Lexicon Crossing

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{{TOCright}}
 
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=== A word-list thingy game ===
 
=== A word-list thingy game ===
'''Based on, like, Scrabble™ and Bananagram™, our brains, and stuff'''
+
'''Based on, like, Scrabble™, Bananagram™, our brains, and stuff'''
   
 
== The concept ==
 
== The concept ==
   
Players create the highest scoring crosswords that they can with their available letters.
+
Players create the highest scoring crossword that they can with their available letters.
  +
  +
Lexicon Crossing is perhaps most similar to Bananagram, from which is draws it's basic gameplay (this is also similar to Speed Scrabble), but is scored uniquely. This scoring sets it apart from the speed of Bananagram and Scrabble, and brings forth an emphasis on longer words, and the re-use of rarer letters.
   
 
== Requirements ==
 
== Requirements ==
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* A set of Scrabble™ tiles
 
* A set of Scrabble™ tiles
 
* A large amount of workspace for each player
 
* A large amount of workspace for each player
  +
** my 50x73cm test (coffee table) was found suitable for a 2player game, though larger (perhaps 50x100 would have been ideal)
   
 
== To start ==
 
== To start ==
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== Starting tiles ==
 
== Starting tiles ==
   
* Two player - 30 tiles each (leaves 38 in the pile, ~19 rounds)
+
* Two player - 30 tiles each (leaves 38 in the pile, 19 rounds)
 
* Three player - 15 tiles each (leaves 53, ~18 rounds)
 
* Three player - 15 tiles each (leaves 53, ~18 rounds)
 
* Four player - 10 tiles each (leaves 58, ~15 rounds)
 
* Four player - 10 tiles each (leaves 58, ~15 rounds)
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* All words made must be valid Scrabble™ words.
 
* All words made must be valid Scrabble™ words.
* Words can be repeated on the board.
+
** There is no limitation on word repetition, minimum or maximum length
 
* All words on the board must form part of the crossword.
 
* All words on the board must form part of the crossword.
 
* At any time (without interrupting other players) a player can put a tile back into the pile and take three replacements.
 
* At any time (without interrupting other players) a player can put a tile back into the pile and take three replacements.
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== Scoring ==
 
== Scoring ==
   
* Tiles that are at the intersection of multiple words are scored by summing their Scrabble tile values.
+
* Tiles that are at the intersection of two words are scored by summing their Scrabble tile values. Leftover tiles are taken from the point total
* This score is then divided by the total number of words to come up with the calculated result.
+
** To clarify: you only score tiles that are used in 2 words, but count the point value once.
<pre>
+
** eg: if KEYBOARD was crossed with 'CA'''K'''E', '''B'''ED and '''R'''UBBISH, then the points for K(5), B(3) and R(1) would be added to a 9 point total
for example, the first two games resulted in the following scores
+
* Points are then divided by the total number of words to come up with the final calculated score.
52 points / 17 words = 3.06 final score
+
*** 9 points divided by 4 words (KEYBOARD, CAKE, BED, RUBBISH) = 2.25
this beats 66 points / 25 words = 2.64 final score
+
* A calculator is handy for scoring as 1 or 2 decimal places may be required to differentiate in close games
   
70 points / 19 words = 3.68 final score
+
=== Example ===
beats 49 points / 16 words = 3.06 final score
+
The first two games tested resulted in the following scores
  +
* 52 points / 17 words = 3.06 final score
  +
* 66 points / 25 words = 2.64 final score
   
This demonstrates winning strategies of both fewer words and higher points.
+
* 70 points / 19 words = 3.68 final score
(Nemo thinks Nerissa should never play this game against him again.)
+
* 49 points / 16 words = 3.06 final score
</pre>
+
  +
These two games demonstrate the winning strategies of both fewer words and higher points. ''(also, Nemo thinks Nerissa should never play this game against him again.)''
   
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== Tactics ==
 
== Tactics ==
   
* Maximise the scoring letters - so use the high scoring letters at intersections.
+
* Maximise the scoring letter values - ie, intersect words on the high point scorers.
* Minimise the number of short words. Adding 'R' to make OR and OR, is counterproductive. Even OW and OW, which scores 6 points (making W, O and O all scoring letters) for 2 words - an average of 3, may not be in your best interest!
+
* Minimise the number of short words.
* Take the time to rearrange your crossword when you see better opportunities. Words can be moved at any time.
+
** Only a very few short words make sense to use: Adding 'R' inside a corner to make OR and AR is counterproductive (+4 points /2 words, net result is a score of 2 - likely to bring your score down. Even 'W' to make OW and AW only gains +6 points for /2 words - an average of 3. Finally, OX and AX nets +10points for /2 words. This is worthwhile!
* Remember, you don't HAVE to call 'green light', so take advantage of a completed board to consider alterations
+
* Take the time to rearrange your crossword when you see better opportunities. Words can be moved at any time.
  +
** Remember, you don't HAVE to call 'green light'... take advantage of a completed board to consider alterations!
   
