IMO, we should just stick to the rules :)

But whether you draw _ _ _ with 3 checks on it if it's been guessed or N U T... I don't see the difference.

Ok, here's the deal. In actuality, you are not supposed to write any letters at all, whenther the words have been guessed, or not. Even the ability to write in the first letter was to help the new people on the low tables get a feel for the game. This is also true for the blanks and spaces. They were supposed to be used as a last resort for the newer players, but have become a normal part of the game. This is a drawing game not a word game. In the end, if you must use the first letter of the first word, do it, but no other letters, not hints, not names on items, not describing words are allowed. As for the rest, challenge yourself and the others to draw without the blanks and use them as a last resort. It makes the game more fun for everyone and it sticks to the real feeling of Pictionary. Have fun!

Yup.KKM is right. Stick to the rules is the best option to avoid provocation( if there's such word. haha)

@HHJ: A part of the fun is when you have seven people, all guessing words. Yes, one might guess it right, but then should you write it out? Not everyone else has figured it out.

On the flip side of the coin, I use check-marks and arrows to point to people when they guess the word.