GB2345644A

GB2345644A - Board game simulating ball sports match

Info

Publication number: GB2345644A
Application number: GB9901050A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gregory Stewart Welby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-01-18
Filing date: 1999-01-18
Publication date: 2000-07-19
Also published as: GB9901050D0

Abstract

A board (102), Fig 2 (not shown), is marked to resemble a sports pitch, eg with two goals (104), and is provided with a plurality of alternative and interconnected tracks (108) for passage of a playing piece representing a ball or puck. Each of the opponents in the board game is provided with a set of cards representing a team 8 of players, each individual player card 2 carrying statistical performance data 12 in a series of categories (or numerical hierarchies). Opponents order their respective cards into a desired sequence, and then play off against each other by first nominating a category and then comparing the respective performance indicators on the next card in their pack; instructions 18 to move the playing piece on the board are then taken from the higher scoring of the two cards in the chosen category. The object is to repeat the playing off process through the packs of cards, whilst nominating different categories, aiming to move the playing piece into goal, and recording goals scored. The player squad numbers 14 and team indicators 8 can allow the pack of cards to be used in conventional card games; photographic or pictorial representations of players can be included on the cards. The container for the game can have a transparent lid, with the particular sports pitch markings provided on an underlying substrate, the lid having holes to define positions along the tracks for the playing piece, and to allow the recording of scores.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME The invention relates to apparatus for playing a game.

Numerous board and card games simulating sporting matches are known, and examples of such games are disclosed in US 5,201,525, US 5,435,567, US 5,403,013, US 5,390,933, US 5,224,710, US 5,318,304, US 5,360,217, US 5,496,036, and US 5,501,456.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for playing a game in which statistics concerning a player or team are used as a competitive basis for moving a playing piece simulating a sporting ball or projectile over a playing board simulating a sporting pitch.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides apparatus for playing a game comprising a pack of cards ; a playing board and a playing piece; the cards each bearing indicia to indicate their position in at least three separate hierarchies; the playing board being marked to represent a sports field and having a plurality of tracks from one goal to another ; movement of the playing piece along the tracks between the goals being controlled by the indicia on the cards.

The sports field may be marked with only two goals, or more than two goals, depending upon the nature of the sport that the game is intended to simulate. However, in one preferred embodiment, there are only two goals marked on the playing board.

The sports field can be marked to resemble the playing area or pitch of any one of a number of different sports. Examples of such sports include basketball, lacrosse, hockey (e. g. field hockey or ice hockey), or various forms of football such as association football (soccer), rugby football (union), rugby football (league), gridiron football (American football), Gaelic football and Australian Rules football.

In contrast to many known forms of board game, it is preferred in accordance with the present invention that there is only a single playing piece present on the playing board at any one time. The playing piece is thus representative of the ball, puck or other projectile used in the sport that the game and apparatus are intending to simulate. The playing piece may or may not be shaped or configured or bear surface markings to resemble the ball or other projectile used in the sport in question.

Movement of the playing piece on the board is controlled by the distribution of cards between the players.

The tracks between the goals are preferably in the form of a network comprising a plurality of nodes linked together by interconnecting paths. In this respect, the board games of the invention are distinguished from many known forms of board game in which the tracks are formed as continuous loops and no, or only a few, branch points.

In the apparatus of the invention, there can be at least seven nodes each having more than two paths emanating therefrom. For example, the minimum number of nodes having more than two paths emanating therefrom can be any value selected from seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen and twenty nodes. In a preferred embodiment, there at least ten and preferably at least fifteen such nodes, and more preferably at least twenty nodes, each having more than two paths emanating therefrom.

By providing a network of paths between the goals, rather than a simple loop or unbranched track, it is possible to simulate more accurately the actual movement of a ball during a sporting game.

The cards typically are marked to divide the pack into a plurality of suits. The suits can be chosen, for example to denote sports teams.

Usually, therefore, the pack of cards will contain at least two suits.

However, packs of cards containing only a single suit (e. g. a single team) can be provided, thereby enabling the sports fan to use his or her own favourite team in a game. Alternatively, packs containing single cards or multiple cards from the same or different suits can be provided so that purchasers can build up a collection.

