Art of Scrabble

Taking up blanks

When it is their turn, players can take up a blank more...1 point

When it is their turn, players can take up a blank tile by replacing it with the letter it is representing. For example, if a blank is being used as a T, a player could replace it on the board with a T, pick up the blank then have their turn.1 point

Picking who goes first

Some people nominate a person, others draw for it more...0 points

Some people nominate a person, others draw for it by drawing tiles at the start of the game. Sometimes drawing for tiles means that whoever gets closest to the letter A goes first, othertimes it is who gets the highest scoring tile.0 points

Bounty bonus squares

Bonus squares that never die! When a word that alr more...0 points

Bonus squares that never die! When a word that already covers a Double or Triple Score is added to, the next player also gets the bonus.0 points

Allowing dictionary use

Some players allow a dictionary to be consulted du more...0 points

Some players allow a dictionary to be consulted during play. (Not in my house!)0 points

Free trades

Trading letters with other players, or free trades more...0 points

Trading letters with other players, or free trades with the letter bag (i.e. you don't lose a go if you trade).0 points

All words in

Playing words that are proper nouns, acronyms and more...0 points

Playing words that are proper nouns, acronyms and foreign are acceptable.0 points

Tiles have one value

Tiles have a value only the first time they are pl more...0 points

Tiles have a value only the first time they are played. For example, adding an S to GROUP will result only in a score of 1.0 points

Time limits

Common enough and makes good sense too. Time limit more...0 points

Common enough and makes good sense too. Time limits can vary actual time limits (3, 5 and 10 are common) to moving on when the other players get bored of waiting.0 points

Challenge verification

Some players require that you must play words that more...0 points

Some players require that you must play words that you know only. When you are challenged you must be able to say what the definition of a word is when it is looked up in the dictionary.0 points

Allowing Dad to help

Allowing my husband's input is a certain victory. more...0 points

Allowing my husband's input is a certain victory. He's good! Our little ones usually get my husband's help when playing against our older children.0 points

0 points

Dirty Word Scrabble

Playing Scrabble where the only words you can put more...1 point

Playing Scrabble where the only words you can put down are 'dirty' words - with the definition of 'dirty' at the discretion of the players.1 point

Theme Scrabble

Players pick a theme at the start of the game (e.g more...0 points

Players pick a theme at the start of the game (e.g. medical, animal, colours - anything really). Any player who plays a word to theme gains extra points. Extra points vary but are usually either 5 or 10.0 points

Shot Scrabble

Various variations that revolve around drinking ex more...0 points

Various variations that revolve around drinking exist. Like doing a shot every time it's your turn.0 points

Speed Scrabble

Great family game for all ages: Everyone takes 7 l more...0 points

Great family game for all ages: Everyone takes 7 letters and without using the board makes up (often silly) words in freeform crossword style. As soon as you use up all your letters shout "Go" and everyone has to take another 2 letters until all are gone. Last one to use all letter shouts "Stop". Add points, subtract your own letters left over.0 points

Making up words

A confident attitude and likely-looking word will more...0 points

A confident attitude and likely-looking word will get you out of a sticky situation. Have your response rehearsed so when your opponent asks 'what the hell is a poifty?' you'll be ready with 'a kind of doona'.0 points

Diddling the figures

Offer to score, then cheat. A few points here or t more...0 points

Offer to score, then cheat. A few points here or there can easily be explained away if they are noticed.0 points

Getting a feel for the letters

If you're digging letters out of a bag, have a fee more...0 points

If you're digging letters out of a bag, have a feel to see if you can tell whether you're picking up a Z or an I.0 points

Hiding tiles

Pull out more than your alloted amount of tiles an more...0 points

Pull out more than your alloted amount of tiles and squirrel one or two away to use when it suits your purpose.0 points

Moving tiles

Wait until your opponent isn't looking - is in the more...0 points

Wait until your opponent isn't looking - is in the bathroom or making drinks, say - then subtely move a tile or two around on the board to make it more advantageous for the letters you have. Most people don't have a photographic memory and so won't even notice.0 points

Do the maths

Sometimes little words will score more than long w more...1 point

Sometimes little words will score more than long words, if they are placed against letters already on the board.1 point

Shuffle

Shuffling your tiles as you look at them makes it more...0 points

Shuffling your tiles as you look at them makes it easier to spot words on your rack.0 points

Be strategic

Think about your opponent when you are placing wor more...0 points

Think about your opponent when you are placing words on the board. Don't add words that are easy to add a common letter to (such as QUIT, which could be QUITE or QUITS) as this is an easy way for a player to increase their points.0 points