Hangman

Abstract

The focus for this chapter is the paper-and-pencil game of Hangman. In Hangman, one player decides on a word and writes out blanks for each letter. This player also makes a start on the hanging progression by drawing a representation of a scaffold. The other player attempts to guess the word, asking for one letter at a time. If a letter is in the word, once or many times, the first player writes the letter on the appropriate blanks. If the guessed letter is not in the secret word, the first player advances the hanging. Yes, this grisly game is played by children and, more notably, parents and children. I played it with my parents and I played it with my children. The computer program will take the role of the first player, the one who chooses the secret word.