How to Play the Letter K in Scrabble

Scrabble buffs are always looking to build words that result in a high score such as words that start with K. Casual gamers, on the other hand, often dread drawing any of the high value letters simply because they can be hard to form words with. In addition, no one wants to get a big penalty for still having a high value letter on their rack when the game ends. But if you knew how to correctly play these letters, particularly the letter K, coupled with words that contained them, you no longer will feel like praying whenever you need to draw a tile.

The letter K, while not as valuable as the letters J, X, Q, and Z, is considered one of the pivotal tiles in the game. There is only one K in all 100 tiles and it is worth 5 points which is a considerable amount. Now, most casual Scrabble players can know a great deal of words that start with K or have a K in them. There's KISS, KITE, SMOKE, KARMA, RISK, CASKET, KEYPAD, KIDNAPPERS, and the list goes on. However, knowing a lot of K words does not equal to being able easily recall them once the tile is in your hands. Because the letter K often follows the letter C in many English words such as THICK, BRICK, and RACK, there is a tendency to limit our thinking to only these kinds of words. In addition, we often forget that not all words starting with K have the /k/ sound. Think KNOW, KNIGHT, and KNOT. Thus, they always think of /k/ sounding words, missing out on other possible word formations that could bring in the high score. To avoid this, we should always keep in mind the letters that have an affinity to the letter K such as KA-, KI-, KE-, KU-, KL-, KN-, KR-, -CK, -SK, -LK, and so on. Being aware of these letter combinations will give us more word options based on what we currently have on hand.

Another problem we can encounter is that even if we were able to easily recall words starting with K or containing it, we often forget to play it to its maximum potential. Since it is a high value letter, most players think of disposing of the letter as quickly as possible. The thought of scoring big with such a letter quickly goes out the window in our haste to get rid of it before the game ends. This is quite understandable as the penalty can cause a player to lose the game. So, how does one utilize the letter K for optimum results? Because it has a high value, any player who draws this letter should be thinking of how he or she can use it on a premium square. A double letter score can give you 10, a triple letter will result in 15, and the list goes on. Using it to build a low scoring word on normal squares is a waste of a good opportunity. Another way to maximize the K's potential is to use it in forming parallel words with the two 2-letter words that start with K: KI and KA. The great thing about these is that they can also be used to form longer words later on, resulting in you racking up even more points.

If you know how to play the letter K the right way, you can be sure that it'll not only keep you from losing, it'll also make you a better Scrabble player.

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The Health Benefits of Scrabble

Scrabble is a popular family game for all ages, this article looks at the benefits of scrabble for kids and adults alike.

Scrabble was invented by Alfred Mosher Butts back in nineteen forty-eight, and since then it's been a favorite game for generations of families. Not only is Scrabble a great educational tool to build word ability and comprehension, but it aids in lateral thinking and vocabulary enhancement.

Scrabble has surpassed several other competing word games in popularity over the years, and has found a new life in online word game such as Words with Friends for entirely new generations of people. With the advent of the internet, a whole range of additional tutorial, tip, and tricks have found their way into common availability. There are several experts who devote their time to producing a scrabble dictionary, word lists or cheat hints to develop players from beginners into advanced gamers who can compete in tournaments and online competitions.

The health benefits for children are numerous, from developing an excellent vocabulary to the ability to critically weigh different strategies. It's a great skill to teach a child to think beyond the immediate gratification of creating a word now, versus holding your letters in order to play a longer and higher scoring word later. In addition to these benefits, the ability to patiently see a game through to the end is an invaluable asset which will help a child in life in general.

The mental concentration required to puzzle through different word options in Scrabble also puts the brain into a meditative state much like taking a class of yoga or meditating. Taking this time to deliberately relax and engage in some mental exercise is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Although this is great for general relaxation in the evening, one recommendation that has been made is that you should not play scrabble too soon before retiring for the night, as it'll leave your brain in a 'puzzle' state for an hour or two and make it more difficult to sleep. Scrabble is a very analytical game which is similar to solving a Sudoku puzzle or playing a pen and paper game such as hangman. Gradually absorbing the rules, and knowing when to consult the Scrabble dictionary builds confidence and vocabulary.

