Players take turns solving crossword puzzle clues before their time runs out, and advancing their pegs along a cribbage-style track based on the number of letters that are in the words they have correctly solved. The puzzles are actual New York Times crossword puzzles, edited by Eugene T. Maleska, having a copyright date of 1978, and there are 100 of them. Additionally there are another 20 "Junior Level" puzzles. An approximately two-minute hourglass timer provides the suspense, and players select which clues to answer based on the values on four ten-sided dice. The player who has advanced his pegs furthest along the track at the end of the game (e.g., when the crossword puzzle is completely solved) is the winner.