"Number Scrabble" - "Math Scrabble" - The Game
Overview: "Number Scrabble" (or "Math Scrabble") is a game based on normal Scrabble, but you
make equations instead of words. The letter tiles used in Scrabble
are replaced with numbers and operators.
You can use a standard scrabble set to play number
scrabble by writing the proper numbers and operators on the back of the
standard scrabble tiles.
- Game rules copyright W. E. Goldwater
- Setup
- You will need 1 normal Scrabble set.
- On the back of the Scrabble tiles, use a marker to write the
number scrabble tiles as follows:
Number/Operator
|
How
Many
|
Score
value
|
1
|
5
|
1
|
2
|
5
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
1
|
4
|
5
|
1
|
5
|
5
|
1
|
6
|
5
|
1
|
7
|
5
|
1
|
8
|
5
|
1
|
9
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
5
|
1
|
+
(add)
|
7
|
1
|
-
(subtract)
|
7
|
1
|
×
(multiply)
|
5
|
2
|
÷
(divide)
|
5
|
2
|
²
(square)
|
3
|
3
|
(square
root)
|
3
|
3
|
=
(equals)
|
20
|
1
|
blank
|
2
|
0
|
- Game Rules
- Except as noted, game play is similar to normal Scrabble
- On each turn, players must make or add to a valid and correct
equation.
- Players keep 9 tiles in their hand at all times, not 7 as in
normal Scrabble
- Players form valid equations rather than words.
- You can add to an existing equation on one side or both sides
in a single turn.
- example: you can add to both ends of '3+3=6' in a single turn
to make '63+3=66'
- You may only use one new '=' sign per turn
- Order of operation is strictly left to right. There are no
implied parentheses and no implied multiplication.
- Square and Square-root operators apply only to the
immediately preceding or following number
- example: the equation '2+3*4=20' is valid, while '2+3*4=14'
is not valid.
- Equations can have multiple equal parts.
- Redundant equations are valid
- The '-' may be used either as an operator or before a
number indicate its sign.
- example: '-3=5-8'
- example: '3=-5--8'
- You may not use leading '+' signs or leading '0' in front of a
number
- You may not string together arbitrary symbols
- example: '3+xx4==12' is NOT valid.
- Unlike normal scrabble, you may place one equation directly
alongside another as long as no complete but invalid equation is
produced as a result.
- example: you have '3+3=6' arranged horizontally on the
board. you may place '1+1+3=4' directly above or below it also
going horizontally, as long as no complete but invalid equation is
formed vertically as a result. Ie, forming the fragments '13' and
'++' vertically in this case is ok.
- Scoring
- Unlike Scrabble, when adding to an existing equation only the
newly added tiles score points.
- double-letter, triple-letter, double-word, triple-word squares
work as usual
- All equations earn a bonus depending on the actual value of the
equation. This rewards equations of high value like '25x25=625'
compared to ones of low value like '1+1+1+1=4'.
- The calculation of the bonus is based on the equation value
as follows:
- Take the absolute value of the equation value (so that big
negative equations are still rewarded!)
- Take the square root of that number
- Round up to the nearest integer
- The result is the bonus, which is added to the equation score
before applying any double and triple word scores.
- example: '2+2=4'. equation value = 4.
absolute value of that = 4. square root of that = 2. round
up to get bonus points = 2.
- example: '3+3=6'. equation value = 6, absolute
value of that = 6, square root of that = 2.45, round up to get bonus
points = 3.
- example: '3-20=-17. equation value = -17,
absolute
value of that = 17, square root of that = 4.12, round up to get bonus
points = 5.
- When a player goes out, add to their score the sum of the
unplayed number tiles.
- Variations
- When scoring the bonus, instead of taking the square root take
the log-base-2. This rewards large value equations slightly less.
- Questions or Comments?