the Union of European Football Associations Cup (UEFA)). Each competition has been simplified so that they begin when there are only 16 teams left. The various clubs which may be selected for these competitions are listed in an information section of the instruction book provided with the apparatus and suggested methods of selecting the teams and the ratings accorded to teams are given. If one plays each competition with an English or Scottish club, then for the second and subsequent season these may be selected from the winners of the appropriate English or Scottish competitions as in the real European club competitions.

Having selected the teams each competition may be played in a manner similar to that described above for the FA and FL Cup competitions, applying of course the rules of the relevant competition to the selection of dice, the number of ties for each fixture etc. The Dice Selector (Figure 4) includes a reference to a PENALTIES die (the green die) and, as will be clear, this is used in the circumstances where, according to the rules of the particular competition, it is necessary to decide the results on the basis of penalty kicks.

The apparatus also includes two further charts (not shown) enabling the European Championships to be played. This competition is played in every fourth year and the eight season plan indicates when the competition should be played in the game.

In fact in the real European Championships competition it is only the final rounds of this competition which are played during the summer of every fourth year. The earlier rounds are qualifying games played in groups throughout the previous two seasons. However in this game the qualifying rounds and the finals are played at the same time.

The information book gives suggestions as to how teams should be selected and the numbered cards may be used to allocate countries to particular groups.

There are 8 groups and 4 countries per group. The information book also gives suggested ratings for each country. In each group 12 matches are played, each team playing every other team both home and away. From the above description of the super league, it should be clear how to play the various groups. After the matches have been played the positions of the teams within each group may be determined awarding points as for the super league.

The winners of each group go forward as the 8 qualifiers for the quarter finals and tables (not shown) are provided for enabling the final rounds of this competition are played.

The apparatus also includes two further charts (not shown) for playing the World Cup competition. Again this international competition is simplified in this game and covers only the final stages of the real world cup. Again the information book gives information regarding the countries which may be selected and suggested ratings for each country. Sixteen countries are selected and these are allocated between four groups in a similar way as described for the European championships. However in the case of the World Cup the countries in a particular group only play each other once. Accordingly six games are played and these are divided into three sets. The results of each set are placed in the appropriate columns of the table. In each square under a particular set there appears a dot which may be coloured blue or red.The teams having the same coloured dots play each other and the number of goals scored by each team is placed in its appropriate square. After the matches have been played the various results columns are completed, the final column giving the positions of the countries in the group. If necessary goal differences may be used to determine positions and also play-off matches may have to be played.

The first two countries in each group go forward to the next round which is very similar but involves only two groups. These groups are played in the same way as the earlier round.

Finally the final and third place ties are played in accordance with the rules of this competition.

The apparatus includes sufficient of the various charts to enable the whole eight season game to be played. The above-mentioned information book provides full details of the structure of each competition including how ties are played, extra time, replays etc., as well as details of clubs and countries which may take part in the various competitions.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a plurality of random number selectors and a set of charts for playing a series of football competitions, the charts including one with numbered squares for indicating the sequence in which matches

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (12)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. simplified so that they begin when there are only 16 teams left. The various clubs which may be selected for these competitions are listed in an information section of the instruction book provided with the apparatus and suggested methods of selecting the teams and the ratings accorded to teams are given. If one plays each competition with an English or Scottish club, then for the second and subsequent season these may be selected from the winners of the appropriate English or Scottish competitions as in the real European club competitions. Having selected the teams each competition may be played in a manner similar to that described above for the FA and FL Cup competitions, applying of course the rules of the relevant competition to the selection of dice, the number of ties for each fixture etc. The Dice Selector (Figure 4) includes a reference to a PENALTIES die (the green die) and, as will be clear, this is used in the circumstances where, according to the rules of the particular competition, it is necessary to decide the results on the basis of penalty kicks. The apparatus also includes two further charts (not shown) enabling the European Championships to be played. This competition is played in every fourth year and the eight season plan indicates when the competition should be played in the game. In fact in the real European Championships competition it is only the final rounds of this competition which are played during the summer of every fourth year. The earlier rounds are qualifying games played in groups throughout the previous two seasons. However in this game the qualifying rounds and the finals are played at the same time. The information book gives suggestions as to how teams should be selected and the numbered cards may be used to allocate countries to particular groups. There are 8 groups and 4 countries per group. The information book also gives suggested ratings for each country. In each group 12 matches are played, each team playing every other team both home and away. From the above description of the super league, it should be clear how to play the various groups. After the matches have been played the positions of the teams within each group may be determined awarding points as for the super league. The winners of each group go forward as the 8 qualifiers for the quarter finals and tables (not shown) are provided for enabling the final rounds of this competition are played. The apparatus also includes two further charts (not shown) for playing the World Cup competition. Again this international competition is simplified in this game and covers only the final stages of the real world cup. Again the information book gives information regarding the countries which may be selected and suggested ratings for each country. Sixteen countries are selected and these are allocated between four groups in a similar way as described for the European championships. However in the case of the World Cup the countries in a particular group only play each other once. Accordingly six games are played and these are divided into three sets. The results of each set are placed in the appropriate columns of the table. In each square under a particular set there appears a dot which may be coloured blue or red.The teams having the same coloured dots play each other and the number of goals scored by each team is placed in its appropriate square. After the matches have been played the various results columns are completed, the final column giving the positions of the countries in the group. If necessary goal differences may be used to determine positions and also play-off matches may have to be played. The first two countries in each group go forward to the next round which is very similar but involves only two groups. These groups are played in the same way as the earlier round. Finally the final and third place ties are played in accordance with the rules of this competition. The apparatus includes sufficient of the various charts to enable the whole eight season game to be played. The above-mentioned information book provides full details of the structure of each competition including how ties are played, extra time, replays etc., as well as details of clubs and countries which may take part in the various competitions. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a plurality of random number selectors and a set of charts for playing a series of football competitions, the charts including one with numbered squares for indicating the sequence in which matches

are to be played and for recording the results of matches, one for indicating which selectors are to be used according to various conditions, and one for recording points derived from the results of the matches.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the chart for indicating which selectors are to be used is arranged to choose the selectors in such a way that, after at least one or more sets of matches have been played, the chances of a successful result for one of the participants in a match are improved relative to the chances of success for the other participant if the one participant has achieved results in its one or more earlier matches which are better by a predetermined margin than the results of the other participant in its one or more earlier matches.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each random number selector is such that at each operation there is an equal chance of selecting any one from a number of possible results.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the random number selectors are dice, each having six surfaces and each surface being marked with a score.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the chart for choosing the number selectors is such that the selector chosen for a particular participant will depend also on whether that participant is playing the particular match on its "home ground", "away ground" or on a "neutral ground".

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and further provide with a league position chart to enable the participants to be arranged according to the results of matches which have been played.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and further provided with a success chart wherein, after each match or set of matches, the success or otherwise of a particular participant may be recorded.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims and further including means enabling one or more knock-out cup competitions to be played involving the same or different participants and some at least of the random number selectors.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 and including further means for choosing number selectors for knock-out competitions so that a particular number selector chosen for a particular participant will depend on an arbitary grading allocated to that participant.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the particular number selector chosen for a particular participant will depend also on the grading allocated to the other participant.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus is such that the game may encompass a plurality of football seasons, each season involving at least one league competition.

12. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.