Swoggle
Swoggle Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Object of The Game
The object of the game is to score points by writing words on the various squares of the playing board. Each square is worth a certain number of points. Coloured squares provide extra bonus points. The roll of the die determines the number of letters used to make up words — from one to six letters. Words are added on to or across one another as in a crossword. In a regular game, the winner is the first person to score 300 points.
Starting The Game
Each player rolls the die in turn. The player with the highest number starts the game, using that number.
How To Play
The first player writes a word on the board with the marking pen, using the number of letters indicated by the roll of the die. For example, five on the die — write five letters on the board to make up a word. Words must be written from left to right (across) or from top to bottom (down), crossword fashion. Use upper case letters — one letter per square. The first word must touch the black cross in the centre of the board. The score is noted on a sheet of paper.
The next player rolls the die and makes a new word by adding on to or crossing the word already on the board. A word may also be placed parallel to an existing word in such a way that the letters next to one another all make new words.
The player writes the number of letters indicated on the die. For example, three on the die — write three letters on the board to make up a new word, or words. All new words must join on to words already on the board.
Letters cannot be split between two or more separate words. Letters can only be written in one direction in any one turn. The exact number of letters indicated by the roll of the die must be written down — no more and no less. If a player is unable to make a word by writing the correct number of letters in a turn, play passes to the next player.
How To Score
The score is totalled by adding up the numbers in the top right hand corner of each square used to make up a new word in a turn. Players gain points for every new word they create, in either direction. The points include all of the letters which make up the new word, or words.
For example, if one player rolls a four on the die, and writes RAIN, the score is the total of the numbers in the four squares (actual points depend on where the word is placed). If another player rolls a three on the die and adds three letters to make STRAINS, the score is the total of all seven squares.
Where a word is added across another word in such a way as to lengthen the first word, the total score includes both words. For example, if a new word containing the letter 'S' is added across an existing word in such a way as to make the first word plural, the score is the total of both words. The letter 'S', in this example, would be added into the points total of each individual word.
Scoring Examples
(1) Roll six on the die:
PARADE
4+1+5+1+5+1 = 17 points
(2) Roll four on the die:
PARADES E A T
4+1+5+1+5+1+4 = 21 points (PARADES) 4+1+5+1 = 11 points (SEAT) TOTAL = 32 points
(3) Roll two on the die:
H PARADES ME A T
4+1+5 = 10 points (HEM) 5+1 = 6 points (ME) TOTAL = 16 points
(4) Roll three on the die:
H PARADES MERRY A T
5+1+4+1+3 = 14 points (MERRY)
Actual points scored will depend on where the words are placed.
Bonus Squares (Coloured Squares)
The board contains some coloured squares. These are the Bonus Squares. If a letter is written on a bonus square as part of a word, or if a letter already written on a bonus square is used as part of a new word, the player rolls the die to determine the points value of that square for that turn only.
Bonus squares can provide bonus points more than once. Depending on the roll of the die, a bonus square could have a greater or a lesser points value than it had in the original turn.
Points Value of Bonus Squares
- Orange Squares — roll the die once to find the points total for the square (up to 6 points).
- Yellow Squares — roll the die twice to find the points total for the square (up to 12 points).
- Red Squares — roll the die three times to find the points total for the square (up to 18 points).
These bonus points are added on to the rest of the points gained from other squares in exactly the same way as with the regular numbered squares.
If a letter on a bonus square is being calculated as part of an 'across' word and a 'down' word (for example if the letter 'S' on a bonus square pluralizes a word already on the board), then the points total for the bonus square is added into both the 'across' word total and the 'down' word total.
Important: Each time a player adds on to, or across, a previously written word containing a bonus square in such a way as to lengthen the original word, or each time a letter already written on a bonus square is used as part of a new word, the player rolls the die to determine the points value of the bonus square for that turn.
Black Squares
As in a crossword puzzle, no letters can be written on the black squares.
Acceptable Words
Players should choose a dictionary to be used for reference.
Proper names and hyphenated words are not allowed. Apostrophes, abbreviations, and parts of words are not allowed.
No nonsense words are allowed. Letters must be placed in such a way that words make sense in all directions.
Disputed Words
If a player puts down a word which another player wishes to challenge as being unacceptable, the challenge must be made before the next word is written on the board. The challenged player has to prove that the word is in the dictionary by looking it up. If it is not in the dictionary, then the challenged player's word is wiped off the board and he or she loses that turn and does not score any points for the turn. If the challenged word is in the dictionary, then the person who made the challenge loses his or her next turn.
The dictionary is to be used for reference only.
Winning the Game
The first player to reach 300 points (250 for four players) wins the game. Players may also choose to play to a different points total or to a time limit by mutual agreement before the game starts.
Alternative Ways of Playing 'Swoggle'
Marathon Rules
In the Marathon version of the game, the object is to keep playing according to the regular rules until a player is unable to place a word on the board two turns in a row. At that point, the player drops out of the game. When there are only two players remaining, play continues until one player is unable to place a word on the board two turns in a row. At that point the other player rolls the die one last time to attempt to place a word on the board. The winner is the player with the highest score.
It is recommended to put a time limit on each player's turn.
Fours
This version of the game is played on the same board without using a die. Players have to make a new word each time by placing four letters on the board each turn. The letters must join on to or across words already placed on the board. The first word must touch the black cross at the centre of the board. All four letters must be placed together, next to one another, in one direction only, in any given turn.
The score is calculated in the regular fashion, except for the Bonus Squares. In this version of the game, Bonus Squares are valued:
- Orange Squares — Four Points
- Yellow Squares — Eight Points
- Red Squares — Twelve Points
The winner is the first player to reach three hundred points.
Solo Version
'Swoggle' can be played by one person playing alone, using the same board.
Simply follow the rules as in the regular game. Roll the die, write a word, and keep track of your score. Remember that a player must put down the exact number of letters indicated on the die to make up a word or words. The first word must touch the black cross at the centre of the board. Except for the first turn, letters must be added on to or across words already on the board. Letters cannot be split between separate words in any one turn.
The game continues until the player is unable to put down the number of letters indicated on the die to make up a word.
Keep a record of your highest score, and try to beat your own record. For a faster game, set a time limit.
When a game is finished, the board can be wiped clean with a damp tissue.
Use only water-soluble marker pens on the board, like the one supplied. Replacements are available from any stationery store, or the manufacturer.