- BGG rating
- 6.0
25 New Games to be Played with Lexicon Cards
- 1–6 players
- 1935
- BGG rank
- BGG #24,331
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Lexicon
1932
Rules assistance for Lexicon
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–4 players
- 30 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.5/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for Lexicon
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Lexicon is a board game released in 1932 for 1–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Paul T. Haskell, Jr. and David Whitelaw and its main mechanics are Spelling.
Expansions
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Typo
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2004
About the game
There are several game variations in the rule book, Crossword Lexicon, Lexicon, and Lexicon Solitaire. Quoted from the Rules for Crossword Lexicon, Copyright 1937, Parker Brothers, Inc. ... "Each player, by playing his cards to the Crossword layout in the center of the table, tries to play out their whole hand before any other player succeeds in doing so. Cards left in players' hands at the end of play in each deal are counted against them and the low score wins the game. As soon as one player reaches 100 points, the game ends and the player with the lowest score wins. The player at the left of the dealer starts by placing any word of not less than two or more than four letters in the center of the table, naming the words as they play it. After the first player, all following must play to the words already formed on the table. If the first player (or any subsequent player) cannot form a complete word, they discard one card from their hand and take in exchange either the exposed card, or the top Blind card, from one of the piles on the table. Before taking from the Blind pile, the player must always discard first." There are several game variations in the rule book, Crossword Lexicon, Lexicon, Lexicon Solitaire and several different options for these card games that can be played with this deck. Also, at the bottom of one of the pages is, ... "A double set of Crossword LEXICON is made containing two complete packs with Red and Blue backs respectively. Price $1.00" (Remember the year, 1937, a buck was a lot of money back then, at least I have been told.) The newer deck has 54 cards: Ax4 Bx1 Cx2 Dx1 Ex5 Fx1 Gx2 Hx2 Ix3 Jx1 Kx1 Lx3 Mx2 Nx2 Ox3 Px1 Qx1 Rx3 Sx3 Tx3 Ux2 Vx1 Wx2 Xx1 Yx1 Zx1 Masterx2 The older deck has 52 cards: Ax4 Bx1 Cx1 Dx1 Ex4 Fx1 Gx1 Hx3 Ix4 Jx1 Kx1 Lx3 Mx1 Nx1 Ox3 Px1 Qx1 Rx3 Sx3 Tx3 Ux3 Vx1 Wx3 Xx1 Yx1 Zx1 Masterx1 i.e. the deck of 54 has: C+1, E+1, G+1, M+1, N+1, Master+1, H-1, I-1, U-1, W-1 compared to the deck of 52
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Parker Brothers
- Waddingtons
- Editrice Giochi
- Miro Company
- Åhlén & Åkerlund
- John Waddington Ltd.
- Jumbo
- Winning Moves France
- Winning Moves UK Ltd.
- Waddington Sanders Ltd.
- United Toys
Questions and answers
Lexicon supports 1–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Lexicon is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Lexicon for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Lexicon has a complexity rating of 1.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Lexicon belongs to these categories: Card Game, Word Game, and Game System. Its main mechanics are Spelling. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Lexicon are: Paul T. Haskell, Jr. and David Whitelaw. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Lexicon as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.