Tips to transform your Scrabble game

Very well, your mother-in-law, a doctor of English literature, has challenged you, a humble salesman at the local bookstore, to a “friendly” game of Scrabble. Sounds like a hopeless case? Certainly not! More than just a rivalry of vocabularies, Scrabble is a game of strategy. Equipped with the right tricks, even a kid could give his mother-in-law a run for her money!

This article will give you five proven tips that will transform your Scrabble game. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to increase his ability to compete in clubs or tournaments, a little practice with these techniques will give you instant results!

Tip #1: Two by Two

Seasoned Scrabble players agree that the first key to success is memorizing the list of acceptable two-letter word combinations. This sounds more difficult than it really is. There are only 96 two-letter words, and you certainly know 23 of them. (Some lists include 120 two-letter words, depending on which dictionary you’re referring to. The 1998 Chambers Dictionary as well as the Chambers Official Scrabble Words rate 120 words, while Merriam’s Official Scrabble Players Dictionary Webster includes only 96. A good word The most practical thing would be to decide from the beginning of a game which dictionary you will use (I would focus on the list of 96 words, since they are universally accepted in almost all dictionaries).

Why is this list of words so valuable, considering that it only uses two tiles? Knowing the two-letter words helps you build parallel words, allowing you to count your letters twice for every word you make. This drastically increases your score! This ability is absolutely essential when the board is “closed” (meaning there are no open spaces to build new words on), as well as at the end of the game, when you need to empty your shelf.

Memorizing this list only takes a few minutes if you associate each letter with the number of words it makes (for example, there are 16 “A” words, 5 “B” words, etc.). Going through the lists and becoming familiar with the lesser-known words is usually all it takes to memorize the list. It’s good to know that there are some words that don’t require vowels!

The 96 words are: aa, ab, ad, ae, ag, ah, ai, al, am, an, ar, as, at, aw, ax, ay, ba, be, bi, bo, by, de, do , ed, ef, eh, el, em, en, er, es, et, ex, fa, go, ha, he hi, ho, id, if, in, is, it, jo, ka, la, li, lo, ma, me, my, mm, mo, mu, my, na, ne, no, nu, od, oe, of, oh, om, on, op, or, os, ow, ox, oy, pa, pe, pi, re, sh, si, so, ta, ti, to, uh, um, un, up, us, ut, we, wo, xi, xu, ya, ye, yo.

Tip #2: “Rack Up” Points Using Anagrams

The difference between an average and advanced Scrabble player has to do with the number of options a player can find on any given shelf. Don’t just find a word and give up, keep moving those tiles. It is quite possible that there is a better option than the one you initially find. Even if you end up using the same tiles, one word may get a higher value than another based on the placement of the bonus squares. Also, you can go with one word over another because it’s harder for your opponent to build on it. For example, if you have a feeling your opponent has an S, you should avoid placing a noun, as this would allow you to “hook”, earning you points for both words!

Tip #3: Keep it warm

This suggestion may seem obvious at first, though there’s a little more to it than meets the eye. As you formulate your choices on the board, focus on the “hot spots” or squares that give you double and triple the value of your tile and/or word. Use these squares for an even greater advantage when building parallel words, allowing you to use the bonus square twice (once for the horizontal word and once for the vertical). This is where the two-letter word list comes in handy, particularly words that contain high-scoring letters like J, Q, X, and Z. For example, the word “ex” used in a parallel position where the X falls on a triple would get at least 26 points.

The other side of this equation is that you have to be careful not to make these hot spots available to your opponent! However, if you have a great word that opens a triple, don’t throw it out the window. Compare your score to what your opponent is likely to get. You can still get ahead. Who knows? Your opponent may even let the triple slip by, giving you a chance!

Tip #4: The Q–blessing or bane?

Without a doubt, the Q is one of the most difficult tiles to play; therefore, it demands attention. There are a few tricks that can help you turn Q in your favor.

First of all, it’s a good idea to memorize some Q words that don’t require U. Yes, they exist, and they’re worth a lot of points too! So, here’s your second (and last, for now) list of words to memorize: qaid, qanat, qat, qindar, qintar, sheqel, tranq, qoph, qwerty, faqir.

The words “aid” and “at” are particularly useful for those looking to unload a Q, and this goes for your opponent too! Be careful not to place either word if you suspect your opponent has the Q on their rack, especially late game! (I know this from sad experience; this oversight cost me an important game!)

Whatever you do, don’t hold on to Q for more than a turn or two, hoping to roll a U. (This also applies to holding on to Us if you roll a Q.) Try to get it off your shelf as soon as possible. as possible, since it reduces the chance of making a good move when you only use six of your pieces. And if the game is near the end, you might want to consider changing it if there are no options on the board. You certainly do NOT want to be stuck with an unplayed Q late game, as it automatically adds 20 points to your opponent’s score.

Tip #5: Plan for BINGOs

Our last tip can be quite satisfying once it’s mastered. It has to do with creating BINGO words (words that use the seven tiles) and it’s very easy, once you know how to do it. Start by sorting your shelf according to common word endings and save these letter combinations. One of the most valuable sets is “ING”. This takes care of three of your letters, and it’s much easier to form a four or five letter verb that works with “ING”. Ready! You have a BINGO! Some other common endings to be aware of are -ed, -er, -ier, -iest, and -ies. I’ve even used -ation to good advantage. A- and re- are good letters to reserve for word beginnings. Setting up your first BINGO is almost a rite of passage into the world of Scrabble.

Now you’re ready to take on that bombastic mother-in-law; put that talkative brother in her place. With practice, you’ll soon be able to join the ranks of true Scrabble champions.

Copyright 2006 Emma Snow