 
== Advantages over Scrabble™ ==
 
== Advantages over Scrabble™ ==
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* Tiles can be rearranged during play
 
* Tiles can be rearranged during play
 
* No board required
 
* No board required
* Whilst Scrabble encourages targetting set positions on the board, Lexicon Crossing encourages multiple use of rare letters
+
* Whilst Scrabble encourages targeting set positions on the board to gain points, Lexicon Crossing encourages multiple use of rare letters
  +
* Scrabble, Bananagram, etc, encourage short words (in Scrabble by the use of parallel words, giving rise to multiple point scoring per tile, and Bananaram by the speed that this encourages). As demonstrated above, the points gained in Lexicon Crossing by using 2letter words is unlikely to be substantial enough to warrant it. Better to use take the time and use the letters elsewhere
  +
  +
== Links ==
  +
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_Scrabble
  +
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bananagrams

Revision as of 15:14, 31 October 2010

Contents

A word-list thingy game

Based on, like, Scrabble™, Bananagram™, our brains, and stuff

The concept

Players create the highest scoring crossword that they can with their available letters.

Lexicon Crossing is perhaps most similar to Bananagram, from which is draws it's basic gameplay (this is also similar to Speed Scrabble), but is scored uniquely. This scoring sets it apart from the speed of Bananagram and Scrabble, and brings forth an emphasis on longer words, and the re-use of rarer letters.

Requirements

  • A set of Scrabble™ tiles
  • A large amount of workspace for each player
    • my 50x73cm test (coffee table) was found suitable for a 2player game, though larger (perhaps 50x100 would have been ideal)

To start

  • The tiles are placed face down and shuffled (excluding blanks)
  • Players draw the required amount of tiles.
  • The left over tiles are set to the side to draw throughout the game.

Starting tiles

  • Two player - 30 tiles each (leaves 38 in the pile, 19 rounds)
  • Three player - 15 tiles each (leaves 53, ~18 rounds)
  • Four player - 10 tiles each (leaves 58, ~15 rounds)

Play

  • Once the game begins, all players work simultaneously on their individual crosswords.
  • Once a player uses all their tiles, they can call "green light" which is the signal for all players to choose a new tile from the pile.
  • Once that new tile is incorporated into the crossword, the cycle continues.
  • This goes on and on until the pile is exhausted and one player has added all their tiles into the crossword. They then call "red light" to stop the game.
  • Scores are then tallied and the winner is the player with the highest calculated result.

Rules

  • All words made must be valid Scrabble™ words.
    • There is no limitation on word repetition, minimum or maximum length
  • All words on the board must form part of the crossword.
  • At any time (without interrupting other players) a player can put a tile back into the pile and take three replacements.

Scoring

  • Tiles that are at the intersection of two words are scored by summing their Scrabble tile values. Leftover tiles are taken from the point total
    • To clarify: you only score tiles that are used in 2 words, but count the point value once.
    • eg: if KEYBOARD was crossed with 'CAKE', BED and RUBBISH, then the points for K(5), B(3) and R(1) would be added to a 9 point total
  • Points are then divided by the total number of words to come up with the final calculated score.
      • 9 points divided by 4 words (KEYBOARD, CAKE, BED, RUBBISH) = 2.25
  • A calculator is handy for scoring as 1 or 2 decimal places may be required to differentiate in close games

Example

The first two games tested resulted in the following scores

  • 52 points / 17 words = 3.06 final score
  • 66 points / 25 words = 2.64 final score
  • 70 points / 19 words = 3.68 final score
  • 49 points / 16 words = 3.06 final score

These two games demonstrate the winning strategies of both fewer words and higher points. (also, Nemo thinks Nerissa should never play this game against him again.)

Notes

Yet to playtest 3 and 4 person games

Tactics

  • Maximise the scoring letter values - ie, intersect words on the high point scorers.
  • Minimise the number of short words.
    • Only a very few short words make sense to use: Adding 'R' inside a corner to make OR and AR is counterproductive (+4 points /2 words, net result is a score of 2 - likely to bring your score down. Even 'W' to make OW and AW only gains +6 points for /2 words - an average of 3. Finally, OX and AX nets +10points for /2 words. This is worthwhile!
  • Take the time to rearrange your crossword when you see better opportunities. Words can be moved at any time.
    • Remember, you don't HAVE to call 'green light'... take advantage of a completed board to consider alterations!

Advantages over Scrabble™

  • Play is simultaneous.
  • Not limited by word length
  • Tiles can be rearranged during play
  • No board required
  • Whilst Scrabble encourages targeting set positions on the board to gain points, Lexicon Crossing encourages multiple use of rare letters
  • Scrabble, Bananagram, etc, encourage short words (in Scrabble by the use of parallel words, giving rise to multiple point scoring per tile, and Bananaram by the speed that this encourages). As demonstrated above, the points gained in Lexicon Crossing by using 2letter words is unlikely to be substantial enough to warrant it. Better to use take the time and use the letters elsewhere

Links

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