Trading card game

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a method for playing a trading card game between a first player and a second player. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of determining that the first player has an initiative, which allows the first player to perform a plurality of steps during a first cycle prior to the second player performing any of the steps during the first cycle. Subsequently, the second player can perform a plurality of steps during the first cycle. The initiative then shifts to the second player, at which time the second player can perform a plurality of steps during a second cycle prior to the first player performing any of the steps during the second cycle. In another embodiment, the method includes temporarily eliminating one of a first card and a second card from play and reorienting the deactivated card on the play area to be recognizable as a card that has been temporarily deactivated from play. The method can also include calculating a score of the game based on a difference between a value of the first card and a value of the second card.

1 . A method for playing a trading card game between a first player and a second player, the method comprising the steps of: 
 determining that the first player has an initiative;    the first player performing a plurality of first steps during a first cycle prior to the second player performing any of the plurality of first steps during the first cycle;    the second player performing a plurality of first steps during the first cycle;    shifting the initiative to the second player; and    the second player performing a plurality of first steps during a second cycle prior to the first player performing any of the plurality of first steps during the second cycle.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of alternating shifting the initiative between the first player and the second player before each of a plurality of cycles following the second cycle.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of the first player performing a second step during the first cycle prior to the second player performing the second step during the first cycle, the second step occurring following the second player performing the plurality of first steps during the first cycle.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of the second player performing the second step of the first cycle prior to the initiative shifting to the second player.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of the first player performing a plurality of first steps includes using a second card to increase a value of a first card that is controlled by the first player, the first card and the second card being substantially similar.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of the first player performing a plurality of first steps includes attacking a third card of the second player with the first card, the outcome of the attack being determined at least in part by comparing the value of the first card to a value of the third card.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of the first player attacking a third card includes calculating a score of the game based on a difference between the value of the first card and the value of the third card.  
   
   
       8 . A trading card game that is played using the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       9 . A method for playing a trading card game between a first player and a second player, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of cards to the first player including a first card and a second card that are substantially similar, the first card and the second card each having a same value;    providing a plurality of cards to the second player including a third card, the third card having a value that is measured against the value of the first card; and    the first player using the second card to increase the value of the first card.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of using includes eliminating the second card from play for a remainder of the game.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of the first player attacking the third card of the second player with the first card, the outcome of the attack being determined at least in part by comparing the value of the first card to a value of the third card.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of the first player attacking the third card includes calculating a score of the game based on a difference between the value of the first card and the value of the third card.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of comparing includes determining that one of the cards is defeated, and further comprising the step of reorienting the third card to be recognizable as a card that has been temporarily deactivated from play.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of the second player activating the third card so that the third card is no longer deactivated from play.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of activating the third card includes reorienting the third card to be recognizable as a card that has been activated.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of activating includes the second player choosing between the third card and a fourth card to become activated, and further comprising the step of eliminating the fourth card from play for a remainder of the game.  
   
   
       17 . A trading card game that is played using the method of  claim 9 .  
   
   
       18 . A method for playing a trading card game between a first player and a second player, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of cards to the first player including a first card having a value;    providing a plurality of cards to the second player including a second card having a value;    the first player defeating the second card with the first card based at least in part on a comparison of the value of the first card and the value of the second card, the second card becoming temporarily deactivated from play; and    reorienting the second card to be recognizable as a card that has been temporarily deactivated from play during the trading card game.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of the second player activating the second card so that the second card is no longer deactivated from play.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of activating the second card includes reorienting the second card to be recognizable as a card that has been activated.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of activating includes the second player choosing between the second card and a third card to become activated, and further comprising the step of eliminating the third card from play for a remainder of the game.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of defeating the second card includes the first player increasing the value of the first card with a fourth card that is substantially similar to the first card.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising the step of eliminating the fourth card from play for a remainder of the game.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of calculating a score of the game based on a difference between the value of the first card and the value of the second card.  
   
   
       25 . A trading card game that is played using the method of  claim 18 .  
   
   
       26 . A method for playing a trading card game between a first player and a second player, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of cards to the first player including a first card having a value;    providing a plurality of cards to the second player including a second card having a value;    the first player defeating the second card with the first card based on a comparison of the value of the first card and the value of the second card, the second card becoming temporarily deactivated from play; and    calculating a score of the game based on a difference between the value of the first card and the value of the second card.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the step of defeating includes the second player reorienting the second card to be recognizable as a card that has been temporarily deactivated from play during the trading card game.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising the step of the second player activating the second card so that the second card is no longer deactivated from play.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the step of activating the second card includes reorienting the second card to be recognizable as a card that has been activated.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the step of activating includes the second player choosing between the second card and a third card to become activated, and further comprising the step of eliminating the third card from play for a remainder of the game.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the step of defeating the second card includes the first player increasing the value of the first card with a fourth card that is substantially similar to the first card.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising the step of eliminating the fourth card from play for a remainder of the game.  
   
   
       33 . A trading card game that is played using the method of  claim 26.