US20110095479A1

US20110095479A1 - Board game

Info

Publication number: US20110095479A1
Application number: US12/906,784
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruce P. Attwood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-26
Filing date: 2010-10-18
Publication date: 2011-04-28

Abstract

The board game requires two or more alternating players to place tiles on a game board while attempting to form a sequential line along a row, column, or diagonal of the board while simultaneously preventing the opponent(s) from doing so. One rule requires the winning player to form a line of tiles of precisely the number required to win, i.e., a longer line does not win. Another rule prohibits players from forming multiple branched lines having a single common point, if those lines are within two tiles of the number required to win. Thus, a player may not form two joined lines having four potential playing orientations to win, with the opponent having only three turns remaining to block such play. Players may select the number of tiles required for a win, and/or the size of the game board. The game may also be adapted to computer or electronic play.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/272,723, filed Oct. 26, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to board games, and more particularly to a board game requiring the winning player to form a line of tiles or position markers of predetermined length, while attempting to prevent an opponent or opponents from doing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Board games wherein the winner is required to form a line of tiles or position markers of predetermined length have been known for some time. Perhaps the simplest of such games is tic-tac-toe, wherein two players take alternating turns attempting to form a continuous line of three markers on a three by three matrix of playing positions. Other similar games have been developed in the past, but most such games are relatively simple due to the limited playing area and correspondingly small number of aligned markers required for a win.
As a result, games having similar rules of play but expanding upon the size of the game board and/or the number of consecutively aligned tiles or markers required for a win, have been developed. While such games add to the challenge to some extent, they still do not generally provide the level of challenge and difficulty that might be required for the experienced or skilled player. For example, such games do not require the winning player to achieve an exact number or count of tiles or markers to win the game, but only require that the winning player achieve a line of tiles of at least the minimum required count. As an example, a game requiring a winning player to achieve a line having a minimum of five tiles, also considers a line of six or seven tiles or markers to be a winning scenario. This might occur where the player forms two shorter separate lines separated by a single space or position, and fills in that single position to create a longer line than required.
Such games also allow at least one certain winning strategy: When a player can form two rows of markers in different directions with the two rows joined by a single common marker, e.g., the two lines extend from a single common point, that player has created a certain win if each of the rows is open-ended and formed of no fewer than two markers or tiles less than the number required for a win. As an example, in a game where a win requires five tiles or markers in a line, a player achieving a situation having two open-ended lines of markers joined by a common position or marker on the board, with each of the lines having three tiles or markers, has a certain win. This is because the opponent can only block one end of one line at a time, and as there are four line ends in such a scenario, the winning player is certain to be able to add two markers or tiles to at least one of the lines before the opponent can block all three.
In addition to the above limitations, the overwhelming majority of such games are configured for play by only two players. While an even number of players may play multiple games, an odd number of players will always see one player sitting out a game. A round robin type tournament would allow all such participants to play eventually, but the limitation remains that at least one player will remain idle where three persons wish to play.
Thus, a board game solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The board game includes a game board having a matrix of playing positions thereon, preferably arrayed in a square configuration. The game board may contain various numbers of playing positions, e.g., a twenty-five by twenty-five matrix of six hundred and twenty-five positions, or a thirty-by-thirty matrix of nine hundred positions, as exemplified herein. Other quantities of playing positions may be used to form the game board of the present board game, as desired.
An appropriate number of player position markers, tiles, or game pieces is provided to each player. Each player has a set of identical markers or tiles, with each player's markers or tiles being different from those of other players. The tiles or markers may be differentiated by color, shape, size, or in some other manner as desired.
The game is played by initially determining the number of consecutively or sequentially aligned tiles or markers required to win the game. The players determine this by arriving at a mutually compatible decision, e.g., the players determine whether a win will require five aligned markers or tiles, or six such aligned tiles, or some other number as desired.
The players also determine the size of the game board to be used. A larger game board may be used, i.e., one having more positions than desired, with the extraneous positions masked off in some manner, if a smaller game board of the desired size is not available. The order of play is also determined, and players alternatively place tiles or markers on the playing positions of the board as desired, while attempting to form a continuous line of markers or tiles of exactly the required length to win the game and/or making defensive moves to prevent the opponent or opponents from doing so.
