Wordstacks

Game Description: Welcome to Wordstacks! The game where cards meet letters! For each game, 28 cards are dealt to 7 stacks, and 14 cards are dealt to the reserve. Each card has a letter on it, and a point value. The aim of this game is to create words out of the cards you're given by moving your cards between the stacks to get the highest score you possibly can. Longer words, and hard to use letters like F, H, J, K, Q, V, W, X, Y, and Z score more. Each time you play you will always get a new assortment of cards. So each game is different!

How to Play Wordstacks:

• Once the game fully loads, click the 'Start Game' button.
• For each game, there are 42 available cards. (Each game is different. So, you will always get a new assortment of cards).
• 21 cards are dealt face up. (1 card is dealt face up to each of the 7 stacks, and 14 cards are dealt face up along the right side. Those 14 cards are your reserve. More about the reserve in a moment).
• The remaining 21 cards are dealt face down and are hidden beneath the top cards of each stack, expect for the far right stack which has no cards beneath it.
• Each card has a letter on it, and a point value.
• All letters always have the same point value each time you play the game. For instance, each A=1.
• Here are the point values for all 26 letters of the alphabet. A=1, B=3, C=2, D=2, E=1, F=4, G=3, H=4, I=1, J=8, K=5, L=1, M=3, N=1, O=1, P=3, Q=10, R=1, S=1, T=1, U=1, V=4, W=4 , X=8 , Y=4 and Z=10.
• The aim of the game is to rearrange the cards to make words on the seven stacks (columns).
• Cards are moved by dragging and dropping using the mouse.
• A card that is face up can always be moved, but all cards stacked on top of it will be moved with it.
• A card or group of cards can only be placed onto a stack if all the face up cards on the resulting stack make a word, or the start of a word.
• The total score for a word is the card value of the word multiplied by the length of the word. For example, the word TOY has a card value of 1+1+4=6, with a length of 3, so it scores 18 points (6x3). Continuing this example, if we added an S to TOY we would now have the word TOYS. The word TOYS has a card value of 1+1+4+1=7, with a length of 4, so it scores 28 points (7x4).
• The 14 cards in your reserve (at the right side) are available for use at any time. These cards don't have to be used to finish the game, but they can help you get out of a difficult situation, and allow you to make longer words for a higher score.
• To use a reserve card you simply drag and drop it unto a stack. However, once a reserve card is placed unto a stack, it can never be moved back to the reserve.
• If you have a card that you can't use and you want to throw it away, drag the card to the trash bin at the upper right corner.
• You are allowed to dispose of up to five cards without penalty. Throwing away more results in a 10 point loss for each additional card you throw away.
• Once a card has been discarded to the trash bin there is no way to return it to play, so be careful you don't throw away anything too important!
• As you play the game, Wordstacks will keep track of your total score at the upper left corner. However only stacks that contain a complete word with a green background, and the score above the stack has turned white will count towards your final score. (In order for a stack to turn to a green background, not only do you need to have a compete word, but you must also clear away all of the cards that lie beneath the stack).
• When all of the cards are face up and every stack is either empty, or contains a complete word, you will see a 'Well done!' message. If you are satisfied with your score, you can choose to end the game immediately by clicking the 'End Game' button at the bottom right. Your other choice is to keep playing, and try to impove your score by clicking the 'Continue' button at the bottom left. You may then continue to rearrange words in order to improve your score, by using cards from the reserve or combining shorter words into longer ones.

Play Wordstacks on Full Screen

Please Note: Before playing Wordstacks in Full Screen mode, you may want to take a moment, or two, to read my review. Then, after playing your game, simply click the back button on your browser to return to this page.

Wordstacks Playing Tips:

• Form long words for big points!
• To score even higher, try to use high scoring letters in your longest words when possible. This will really bump up your score fast!
• Try not to dump too many letters. Remember, if you dump more than 5 letters you will be penalized 10 points for each additional letter you discard. Also, try not to dump high scoring letters. You will want to keep them, and use them in your words.
• Remain flexible, and be open to new possibilities as new letters come into play. In other words don't become too fixated on making one certain word, because you may find something better.
• If you are not sure that you can move a letter, or a group of letters, try moving them anyway. You may be surprised to find that Wordstacks will accept your move even though you may not know what word it is 'thinking' of. It won't do any harm to try, and if your move is accepted it can help you get out of a sticky situation.

Richard's Rating: 5 out of 5.

Comments: Wordstacks proves something one and for all: You don't need a time limit, and you don't need any sound in order for a game to be great. Wordstacks is simply excellent in every respect. It is highly strategic, and exceedingly fun. If you enjoy word games, give Wordstacks a try. I promise, you won't be disappointed!

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