Not ANOTHER word-game!

[PhilOfPerth]

@ bplus: Not sure what you mean. If the prime letter is, say Q, and the first player picks a 4-letter word that he thinks can't be changed into a three-letter word, say QUIT, then, if the 4-letter eventuates, he loses anyway, as it ends on him (unless he later chooses to insert an E, for QUIET). 
If you mean he should find a word that has three letters, that can't be changed into a four-letter (or more) word, his opponent may still find an alternative by adding a leading or trailing letter, inserting one, or flipping.

For every 2, 3, or 4 letter group, there's an escape by adding either a head or tail letter or by inserting, or flipping.

I hope I understood your point correctly. If not, please elucidate (now THERE'S a good word!)

PS: I've started investigating your suggestion for a single-player mode, but it's still very early days.

[bplus]

Sorry Phil, something is not clicking for me about this game can't describe in words what?

If we ever play, I want to be 2nd Player let you go first all the time ;-))

It's true there are no 3 letter words that start QU so U seems pretty safe for first player given a Q to start.
Wait no there is QUA, U not safe after Q for first player. 2nd player plays A and claims 6 points.

Oh wait again, player 1 claims the word and gets the 6 points. So the object is to not finish words?

[PhilOfPerth]

Yes, that is the objective - always build towards a word, but try to make your opponent finish it or concede it as unwinnable. 
But the game you describe could progress further if the player added a leading A, instead of a trailing A, giving AQU (towards AQUA et al).
After further testing, I'm convinced ANY 2 or 3 letter group can be manipulated to guarantee at least a 5-letter word, using Insert and Flip, so I'm pretty ambivalent as to whether I play first or second.
That QUA word ("in the manner of") is very popular with Scrabble players, when they have a Q but not much room to place it, and there's a loose U on the board.
Thanks for your response. It means a lot to me.