Here is our guide to online Words with Friends.
We put this guide together after running games that connect remote teams for ten years.
Online Words with Friends is a virtual adaptation of the classic word-building game, allowing teams to compete in friendly wordplay matches. Playing this game with your team fosters collaboration and provides a fun and engaging way to bond with colleagues across distances. As teams strategize and compete together, they strengthen their relationships, enhance their vocabulary, and create lasting memories of shared triumphs and challenges.
Ideal group size:
2 to 4 players per group
Activity duration:
20 to 30 minutes
Cost:
Free
What you’ll need:
- Smartphones, tablets, or computers with internet access
- Words with Friends app or access to the Words with Friends website
How to play:
Step 1: Set Up Accounts
First, ensure that all participants have downloaded the Words with Friends app or have access to the website and have created accounts. This step allows the team to join the game seamlessly.
Step 2: Add Friends
Participants can add each other as friends within the Words with Friends app or platform. Friending each other allows folks to easily find and invite each other to play matches.
Step 3: Start a Game
You can initiate a new game by selecting the option to play with friends and inviting all participants to join. Each individual should know who they are playing against and be comfortable with the settings.
Step 4: Set Rules and Expectations
Before the game, clarify any rules or expectations. Examples include whether players can use word hints, how long they have to make a move, and whether chatting during the game is allowed. This step helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures fair play.
Step 5: Play the Game
Once the game has started, participants take turns creating words on the game board using the letters they receive. Teams can encourage friendly competition and strategic thinking as players strive to create high-scoring words and outwit opponents.
Step 6: Communicate
You can encourage participants to use the in-game chat feature to communicate with each other during the game. This process can foster camaraderie and allow players to strategize together or simply chat and have fun.
Step 7: Respect Time Limits
To keep the game progressing smoothly, you can remind participants to make their moves within a reasonable timeframe.
Step 8: Enjoy the Experience
You should emphasize the enjoyment of the game and the opportunity it provides for team members to bond and relax together. Participants can have fun, regardless of the outcome of the match.
Tips:
- Know the Two-Letter Words: Memorize common two-letter words like “xi,” “za,” and “jo,” as they can help you create shorter, high-scoring words and control the game board.
- Look for Premium Squares: Aim to place your tiles on premium squares like Double Letter Score, Triple Letter Score, Double Word Score, and Triple Word Score to maximize your points.
- Use Prefixes and Suffixes: Attach letters to existing words on the board to create longer words, making it harder for your opponent to find a spot to play their tiles.
- Balance Your Rack: Aim for a balanced rack of vowels and consonants to increase your chances of creating words with the letters you have.
- Plan Ahead: Anticipate your opponent’s potential moves and plan your strategy accordingly. Think several moves ahead to set up high-scoring opportunities for yourself while blocking your opponent’s options.
- Block and Trap: Strategically place your tiles to block your opponent’s paths and limit their options. This prevents colleagues from accessing premium squares or creating high-scoring words.
- Keep Learning: Continuously expand your vocabulary by learning new words, especially unusual or obscure ones that can surprise your opponents and earn you big points.
- Use the Dictionary: Use the in-game dictionary to check the validity of potential words before playing them, avoiding penalties for invalid plays.
- Be Strategic with Blanks: If you have a blank tile, then use it strategically to maximize your points. Consider saving it for high-value letters or using it as a wildcard to complete a word.
- Practice Regularly: Like any skill, practice makes perfect. The more you play Words with Friends, the better you will become at spotting opportunities, strategizing effectively, and ultimately winning games.
Final Thoughts
Playing online Words with Friends offers a fantastic opportunity for remote teams to connect, collaborate, and have fun together. Whether it is a friendly match during a break or a regular game as part of team building activities, Words with Friends fosters communication, strategic thinking, and friendly competition among colleagues.
Want more ideas? Check out our post on communication games. Also, be sure to check out Words With Friends!
