Words with Friends

I got a smart phone more than a year ago, and I’ve said many a time the phone is smarter than me. I have not gotten my money’s worth from it, because I don’t download many apps, and I use it primarily to talk to others and text. I don’t even use the camera function much.

But, I’m sure now I’m getting my money’s worth because not too long ago I was introduced to a new game—Words with Friends. It’s very much like Scrabble, but there are variations. One of the variations is the crazy things it calls words.

For example, “QI” is a word. “JO” is also, I just learned. Other so-called words others have used against me are “ET” “OE” and “NA.” Those were all part of one word when I played an author with local ties, Lise Funderburg, who I might add beat me handily.

I’ve long been a Scrabble aficionado, and long ago learned that a good vocabulary helps, but that’s not all.

Like Scrabble, in Words you only get seven letters at a time. Sometimes there is no way those seven letters go together. I have had so much fun. My first two games were with strangers. Then, since my Smart Phone just automatically loaded my Facebook friends onto my phone, I was able to connect with friends.

I have played with doctors, engineers, teachers, and lots of others. Some like those listed above have more education than me, but some have less. There is really no rhyme or reason though…sometimes it’s just luck of the draw—literally, the tiles you draw.

It’s fun, though, because it’s a connection with friends and acquaintances that keeps us in touch just a little. I find it interesting to see when people play, and guess about their lifestyle.

One of the joys of the game is you play on your own time. I’ve got about 15 games in progress right now. Some of my opponents are not quite as hooked as I am, so they only play sporadically. That’s o.k. I wouldn’t want 15 active games going at once, it might cause brain freeze.

Speaking of brain freeze, that is another thing I like about the game. I don’t feel quite so much like I’m wasting time, as I do when I play Tetris or solitaire. Many people know that while some people doodle or do other things while they talk on the phone, I’m notorious for playing solitaire while on the phone. I refer to my solitaire playing as “mindless” activity.

I can’t play Words, or write stories, or read the news while I’m talking on the phone. Those all require the brain.

But, back to Words. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing with my nephew. He is a college graduate who works in a restaurant as a server. Actually, I know he has some management duties, because he had to schedule the help to work when he and his wife got married. And, since they both work at the same place, it was tough to figure out who had to work and who could be in or come to the wedding.

But, he has beaten me several times at Words. I complained to him one time about it (through texts which you can share while playing), and he told me I had also beaten him.

I looked back and saw that was true. But, he beats me more often than I beat him. He was encouraging though, when I was feeling not very smart. He mentioned it depends on the letters you get.

I know that’s true. In one of my Words games that’s about to end, I’ve had a decided edge much of the game, because I got lucky and made one word that scored 141 points. Yes, one word! Now, that’s unusual.

But, I digress. Shortly after I discovered Words there was a blood drive at the visitors’ center. I went to volunteer, and two of the techs were talking about playing.

Apparently one was beaten so badly she refuses to play with the other. She accuses the other one of cheating. The one accused of cheating told me a good word that I would never have found on my own—loquat. It’s some kind of bird.

See, it is a social game. It gave me a connection with a complete stranger.

I have rambled aplenty about my latest addiction. I hope everyone else out there with smart phones is using the GPS, calendar, Skype, Kindle, etc., and getting their money’s worth. By the way, do any of you play “Angry Birds?”

Yes, it’s a new way to communicate, these smart phones.