My Word (1980) Board Game – Board Game Guys

My Word is a classic word game that was first released in in 1980. It was designed by Michael Kindred and Malcolm Smith, and has since become a popular game for players of all ages. The game involves players creating words using letter cards and earning points based on the length and complexity of the words they form.

Game Components of My Word

48 playing cards, each printed with a pair of letters on each side

6 rules cards

Specialized score sheets with a chart for tracking and scoring

How To Setup My Word

To set up the game, players start by choosing a six-letter word (gameword) for the first round and a seven-letter word for the second round. Each player writes their gameword on the score sheet, which also includes a chart to guide the guessing process. The score sheet is crucial for tracking the letters and their positions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Deduction System: Players use a Mastermind-like system to guess their opponent’s gameword.

Scoring: Points are awarded for letters in the correct position (1,000 points per letter) and for letters in the gameword but not in the correct position (250 points per letter).

Guesswords: Players create guesswords of increasing length to deduce the opponent’s gameword.

Game Objective

Guess the opponent’s gameword in each round.

Score points by correctly placing letters in the guesswords.

Achieve the highest total score by accurately guessing the gameword.

Player Experience

Playing My Word is a challenging yet engaging experience that requires strategic thinking and linguistic skills. Players must carefully formulate guesswords to reveal the correct letters and their positions in the opponent’s gameword. The game demands patience and logical reasoning, making it appealing to word game enthusiasts.

Pros

Challenging and Engaging: The game offers a tough but rewarding experience for word lovers.

Improves Deductive Reasoning: Players enhance their ability to deduce and analyze information.

Strategic Depth: The game requires careful planning and strategy to choose effective guesswords.

Educational: Helps improve cognitive skills and linguistic knowledge.

Cons

Complexity: The game can be daunting for beginners due to its complex scoring system and deductive mechanics.

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2 players, which may limit its appeal for larger groups.

Lengthy Games: The game can take time to complete, especially for those new to this type of gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on My Word

My Word is an excellent choice for those who enjoy word games and puzzles. It is particularly suited for individuals who appreciate a challenge and are willing to invest time in understanding and mastering the game mechanics. While it may not be the best fit for younger children or those looking for a quick, casual game, it is ideal for word game enthusiasts and those seeking to improve their linguistic and deductive skills.

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