a rickety bridge of impossible crossing

toll-free detective

Here's how to play toll-free detective: dial a 1-800 number spelling out a word on the keypad. If the number has anything to do with the word, you get a point. If it's a sex hotline, insurance company, or any other random unrelated business, you don't.

For example, 1-800-FLOWERS would get a point if you didn't already know about it. 1-800-PANCAKE leads to a roboprompt about insurance, which has nothing to do with pancakes, so it's not worth anything.

You can use more than 7 numbers—anything after the 7th just gets ignored—but every number has to represent a letter. Multiple words are okay, but probably not a good strategy. E.g., 1-800-FINGERELEVEN1 is a valid play, but not 1-800-FINGER11.

Play solo or take turns with a friend. Play until you get bored.

International players: I don't know how toll-free numbers work outside the US, sorry


  1. I have not actually checked to see if this is the official Finger Eleven hotline; if you think this is a good play, feel free to use it. Also maybe this rule doesn't need to exist? idk, ignore it if you want↩