JARNAC®
A DUEL OF WORDS BETWEEN TWO PLAYERS OR TEAMS
LETTER DISTRIBUTION
A-10 B-3 C-5 D-6 E-18 F-4 G-6 H-3 I-8 J-2 K-2 L-3 M-4 N-8 0-8
P-4 Q-1 R-10 S-9 T-9 U-6 V-3 W-4 X-1 Y-6 Z-1
OBJECT OF THE GAME
Players form words on the gameboard, extending words whenever
possible using the available tiles. Players have the ability to steal
words from their opponents if an opportunity to extend a word or form
a new word is missed.
The game ends when one player has formed a word on each of the 8
available lines.
SET-UP
1. Each Player or team places a gameboard on the table.
JARNAC® is best played with players beside each other or
at right angles since you should be able to easily read your
opponent's board.
2. Each Player should select a tile from the tile bag. The
player closest to “A” begins.
PLAYING JARNAC®
1. The first player takes six letters at random from the tile bag.
These letters are placed face-up on the work area of the
gameboard (left side).
2. The player creates words of at least three letters
beginning on the first line of the board. Words already on
the board can be extended by adding one or more letters.
Once a letter has been played on a line, it cannot be
removed from that line nor exchanged for another tile.
Tiles can, however, be re-arranged within a line to form new
words.
Examples
Pan + S = Span (or Pans)
Read + P I = Repaid
Proper + S = Prosper
3. After forming a word or adding to an existing word, the
player receives a bonus tile which is then placed on the
work area.
A bonus letter is received for each new word created.
Therefore, the best strategy is to begin with small words
and expand them. Assume, for example, that your work
area has the letters R, C, E, C, L, I. If you make ICE, then
RICE, and then CIRCLE, you would receive three bonus
letters.
A bonus letter is only scored when a word is lengthened.
Changing RAT to TAR is allowed, but does not score a
bonus tile.
The bonus letter is taken after each word formed, not
accumulated and taken at the end of the turn.
4. When a player cannot create a new word or expand an
existing word, he/she declares "I pass”.
5. If, at that moment, the opponent can see a missed
opportunity to create or modify a word, the opponent calls
out “JARNAC®” and can take the new word from the board
and place it on the first open row on his/her own board.
A “JARNAC®” must be declared immediately after a “pass”
is issued.
6. After the first player has “passed”, the second player can
then draw six letters and begin to play. The second player
then plays in the same manner and is subject to the same
risk of “JARNAC®” when passing.
7. Thereafter, play alternates back and forth. Each player
receives one tile at the start of each turn.
ADDITIONAL NOTES ON PLAY
• The addition of an “s" to create a plural is acceptable and a
bonus letter is awarded.
• The vertical columns of letters do not come into play and
are not required to form words.
• There is little advantage in delaying before “passing”. This
will only allow your opponent more time to find a new word
and make a “JARNAC®”.
• All words on a player's board may be lengthened at any
time. All words are subject to being stolen by a “JARNAC®”.
It is important to review all words on your board throughout
the game.
EXCHANGING TILES
Once in each turn. A player may return three unused letters (not more
or less) to the tile bag and draw three new letters. The player can
continue playing after the exchange until forced to “pass”.
END OF GAME
The game ends whan a player makes a word on the last line of the
board. The winner is the player with the highest score; a three-letter
word is worth 9 points, a four-letter word is worth 16 points, etc. There
is no scoring during play.
The player with the most words is not necessarily the winner of the
game.
VALID WORDS
Any word found in a dictionary is valid including plural forms and verbs
in all tenses. Proper nouns (people and places), prefixes, interactions
and compound words are not permitted.
Disputes regarding words can be settled without penalty by consulting
a dictionary.
TEAM PLAY
JARNAC® can be played in teams of equal or unequal size. The rules
remain unchanged. Team members can consult openly between
themselves with decisions being taken by the team leader.
HANDICAPS
JARNAC® players can be handicapped to allow a closer game
between opponents. In a normal game, only a nine-letter word is safe
from a JARNAC® since a longer word cannot be formed.
Handicapping can be done by protecting words of six, seven or eight
letters from a “JARNAC®” by the better player. The level of handicap
(six, seven or eight) should be agreed upon prior to the game.
A DOUBLE JARNAC® STRIKE
Your opponent's board is illustrated below and he/she has just
“PASSED.”
You call out “JARNAC®” and form two new words, PASTRY and
UNSTABLE, you can then move the new words onto your own board.