A quick note about word games. Unless otherwise noted in the rules for a specific game or all players playing the game agree on a different set of rules, the following two rules apply to all word games for the Alpha Word Game System. (Now I don't have to keep adding these rules every time I create a game for Alpha).
Acceptable Words: Any word that is not a proper noun, hyphenated, an abbreviation or a foreign language word. If the word requires a hyphen or an apostrophe it cannot be played. If the word is always spelled with a capital letter it cannot be played. As far as foreign language words go, some are acceptable if they have been used enough to become part of the English language and can be found in an English language dictionary. Players should agree on a dictionary or word reference before playing. How strict or liberal you are with this rule depends on you and your opponents.
Challenges: Any player may challenge a word. If a word is found to be illegal then the tiles, cards and/or dice in that word are returned to where they came from and the player that played the word loses that turn. If the word is found to be legal then the player that made the challenge loses his next turn. I really like this rule for two reasons...one it makes it fun to try and pass bogus words while playing games (since someone has to call you out on a word), and two, it stops those players that constantly challenge every word that hits the table (get a grip, write it down and look it up later)..
And now onto the games. Here is the current list of games that can be played with the Alpha Word Game System. Click on the game name for more information about the game and to download the rules.
Game | Designer/Adapter | Players | Description | Equipment |
6x6 | TimSchutz | 1 | A word solitaire game played in a 6x6 grid. | AlphaPlayingCards or AlphaTiles |
AlphaFarkle? | RonHaleEvans | 2-6 | Farkle (aka 5000,10000, Cosmic Wimpout, etc.) as a word game | AlphaDice |
AlphaGrams | TimSchutz | 2-5 | Alpha adaptation of the parlor game Anagrams | AlphaPlayingCards or AlphaTiles |
AlphaRummy 500 | TimSchutz | 2-4 | The classic card game Rummy 500 with words | AlphaPlayingCards |
AlphaWar | TimSchutz | 2 | The classic card game War as a word game (a very easy word game) | AlphaPlayingCards |
AlphaYacht? | RonHaleEvans | 2-6 | Word Yahtzee using Alpha (Word Yahtzee is a port of Yacht or Yahtzee). | AlphaDice |
AlphabetBang | TimSchutz | 2-3 | A fast paced letter recognition game where you need to be quick. Great for kids. | AlphaPlayingCards |
Consonants | RonHaleEvans | 3-6 | Classic card game Hearts made into a word game. | AlphaPlayingCards |
LettersFromLairs? | RonHaleEvans | 3-10 | Liars Dice made into a word game. | AlphaDice |
LostForWords | TomScutt? | 2 | The card game Lost Cities made into a word game. | AlphaPlayingCards |
makeAword | TimSchutz | 1-6 | A very simple word game for kids. | AlphaPlayingCards |
NewWord | TimSchutz | 2-6 | Make a new word using your cards and your opponent's word. | AlphaPlayingCards |
Reserves | MartyHaleEvans? | 1 | A word solitaire game with a unique flavor. | AlphaPlayingCards |
TakeTwo | TimSchutz | 2-6 | Be the first to get rid of your cards. A non-word game. | AlphaPlayingCards |
ThreeBeTween | TimSchutz | 2-6 | A push your luck game of chance. A non-word game. | AlphaPlayingCards |
WarOfWords | TomScutt? | 2 | Schotten-Totten (aka Battle Line) made into a word game. | AlphaPlayingCards |
WordPoker | TimSchutz | 2-6 | The classic game of Poker made into a word game. | AlphaPlayingCards |
WordSnake | TimSchutz | 2-5 | Fun, fast paced simultaneous play word game. | AlphaTiles or AlphaPlayingCards |
WordSolitaire | TimSchutz | 1 | The first solitaire game for Alpha | AlphaPlayingCards |