Guess the Word

# word_guess.py
# Guess The Word
#
# The computer picks a random word and the player has to guess the word.
# The computer tells the player how many letters are in the word.
# The player has 5 chances to ask if a letter is in the word.f
# The player must then guess the word.
#
# Heidi Heffelfinger
# November 11, 2012
# Programming Python for the Absolute Beginner 3rd Ed. Chapter 4
# Challenge 4

import random

# create a sequence of words to choose from; make it a constant
WORDS = ("adult", "knife", "easy", "magnet", "answer", "penal)

# pick one word randomly from the sequence
word = random.choice(WORDS)

# create a variable to use later to see if the guess is correct
correct = word

# find length of the word
letters = len(word)

# start the game
print(
"""
            Welcome to Guess the Word!

    Ask which letters are in a randomly chosen word
    You have 5 chances to ask which letters are in the word.
    You then guess the word.
(Press the enter key at the prompt to quit.)
"""
)
print("I'm thinking of a word.")
print("There are,", letters, "letters in the word.\n")

#initialize variables for while loop
counter = 0
letter_guess_length = 1

# player asks about which letters are in the word
while counter < 5:
    if letter_guess_length == 1:
        letter_guess = input("Ask about a letter in the word: ")
        letter_guess_length = len(letter_guess)
        letter_guess = letter_guess.lower()
        counter += 1
        if letter_guess in word:
            print("\n\tYes,", letter_guess, "is in the word.")
        else:
            print("\n\tSorry,", letter_guess, "is not in the word.\n")
    else:
        print("Please guess only one real letter of the alphabet.")

# get the player's guess
guess = input("\nYour guess at the word: ")
if guess != correct:
    print("\n\tSorry, that's not it.")
    print("\nThe word was:", word)

# congratulate player
if guess == correct:
    print("\n\tThat's it! You guessed it!\n")

# end the game
print("\nThanks for playing.")