Word Jumble 2.0

# word_jumble2.py
# Word Jumble 2.0
#
# The computer picks a random word and then "jumbles" it
# The player has to guess the original word
# Improved from v1.0 with hints provided and scoring system
#
# Heidi Heffelfinger
# November 11, 2012
# Programming Python for the Absolute Beginner 3rd Ed. Chapter 4
# Challenge 3

import random

# create a sequence of words to choose from; make it a constant
# create a hint for each word corresponding to same tuple index
WORDS = ("thinker", "curving", "report", "program", "answer", "nonsmoker")
HINTS = ("The word starts with 't'; famous statue by David",
         "The word starts with 'c'; the road is not straight it is ...",
         "The word starts with 'r'; the third grader is presenting his" \
         " ____ to the class",
         "The word starts with 'p'; once I learn Python, I can ____ a computer",
         "The word starts with 'a'; question and _____",
         "The word starts with 'n'; I used to use cigarettes, now I am a ______")

# pick one word randomly from the sequence
word = random.choice(WORDS)
# select the corresponding hint
hint_index = WORDS.index(word)
hint = HINTS[hint_index]

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

# initialize variables for while loops
jumble = ""
tries = 0
hints = False
score = 20

# create a jumbled version of the word
# continues until new version of word with "extracted" letters is empty
while word:
    # generates random position in word based on length of word
    position = random.randrange(len(word))
    # creates new version of string jumble
    jumble += word[position]
    # creates new version of word minus the position letter
    word = word[:position] + word[(position + 1):]

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

    Unscramble the letters to make a word.
    20 points for total. -2 points for each additional guess.
    -10 points for use of a hint.
(Press the enter key at the prompt to quit.)
"""
)
print("The jumble is:", jumble)

# get the player's guess
guess = input("\nYour guess: ")
tries += 1
while guess != correct and guess != "":
    # ask player if they would like a hint
    print("\nSorry, that's not it.")
    if not hints:
        help_me = input("Would you like the hint? (Y/N): ")
        if help_me.lower() == "y" or help_me.lower() == "yes":
            print("\n\tA hint:", hint)
            guess = input("\nYour guess: ")
            tries += 1
            hints = True
            score -= 12
        else:
            input("\nOK, no hint. Your guess: ")
            tries += 1
            score -= 2
    else:
        guess = input("\nYour guess: ")
        tries += 1
        score -= 2

# congratulate player
if guess == correct and tries <= 1 and hints == False and score > 0:
    print("\nThat's it! You guessed it in", tries, "tries.")
    print("You did not use the hint.")
    print("\tYour score is:", score, "out of 20 possible.")
elif guess == correct and hints == False and score > 0:
    print("\nThat's it! You guessed it in", tries, "tries.")
    print("\nYou lost 2 points for each additional attempt.")
    print("You chose not to use the hint.")
    print("tYour score is:", score, "out of 20 points possible.")
elif guess == correct and hints == True and score > 0:
    print("\nThat's it! You guessed it in", tries, "tries.")
    print("\nYou lost 2 points for each additional attempt.")
    print("You chose to use the hint for an additional 10 point loss.")
    print("\tYour score is:", score, "out of 20 points possible.")
else:
    print("\nGAME OVER.")
    print("Either you failed to guess the word, you left it blank or" \
          " your score was less than zero.")

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

input("\n\nPress the enter key to exit.")