Want To Trick Yourself Into Getting Smarter?

Just about everyone has a closet full of board games. I would guess most of us rarely touch most of those games because we’re bored of them or we’ve played them so many times most of the fun has worn out. I love games, and I’ve found a new game to liven up those boring nights. And I’m certain you’ll up your vocabulary by a few grades after playing it too.

While browsing the Barnes & Noble shelves last night we (my wife and I) discovered a new game called “Literati.” It is quite possibly one of my new favorite word games. First things first, it’s fun. Basically you draw out five cards with words on them to the table, each player has to write a ‘story’ using as many of those words as possible in the time limit (2 minutes I think?). If you use a word incorrectly someone can call your bluff, and if they can use it correctly they steal your points. The main point of the game is to be creative and write and read stories aloud. That description makes it sound like school, but trust me, it’s a good time.

There are words you know in there. Then there are words you’ve seen or heard before, but might not know exactly how to use them. And then there are the words that made me make my “What-the-heck- kind-of-word-is-that?” face. Fair warning, if you play with an English teacher, prepare to be walloped. (My wife started out using all five words correctly three of the first five rounds…needless to say my crown of ‘word-game-champ’ is no longer valid in our house.)

Of course the word’s definition, pronunciation, and an example sentence is on the back of each card so you get to see what the words really mean after each round. It tricks you into learning new words, and to me that’s the best kind of learning. But it also uses a little bit of bluffing and strategy as you try and B.S. your way past unknown words without getting called out.

I’m not selling the game, I’m not getting paid to endorse the game, I’m not getting any perks from the game, but I thought it was a good addition to my game closet. And if word games or writing are down your alley, you’ll probably like it too. If you want a faster, thoughtless, fun and easy game that doesn’t involve writing, might I suggest “Zombie Dice” instead?

"Literati" is made by a company called Discovery Bay Games and will set you back $22-$30

"Zombie Dice" is made by Steve Jackson Games and runs around $9-$12. (We discovered this one at The Haunted Game Café in Fort Collins.)