Solving Wordfeud with Artificial Intelligence
 
Niklas Arnell and Johan Wadenholt

Abstract
 
Background: With the introduction of Wordfeud on the mobile device market the general interest in word puzzle games has increased and hence the interest in programs designed to solve Wordfeud. Most Wordfeud solving programs designed today are in many ways limited since they do not look further ahead than what combination of letters that returns the highest score. This can be a huge limitation since these programs do not take in consideration what possibilities that might open up for the opponent.

Results: Wordfaid does sustain a positive win/loss-ratio while playing against the original program it is based on, Scrabaid. It does not always win by large amounts but all moves that Wordfaid makes have as much purpose of protecting itself against retaliation as playing high scoring words and hence not playing the riskiest words that could potentially result in huge wins.

Conclusions: Estimating your opponent’s possible moves by randomizing his/her letters remaining in the bag several times and testing them on the board for each word that you could potentially play proves to be a valuable asset in the conquest for Wordfeud victory since it helps you avoid opening up big plays after your turn is over.