The board game includes various rules to add to the challenge and interest of the game. One such rule requires a winning player to form a line of tiles or markers of exactly the quantity or length required for the win. In other words, a game requiring a line of a predetermined number of tiles or markers to win, cannot be won by a player forming two shorter lines of tiles along a common row, column, or diagonal, with the two shorter lines separated by a single position, and then filling in that position to form a line of tiles longer than the predetermined number of tiles required. As an example of the above, consider a game requiring five sequentially aligned tiles to win. A player having two lines of three tiles each along a common row, column, or diagonal, with those two lines separated by a single position, cannot win by filling in the single position, as this would form a single line having a series of seven tiles.
Another rule prohibits players from forming multiple open-ended lines of tiles having a single common point or position, if those lines contain only two or fewer tiles less than required to win the game. This eliminates the certainty of a win for such a situation. As an example of the above in a two player game requiring a line of six tiles or markers to win, a player is prohibited from forming an open-ended row and open-ended column each containing four tiles with a common end or medial point. The two open-ended lines of tiles provide the player with four line ends to work with, and the opponent will be unable to block all four ends before the first player is able to extend at least one of the lines by two tiles to win the game. An exception to this rule is made where the multiple line player fills in a common position of the two lines to block a win by the opponent. However, in such a scenario, the multiple line player must forgo extension of one of the lines and continue play only along a single line of his choosing.
It will be seen that the board game may also be played by more than one player, if appropriate tiles or markers are provided. For example, for three players, three different marker colors may be provided, e.g., red, white, and blue. Alternatively, different shapes may be provided, e.g., squares, circles, and triangles. Additional colors, shapes, or other means of differentiation may be provided for more than three players, if desired. Such a game involving three or more players adds greatly to the challenge, as each player must not only attempt to expand his or her own line(s) of play in order to win, but must also keep track of the play of each of the other players, rather than only a single opponent.
While the board game is described herein as being a physical game board and markers, tiles, or playing pieces, it will be seen that the game lends itself well to electronic or computerized play as well. Programs may be developed to allow a player to play against the computer, using a single computer or station. Alternatively, multiple computers or stations may be connected by a network, with a program allowing players at each of the computers to play against one another as desired. It will be seen that the game lends itself to various wagering scenarios as well, should the players or others wish to do so.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, and 1K are a schematically illustrated progressive series of positions of an exemplary board game according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a specific situation in the board game of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another schematic illustration of a specific situation in the board game of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another schematic illustration of a specific situation in the board game of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an alternative game situation in the board game of the present invention wherein more than two players are involved.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an alternative game situation in the board game of the present invention wherein an additional number of player position markers is required to form a winning line, over that illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative game board representation of a board game according to the present invention having more positions than the game board of FIGS. 1A through 6.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart briefly describing the steps in the method of play of the present board game.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a board game that may be configured for play using a physical board and playing pieces or tiles, or may be configured for electronic or computer play. The game is played on a game board or facsimile thereof having a series of rows and columns defining a relatively large number of individual playing positions, with each player having a number of playing pieces or facsimiles thereof, also known as position markers or tiles, that are played selectively by the players in turn on the positions of the board. The object of the game is to form a continuous straight line of pieces or tiles of predetermined length along a portion of a row, column, or diagonal series of playing positions of the board, while opposing players attempt the same during their plays and also attempt to block or prevent others from achieving such a line of tiles or markers.
FIGS. 1A through 1K provide a series of schematic illustrations of an exemplary game board 10 and a progressive series of plays thereon leading to a winning situation by one player. The game board 10 comprises a series of twenty-five rows 12 a through 12 y, and a series of columns 14 a through 14 y, thus forming a total of six hundred and twenty-five playing positions on the board. Thus, each playing position resides along a single row and column, and may be designated by the reference numeral combination of that row and column. The twenty-five by twenty-five game board 10, or a similar board having close to the same number of rows and columns, has been found to provide a challenging game for two or more players due to the relatively large size of the field. However, other game board sizes or configurations may be provided as desired, e.g., the larger game board of FIG. 7, discussed further below.
Initially, the persons intending to play the game are determined, as in the case of any game. The present board game lends itself well to play by two people, with the game scenarios shown in FIGS. 1A through 4 and in FIG. 6 illustrating examples of play by only two players. However, more than two players may play the game if a corresponding number of different groups of player position markers or tiles are provided, as indicated in FIG. 5 of the drawings and discussed further below. The order of play is determined conventionally, e.g., a coin toss, concealing different position markers or tiles in each hand and having the other player choose a hand, etc., as desired.
