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the example below, not only do you get the score for the word mine' you also get the four words you made going down (em, xi, an, me).

Example: E X A M P L E (already on the board)
M I N E (your word)

Count up all possible scores and choose the highest scoring play before placing your word on the board. Fitting a smaller word into a spot like the one above may yield more points than playing a longer word. Don't give in to temptation, take your time and consider all your options before laying down your tiles.

4. Make your higher value tiles count.

When making a play like the one above, try and place your best letters in a position to be counted twice, and at the same time, placing them on a square that will double or triple it. While it doesn't pay to hold out for several turns waiting for that one letter to hit it big, it does pay to wait for a place to put your valuable letters where you will get the most bang for your buck. Sometimes, you just don't have an option, but please don't plonk the word ox on the board without getting the most of that x' as possible; try to double it by using it in more than one direction and hunt for those special square to boot.

5. Be aware of how many letters have been played and which letters have been played.

Know how many letters there are in the bag. When the game nears the end, you will want to use as many of your tiles as possible, you don't want your opponent to go out first or you'll be subtracting from your score all the points left on your rack.

Also, most Scrabble boards have a list how many of each letter there is, that is there for a reason. You need to know there are only 4 u' tiles if you draw that q'. Speaking of the q', if you got your scrabble dictionary, you should turn to the q' section and memorize which words can be made without using a u'. Like qaid'.

And, if your luck of the draw is letting you down, use the good value letters played on the board as much as possible to boost your score and annoy your opponent.

6. Don't give your opponent any help.

Sometimes, playing your best word means opening up a prime spot for your opponent. Resist the temptation. There are times when you have no choice, but the last thing you want to do is set up a triple word score. So be savvy in your word play.

7. Think about plurals and word endings and word prefixes.

Try not to limit your thinking to making full words with your tiles. Sometimes, you can change the form of a word on the board and really capitalize on what has already been played. Most people go for putting an s' on the end of a word, but if the word fix' is on the board and pre' is on your rack and it will earn you some points and bonus squares, go for it!

Don't waste that 's' by sticking it on an already played word and being pleased with yourself for turning exit into exits. Always try to make a word from your rack with your 's' so you get two words out of it. You are only building in one direction - you are making the word 'ask' it just so happens that your 's' in 'ask' fits neatly under the word 'exit' already on the board to make the word 'exits'.

E
X
I
T
A S K (your word played only in one direction, but you get credit for both words!).

8. Last but not least, have fun.

By applying the new skills you've learned today, your score will go up and so will your enjoyment of the game.

(I hope the spacing in my examples doesn't get wonky when the article gets submitted, it sure would detract from the full effect of the examples.)

Learn more about this author, Gretchen Lorraine Hillcrest.
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