Quiddler

Overview

Quiddler is a card-based word game for 1-8 players (ages 8+). Over 8 rounds with increasing hand sizes (3-10 cards), players draw and discard to form their hands into words. Points come from the letter values of cards used in words, with unused cards counting against you. Bonuses go to the player with the most words and the longest word each round.

Components

Component	Quantity
Letter cards (A-Z plus QU, IN, ER, TH, CL)	118

Each card has a point value. Letter frequency: A-10, B-2, C-2, D-4, E-12, F-2, G-4, H-2, I-8, J-2, K-2, L-4, M-2, N-6, O-8, P-2, Q-2, R-6, S-4, T-6, U-6, V-2, W-2, X-2, Y-4, Z-2, QU-2, IN-2, ER-2, CL-2, TH-2.

Setup

1. Shuffle the deck.
2. Deal cards one at a time clockwise:
   • Round 1: 3 cards each
   • Round 2: 4 cards each
   • …through Round 8: 10 cards each
3. Place remaining cards face-down as a draw pile.
4. Turn the top card face-up to start the discard pile.
5. Player to dealer’s left goes first.

Turn Structure

On your turn:

1. Draw one card (from draw pile or top of discard pile).
2. Optionally go out by laying down all cards as words (keeping 1 to discard).
3. Discard one card.

You may only lay down cards when going out, or on your final turn after another player has gone out.

Actions

Drawing

Take either the top card of the draw pile or the top card of the discard pile.

Going Out

To go out, after drawing you must arrange all cards in your hand into allowable words with exactly 1 card remaining (which you discard). Lay the words face-up on the table.

After Someone Goes Out

Each remaining player gets one final turn. Draw, then lay down as many words as possible. Cards not used in words count against your score. Discard 1 card to end your turn. You cannot play on another player’s words.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Per round:

• Cards used in words: add their point values to your score.
• Unused cards: subtract their point values from your score.
• Minimum score per round: 0 (cannot go negative in a single round).

Bonuses (per round):

• Most words: +10 points to the player who formed the most words.
• Longest word: +10 points to the player with the longest word (by letter count, not card count).
• Both bonuses can go to the same player.
• If tied for a bonus, no bonus is awarded.
• 2-player game: Use only one of the two bonuses.

The player with the highest total score after Round 8 wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Allowable words: No proper nouns, prefixes/suffixes alone, abbreviated words, or hyphenated words. All words must use at least 2 cards.
• Challenges: After words are laid down but before cards are gathered, any player may challenge a word. If the word is valid, the challenger subtracts the word’s point value from their score. If invalid, the challenged player subtracts the points and may not rearrange into other words.
• Dictionaries: Agree on dictionary/dictionaries before the game. Players may consult the dictionary when it is not their turn. The Quiddler SHORT Word Dictionary is recommended.
• Double-letter cards (QU, IN, ER, TH, CL) count as 2 letters for longest-word determination.
• The deal rotates left after each round.

Player Reference

Round	Cards Dealt
1	3
2	4
3	5
4	6
5	7
6	8
7	9
8	10

Bonus	Value	Condition
Most words	+10	Sole leader in word count this round
Longest word	+10	Sole leader in letter count of single word