Based on the game show of the same name, By The Numbers tests players memories and ability to make wild guesses.The equipment consists of a clear plastic grid covered by square cards numbered from one to thirty, an assortment of cards that fit under the grid and contain all twenty-six letters of the alphabet and four blanks randomly organized, thirty-two long skinny letter cards the size of four squares on the grid. The game consists of two parts. First Part: One of the alphabet cards is placed under the grid so that none of the players can see it. Players start by picking a number on the grid. The card is removed and all players see the letter underneath. This letter is written down and the number card replaced. The player then chooses another number revealing another letter in the same way. The letters revealed are written in the order they are revealed and must have the possibility of making a word. If a word is possible the player may continue to choose numbers and revealing letters. If a complete word is formed the player gets ten points per letter added to their score and may start over trying to make another word. If a blank or a letter that can not be used in the word is revealed then that players turn is over and the next player takes their turn in the same way. When one player scores one hundred fifty points the first part of the game is over. Second Part: Now one of the loosing players forms a secret six letter word using the letter cards placed on a special sheet and this word is placed under the grid. The winning player from the first part now chooses five numbers and these are all removed. Each number card reveals one fourth of one letter. The player tries to guess the secret word to win $1000. If they are unable to guess the word they select another number to reveal and $100 is deducted from the prize. This is continued until the player has guessed the word or gotten down to only $100 left to win. The game is played in three rounds with the player or team with the most money being the winner. - BoardGameGeek