The players may also determine or select the size of the game board desired for the game, i.e., the number of rows and columns to be used for play, generally as indicated by the first step 100 of the flow chart of FIG. 8. If players wish to simplify the game to provide fewer opportunities for placement of tiles or markers, they may select a smaller game board having fewer positions than the board 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. Alternatively, they may use the game board 10, and mask off or otherwise prevent play upon some number of rows and columns, thus in effect forming a game board having fewer rows and columns. In some instances, they may wish to use a larger game board having more rows and columns than the board 10 of FIGS. 1 through 6, e.g., the exemplary board of FIG. 7. The selection or determination of the size of the board to be used is made by mutual agreement or consent among the players.
The determination of the number of tiles or markers required to form a winning line in the game is also determined by mutual agreement or consensus among the players, as indicated by the first step 100 of the flow chart of FIG. 8. Thus, the players may simplify the game by electing to require a relatively short line of markers to win the game, as it is easier to form a line of a relatively few pieces while avoiding being blocked by an opponent, than it is to form a longer line. However, players may wish to provide more challenge in the game and elect to require a longer line of markers to form a win, particularly when using a larger game board. The choice or decision is completely up to the players involved. In the example of FIGS. 1A through 1K, it has been determined that a series of five consecutive tiles will be required to win the game.
Play begins after a group of playing tiles is assigned to each player, as indicated by the second step 102 of FIG. 8 and discussed further above. In the exemplary game shown sequentially in FIGS. 1A through 1K, a first player has been assigned the “X” tiles or markers, and the second player has been assigned the “O” pieces or tiles. The “X” tiles are designated as tiles 16 a through 16 j and the “O” tiles are designated as tiles 18 a through 18 i, in FIGS. 1A through 4 and in FIG. 6. The “X” tiles 16 a through 16 j are all identical to one another, with the “O” tiles 18 a through 18 i, all being identical to one another as well, but differing from the “X” tiles 16 a through 16 j. The playing pieces, tiles, or position markers of each group, i.e., for each player, may be differentiated from one another in any manner as desired, e.g., by the “X” and “O” shown in FIGS. 1A through 6, or by color, shape, etc., as desired, so long as each player can determine which of the tiles or markers are controlled by him or her during play.
In FIG. 1A, the first player has placed his or her first marker or tile 16 a on the position 12 m/14 l of the board 10, i.e., in a generally central location or position on the board. While such a central position allows the player to extend a line of tiles in any of eight directions along a row, column, or diagonal extending from that position, there is no restriction in the game rules that requires a player to place his or her first tile in a central area of the board. The player may play anywhere on the board he or she likes.
Play alternates between players, e.g., between the first player (the “X” tiles) and the second player (the “O” tiles) in the exemplary game of FIGS. 1A through 1K, generally as indicated by the third step 104 of the flow chart of FIG. 8. In FIG. 1B, the second player has placed his or her first “O” tile 18 a on playing position 12 k/14 m of the board, i.e., two rows higher and one row to the right from the initial “X” tile or marker 16 a. Again, the second player may elect to place his or her first marker 16 a anywhere he or she likes on the board 10, so long as the selected position is not occupied by another marker of either player.
In FIG. 1C, the first player has placed his second tile or marker 16 b one position diagonally up and to the right of his first tile 16 a, i.e., on position 12 l/14 m. This blocks one potential direction for expansion of the opponent's line, and begins a diagonal up and to the right from the originally placed tile 16 a. Play continues as shown in FIG. 1D with the second player choosing to place his second marker or the 18 b one column to the left of his first tile, i.e., on position 12 k/14 l, beginning to form a line to the left of the originally placed tile 18 b and blocking upward extension of a line from the second “X” tile or marker 16 b.
The first player chooses to place his third “X” tile 16 c on position 12 k/14 l, as shown in FIG. 1E. This blocks the possibility of the opponent extending a line to the left along the 12 k row, and begins a diagonal along a line defined by positions 12 a/14 b and 12 x/14 y of the board. It also opens the possibility of a vertical line along the column 14 l. In FIG. 1F, the second player has placed his third marker or tile in the space or position between the first player's first and third markers along the column 14 l, on position 12 l/14 l. This blocks the possibility of a vertical line in that location by the first player, and begins a lower left to upper right diagonal by the two tiles 18 a and 18 c.
FIG. 1G shows the placement of the fourth marker or tile 16 d by the first player, on position 12 m/14 n of the board 10. This continues the diagonal along the 12 a/14 b to 12 x/14 y line. The opponent places his fourth tile or marker 18 d on position 12 m/14 k of the board in FIG. 1H, continuing the extension of the earlier started diagonal downwardly and to the left on the board.
In FIG. 1I, the first player has placed his fifth tile 16 e on position 12 j/14 k of the board 10, extending the upper left to lower right diagonal to four tiles, i.e., tiles 16 b, 16 c, 16 d, and now 16 e. Only one more tile is needed by the first player to win the game, per the initially agreed upon goal of five tiles in a row to win. The second player responds in FIG. 1J by placing his fifth tile 18 e on position 12 j/14 n of the board, resulting in a total of four tiles along the lower left to upper right diagonal defined by extreme positions 12 w/14 a and 12 a/14 w.
