Word Power (1963)

Overview

Players take turns rolling and moving around a circular board (a la Monopoly) in an attempt to "publish" 10 books or obtain $100,000. Each player starts with $20,000 and a hand of 4 cards, each with a word ("Lethargy") and four other numbered words ("1. potency, 2. mutability, 3. felicity, 4. vigor"). In the middle of the board are 4 numbered spaces, 1-4. At some spaces on the board you are allowed to play antonyms, others synonyms. You may play up to 4 cards with the proper type to an unfilled number space equal to the number of the appropriate word. For example on the above card, 4. vigor is an antonym for lethargy and could be played in the #4 spot on the board if empty and you are on a "play antonym" space. If on your turn you fill the 4th space you "publish a book" and clear all the spaces. If a player plays all 4 cards from his hand in a turn he also "publishes a book". A player may also "publish" a book by passing the start space ("Go"). If any player feels that a card has been played incorrectly he may challenge the play. He states what he thinks the correct play is and "bets" $1000. The playing player may then call or raise in increments of $1000, back and forth until called. The person who is correct gets the money, and if the challenger is correct the challenged card is returned to the player's hand. At the end of a player's turn he fills his hand back to 4 cards. Other spaces on the board require a player to pay money, allow him to collect money, or require all players to pass cards from their hands to other players.