In addition to these benefits, it's a great social outlet for older people who club together to play Scrabble. A lot of friendships have been forged by people who have met while playing Scrabble, be it in a home for the elderly or a youth group for teenagers. Taking the time to share some competitive play with another person is a wonderful ice breaker, and by carefully looking at the type of words a person makes you can determine their interests and viewpoints on the world. If you get really good you can enter tournaments, and extend your competition beyond just playing each other into the realm of expert play.

If you're having trouble with your scrabble game, be sure to check online resources which can enhance your abilities with easy to remember word lists, articles and scrabble cheats to help you get a quick advantage over your opponent.

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What Is a Washers Board Game?

A washers board game is something that is very popular in some parts of the country, but something that many others have not seen or heard about. In fact, you may not have ever seen anyone playing this game in the movies or on television, but it is still popular around the world.

What Is a Washers Board Game?

This is a game that is very similar to other games such as corn hole toss. It is basically a toss game that you can take with you wherever you go. It is set up with two pieces of wood, usually 10 to 20 feet apart. The length will likely depend on the age of the people playing, with little children playing on a course that is much smaller.

Each of these two pieces of wood has three holes in it and each player has a handful of washers, the number of which depends on the exact style of play that you are utilizing. This is actually one of those kinds of games where every family or area of the country has their own way of playing and their own way of keeping score.

What Do You Do?

Much like with a corn hole toss game, you simply throw the washers, which are large metal rings, and hope that they land in one of the holes in the wood. It is much harder than it looks, but one of the joys of the game is that it is as difficult for athletic people as it is for those with not one athletic bone in their body. So the playing field is equal across the genders and all age groups.

Where Is This Played?

You can play this game on sand or grass, but you probably shouldn't play it on concrete if you are using the metal washers that are usually used with the game. The washers board game is one of those games that is often played at large picnics, family reunions, and Fourth of July parties because everyone can get involved.

You can also try a washers board game that is played indoors, so you will have a game to play on cold winter nights. The only significant different with this type of game is that the washers are lightweight and will not damage flooring or surrounding furniture.

Where Can You Get It?

Although you might think that this would be a pretty easy game to put together on your own, not a lot of people have the equipment on hand to make a washers board game. Therefore, buying one online is usually the best idea. You can find a variety of different styles, some of which are designed for indoor use and some of which are better for younger children. This will enable you to make sure that everyone has a way to play.

Whether you are looking for a new challenge for your children or a game to play at an upcoming party, a washers board game is an ideal choice.

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Board Games and Their Benefits for Families

Board Games have long been known to have educational benefits, hence the use of them in many classrooms around the world. But what are the main benefits and do they apply to playing in the home and family setting?

Let's look at a four of the main educational benefits of board games and how they can encouraged in family game time.

The basic skill required to play is co-operation. Even competitive games actually teach co-operation as well. This is because of the fact that board games generally require more interaction than video games and movie watching. This interaction is in the forms such as talking, taking turns and even waiting for others. There is quite different from a video game, where play just keep on going, no matter what as happened to your opponent, you never stop and wait for them!

As stated above, co-operation is the basic skill board gaming teaches and it is from the co-operative interaction of playing a board game that many of the other educational benefits of playing board games arise.

The talking or conversation that occurs during game play enhances communication and families would do well to encourage children to talk about their gameplay. To explain why they moved, to voice concerns at other's moves and even to point out possible cheating!

Taking turns, and the waiting involved in this process, while another player takes their turn teaches both patience and respect for others. It seems a minor thing, but learning to do something as simple as making time for someone else to play their move, teaches children to be compassionate for others. To realize that the world does not revolve around them and that other people often miss out if one person rush in and vice versa. It also teaches them that sometime in life you simply have to wait and it helps to combat the impression, given by the mass media, that constant activity is the norm.

Yes, it does these things on a small scale and it only involves small time frames, but that is how teaching works. That is how the educational benefits of board game playing are passed on to children. Teachers know that most people only concentrate fully in small chunks, often somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes and for some people even less. So effective teaching often takes place in short bursts. Having to wait and observe for a few minutes between turns and then, when it is your turn, having a short period of decision making is a great way of educating and learning in small but powerful bursts.

Board Games then have at least four main educational benefits that are easily transferrable to home and family gameplay. Those four being; Co-operation, Communication, Patience and Respect.