It will be seen in FIGS. 1I and 1J that the first player has established an open-ended diagonal comprising his tiles 16 b through 16 e placed on his second through sixth plays. As neither end is blocked, the first player has a choice of placing his winning sixth tile 16 f at either end of the diagonal line of tiles 16 b through 16 e to form a continuous line of five tiles. The winning move is made by placing tile 16 f on position 12 i/14 j, completing a diagonal line of five tiles.
The above-described game of FIGS. 1A through 1K is rather simplified, in that the second player positions generally did not block or prevent the first player from forming a winning diagonal in relatively short order. In reality, the present board game will likely take considerably longer and require considerably more plays, with each player in a two player game preferably controlling a number of markers equal to close to half of the positions on the board, or about three hundred markers for each player. The majority of the playing positions of the board 10 will likely be covered by markers or tiles, in a game played by skilled players.
Accordingly, certain rules have been developed to add even further challenge to the game. One such rule requires that a winning line of tiles must contain precisely the number of tiles agreed upon to win the game, i.e., no more and no fewer tiles, generally as indicated by the final step 106 of the flow chart of FIG. 8. An example of a game situation that can potentially violate this rule, and thus preclude winning the game even though a sufficiently long line of tiles has been played, is found in FIG. 2 of the drawings. In FIG. 2, the first player has sequentially placed a broken horizontal row of five tiles 16 a through 16 e along the positions 12 m/14 i through 12 m/14 n, with the exception of the open position 12 m/14 k. Thus, two tiles 16 a and 16 b are adjacent to one another, with the remaining three mutually adjacent tiles 16 c through 16 e being separated from the first two tiles by the single open position 12 m/14 k.
However, if the first player places a sixth marker or tile on the open position 12 m/14 k to unify his tiles into a single line, that line will contain a total of six tiles. This is prohibited by the rules in a game requiring precisely five tiles in a row to win, as the additional sixth tile to unify the rule results in a row of tiles containing one more tile than permitted. Such a play is permitted by the rules, but will not be considered a winning move. The first player must continue to attempt to develop a line of precisely five tiles, no more and no fewer, in order to win the game.
One problem with board games in which players alternate turns while attempting to form a continuous line of markers or tiles is that a player achieving an open-ended line containing only one piece or tile less than required to win the game, is guaranteed a win. This is because the opponent can only block one end of the line at each turn, and the first player will merely play the winning tile on the opposite end from the blocked end at his or her next turn. A common scenario leading to such a situation occurs when a player creates two short lines of playing pieces or tiles separated by only a single position, and then fills in that position to create an open ended line or two open ended lines joined by a common tile or marker. When the resulting two joined lines each contain a number of tiles no less than two fewer than the number required to win, that player has created a certain win. This is because the player has in effect two lines each having two ends to build upon, with either of the lines needing only two more tiles to provide sufficient length to win. Thus, even if an opponent first blocks one end of one line, the first player merely adds another tile to either end of the other line. Regardless of which line the second player blocks on his or her next turn, the first player can add a winning tile to the other line.
FIG. 3 provides a visual example of this rule prohibiting the formation of two relatively short lines by the addition of a single tile to join the lines. In FIG. 3, the first player has placed tiles 16 a and 16 b respectively on positions 12 i/14 j and 12 j/14 k, and tiles 16 c and 16 d respectively on positions 12 l/14 l and 12 m/14 l. This leaves a single open position 12 k/14 l between the two lines, which if filled in by the first player as indicated by the broken line marker 16 e, would form two open-ended lines each containing three tiles: tiles 16 a, 16 b, and 16 e for the diagonal line, and tiles 16 c, 16 d, and 16 e for the vertical line along column 14 l. The first player would thus have a choice of four positions on which to place a marker or tile to extend either of the two lines: Positions 12 h/14 l, 12 l/14 m, 12 j/14 l, or 12 n/14 l. The single opponent in a two player game cannot possibly block all four of these line ends before the first player is able to add two tiles to one of the lines, with such a scenario thus creating a guaranteed win for the first player. The prohibition of the placement of a marker or tile to join the two lines where the result would create two joined lines each having no less than two fewer tiles than required for a win, eliminates this guaranteed win possibility. This rule is indicated generally by the fourth and fifth steps 108 and 110 of the flow chart of FIG. 8.
An exception to the above rule is made when an opponent is threatening to win the game by a line of tiles or markers that would extend through the otherwise prohibited open position between the two shorter lines of the first player. In such a situation, the first player is permitted to block the potential win of the second player by placing a marker or tile on the open position between the two short lines, thus creating the situation described above as prohibited by the rules. In this case, the first player is required to declare which line he will continue to develop, and to forgo or abandon play along the other line. Thus, the player may not take undue advantage of an otherwise prohibited move, while still being allowed to block a win by the opponent.
