Abstract: A knotting mechanism includes a rod having a tapered end. The retaining mechanism includes a first leg and a second leg. A nook is defined between the first and second legs. The retaining mechanism is actuatable between an open configuration to selectively provide access to at least a portion of the nook and a closed configuration to selectively restrict access to at least the portion of the nook.

Abstract: A knotting mechanism includes a rod having a tapered end. The retaining mechanism includes a first leg and a second leg. A nook is defined between the first and second legs. The retaining mechanism is actuatable between an open configuration to selectively provide access to at least a portion of the nook and a closed configuration to selectively restrict access to at least the portion of the nook.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for playing a multi-player game. Players select words related to a seed word and place or write the selected words in spaces on a game board. In some embodiments, the related words are synonyms, while in other embodiments they are one of antonyms, homophones, or homonyms. Each of the words, when placed in the spaces on the game board, shares at least one letter with a word previously placed on the game board. A score is determined for each player in the multi-player game by summing a point value assigned to each letter in each word placed by the player on the game board.