Cards can also be marked so as to be usable in a conventional card game. Thus, for example, they may advantageously be divided into four suits. The four suits may be four sports teams, or the cards may be marked in addition with conventional markings (clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades) although this is less preferred. In this embodiment of the invention, the pack of cards will typically be divided into four suits of at least thirteen cards.

Where the suit contains more than thirteen cards, cards bearing numbers over thirteen or indicia representing numbers over thirteen can simply be set aside in order to play a conventional card game.

The cards used in the apparatus of the invention can be trump cards.

As such the cards can each bear separate indicia to indicate their position in a plurality of separate hierarchies, preferably at least three separate hierarchies, and more preferably at least four, e. g. at least five, hierarchies.

The indicia can be based on sporting performance. For example, a single card can relate to a particular player in a soccer team and the indicia can comprise performance statistics associated with that player such as the number of goals scored, the strike rate, number of club appearances, international caps, age at first club appearance, age when awarded first international cap, disciplinary record, and any other performance statistics that could usually be employed to establish a hierarchy of rankings.

The indicia described above can thus be used in a game of trumps played between two players, the outcome of each round of trumps providing a mechanism for controlling the movement of the playing piece on the playing board. In other words, the player winning a given round of trumps can decide the direction and optionally the distance of movement of the playing piece.

In addition to the indicia which provide the means for competition between the players of the game, the cards can bear addition indicia by means of which the direction and/or distance of travel of the playing piece on the playing board can be determined. In a simple form, for example, the playing card can be marked with a direction indicator such as an arrow to indicate the direction that the playing piece must be moved if that particular card is used in a round of trumps and wins that round. However, in addition to or instead of the direction indicator, the card can be marked to indicate the distance that the playing piece can be moved if that particular card prevails in a given round of trumps. Preferably, the addition indicia are configured to define both the direction and distance of travel of the playing piece.

The various indicia on the cards are preferably arranged so as to leave a space within which a photograph or other pictorial representation of a sporting person or object (e. g. stadium) can be placed. Typically the photographic or pictorial representation of a person or object is of such a size as to take up at least 50% of the area of one side of each card. In one preferred embodiment, a photographic or pictorial representation of a player can extend over substantially the entire area of one side of the card, the indicia and suit indicators being superimposed over the photograph or picture.

The indicia can be arranged around the perimeter of the cards.

Instead, or in addition, the indicia can be arranged in a block (e. g. in list form) to one side, or at the bottom or top of the card, or in a corner of the card. In one preferred embodiment, the indicia are arranged at the bottom of the card, e. g. in a corner location.

The term"playing board"as used herein is not intended to imply any limitation as to the materials from which it is formed nor any limitations as to size. Thus the"playing board"can be formed in a variety of materials such as board, card, plastics materials, metal, wood or indeed any other suitable material. As to size, the board can be of the size typically associated with conventional board games or it can be larger or smaller. For example, the board can be miniaturised.

In one embodiment, the playing board can have a playing surface constituted by a surface or surfaces of a container within which the cards are held.

For exampie, the playing surface can be defined by the base or, more preferably, the lid of a container for holding the cards. The playing surface (e. g. lid or base) can be marked or configured to resemble a sports field. For example, the details of a sports field can be printed on to or moulded into the surface.

In a further alternative, the surface of the container (e. g. lid or base) can be made transparent and the details of the sports field applied to a substrate (e. g. a card) arranged beneath the surface so as to be visible therethrough. Where the surface is transparent, the details of the sports field can be applied to one of the cards. An advantage of this arrangement is that each team can be provided with its own pitch marked and/or configured in a manner which reflets the actual characteristics of that team's pitch or stadium in real life. For example, the arrangement of nodes or holes can be such as to favour one team (e. g. the home team) over another.

The surface of the container is typically provided with a plurality of holes defining positions (e. g. nodes) along the tracks between the goals.

The holes may extend part way through the surface of the container, or may extend all the way through the surface. In order to allow a single lid or base construction to accommodate a number of sports fields of different layouts, a transparent surface can be provided having an excess number of holes relative to the position markings on an underlying playing card or other substrate representing a sports field.