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Vintage Board Games

For many of us, one of our favorite memories is of the simple games of our childhood...pickup sticks, dominoes and board games. Games like Sorry, Monopoly and Parcheesi kept us entertained for hours.

Many people today collect vintage board games for the very reason that those games hold a sentimental value for them. At the same time, collectors also value the financial investment they make in their collections. If you're a collector, it's quite likely that you enjoy both of these benefits.

You probably love the games of yesteryear because they remind you of your childhood and hold a fascination for you as well. You also likely recognize that these games, like any other antiques, can be very valuable and protecting your investment is an important part of being a collector. Following are some tips related to the hobby of antique board game collecting. These tips will help you make good buying choices and assist in protecting your investment.

Mint Condition Vintage Games

Of all the vintage board games that can be found in the antique market, those which are in mint condition garner the highest prices. Mint condition games are undamaged. They are in their original boxes and the boxes are also in perfect or near perfect condition.

Mint condition games additionally contain all of the components that came with the original game. Not a single piece can be missing if the game is truly mint. You should expect a mint condition board game to cost a pretty penny.

Buying Pieces and Parts

It's extremely common for pieces or parts of games to get lost over the years. For this reason, many of the vintage games offered by vendors will be marked down due to their incomplete nature. Many collectors decide to purchase multiple games in order to get one complete game which contains all of the components and parts necessary for rounding out the vintage board game.

If you decide to go this route with items in your own collection, just make sure that the different ones you buy all coincide according to the model or manufacturing year so your final, complete game contains all the right pieces and parts in the right design for creating a full set.

Protecting Your Collection

Any antique collection must be stored in the proper manner to maintain the condition of each item in the collection. The same is certainly true for a vintage board game collection.

Most games come in cardboard boxes. The game boards themselves are usually made from heavy or thick cardboard or paperboard, as well. These materials can be damaged quite easily by moisture. It is therefore critical that you store your vintage games in a cool, dry place.

Light exposure can also play a role in deterioration of board game components. Keep your vintage board games out of direct sunlight to avoid this problem.

Many collectors also have their prized possessions valued by an appraiser. The appraisal process will help you decide what the entire collection is worth so you can purchase an insurance policy to cover the value. You never want to think something will happen to your vintage board games, but having an insurance policy will at least allow you to work on rebuilding the collection if something does.

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Guess Who? The Original Game of Deduction

Guess Who is a two player guessing game. It was first created in 1979 by Ron Johnson and manufactured by Milton Bradley. The game came over from Great Britain to the United States in 1982. Since then, the game has been a favorite for many generations.

The game play is fairly simple. Each player starts with a board with profile pictures of 24 cartoon people with their names on the bottom half. The pictures are on their own tiles that you can flip up and down. They then choose one card from their own pile of cards that contain the same 24 faces. The object of the game is to guess your opponent's card before they do.

By taking turns asking yes or no questions like "Does he have a moustache?" you can eliminate the candidates who do not fit the description and put their tiles down. When you finally have a few or one candidate, you can guess your opponent's card to see if you are correct. Guess Who? is similar to Battleship, another game where you are required to guess an opponent's pieces. If you know how to play Battleship, Guess Who? will be a breeze.

The craftier the questions, the better your chances are of winning. The best strategy is to divide your opponent's tiles. In the beginning of the game, if you ask your opponent about a particular trait like the eye color or hair, you may get few results. Some of the most obvious questions can really narrow down your opponent's tiles like "Are they wearing a red shirt?" Depending on the game edition, this question can leave you with 5 tiles.

The Guess Who game was not always the red and blue tiles you see today. Earlier versions of the game had fewer women than men. In the 1987 version, there were only 5 women. The faces on the cartoons were simpler then as well. Nowadays, there are more of both genders to even the odds and the faces are more elaborated to make the game more interesting.

This game is perfect for bringing the family together. When you are all in the living room and not watching television, you can just bring out Guess Who? You and your siblings or parents can take turns playing each other and even play by teams. Each team comes up with questions to ask the opposing team.

Guess Who? also makes a great present for any occasion. Give it to a loved one on their birthday or for Christmas. The game is great if you have children who are always on the computer or playing video games. You can share your childhood with them with this simple game.

Guess Who? will be a game children will remember in their adulthood. And when they have kids of their own, they can introduce the game. A game like Guess Who is sure not to be forgotten. Go and buy it today!

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