Game Piece and Methods of Making and Using Same

Abstract

A game piece that has a central layer and domed clear top and bottom layers is disclosed. The domed clear layers are affixed to and cover respective top and bottom faces of the central layer. The game piece also has at least one printed label that is affixed between the top layer and the central layer. The dome shape of the top and bottom layers assure that, when the game piece is resting on a gaming surface, the edge of the central layer of the piece is not in contact with the gaming surface. Methods of making and using the game piece are also disclosed.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A game piece comprising
 a central layer having an outer edge, and   a domed clear top layer and a domed clear bottom layer, the two clear layers affixed to and covering respective top and bottom faces of the central layer;   the game piece further comprising at least one printed label, the at least one label affixed between the clear top layer and the central layer;   the clear layers shaped such that, when the game piece is resting on a gaming surface, the outer edge of the central layer is not in contact with the gaming surface.   
     
     
         2 . The game piece of  claim 1 , wherein the central layer is a round disk shape. 
     
     
         3 . The game piece of  claim 2 , wherein the central layer is a coin. 
     
     
         4 . The game piece of  claim 1 , wherein the label and the clear domed layer both substantially cover the central layer. 
     
     
         5 . The game piece of  claim 1 , wherein the label and top domed layer are conventional domed labels sized to substantially fit the central layer. 
     
     
         6 . The game piece of  claim 1 , comprising two printed labels, one label affixed between the clear top layer and the central layer and the other label affixed between the clear bottom layer and the central layer. 
     
     
         7 . A method of making a game piece, the method comprising the steps of:
 affixing a printed label to a first side of a central layer of the game piece;   affixing a domed clear top layer over the printed label;   affixing a domed clear bottom layer to a second side of the central layer;   such that, when the game piece is resting on a gaming surface, the piece has an edge that is not in contact with the gaming surface.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein before the step of affixing a domed clear bottom layer to a second side of the central layer, a second label is affixed to the second side of the central layer, and the domed layer is affixed over the second label. 
     
     
         9 . A method of using a game piece in a game, the method comprising the steps of;
 determining a front side and a back side for the game piece;   determining the ranking order of the game piece based upon a printed symbol on its front side as compared to the printed symbols of other game pieces in a set of game pieces;   placing the game piece on a game board in ranked relation to the rank order of the other game pieces on the board.