In addition to holes which define positions on the tracks between the goals, the container can also be provided with means for recording the scores during a game. Thus, for example, holes may be disposed at one or more locations around the periphery of the pitch into which scoring pegs can be placed to denote a score. Alternatively, a sliding score indicator can be built into the surface of the container.

One or more holes may also be provided for holding miniaturised trophies.

In one particular embodiment, the container has a lid, at least a portion of which is transparent, the lid having means on the underside thereof for holding a card marked to resemble a sports field such that the sports field is visible through the transparent portion of the lid, the lid having a plurality of holes in the surface thereof, the holes being coincident with at least some positions (e. g. nodes) on the tracks marked on the underlying card. In a preferred embodiment, the lid is provided with more holes than there are positions (e. g. nodes) on the tracks marked on the underlying card. In this way, the same lid can be used in conjunction with a number of differently marked cards bearing differently configured tracks between the goals. The means for holding the card preferably allow the card to removed and reinserted at will. Thus, for example, the holding means can be configured to allow the card to slide into the lid. The lid is preferably moulded from a suitable plastics material. The lid can be made wholly transparent or only a portion thereof may be transparent. Typically, the central area will be transparent, whilst the periphery will be opaque.

In another aspect, the invention provides a set of trump cards marked by means of a suit identifier to divide the cards into groups or suits; each card having, in addition to the suit identifier, indicia to indicate ranking in at least three, and preferably at least four, separate hierarchies ; the suit identifier and the hierarchy indicia preferably being arranged around the perimeter of the cards; a photographic or pictorial representation of a person or object being arranged within the perimeter and being of such a size as to take up at least 50% of the area of one side of each card.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a set of trump cards marked by means of a suit identifier (which may be e. g. located on the perimeter of each card) to divide the cards into groups or suits; each card having, in addition to the suit identifier, indicia to indicate ranking in at least three, and preferably at least four, separate hierarchies, the hierarchy indicia being arranged in a block at the foot of the card; a photographic or pictorial representation of a person or object being arranged within the perimeter of the card and being of such a size as to take up at least 50% of the area of one side of each card.

In the trump cards of the invention, the suit identifiers can be the names of sporting teams, and the photographic or pictorial representation can have an association with the sporting team. For example, at least some of the photographic or pictorial representations can be members of the sporting team.

Preferably, in each complete pack of trump cards, there are at least two, (e. g. four) suits each consisting of at least thirteen cards.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides a container and a pack of cards contained therein, the container having a transparent surface and means for holding (e. g. releasably) a scoring card beneath the surface such that it is visible therethrough, the scoring card having scoring positions marked thereon to enable a score in a card game to be recorded, and the transparent surface having a plurality of holes therein which are coincident with the scoring positions on the scoring card, each of the holes being configured to receive a scoring peg.

In this aspect, the transparent surface can be provided with a greater number of holes than there are scoring positions on the underlying card. In this way, the surface may be configured to be used with a plurality of different scoring cards having different layouts and intended for use with different card games.

The scoring card can be marked for use in any one of a number of different games. For example, the scoring card can be marked to represent a scoring track for cribbage. Alternatively, the scoring card can be marked to provide numerical scoring positions indicating the numbers of points scored in a game such as bridge.

In one embodiment, the pack of cards can comprise two or more scoring cards for use in scoring different card games.

The invention will now be illustrated, but not limite, by reference to particular embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 illustrates a selection of trump cards according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a playing board in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a container lid having a sports field marked on the surface thereof; Figure 4 is a sectional elevation along line l-l of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the region marked A in Figure 4.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a selection of trump cards taken from a pack of trump cards according to one embodiment of the invention. As can be seen, each trump card 2 has extending thereover a photograph or pictorial representation of a football player. Arranged around the perimeter and at the foot of the card are various indicia identifying and characterising the player. Thus, in the top right hand corner at location 6, the player's name, team and international team are displayed. At locations 8 and 10 on the perimeter of the card, the name of the team is displayed, and this serves as a suit identifier. A pack of trump cards of the type shown in Figure 1 can be presented in a pack containing a plurality of suits, for example four suits (e. g. teams) in a manner analogous to conventional trump cards.

