WordMeld Rules

Objective of the Game

The objective of the game is to get rid of all your cards by forming words (according to the chosen language combination).

The game is won by:

• the player who gets rid of all their cards first (standard win), or

• immediately by any player who forms the word “WordMeld” or another agreed-upon winning word.

Game Setup

• At the start of the game, each player is dealt 10 cards.

• Players jointly agree on:

  • Premium words (e.g. words from a thematic list, or for advanced players, a predefined theme such as WEATHER),

  • a winning word, the formation of which results in an immediate win
    (the word “WordMeld” is a winning word in all games).

If a premium word list is used, all words containing eight or more letters are considered winning words.

Gameplay

On their turn, a player may:

• Lay down one or more words using cards from their hand, or in combination with cards already on the table.
  The first word must be formed entirely from the hand.

• If the player rearranges words on the table and ends up with any unused cards, those cards must be taken back into their hand.

When using cards from the table, the following rule applies:

• The player must add at least one card from their hand, and

• the number of cards added from the hand must be greater than the number of unused cards taken back from the table.

Word Formation Rules

A word is valid if it meets at least one of the following conditions:

• You may form words from the official word list or common words (nouns, adjectives, verbs).
  Proper names, surnames, and brand names may only be used if all players agree.

• A word formed only from cards in hand must contain at least 4 letters
  (the only exception is if the word appears in the official word list).

• A word formed using cards from the table must contain at least 3 letters.

• If a word contains two jokers, it must contain at least 5 letters.

Drawing Cards Based on Word Type

1. Word not in the official list

• The player draws one card fewer than the number of letters in the word.
  This means the player effectively gets rid of one card from their hand.

• If table cards were used, the player draws cards only for the letters taken from their own hand.

2. Premium word

• The player draws no cards.

3. Winning word (e.g. “WordMeld” or another agreed word)

• The player wins the game immediately.

Multiple Words in One Turn

• No cards are drawn for words from the official list.

• For words outside the list, cards are drawn based on word length, always one card fewer.

• All unused cards must be taken back into the player’s hand.

If You Cannot Play a Word

• Draw one card from the draw pile and you may not play any words that turn.

• Then discard one card.

After you have played your first word in the game, you may keep the drawn card instead of discarding it, increasing your chances of forming a word later.

Drawing from the Discard Pile

• If you draw a card from the discard pile, you may immediately play a word. In that case, you do not discard a card.

• If you choose to draw from the discard pile instead of the draw pile and do not play a word, proceed as with drawing a new card and then discard one card.

Winning Strategies

Common Word Strategy

Form common words outside the list to refresh your hand and cycle through cards.

Premium Strategy

Monitor the official word list and save letters needed to form premium words.

Winning Word Strategy

Quietly collect letters needed for the winning word and strike at the right moment.