## Description

_Literati_ is a version of a 1990 DOS shareware game that was converted and
upgraded with more features for Windows in 1994 for MVP Software. In 2000, it
became a popular part of the Yahoo Games web portal playable in a JAVA format
in a web browser.

Similar to Scrabble, the gameplay involves placing letters from 7 tiles per
player on a board and trying to accumulate the highest score possible. Letters
are distributed to players randomly and are worth between 1 and 5 points while
blank tiles (one which is always given in first 7 tiles of the game) have no
point value but can be made into any letter. The first word must be placed
horizontally or vertically with one tile on the center square. Subsequent
words must use one letter of an existing word or be placed next to one so that
any touching letters form valid words also. Knowing the valid 2-letter words
is very helpful in doing this. Placing tiles on letter and word multiplier
squares will increase your score and if you place all 7 tiles on the board at
once, a 35-point bonus is given. A player can also choose to pass and select
any of the letters in their pile to trade for new ones but loses their turn.

At player first creates a table and can change its options for number of
players, put a time limit and whether it is unrated or rated (the outcome will
affect a person’s overall rating). A challenge mode can also be set so that
any word placed on the board can be challenged as to its validity by an
opponent. If it is invalid the word is removed and the player who put it down
loses their turn or else the challenger loses their next turn if the word is
indeed valid. Other players choose to Join a table and press Start to begin a
game.

When all tiles in the game are distributed and one player places all their
remaining ones on the board or no-one can play any more tiles then the game is
over. The sum of the letter values in each player’s hand is subtracted from
their score. If a player has no letters remaining, the sum of all of the
letter values in the other players’ hands are added to their score. The person
with the highest score wins.

Literati