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5. Letter and word premiums count only on the turn in which they are played. On later turns, letters
already played on premium squares count at face value.
6. When a blank tile is played on a pink or red square, the value of the word is doubled or tripled,
even though the blank itself has no score value.
7. When two or more words are formed in the same play, each is scored. The common letter is
counted (with full premium value, if any) for each word.
8. Bingo! If you play seven tiles on a turn, it’s a Bingo. You score a premium of 50 points after
totaling your score for the turn.
9. Unplayed Letters: When the game ends, each player’s score is reduced by the sum of his or her
unplayed letters. In addition, if a player used all his or her letters, the sum of the other players’
unplayed letters is added to that player’s score.
10 Ways to Become an Instant Scrabble Game Expert
1. Two and three letter words – Learn the 2-letter and 3-letter words. They are the building blocks
of expert play and can boost your average score by as much as 50 points per game.
2. Secret of the “S” – Use an S to form two words at once. Pluralize one word while forming
another at the same time. Hint: Use your S wisely. Don’t add it unless you can earn at least 8
points by doing so.
3. Shuffle Tiles – Shuffle the tiles on your rack frequently. Look for some common ways that letters
go together. Some of these are BR, CH, CL, DLE, ED, ENT, EST, FUL, GHT, ING, NK, KLE,
MIS, ISM, IUM, MB, MP, ND, NT, PR, PL, RE, STR, TH, UN, IVE, and OUS. As you form
these combinations, it may surprise you how words will often appear on your rack when you least
expect them.
4. Bonus Squares – Always look for ways to play across premium squares. Check especially for
premium squares next to vowels.
5. Consider Your Next Play – Make your play with an eye toward your next play. You can do so
simply by saving some good tiles. Your best odds of having a great next “rack” is to save some
combination of the letters “AEILNRST” (hint: think “starline”, ideally saving either the same
number of vowels and consonants, or just one extra consonant.
6. BINGO’S – always look for bingo’s (using all 7 tiles at once). Optimism and know-how will
mean more 50-point bonuses. Learn common word beginnings and endings and know how to
place them on your “rack”.
7. Q without U – Learn the Q-without-U words. The Official SCRABBLE Player’s Dictionary lists
these: QAT(S), QAID(S), QOPH(S), FAQIR(S), QANAT(S), TRANQ(S), QINAR(S),
QINTAR(S), QWERTY(S), SHEQEL, QINDARKA, and SHEQALIM.
8. Look for Hooks – Hooks are single letters that you can add to existing words that form other
words. We’ve already mentioned the “S hook”, but also look for words you could end with a Y,
E, R, or D. Example: HAND(Y), PLAN(E), TAME(D, R).
9. Choice of Plays – After you find a good play, if you have time, look for a better one. Always try
to give yourself a choice of plays. By exercising your decision-making abilities, you’ll likely
develop keener strategic skills.
10. Attitude – Keep in mind that anyone can beat anyone else with a certain amount of luck. Also
remember that everyone draws poor combinations of tiles at times, so when you do, take pleasure
in making the best play you can. Finally, don’t dwell on your mistakes. Everyone makes them, so
go easy on yourself and just enjoy playing!