Rules for sighted

Text version of rules of the board game Brailing. 

These written rules are for sighted players. Blind players can listen to the audio rules by clicking this link  Audio rules (for the blind)

Super short version:

⬤ 2–6 players, ages 7 and up.
⬤ Create words from random letters on the board like a crossword.
⬤ The player with the most points wins.
⬤ Extra challenge for sighted players: “Unlock Hidden Sense”—play blindfolded!

Full version:

Thank you for choosing Brailing. Have fun and enjoy the game!

What’s in the box:
⬤ 1 game board
⬤ 114 letter tiles (in the black bag)
⬤ 85 score tiles (in the white bag)
⬤ 4 blindfolds

Setup:
⬤ Place the board where everyone can reach it.
⬤ Put the black bag (letter tiles) nearby.
⬤ Place the score tiles next to the board or keep them in the white bag.
⬤ Sighted players: Try the challenge called “Find the Hidden Sense.” Put on a blindfold and play using these same rules.

Goal of the Game:
Make words from random letters on the board, connecting them like a crossword.
The most important goal: enjoy playing together—whether you can see or not!

How to Start:
⬤ 2–6 players can play.
⬤ Each player takes 7 random letter tiles from the black bag.
⬤ Any player can start.

Your Turn:
Players take turns clockwise. On your turn, you can:

1️⃣ Make a word:
⬤ Place letters left to right or top to bottom.
⬤ Words can be any part of speech and any form.
⬤ The first word should be in the middle of the board.
⬤ New words must connect to words already on the board.
⬤ Blank tiles = spaces between words.
⬤ Words must be full—no half words left on the board.

2️⃣ Extend a word:
⬤ Add letter(s) to an existing word to make a new one.
⬤ Example: The word “CAT” is on the board. Add “S” to make “CATS.”

3️⃣ Swap tiles:
⬤ If your letters don’t work, you can:
– a) Swap all 7 tiles and skip your turn (only at the start of your turn).
– b) Swap 1 tile and keep playing.

How to swap:
⬤ Say if you’re swapping 1 or all tiles.
⬤ Set aside the tile(s) you want to swap.
⬤ Pick new tile(s) from the bag before putting the old ones back.

✅ You can do more than one thing in your turn, like swap 1 tile, make a word, and extend a word.
✅ After your turn, always draw new tiles so you have 7 again.

Scoring:
⬤ Each letter = 1 point.
⬤ Example: The word “CAT” = 3 points.
⬤ If you extend a word, you get points for the whole new word.
⬤ Example: “CAT” becomes “CATS” = 4 points.
⬤ Add your points after each turn.

Game End:
The game ends when:
⬤ There are no more letter tiles left,
⬤ No one can make a move,
⬤ OR everyone agrees to stop.

Tips & Extras:
⬤ Use a dictionary to check words if needed.
⬤ A sighted player can help if needed.

Winner:
Congrats to the player with the most points! But remember—the real winners are the ones who enjoyed playing together, made new connections, and broke down barriers between blind and sighted players.
Special shoutout to those who tried the “Find the Hidden Sense” challenge. You showed real courage and discovered the power of a new sense.

Brailing – The game that unites.