We get a little tired of traditional board games, so a few years ago we began making up our own rules. For example, Curtis Family Scrabble includes (but is not limited to) the following rules.
- We don’t keep score. Whoever runs out of tiles first wins.
- All tiles are divided equally and distributed at the beginning of the game.
- Inventing new words is encouraged – as long as it’s funny when you use it in a sentence. And you MUST use it in a sentence.
- No limits on words, phrases, and correct spelling is optional – as long as it’s funny when you use it in a sentence.
- Fill in words or phrases in any direction you like, including diagonally, off the board, and with direction changes if needed to make it fit.
- If you need a blank, you can flip over a tile to make one anytime you want.
Here’s a photo of the board from our last game, with the notable entries, “igratekeeblerelves” and “daringtunnelcatsraidzoo.” Click the photo for a larger version.
We haven’t yet figured out the best way to mangle Monopoly, though.
That’s quite funny. If you like word games, there are a ton of new one’s like BuyWord (purchase your tiles and try to make your money back when you create words) or the new wave of ‘Euro’ games like Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne. They always give a breath of fresh air.