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consonant, do not be afraid to miss a go and change some or all of your letters. I would never throw away a high value consonant at the beginning of a game, but towards the end they can become a liability. Of course, towards the end of a game there is always the possibility that you will pick out the same letters that you threw away in the previous turn.

6. If you cannot use it, then lose it. Your heart is pounding because you have managed to come up with a word using all your letters, but -oh no - there is nowhere it will fit. Do not try to hang on to the letters until your next turn. Just take a deep breath and do the best you can this turn.

7. Look for fill-in opportunities. Sometimes just one or two letter filling in between word can garner a large reward. Be on the look out particularly where there are triple letter or double word square adjacent to a word. (once again, if you have an 'X' finding a well placed 'I' can do wonders to your score. Trying to fit a word parallel to a word on the board will give a higher score than a word across, and the thrill and glory of making five or six words at the same time is worth the effort.

8. Do not waste an 'S' or a 'blank'. It is sometimes worth saving them for a future moment of exultation rather than use them this turn for a measly point or two.

9. Try to avoid opening up the triple word squares. Leaving a word that can be added to with one letter and giving your opponent the opportunity to cover a triple word square is asking for trouble. Furthermore, if a triple word square is available to you , cover it at all cost even if you only get a minimal score.

10. Maintain a poker face. Try to avoid looking excited, perspiring profusely, breathing noisily or looking fixedly at the same place on the board, when you can see a brilliant move. You do not want to give your opponent any ideas.

11. Practice. If you cannot find a human to practice with, play on your computer. At least, if the computer wins, it does not gloat or tell its friends.

12. Enjoy. And do not forget that if you lose a game it was because you had bad letters.

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