A nice fun topic on how to manage a successful game of Hangman.
- Avoid words using palindromes; the game will be over too quickly;
- Choose a variety of subjects to keep your fellow players amused;
- If possible, use a flip chart or blackboard. If you have the technology, and the money, consider MS PowerPoint or Openoffice Impress with a RGB projector;
- Begin with familiar subjects and phrases, starting off with short ones first. Gradually increase the length of each phrase as the game progresses;
- Consider a gradual difficulty curve.
Hangman is best played in large groups, with a team of four or more players. Consider playing Hangman in the traditional way, or a more competitive way. For the purpose of this posting, the traditional way is ‘collaborative Hangman’, where the person who solves the puzzle suggests the next phrase.
Competitive Hangman should be played in a way similar to ‘Family Fortunes’, with a presenter and two teams with four players each. A topic is selected at random by the MC’s computer/brain cells.
If desired, the drawn noose and gibbet could be replaced by an electric chair.
If anybody wishes to comment on these ideas, please do.
Stuart.