FIG. 4 of the drawings provides an illustrative example of this rule. In FIG. 4, the first player has placed tiles 16 a through 16 d on the same respective positions as in FIG. 3, i.e., positions 12 i/14 j; 12 j/14 k; 12 l/14 l; and 12 m/14 l. However, the second player has in turn placed his or her markers or tiles 18 a through 18 d respectively on positions 12 k, 14 j; 12 k, 14 k; 12 k, 14 k; 12 k, 14 m; and 12 k, 14 n, leaving only the single position 12 k, 14 l between the two shorter lines of “O” markers or tiles. In this scenario the second player has a sure win, unless the first player is allowed to block by placing an “X” tile 16 e in the otherwise prohibited position 12 k, 14 l and forming two lines each having only two fewer tiles than required for the agreed upon five tile win. However, in such a situation, the first player is not permitted to take advantage of the situation. The first player is required to surrender any right to continue to build upon either line of his choosing, i.e., either the diagonal line formed by tiles 16 a, 16 b, and 16 e, or the vertical line formed by tiles 16 c, 16 d, and 16 e. The player may continue to build upon only the single remaining line of the two, in this scenario. This rule is described generally by the fifth, sixth, and seventh steps 110 through 114 of the flow chart of FIG. 8.
To this point, play involving only two players has been described. However, it will be seen that more than two players may participate in the board game, if so desired. The number of players is limited only by the number of differently configured groups of markers, pieces, or tiles provided for the game. FIG. 5 provides a schematic illustration of an exemplary board game wherein three players are involved, each using markers or tiles having a different configuration than those of either of the other two players. In FIG. 5, a first player has been assigned and is using square tiles or markers 20, while a second player is using circular markers 22 and a third player is using triangular markers 24. Play proceeds generally as described further above for the two-player game, with play proceeding sequentially among the first, second, and third players in turn.
However, a game involving more than two players may prove to be somewhat more challenging than a two player game, as two players may become involved in strategy against one another while a third player allows the first two to combat against one another while he or she concentrates on a winning line. FIG. 5 provides an example of such a scenario, where the second player has won the game by creating a horizontal line of five circular markers 22 along positions 12 k/14 j through 12 k/14 n as indicated by the horizontal line drawn through those five markers or tiles. Moreover, certain of the rules for the two player game may be revised as required, e.g., the rule prohibiting the joining of two relatively short rows by a single marker or tile. This is because two (or more) players will have the opportunity to place blocking moves, before the first player has another turn to build upon any of the partially completed lines.
It will be seen that the number of players is limited only by the number of differently configured markers or tiles available, with various other shapes or configurations, e.g., stars, pentagons, parallelograms, ovals, shapes having insets, holes, or concavities, etc., being conceivable for use in the game. Alternatively, different colors could be used, e.g., red, white, and blue for the three markers or tiles of the three person game of FIG. 6, with additional colors being provided for more players as desired.
To this point, the board game has been described as requiring a series of five consecutive tiles along any portion of a row, column, or diagonal to win the game. However, as noted further above, this is according to agreed upon consensus of the players, and not by an absolute rule of the game. FIG. 6 provides an illustration of a game wherein the two players have mutually agreed that a win will require a line containing six consecutive tiles or markers. In FIG. 6, the first player has formed a line of six markers or tiles 16 along the diagonal line defined by the six playing positions 12 j/14 n, 12 k/14 m, 12 l/14 l, 12 m/14 k, 12 n/14 j, and 12 o/14 i, with a line drawn through these positions to facilitate the determination of its location by the reader. The players may agree to require a line of any practicable length as desired to win the game, but it will be seen that the longer the required line, the more difficult it will be to include such a line on a limited board size.
Accordingly, the board need not be limited to the twenty-five by twenty-five playing positions shown in FIGS. 1A through 6. FIG. 7 provides an illustration of a game board 10 a having thirty rows and thirty columns defining a total of nine hundred playing positions. The rows are designated as 12 a through 12 z for the first twenty-six, with the final four being designated as rows 12 aa, 12 bb, 12 cc, and 12 dd. Similar nomenclature is used to define the columns 14 a through 14 dd, thus permitting any position on the board 10 a to be located. It will be seen that the game boards used in the present game need not be limited only to the twenty-five by twenty-five matrix of the game board 10 and to the thirty by thirty matrix of the game board 10 a, but may be of any practicable number of rows and columns defining a corresponding number of playing positions, as desired.
In conclusion, the board game provides a considerably greater challenge and requires considerably greater thought and strategy than conventional games requiring the forming of a line of tiles or markers on a board. The special rules incorporated with the game, i.e., the requirement for a specific number of tiles to win with no more and no fewer tiles being accepted, and the prohibition against forming multiple lines having a common position in order to negate the advantage provided by such a maneuver, result in challenges not previously found in such games. Moreover, the freedom of the players to determine the length of a winning line and the size of the game board to be used, adds further to the interest of the game. It will be seen that any and all of the above provisions and rules are easily incorporated in either a physical game structure or an electronic or computerized embodiment of the game, if so desired. The game may be configured for electronic play on a single computer or game unit, with players switching back and forth as required. Alternatively, the game may be played against a computer program, or against other players using different computers in a common network, if so desired. Any of the above scenarios and embodiments provides a most interesting game for the players.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of playing a board game, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting at least two players for the game;

