Ad-Lib Crossword Cubes
Ad-Lib Crossword Cubes Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Number of Players
Any number may play, either individually, or as partners. AD-LIB Crossword Cubes can also be played solitaire.
Equipment
One set of 13 AD-LIB cubes, AD-LIB cup, timer.
How to Play
To start, each player picks a cube out of the cup, without looking at it, and rolls it. The player rolling the highest point value starts the game.
The first player places all 13 AD-LIB cubes in the cup and rolls them on the playing surface. The timer is then set.
Using only the letters appearing on the top surface of the cubes, the player forms words across and down in crossword fashion. Only words found in a standard dictionary are allowed. Proper nouns, abbreviations, slang and foreign words are not allowed.
There are two jokers, or wild sides, which are marked with a wild-side symbol (a square with diagonal lines). The joker can be substituted for any letter; however, it does not score. If a joker is a common letter for two words, it must remain the same letter in both words.
The words formed in one roll must be connected in one crossword pattern.
The player may rearrange the dice in any way he wishes during the time limit. At the end of the time limit he must stop and take his score.
How to Score
Each of the letters has a point value. The jokers, which are marked with the wild-side symbol, do not score. At the end of the time limit the point values of the horizontal words (across) and vertical words (up and down) are totaled. The point values of the cubes not used are then totaled and subtracted from the total obtained. (See example below.)
Example
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Horizontal Words | 11 points |
| Vertical Words | 28 |
| Subtotal | 39 |
| Less cube left over | 8 |
| Total Score | 31 points |
The example board shows the word MONEY across the bottom, with vertical words crossing it. The cube left unused is the Q, which has a point value of 8 and is subtracted.
Note that letters used in common with vertical and horizontal words are counted twice in scoring.
Turns and Passing
After the first player's turn his score is recorded and the AD-LIB cubes and cup are passed to the player on his left.
Winning the Game
The game is won by the player having the highest score after a predetermined number of turns (e.g. 3 or 4 turns), or the player having the highest score 200 (or any predetermined figure). If there are more than 6 players it may be convenient to play as partners. Partners may consult during their turn, both actively participating in the play.
Solitaire Play
AD-LIB Crossword Cubes is a challenging and interesting solitaire game. The individual player sees how high a score he can obtain in a single throw.
Simplified Rules for Younger Players
For the younger player, the rules may be simplified, by letting them form as many words as possible without requiring them to arrange the words in crossword fashion.