January 1, 2007

  • I'm knackered . . . knickknackered that is.  Since I now have all the household stuff unpacked (except for art work and Christmas boxes) I've spent the last three days placing, moving, grouping and tweaking knickknacks around the house, and deciding at the same time which ones to keep and which ones to sell in my garage sale in the spring.  Trust me, this is a lot harder than it sounds. I'm exhausted.  And still the perimeter of the living room and dining room are littered with various decorating items that I haven't found the perfect spot for yet. 

    Now on to a completely different subject . . . Last night we had a New Year's Eve party at the church.  After Sunday evening services, we ate snacks and then played our favorite games. I brought my Scrabble game and dictionary, and I played with another couple.  I was the first one to play a blank, and after I announced that the blank represented the letter "O",  I counted up my score and wrote it down. Immediately, the man took my blank and replaced it with an "O" from his rack and put the blank in with his other letters.  I said, "Tom, what are you doing?"  He and his wife both explained that they ALWAYS played that way . . . that anyone who has the proper letter can replace the blank with the letter and keep the blank for their own use.  I had NEVER EVER heard of that rule.  Have any of you ever heard of that?  I even looked it up on Google when I got home.  I put in "Scrabble Blank Replace" and hit SEARCH.  I went to the Hasbro Scrabble Rules and Regulations and it specifically says this is NOT allowed in the official rules . . . but then it also said, "Those . . who like a game with more scoring chances may play the variation that allows players to replace a blank on the board with the letter (from their rack) that it represents. The drawback (or advantage) to this game is the increased luck factor."   So, how many of you had ever heard of that variation?

     

Comments (12)

  • We always play that way, too. I believe that replacement counts as a turn in that variation.

    Congrats on all the progress. I bet you must be exhausted. How nice that you take time out for fun and social time.

  • I never heard of it, either.  That is one reason my sis and I just like to play Scrabble with each other.  Our rules are the same.  Whenever we try to play with anyone else, they play differently, and it is frustrating!   Once in a while I play with my oldest grandson, and when he tries something different, I overrule him.  Since I'm his grandmother, he bows to my superiority!!!!   lol   That is the only time I can get away with that!

    Say, would you like a few more knickknacks?   Everyone tells me I have way too many.   Have fun.  You could rotate them, like I do, so you can enjoy them all at different times.

  • Our family uses the blank replacement as a turn, also, but I don't know where we got the idea.  Since that is the one we all use, no one questions it, but it surely ought to be mentioned first when playing with those outside the group.:yes:

  • I've never heard of that before.   My BIL always tells us (my sisters and I and Mom and Dad) that we make up the rules as we go along. hahaha :grin:    He's so competitive and we are so not.   When he and Marlene were first married (about 20+ yrs. ago) it took some doing to break him in.   He's pretty mellow now and I love him to death.   Anyway!  About your knick knacks ~ I bet it will be hard to decide which to keep and which to sell.   I love selling stuff in a garage sale but it's a lot of work!

  • It's funny to hear you want to get rid of knick knacks.  We are trying to get more after we moved from a 1200 sq ft house in NH to a 2200 sq ft house in OK.  And the house in OK still cost less that the NH one - crazy!!

  • I had heard of it, but it is also not allowed in tournament play. I have been playing Scrabble for many years, and I assure you it is not official to do so. I wonder if your friends are aware ofthe words allowed in the new edition of the Scrabble dictionary  / Any way  it's played , it's lots of fun!!!:applause::love::love::love::love: Mom

  • I hadn't heard of that rule either. It would definitely change the game, and might be fun to try. I like the idea of using it as a turn, at least. Seems a little more fair and one is sacrificing something for the chance to get a blank.

  • Knick Knacks, I got rid of some Christmas ones. Loaded them in a box, gave it to my friend and said what you don't want haul to Goodwill.

  • I had never heard of that rule either. I did buy myself a new scrabble board over the holidays since mine had disappeared over the years. Glad you had a nice holiday season.

    Have a blessed weekend & God keep you safe, healthy & happy. HUGS

  • I play with the blank replacement, however, I do not play that often, and do not know where I picked it up.

  • I have never heard of that rule in scrabble before -- however -- I do know of a lot of games that certain families have 'house rules' for. I know when we play Spades with anyone -- my husband and I always make sure of the rules that we will be playing by before we play.

  • Never. Never. But try playing Mexican Train...everyone has their own rules. Mike

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