Literati Review

How To Play Literati

Literati is quick and easy to learn, especially if you have played Scrabble. Literati is a two-player game; Yahoo allows you to find and compete against other players. Their rating system allows you to identify players by skill level so that once you have played a few games and have a rating of your own, you can find someone with whom you will be evenly matched.

Each letter in Literati is worth a set number of points. You can increase the points you earn when you spell words by placing them over special bonus tiles, by placing letters to make multiple words (in multiple directions) in a single turn, or by getting the bonus for using all 7 of your letters in a single turn.

Once you choose a table and start a game, the computer gives you 7 letter tiles. The first player (randomly chosen by the computer) places a word on the Literati board and the computer automatically calculates and records the score and replaces the letters while indicating that it is now the other player's turn. Players alternate until the letters are all gone; the first player to use all of the letters gets a bonus for finishing first.

The bonus squares allow you to get double or triple value for particular letters and also to get double or triple value for entire words.

Is This Scrabble?

While Literati is quite similar to Scrabble, there are a few key differences. The Literati board, like the one in Scrabble is 15 tiles across and 15 tiles down. However, the bonus squares are positioned differently. The point values of Literati letters are also different, ranging from zero points (for the blank "wild" tiles) to a maximum of five points. Literati also assigns draws randomly, rather than using a fixed number of each letter. So, in one game there may be five blanks and three Qs, while another may have two blanks and only one Q.

Gameplay

The graphics in Literati are adequate, but nothing exciting and the sound effects are limited to some system-style beeps to let you know when it is your turn or when you try to play a disallowed word. Nonetheless, it is a compelling and somewhat addictive game because the fun of it isn't in how it looks or sounds. It is in the mental challenge of creating the best words you can with the letters you are provided and the situation on the board.

Literati is played in realtime against a live opponent. So, if you want to play a fast game, you need to choose a timed game to ensure your opponent plays quickly. Otherwise, you can take your time and enjoy the game.

If you are an avid Scrabble player, you may have to get used to the board since your strategy for high-scoring words will be a little different in Literati. And, occasionally the randomness of the letters can be a little irritating, especially when you get three Js and a Q on the same hand and you won't even be able to earn more than 5 points for each of them. Despite these minor weaknesses, the game is fun -- and, heck, it's free! So, if you enjoy word games and everyone in your family refuses to play Scrabble with you because you know too many obscure words… this may be just the thing for your cold, winter evenings.

Chat Function

Literati has a chat function, so you have the ability to type messages to your opponent or to anyone else who may be watching. While this is usually a great functionality, it may not be suitable for children. Also, since there are the occasional profane individuals lurking in the Literati rooms; remember that you can report inappropriate users to Yahoo.

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• Literati at Yahoo Games
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