In the bottom left-hand corner 12 of the card, various statistical data are given for each player and, in the specific case illustrated, the criteria can be the attack ratio, goals scored per season, the defence ratio, the debut age for the club, the number of club appearances, the number of international caps and the disciplinary ratio (a figure based upon the number of cautions and sendings-off received). Each of the statistics is presented numerically in a manner which enables it to be compared with similar statistics on another card held by another player. By way of explanation, the attack ratio can be a statistic generated to represent the attacking capability of the player and can be a function of the number of goals scored divided by the number of matches played, weighted by factors such as the position of the team in the league and the league in which the team play. The defence ratio can be generated in an analogous manner.

In the top left-hand corner 14 and the bottom right-hand corner 16, the player's squad number is marked.

At the foot of the card, to the right of the statistical information are movement indicators 18. The movement indicators indicate the direction and distance of movement of a playing piece on either of the playing boards shown in Figures 2 or 3. Thus, the arrows 18a and 18b on the card illustrated provide movement either forwards or to the left. Alternatively, however, the direction indicator could provide for movement in fewer or more directions, or in different directions. For example, as shown in the card marked"John Doe", the direction indicators show either forward movement or movement to the right. In addition to denoting direction, the arrowheads also indicate distance, and in the example shown, each arrow provides for movement of one unit. In some cases, for example to reflect the greater pace of certain players, the movement indicators can indicate movement of 2 or even 3 units, as desired.

The cards can be used in conjunction with the playing boards illustrated in Figures 2 to 5.

Figure 2 shows a full size playing board 102 marked to resemble a football pitch having goals 104 at either end. Overlaying the markings of the football pitch is a grid or network formed from nodes 106 interconnected by paths 108. Some of the nodes, e. g. 106a have only two paths emanating therefrom, but most e. g. 106b, 106c and 1 06d have more than two paths associated therewith.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative playing board 202 with a reduced number of nodes 206 and paths 208. The playing board 202 of Figure 3 is formed in a recess in the lid 200 of a container for the trump cards. The perimeter walls 209 of the recess can be marked to resemble the boundaries of a professional league playing pitch. As such, they can bear the name of a well known football ground.

The playing boards of Figures 2 to 5 are used in conjunction with a playing piece which simulates a ball. In contrast to many known forms of football game, only a single playing piece is used. This is placed initially at the centre node 106c/206c.

In order to play a game using the apparatus shown, each player is provided with a set of at least thirteen cards (e. g. sixteen) denoting a team or squad. Players in excess of eleven become substitutes. Movement of the playing piece (not shown) from the centre node 106c/206c is then determined by successive rounds of trumps. Thus, in one form of the game, the players initially order their cards a desired sequence which is then fixed for the rest of the game (unless tactical team changes and substitutions are made). The first player will then call out a preferred statistic for the top card. If the relevant statistic on the other player's top card is inferior, then the first player wins the round, and vice versa. The winner of the round can then move the playing piece by a distance, and in a direction, determined by the movement indicators 18 on the card. Thus, for example, if the card marked"Fred Bloggs"proves to be the winning card in the first round of trumps, the playing piece can either be moved one position forwards to nodes 106d, or can be moved one position to the right to node 106e.

Following movement of the playing piece, the two cards involved in the first round are put to the backs of their respective packs. The winner then selects another (or the same) category of statistic and the process is repeated. After each round, the winning player moves the playing piece in a direction determined by the movement indicators. The object of the game is to move the playing piece to the goal node 106g to score a goal. The game can end when a single goal has been scored, or when a predetermined number of goals have been scored or, more preferably, when a predetermined time has elapsed. In order to assist timing of the game, a timer (e. g. with an LCD display) can be incorporated into the playing board or container.

In addition to using the game in conjunction with the playing boards shown in Figures 2 to 5, the cards can simply be used in a game of trumps.

In such a game, it is possible to use only two suits (e. g. teams) or more than two, for example four suits as with a conventional pack of cards.

