2 of 14

Write now Article Tools

Tips for playing Scrabble

Scrabble is a great game that involves skill and strategy with a big enough dollop of luck to give the weakest player a chance to win. If you are good at the game there is always the added bonus that your ability to come up with unusual and obscure words may give you an undeserved reputation as a great intellect. The beauty of Scrabble is that although you may know many words, you do not actually have to know what they mean or where to use them, which makes life a little easier.

If you are fed up with losing, here are some tips to help you improve your game.

1. Know your opponent. Of course, this philosophy will all hold you in good stead throughout life not just in Scrabble. Play defensively when you have to. For example, do not be afraid to challenge a word you have never heard of or of a spelling you suspect if your opponent is someone who might try to bluff you. Or, if they are the kind of player who never misses a trick or who invariably manages to produce an 'S' or a 'Blank' when they need it, then do not give them the opportunity. It is sometimes best to forgo a moderate score in order to confound your opponent. Of course, if your opponent is an innocent, you know what to do!

2. Stock up on Scrabble words. Buy a Scrabble dictionary or look up the information on-line. Firstly, learn all the allowable two-letter words. You may hear the little voice inside you objecting saying "that is not a word" - ignore it. You may never have uttered such a word and will never ever see it except on a Scrabble board but that does not matter Remember all is fair in love or war. When you have mastered the two letter words, master all the words you did not know existed containing 'Q' without 'U' and words beginning with 'X' -' Xi' has proved to be a particularly useful word.

3. Look out for useful words. I was in a book shop the other day and they had a poster of horse anatomy on display - a veritable goldmine of potentially useful words. Just browsing through a good dictionary is an amusing and useful exercise. Always keep a dictionary in the bathroom and when you are engaged on nature's business, open at random.

4. Play other word games. Crosswords and other word games are a useful source of information. It is a good idea to try and hone your anagram ability. Being able to make a word using all your letters and covering two triple word squares at the same time is the height Scrabble euphoria.

5. If you have seven vowels, mainly 'I's or seven middle score

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Tips for playing Scrabble?
We want to hear your view. Write now!