Word Whiz is a competitive, fast-paced word game where players race to build a shared crossword by using their own tile set of colored tiles.

Players score points by forming longer words, and getting all of their tiles played first. It's a delicate balance between wit and speed!

• 4 sets of 27 letter tiles, each a different color. There are two wild tiles in each color set.
• 4 cloth bags in matching colors

1. Before getting into gameplay, let’s go over some basics:
2. There are no turns in Word Whiz! All players race to add their tiles to the same
   crossword.
3. Words played can be of any length, but players only earn points for words that are
   four letters or more. Longer words earn more points.
4. Play ceases once a player has used all of their tiles. That player earns a five point
   bonus and scoring for the round begins.
5. Proper nouns are not playable. For all other words, players must agree to the
   dictionary they will use to govern gameplay.
6. As they are playing tiles into the crossword, players continuously flip up tiles so
   that they always have seven available.
7. After each round, the color tile sets are rotated to the left. Each set is slightly
   different, and while balanced such that none have a true advantage, it guarantees
   that each round is different.
8. Each game lasts for four rounds. The player with the highest total points after all
   rounds wins!

Picking your tile set
Each player picks their tile set for the first round. But don’t worry - you will play each
color as you progress through the four rounds of the game!

Selecting the Starting Player
Prior to Round 1, each player pulls one tile at random from their tile bag. The player who
pulls the letter that is the earliest in the alphabet is the Starting Player for Round 1.

For all other rounds, the Starting Player is chosen based on who scored the lowest in the previous round.

Placing the Starting Word
At the start of each round, a 5-letter word is played by the Starting Player. To do this, they pull 12 tiles from their bag, from which they play any 5-letter word as the Starting Word. Note that the Starting Player plays the word within reach of everyone, but facing themselves. This may place others at a disadvantage.

This word is the starting point for the shared crossword. Once played, the remaining
players pull seven of their tiles and the race begins!

The Race Begins
Once the Starting Word is played, anyone can add to the crossword. Words played may be of any length, but points are earned only for words of four letters or longer. After
placing a tile, players should always replenish back to seven tiles by pulling from their bag.

At any point, a player may swap out tiles in their hand for new ones, but must do all seven at one time.

The round ends as soon as one player has played all of their tiles and says, “I’m out!” This player earns the First Finish Bonus, worth five points.

At this point, if any player sees a word they believe is invalid, they can challenge it. If the group agrees, it will be excluded from scoring. If the illegal word was played by the person who ran out of tiles first, they will not receive the First Finish Bonus, and instead
it goes to the player with the fewest unplayed tiles remaining.

Use the provided score sheets to track points. Players earn points for words at least four letters long and for the First Finish Bonus:

4 Letters - 2 Points
5 Letters - 3 Points
6 Letters - 5 Points
7 Letters - 8 Points
8+ Letters - 13 Points
First Finish Bonus - 5 Points

A player earns points on any word for which their tiles contributed. For example, even if a player has a single letter contributing to a 7-letter word, they will earn the 8 points for the word.

Scoring Tips
One easy way to score a round is to go word-by-word from top to bottom in the crossword. For each word, call out the word length, and then all players who have a letter contributing. Players will tally one by one in the appropriate location on the
scorecard. After all words have been checked, players start to add up their points.

At the end of four rounds, the player with the most points is the winner!

For a quick game, play to 50 points or play a single round. If playing with a younger
group, consider taking turns while playing words.