(b) determining the order of play by the players;

(c) providing a plurality of groups of tiles corresponding to the number of players, the tiles of each group being identical to one another within that group and differing from the tiles of different groups;

(d) providing a game board, the game board having a matrix of playing positions thereon;

(e) determining the number of playing positions to be used on the game board, by mutual agreement of the players;

(f) determining the number of tiles required to win the game, by mutual agreement of the players;

(g) sequentially placing a tile on an unoccupied playing position of the game board, by each of the players in turn;

(h) attempting to form a continuous line of tiles containing the number of tiles agreed upon to win the game, by each of the players in turn; and

(i) winning the game by the first player successfully forming a continuous line of tiles containing the number of tiles agreed upon to win the game.

2. The method of playing a board game according to claim 1, further including the steps of:

(a) requiring a specific number of tiles to win the game;

(b) attempting to form a continuous line of tiles containing the specific number of tiles required to win the game, by each of the players in turn; and

(c) winning the game by the first player successfully forming a continuous line of tiles containing only the specific number of tiles required to win the game, the line of tiles containing no more and no fewer than the specific number of tiles required to win the game.

3. The method of playing a board game according to claim 1, further including the steps of:

(a) optionally forming two lines of tiles on the game board by a single player, the two lines of tiles extending in different directions from one another and separated by a single common position on the game board, the two lines of tiles each containing no more than two fewer tiles than the number required to win the game;

(b) prohibiting the player forming the two lines of tiles from joining the two lines of tiles by placement of a single tile on the common position therebetween, when no winning line threat from an opponent extends through the common position;

(c) threatening to form a winning line of tiles by an opponent, through the common position of the two lines of tiles;

(d) blocking the opponent by placing a single joining tile on the common position between the two lines of tiles, by the player having the two lines of tiles; and

(e) requiring the player having the two lines of tiles to select a single one of the lines for continuing play therealong, and abandoning play on the other of the two lines of tiles.

