Timing your exit is important in this deceptively simple word rummy variant from the talented makers of Set. Each player is dealt an increasing number of the whimsically designed (and numbered) cards each round, up to a maximum of 10 cards in round eight. Besides scoring points for words, players can earn bonuses for making the longest word or the most words. It's easy to go out, but don't be too hasty: Others get one last chance to do the same and may earn bonuses. In later rounds, when more cards come into play, there can be surprising fluctuations on the scoresheet. This game is guaranteed to sharpen your word skills, and may even train you to be an anagram whiz!

My coworkers and I play this during our lunch break. We like it because it moves fast and satisfies our 'word game' preference. It's a great alternative to scrabble because the play is quicker! However, we altered the rules as follows for a more challenging game: First round is 8 cards (not 3). We increase cards by 2 per round up to 14. Then we decrease cards by 2 per round down to 8. This makes the game a bit more interesting for us.

We've also considered adding a minimum word length required to 'go out'. There is a lot of flexibility to this game for adding your own rules depending on the group who is playing.

Overall this is a great word game to own as it appeals to word-smiths and barely-know-english types alike.

I happened on this game 'unopened' at a school tag sale and WHAT A FIND!! Everyone, kids and adults alike, who has played this since, LOVES IT! We used to love Boggle (ok, we still do) but this is much more social and easier to play with kids (mine are 7 & 9 and the 9 yr old boy especially loves it--he has beat adults and he is no writing whiz!!) The 7 yr old likes a little more help so we don't play with so many cards in her case or we play in teams. Great for packing on trips or to a restaurant while you wait. I am buying more sets as gifts--especially for teachers during indoor recess. You've got to try it!

It's Scrabble with cards - no, it's gin rummy with words - well, whatever it is, it's fun!

To date, every single person to whom I've introduced this game has immediately gone out to buy her own deck. Which, come to think of it, is exactly what I did after my cousin brought this game to our last family gathering!

Quiddler can easily be tweaked to accomodate children, so it's good for families. My bf and I like to play games together and we bemoan the dearth of choices for 2 players. This game plays equally exceptionally with 2 or more players. Also, a few of my friends also speak highly of the rules for solitaire.

It's quick to teach, highly portable, and plays much faster than Scrabble. If you're in a particular hurry, shorten playtime by limiting the number of hands played.