Scrabble 101

Overview

What words to use How to make plays Two letter words Bonus squares

The OSPD4

Official Scrabble Players Dictionary: 4th Edition

Official word list for friendly play Includes single definitions for each

acceptable word up to eight letters long (plus inflections)

Clubs and tournaments use the OWL2 – Official Club & Tournament Word List: 2nd edition

Making Plays

Playing through an existing word Hooking a word to an existing word Extending an existing word Playing parallel to an existing word or

words.

Playing through a word

BALLOTS plays through LAME for 36 (9 x 4, for hitting two double-word

score squares)

LAME is the opening play for 12

Hooking to an existing word

LAME is the opening play for 12

FLYER is hooked to LAME, forming FLAME for 44

(14 for FLAME + 30 for FLYER)

Extending an existing word

-NTATION is extended from it, making

LAMENTATION for 92 (42 plus 50-point bonus

for playing all seven tiles)

LAME is the opening play for 12

Playing parallel to an existing word

THAW is played parallel for 33

18 for THAW + 2 for TA + 11 for HM + 2 for AE

LAME is the opening play for 12

The Two Letter Words

Experts say that knowing all 101 twos will automatically boost your score by 30-40 points. They allow more parallel plays, which often score

better than other plays. They open up more spots for scoring.

Your friends will accuse you of cheating – this is just something you learn to deal with.

Learning the Twos

Read through the list a few times Write them out alphabetically Learn them by groups Play lots of games

Using the twos

Where can you play:

• DEX for 50?

• JOES for 41?

• FLEE for 33?

Bonus Squares

Which ones can you use?Parallel plays with high-point tiles can be

especially lucrative.Look for ways to use one or two.

Parallel Plays & Multiple Bonuses

Your rack:A A E F L M T

What’s your highest scoring play?

AFLAME scores 45

(38 for AFLAME + 7 for APART)

Bonus Squares

Which ones does your play let your opponent use? Try not to put vowels next to bonus squares. Avoid opening access to the triple word

scores. If a bonus square is available on your turn

and you can’t use it, make it harder for your opponent to use it next turn.

Parallel Plays & Multiple Bonuses

Your rack:A A E F L M T

What play would be the best combination of

scoring and defense?

FAME scores 43, FETAL (or FATAL) scores 42

Which do you prefer?

Next week

Anatomy of a Scrabble turn Word Study Tournament play

Play!

One on one (or team vs team) Free challenges Use your two- and two-make-three letter

word lists

Lessons from this week

Check multiple options Look for parallel plays

Use two letter words Use bonus squares Keep your opponent from using bonus

squares when reasonable