by TheChosen1

Created on: February 13, 2010

Scrabble is not merely a vocabulary slugfest. This game also involves plenty of strategizing and precise thinking. This game is not very much different from chess or checkers where you have to outwit and outlast the opponent. It also involves thinking ahead. You must try to make moves that either set you up for more opportunities later or deter your opponent's well laid plans. The following are some tips to help you win at this game.

1. Prepare a game plan - Scrabbles should be treated like any competitive sport. Before the game begins prepare a strategy to beat the opponent. Should you just crowd the board on one side only and limit the opponent? Should you open up the board and use your vocabulary advantage to rack up points?

Try to know your opponent beforehand. Watch him play some people before you actually face him. A little scouting would help you out. Scouting is done in the pro leagues and it would benefit you to do the same. Does he excel in an open game or a lockdown game? Once you see his strategy, try to counteract him.

If the opponent wins by bombarding the board with bingos and heavy hitting words, then try to stifle him by locking the board down. This is unless you are sure that you could go toe to toe with him and know enough money words to beat him. If the opponent wins by board control, try to throw a monkey wrench in his strategy by opening up the board with longer words.

2. Have the right mindset - Just as in anything, a little positive mental attitude never hurt anybody. Always think in your mind that you will win and you shall win. Already thinking of losing even before actually drawing your first tile already sets you up for failure.

Sure, you may not win all the time, but every game is winnable. Each of you starts with the same number of tiles and draw from the same bag. You both also have opportunities to utilize the bonuses on the board. Every opponent is beatable whether he be a novice or a tournament champion.

3. Pay attention - Part of winning any game is paying attention to details. What letters does the opponent probably have? What letters are left in the bag? Is the opponent setting up some heavy hitting word? What chances do I have of drawing those letters I need to make the high scoring word I have in mind?

4. Enhance your vocabulary - Sure, memorizing the Webster's dictionary is a good way of enhancing your vocabulary but it would take too much time and is not scrabble specific. It would be good to invest on a scrabble

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