Message in a Bottle
Message in a Bottle Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 1 bottle
- 4 letter dice: 2 turquoise dice, 1 yellow die, 1 dark blue die
- 1 effects die
- 45 diamonds
- rulebook
Goal of the Game
Be the first player to come up with a word containing all the letters shown by the dice in the bottle. A correctly spoken word earns you 1 diamond. The first player to collect 8 diamonds wins.
Classic Mode
Setup
Take the diamonds and the effects die out of the bottle. Create a common supply of diamonds on the table within reach of all players. Set the effects die aside - you do not need it when playing in classic mode. Each player receives 1 diamond.
How to Play
Shake the bottle with the dice inside and place it in the middle of the table so that all players can see it well. The game begins immediately: look at which letters the dice show and try to be the first to come up with a word that contains all the letters! Take 1 diamond if your answer is correct.
Notes:
- Words must have at least 4 letters.
- You may use nouns in the singular and plural from a standard dictionary of the language, except proper names and abbreviations.
- Players cannot say the same word twice during one game.
If a player makes a mistake (for example, says a shorter word, a verb, or does not use all the letters), they lose 1 diamond and return it to the common supply. That player is out for this round.
Note: If you should lose a diamond but have none, nothing happens.
Example (dice showing B, M, R):
- BRAMBOR! (potato) - the player used all the letters and said a correct word.
- MRAMOR (marble) - the player did not use the letter "B" (this player loses a diamond and cannot suggest another word with these letters in this round).
Note: If two players say a word at the same time, the player with the shorter word wins. If both players' words are the same length, both receive 1 diamond.
Non-Existent Word Rule
If a player thinks that no word exists that contains all the letters, they may say "non-existent word" and begin counting aloud 10 seconds. If during this time no player suggests a word, the player who said "non-existent word" receives 1 diamond. If any other player suggests a correct word in this time, the player who said "non-existent word" loses 1 diamond.
Shorter Word Rule
This rule is optional and can be used in any game mode. Each time one of the players suggests a word, they begin counting aloud 10 seconds. Meanwhile, the other players may suggest shorter words with the letters from the dice. The player who says the shortest word (containing at least 4 letters) wins the round.
End of the Game
The game ends when one of the players gets their eighth diamond - this player becomes the winner.
Easy Game Mode
Easy mode is ideal for getting to know the game or for playing with children!
Setup
Set the dark blue die aside. 1 yellow die and 2 turquoise dice remain in the bottle. All other rules remain the same as in classic mode.
Game with Effects
Ready for a challenge? You can spice up the game by adding another die - the effects die! The game with effects follows the same rules as the classic mode, with only a few changes.
Setup
Add the effects die. The bottle will contain 1 effects die, 1 dark blue die, 1 yellow die and 2 turquoise dice.
How to Play
Each side of the effects die indicates a condition that must be fulfilled when saying a word:
-
Say a word containing the letter on the yellow die, but without the letters of all the other dice. The letter of the yellow die must be neither the first nor the last letter in the word. (Example: OPAR! - "steam".)
-
Be the first player to cover the bottle with your hand and say, for each letter of all the dice, a word beginning with that letter.
- When covering the bottle, be careful that the dice do not move!
- It is not necessary to use the letters of the remaining dice in the words. (Example: CELO! DUHA! NOHA! OBLOHA! - "forehead", "rainbow", "leg", "sky".)
-
Look at which die is closest to the neck of the bottle and which is farthest. The letters on these two dice must be used as the first and last letters of your word.
- You may choose which of the two letters will be at the beginning and which at the end of the word.
- It is not necessary to use the letters of the remaining dice in the word.
- If two dice are at the same distance, you may choose between them. (Examples: PYTEL! - "sack"; LUMP! - "rascal".)
-
Say a word according to the classic rules of the game.
If a player makes a mistake by failing to meet the condition of the effects die, they lose 1 diamond and cannot continue in this round.
Example: The player did not meet the condition of the effects die: instead of naming a word without the letters on the dark blue and turquoise dice, the player came up with a word containing all the letters. Although the letter of the yellow die is in the middle of the word, this player loses 1 diamond and can no longer take part in this round. (Illustrated word: PODRÁZKA!)
Party Variant
Want to simplify the game while keeping the effect actions? The party variant is exactly what you need! In the party variant you play with the same rules as the game with effects, only the setup differs slightly.
Setup
Set the dark blue die aside and add the effects die. The bottle must contain 1 effects die, 1 yellow die and 2 turquoise dice.
(Illustrated example words: MOZEK! TVAR! OCEL! - "brain", "shape/face", "steel".)