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Deception Dice - A new party game is a “roll of the dice”
Steve Maling knew he had a great idea for a board game, but the expense and uncertainty of bringing it to market was his primary concern. In late 2010, he decided to roll the dice on his invention.

Maling, of Landenberg, PA was granted a U.S. and international patent and trademark for his game “Deception Dice®.” It’s a game he says that has great family appeal and is easy to play.

“Everyone that has played Deception Dice has really enjoyed the competition” Maling said. “It’s easy to learn and it’s fun to play.”

The game is a variation on the “Liar’s Dice” game which involves strategy, however this version incorporates a luck factor, both good and bad, therefore all skill levels have an opportunity to be victorious. Three to eight players can participate and the game is recommended for ages 10 and older.  The game name was selected with the consideration of the tag line “No One Likes to be Called a Liar!”

Each player starts the game with five colored dice. A game is made up of multiple hands where a player can lose one die or two dice for a hand.  The objective of the game is to be the player with at least one die at the end of the game.  

Ones are wild most of the time.  Each player rolls dice in a shaker cup and throws down onto the playing surface with the dice remaining hidden from the other players. Bets are made based on the probability that the quantity and die value bet will be supported by all the dice in play along with the wild ones.  Players look at their five dice and bet accordingly. As an example, a bet of “8, fives” is based upon all the hidden fives and wild ones in play. The next player has to increase the bet by keeping the same quantity of dice and betting a higher die value “8, sixes” or the player can increase the quantity of dice and use any die value 2–6, i.e. “9, fours”.  Eventually a challenge will be made and the reveal of the dice will determine the loser for the hand.  

When making a bet, deception becomes a big part of the game.  The unique feature of the game is the Deception Dice cubes.  These get rolled into the “pit” by the loser of the previous hand.  The red DD cube establishes how many dice are at risk to the loser of the next hand and the green DD cube indicates the format of play for the hand.  The format could be a reverse direction, ones are NOT wild, or a no look hand, etc.  There is a red “DD” and green “DD” on the respective cubes that are the luck factor and these have an affect on the player should either of these indicators appear.  Once a player loses their dice, they are eliminated from the game.

“Inherent to the game is an educational factor that involves a bit of mathematics, both simple division and probabilities, at the start of each hand.” Maling says, “The players that pay attention to the total dice in play are typically successful, however the luck factor can often be a game changer.”

Maling got the idea for the game after playing a variation of Liar’s Dice with his neighbors.  Knowing that there was a new game ready to be developed, it wasn’t until he played another popular board game that his idea finally took shape. The uniqueness of the game board and the Deception Dice cubes are the key to this entertaining game.  

After seeing his game in a dream, he bought the materials and built a prototype. He then attended educational seminars and trade shows to learn about the gaming industry.  As folks played his game he knew he was onto something because everyone who played it loved it. Maling pursued, and was granted, a U.S. patent and trademark for Deception Dice.  

In late 2010, he had 1,000 games manufactured in NJ and he is presently selling the games online via his self-produced website.  Ultimately his plans are to get the game into retail outlets via a license agreement with a game manufacturing company.  
“It’s not a matter of if Deception Dice will be successful, but when it’s going to hit,” he said. “There are not many party games that are eight-player participation nor that have the immediate cross-over potential to segue into additional market segments.”

“Party games and card games have always been a part of our family entertainment,” Maling said, “its very rewarding to have created a game of my own.”

The transition into other markets will be spurred by technology. He believes that his game has the potential to cross over into smart phone applications, interactive on line game play via gaming consoles and via websites, and eventually electronic table game play at casinos.

“The big prize is to get this game into the casinos,” he stated, “many gaming tables now are totally automated and virtual dice games and Deception Dice could easily be developed.”

Right now, Maling’s game, which is made in the U.S., is available only on the internet at www.deceptiondice.com Price is $39.99. He said he could get his price down to $30 retail by having the game manufactured in China, something he may consider depending on how well the game sells.

“I’m excited about how easy the game is to learn along with the entertainment value and lots of laughs” Maling adds “my game is interactive and fun to play for all ages and genders.”

Contact Info

Tumblin' Dice, LLC
3 Sonesta Court
Landenberg, PA 19350

www.deceptiondice.com
info@deceptiondice.com

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