Match Game

Match Game is an Alexa skill for the classic memory game, also known as concentration, match match, match up, or pairs. Memory game typically uses a set of cards. Match Game instead uses a set of boxes or chests with hidden words or phrases in them. Boxes are labeled with sequential numbers starting from 1. Try to visualize the arrangement of boxes on a rectangular grid.

WARNING: The game is harder than it sounds. It is much more difficult than visual memory games. Only 1 out of 10 people who try Match Game successfully match all 12 or 16 boxes. How about you? How good is your memory skill (without visual cues)? Challenge yourself with 20 boxes, or 40 boxes! Can you do 100??

Here's a quick guide on how to use Match Game skill. Note that these are merely examples, and other variations may work as well.

[1] How to Launch Match Game
* alexa, play match game
* alexa, start match game and say less
* alexa, start match game and the player's name is john
* alexa, ask match game to start a game with 20 boxes
* alexa, ask match game to start a fast game
* alexa, launch match game and start a game with category animal names

[2] How to Start a Game
* start a game
* start a new game with 16 boxes
* start a game with word category tree names
* start a game with 32 boxes and category periodic table
* play a match game
* play a new memory game
* start a fast game

Note that the number of boxes has to be an even number, within a certain valid range (currently, between 4 and 100). A fast game starts a game in the less verbose mode. The fast game command do not accept box count/word category arguments.

[3] How to Ask for Valid Word Categories
* what are the valid categories
* give me the list of word categories

Note that if you don't specify a word category, a random category will be used.

[4] How to Play
You try to open two boxes at the same time by answering Alexa's questions like which two boxes?

* box 1 and box 2
* i pick 1 and 2
* how about box 1 and box 2
* open box 1 and box 2
* match boxes 1 and 2

If the words or phrases in those boxes match, Alexa opens the boxes for you and you get a point according to a predefined rule. The goal is to open all boxes with as few tries as possible.

[5] How to Ask Alexa to Play for You
Feeling too lazy to pick boxes? You can ask Alexa to do that for you.

* pick a random pair of boxes for me
* just pick two random boxes
* can you open a random pair

[6] How to Ask for the List of Remaining/Closed Boxes
* what are the remaining boxes
* give me the list of all closed boxes

[7] How to Ask for Lists of Open/Known Boxes
* what are the known boxes
* tell me the list of all open boxes

[8] How to Ask for Your Current Score
* tell me the current score
* what is my current score

[9] How to Ask for a Timeout
* more time
* i need more time
* a timeout
* give me a timeout

[10] How to Start a New Game (in the Middle of an Ongoing Game)
* start over
* start next game
* try a different puzzle

You can also use any of the sentences used to start a game ([2]).

[11] How to Ask for the Solution (and Start a New Game)
* i give up
* i don't know
* tell me the solution
* what are the words

Note that it can take a while to list all words if you have a lot of boxes. It is not generally recommended to use these commands (or, [7]). Often, the more useful thing to ask is [6].

[12] How to Move the Game a Bit Faster (aka fast game)
* say less
* less talking
* make it less verbose

[13] How to Introduce Yourself to Alexa
Your name will be used to keep track of your game history/scores (currently not implemented). Note that this should be done before starting a game, e.g., right after launching Match Game.

* i am john
* my name is mary
* you can call me michael
* the player's name is jane


Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.