4. The method of playing a board game according to claim 1, further including the steps of:

(a) selecting at least a first player, a second player, and a third player for the game;

(b) providing at least a first group of tiles, a second group of tiles, and a third group of tiles, each group of tiles corresponding to one of the players, the tiles of each group being identical to one another within that group and differing from the tiles of other groups; and

(c) sequentially placing a tile on an unoccupied playing position of the game board, by at least the first player, the second player, and the third player in sequential rotation.

5. The method of playing a board game according to claim 1, further including the steps of:

(a) arranging the game board to have a matrix of twenty-five rows and twenty-five columns totaling six hundred and twenty-five playing positions; and

(b) setting the consecutive tiles required to win the game, as five tiles.

6. The method of playing a board game according to claim 1, further including the steps of:

(a) arranging the game board to have a matrix of thirty rows and thirty columns totaling nine hundred playing positions; and

(b) setting the consecutive tiles required to win the game, as six tiles.

7. The method of playing a board game according to claim 1, further including the step of configuring the board game for electronic play.

8. A method of playing a board game, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting at least two players for the game;

(b) determining the order of play by the players;

(e) requiring a specific number of tiles to win the game;

(f) sequentially placing a tile on an unoccupied playing position of the game board, by each of the players in turn;

(g) attempting to form a continuous line of tiles containing the specific number of tiles required to win the game, by each of the players in turn; and

(h) winning the game by the first player successfully forming a continuous line of tiles containing only the specific number of tiles required to win the game, the line of tiles containing no more and no fewer than the specific number of tiles required to win the game.

9. The method of playing a board game according to claim 8, further including the steps of:

(a) determining the number of playing positions to be used on the game board, by mutual agreement of the players; and

(b) determining the number of tiles required to win the game, by mutual agreement of the players.

10. The method of playing a board game according to claim 8, further including the steps of:

11. The method of playing a board game according claim 8, further including the steps of:

12. The method of playing a board game according to claim 8, further including the steps of:

(b) setting the consecutive tiles required to win the game, as five tiles.

13. The method of playing a board game according to claim 8, further including the steps of:

(b) setting the consecutive tiles required to win the game, as six tiles.

14. The method of playing a board game according to claim 8, further including the step of configuring the board game for electronic play.

15. A method of playing a board game, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting at least two players for the game;

(b) determining the order of play by the players;

(e) requiring a specific number of tiles to win the game;

(g) attempting to form a continuous line of tiles containing the number of tiles required to win the game, by each of the players in turn;

(h) optionally forming two lines of tiles on the game board by a single player, the two lines of tiles extending in different directions from one another and separated by a single common position on the game board, the two lines of tiles each containing no more than two fewer tiles than the number required to win the game;

(i) prohibiting the player forming the two lines of tiles from joining the two lines of tiles by placement of a single tile on the common position therebetween, when no winning line threat from an opponent extends through the common position;

(j) threatening to form a winning line of tiles by an opponent, through the common position of the two lines of tiles;

(k) blocking the opponent by placing a single joining tile on the common position between the two lines of tiles, by the player having the two lines of tiles;

(l) requiring the player having the two lines of tiles to select a single one of the lines for continuing play therealong, and abandoning play on the other of the two lines of tiles; and

(m) winning the game by the first player successfully forming a continuous line of tiles containing the number of tiles agreed upon to win the game.

16. The method of playing a board game according to claim 15, further including the steps of:

17. The method of playing a board game according to claim 15, further including the steps of:

(a) requiring a specific number of tiles to win the game;

18. The method of playing a board game according to claim 15, further including the steps of:

19. The method of playing a board game according to claim 15, further including the steps of:

(a) arranging the game board to have a matrix of at least twenty-five rows and twenty-five columns totaling at least six hundred and twenty-five playing positions; and

(b) setting the consecutive tiles required to win the game, as at least five tiles.

20. The method of playing a board game according to claim 15, further including the step of configuring the board game for electronic play.