Scrabble Crossword Cubes Game Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Game One — A Simple, Fast Moving Word Game
  • The Object
  • The Play
  • Scoring
  • End of Game
  • Example
• Game Two
  • Brief Outline
  • The Object
  • To Begin
  • Word Formation
  • Scoring
  • Penalties
  • Partnership Play
  • Length of Game

Game One — A Simple, Fast Moving Word Game

The Object

To compete for high score while forming words in crossword fashion.

The Play

The first player places all 14 cubes in the cup and tosses them. The timer is set. Using the letters that appear on the top of the cubes, the player forms words across and down and connected in a continuous crossword pattern. Words of any length may be used, but they must be words found in a standard dictionary. Proper nouns, foreign words, abbreviations, and words requiring apostrophes and hyphens are not allowed. The two blanks may be used as any letter desired. If a blank is a common letter for two words, it must remain the same letter in both words. At the end of the time limit player's turn ends and his score is tallied.

Scoring

Each letter has a score value as indicated by a number on the cube. The score value of a blank is zero. The score values of the horizontal words and vertical words are totaled. The letter used where a vertical and horizontal word crosses is counted twice in scoring. The total values of the cubes not used is deducted from the total score (See example). After the score is recorded the cubes are placed in the cup and are passed to the player on his left. All players alternate one turn a piece.

End of Game

A game may consist of any agreed number of turns, or may continue until the score of any player reaches an agreed total. (200 points suggested.)

Example

The printed example shows a crossword of cubes with TIGER and OF across, and TON, IF and WEAVE down, with two cubes (T and U) left off the grid beside it. The tally is printed as follows:

• Across: TIGER, 1+1+2+1+1 = 6
• Across: OF, 1+1 = 2
• Down: TON, 1+1+1 = 3
• Down: IF, 1+1 = 2
• Down: WEAVE, 4+1+1+4+1 = 11
• Total score: 24
• 2 cubes left over (1+1): −2
• Final score: 22

Game Two

This Crossword Cubes Game is a unique and worthy addition to the family of Scrabble word games. It will provide enjoyment for the most demanding crossword fan. The complete rules should be read carefully and all players should understand the object of the game before starting. The brief outline that follows will acquaint players with the terms used in the game.

Brief Outline

Players alternate ONE TOSS each. A ROUND is limited to 4 TOSSES per player. Within each ROUND players try to form a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 letter word. Each word length may only be formed once during a ROUND.

For example: If on his first TOSS a player forms a 3 letter word, a 6 letter word and a 7 letter word, then on his next TOSSES during the ROUND he is limited to making 2, 4, 5 or 8 letter words. Words are formed in crossword fashion, and must interlock either horizontally or vertically in a continuous crossword pattern.

The Object

To compete for high score while forming a series of seven interlocking words of predetermined length.

To Begin

Each player tosses the cubes and counts the score value of the letters coming up. The player with the highest total plays first and the person to his right becomes scorekeeper and timekeeper.

The first player then tosses the cubes and the scorekeeper sets the timer. The player then arranges the cubes to form a word or words in accordance with the rules for word formation and scoring. When the cubes have been arranged to the player's satisfaction, or when the scorekeeper calls time for the play, the score is tallied and the cubes are passed to the player to the left who then takes his toss in the same manner. Players alternate one toss each.

Word Formation

1. Use only the letters on the tops of the cubes as they fall after each toss. A Blank face may be used to represent any single letter but has no score value.
2. Any words found in a standard dictionary are permitted except those always capitalized, those designated as foreign words, abbreviations and words requiring apostrophes or hyphens.
3. With each toss of the cubes all words formed (if more than one) must interlock crossword fashion, making acceptable words of proper length both horizontally and vertically.
4. In each round of the game, consisting of two to four TOSSES for each player, a total of seven words may be formed—one of each length from 2 letters to 8 letters. a. Words of the various lengths required may be formed in any order but no more than one word of each length is permitted (It is helpful to complete the 7 and 8 letter words first). b. At his second and subsequent tosses, each player may form only words of lengths not already formed in his previous toss or tosses during that round. c. Although a player is entitled to 4 tosses during a ROUND, he may elect to pass after his 2nd toss even though he has not completed all 7 words if he feels this is to his advantage. His score then stands as his final score for that ROUND. The other players may complete their 4 tosses. d. Play for the round ceases when each player has either (1) completed one word of each length, (2) passes at any toss, or (3) taken four tosses with or without completing all seven words.

Scoring

5. At the end of each toss, and before the cubes as finally arranged by the player are disturbed, the scorekeeper checks off the lengths of the words formed and records the score for the toss. This is the total of the score values of the letters in each word formed less the total score value of any unused letters. (Note that unused blanks have no penalty value.)
6. Letters common to two words are counted as part of the score for each.
7. Any player or partnership completing all seven words with two tosses of the cubes, scores a GRAND SLAM BONUS of 50 points in addition to the full score value of the words. (Note that this can be done only by forming words of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 letters in one toss and of 7 and 8 letters in the other. See diagrams below.)

Diagram 1 (Toss A), as printed: 8-letter word PRETENSE (score 10) and 7-letter word LATCHED (score 13) cross the letters of the grid. Total for the toss: 23.

Diagram 2 (Toss B), as printed: words ME (2 letters, score 4), TOY (3 letters, score 6), BONE (4 letters, score 6), TIMER (5 letters, score 7) and DETAIN (6 letters, score 7) are formed. Total for the toss: 30.

The printed final score table reads:

• Toss A: 23
• Toss B: 30
• Grand Slam Bonus: 50
• Total: 103

Completing all seven words in three tosses scores a Small Slam Bonus of 25 Points.

8. If the score value of unused letters exceeds that for the words formed, the score for the toss is recorded as a minus number.

Penalties

9. If a word is successfully challenged as to spelling, usage or permissible length, its letters are counted as unused and deducted from the score for correct words formed in the same toss.
10. If two words of the same length are formed in one toss, the penalty provided in paragraph 9 applies to the higher scoring of the two.

Partnership Play

11. With an even number of players in excess of two, play is speeded and becomes very exciting by partnership play. Each partnership's score is tallied on one line of the score sheet in the same manner as for an individual player. Both partners join in forming the words.

Length of Game

12. A full game may consist of an agreed number of rounds or may continue until the cumulative score of any player or partnership reaches an agreed total (200 to 300 points recommended).