The cards and apparatus of the invention serve several purposes.

Firstly, they provide photographs and statistics of favourite players, which will be of interest to football and other sports enthusiasts, plus in addition, the statistics, team identity, and squad number can be used as indicia for use in games of trumps. In addition, cards bearing squad numbers from 1 to 13 can be used as the basis for conventional card games.

Figures 3 to 5 illustrate a playing board which is constituted by a lid of a container for the cards. Lid 202 is formed from a moulded plastics material and has a transparent central region 204 and an opaque periphery 206. The opacity and transparency can be imparted to the lid during moulding by virtue of the surface finish on the moulding tool, or the lid can be formed from a transparent material and then treated, e. g. with a paint or other surface coating after moulding.

The surface of the transparent portion 204 has an array of holes 208 extending partway through the thickness of the lid, the holes being sized to accommodate a peg representing a ball. Held beneath the lid is a playing card 210 having football pitch markings 212 and a network of tracks 214 marked thereon. As with the playing boards of figures 2 and 3, the tracks comprise a series of nodes (represented by the filled circles) 216 linked by paths 218 to form a network, each node 216 being positioned beneath a hole 208. However, it will be noticed that not all of the holes 208 have nodes 216 beneath them. The reason for this is that the lid has been provided with a standard array of holes that can be used with a number of differently configured pitch layouts marked on interchangeable cards. Thus, not only can a player's strengths and weaknesses be represented by the statistics on the cards but, moreover, the characteristics of a particular football ground e. g. the length and width of the pitch, can be represented to some extent by the number of nodes and paths in the network and their alignment.

The card 210 is held against the underside of the lid 202 by means of channel formations 220 which extend along the greater part of the length of the underside of the lid. The lid can be partially open (for example slotted) at one end to allow the card to be inserted and slid along the channels into place. Alternatively, instead of sliding the card into place, it can be temporarily bent and snapped into position in the channels.

The manner in which the card is held in place is shown more clearly in Figure 6. From the Figure, it can be seen that the upper surface 224 of in-turned flange 222 is incline, and a ridge 226 extends along the undersurface of the lid. The effect of the combination of the inclined surface 224 and the ridge 226, together with the fact that the lateral distance between the two channel formations is less than the width of the card 210, is to ensure that the card 210 is constrained in a slightly curved shape and is thereby held in firm contact with the underside of the lid. This ensures that the details on the card 210 can clearly be seen through the transparent portion of the lid.

In addition to the holes 208 which from part of the network of tracks between the goals 226, the lid also has arrays of holes 228 to either side of the goal 226 at each end of the lid. The holes 228 are used in conjunction with scoring pegs (not shown) to provide a means of keeping a record of the score during a game. Further holes 230 are provided at either side of the pitch in line with the half way line 232. Holes 230 are intended to accommodate pegs shaped to resemble a trophy. The scoring pegs, playing piece peg and any trophy pegs can be held within a tray or compartment (not shown) within the container.

