Racks & Holders

The parlor game Probe was introduced in the 1960s (at least as long ago as 1964) by Parker Brothers. more...

Description

The game set originally consisted of four plastic display racks each able to hold twelve cards, with a point value assigned to each card position: 5-10-15-15-10-5-5-10-15-15-10-5. Each player in a game took one of the racks (although two players could each play with two racks in a "double" game). Each player also took, for each rack, a plastic card holders holding a selection of cards, each letter represented on one or more cards, plus five "blank" cards.

Players each selected a word (without consulting a dictionary except to resolve spelling disputes during the course of play) and spelled it out, using cards from the plastic holder, and if they so chose, disguise the length of the word and the starting position with the use of blanks. The cards were laid so as to keep the word hidden, but be read from left-to-right by the player opposite. Once all players had their words set up and in place, the play would begin.

Play was conducted by having the turn-holding player drawing a play card from a deck; the card told the turn-holder how to play his/her turn, e.g. "Take your normal turn" meant to ask any other player if they had a particular letter of the alphabet hidden on their display rack. If the questioned player had no such letter, the turn-holder's turn ended (unless the play card said otherwise, i.e., "Take an additional turn"), and play continued to the next player in sequence. Players whose words were completely exposed continued to play.

If the questioned participant had one or more of the requested letter, that player turned up any one card showing that letter, and the play continued for the turn-holder. The turn-holder could continue to address questions to that player or any other player until they missed.

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