Problem Set 3

Scrabble-like Word Game with Wildcards

A complete word game where players form words from dealt letter hands for points. Features wildcard support, hand substitution, and multi-hand game orchestration using dictionary-based hand management.

Implementation

• get_word_score() — two-component scoring formula: sum of letter values multiplied by max(word-length-based bonus, 1)
• deal_hand() — deals random letters with a guaranteed vowel ratio, modified to include one wildcard * replacing a vowel slot
• update_hand() — returns a new hand dictionary with used letters removed, without mutating the original
• is_valid_word() — validates words against both the word list and the current hand. Handles the wildcard * by trying all 5 vowel substitutions
• play_hand() — interactive loop for playing a single hand, tracking score and remaining letters
• substitute_hand() — allows replacing one letter in the hand with a random unused letter (one-time use per game)
• play_game() — multi-hand game orchestrator with substitute and replay options

The wildcard * is added to SCRABBLE_LETTER_VALUES with a value of 0.