It will readily be apparent than numerous modifications and alterations can be made to the apparatus of the invention and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this Application.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a pack of cards; a playing board and a playing piece; the cards each bearing indicia to indicate their positions in at least three separate hierarchies; the playing board being marked to represent a sports field and having a plurality of tracks from one goal to another; movement of the playing piece along the tracks between the goals being controlled by the indicia on the cards.
2. Apparatus according to claim wherein only two goals are marked on the playing board.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 where the sports field is configured and/or marked to define two goals.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the sports field is marked to resemble a football, hockey or basketball pitch.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the football pitch is selected from association football (soccer), rugby football (union), rugby football (league), gridiron football (American football), Gaelic football and Australian Rules football.
6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein only a single playing piece is present on the playing board at any one time.
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tracks are defined by a network comprising a plurality of nodes linked together by interconnecting paths.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein there are at least seven and preferably at least ten nodes each having more than two paths emanating therefrom.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein there are at least fifteen nodes, and more preferably at least twenty nodes, each having more than two paths emanating therefrom.
10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cards are marked to divide the pack into a plurality of suits.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein there are four suits.
12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein each suit has at least six cards.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the each suit has a minimum number of cards, the value of the minimum number being selected from six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein each suit has a minimum of thirteen cards (e. g. at least fifteen).
15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein the cards are marked to denote the suits as being sports clubs such as football clubs.
16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cards are trump cards.
17. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein there are at least four separate hierarchies.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein there are at least five hierarchies.
19. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the indicia are arranged around the perimeter of the cards.
20. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims having suit indicators arranged around the perimeter of the cards.
21. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the indicia are based on sporting performance.
22. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cards bear addition indicia by means of which the direction and/or distance of travel of the playing piece on the playing board can be determined.
23. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the addition indicia are configured to define both the direction and distance of travel of the playing piece.
24. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the playing board has a playing surface constituted by a surface or surfaces of a container within which the cards are held.
25. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the playing surface is defined by the base or, more preferably, the lid of a container for holding the cards.
26. Apparatus according to claim 24 or claim 25 wherein the container (e. g. lid or base) is transparent and the details of the sports field are applied to a substrate (e. g. a card) arranged beneath the surface so as to be visible therethrough.
27. Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the details of the sports field are applied to a playing card.
28. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein the surface of the container is provided with a plurality of holes defining positions (e. g. nodes) along the tracks between the goals.
29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein, in addition to holes which define positions on the tracks between the goals, the container is provided with means for recording the scores during a game. Thus,
30. Apparatus according to claim 28 or claim 29 wherein one or more holes are provided for holding miniaturised trophies.
31. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 30 wherein the container has a lid, at least a portion of which is transparent, the lid having means on the underside thereof for holding a card marked to resemble a sports field such that the sports field is visible through the transparent portion of the lid, the lid having a plurality of holes in the surface thereof, the holes being coincident with at least some positions (e. g. nodes) on the tracks marked on the underlying card.
32. Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the lid is provided with more holes than there are positions (e. g. nodes) on the tracks marked on the underlying card.
33. Apparatus according to claim 31 or claim 32 wherein the means for holding the card allows the card to removed and reinserted.
34. Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the holding means is configured to allow the card to slide into the lid.
35. A set of trump cards marked by means of a suit identifier to divide the cards into groups or suits; each card having, in addition to the suit identifier, indicia to indicate ranking in at least four separate hierarchies ; the suit identifier and the hierarchy indicia preferably being arranged around the perimeter of the cards; a photographic or pictorial representation of a person or object being present on each card and being of such a size as to take up at least 50% of the area of one side of each card.
36. A set of trump cards according to claim 35 wherein the photographic or pictorial representation extends over substantially the entire surface of each card, the indicia and suit identifiers being superimposed over the representation.
37. A set of trump cards according to claim 35 wherein the photographic or pictorial representation is on the same side of each card as the indicia and suit identifiers.
38. A set of trump cards marked by means of a suit identifier to divide the cards into groups or suits; each card having, in addition to the suit identifier, indicia to indicate ranking in at least four separate hierarchies, the hierarchy indicia being arranged in a block (e. g. at the foot of the card); a photographic or pictorial representation of a person or object being present on the card and being of such a size as to take up at least 50% of the area of one side of each card.
39. A set of trump cards according to claim 38 wherein the suit identifier is located on the perimeter of each card.
40. A set of cards according to any one of claims 35 to 39 wherein the suit identifiers are the names of sporting teams.
41. A set of cards according to claim 40 wherein the photographic or pictorial representation has an association with the sporting team.
42. A set of cards according to claim 41 wherein at least some of the photographic or pictorial representations are of members of the sporting team.
43. A set of cards according to any one of claims 35 to 42 wherein there are at least two (e. g. four) suits each consisting of at least thirteen cards.
44. A container and a pack of cards contained therein, the container having a transparent surface and means for holding (e. g. releasably) a scoring card beneath the surface such that it is visible therethrough, the scoring card having scoring positions marked thereon to enable a score in a card game to be record, and the transparent surface having a plurality of holes therein which are coincident with the scoring positions on the scoring card, each of the holes being configured to receive a scoring peg.