Win With These 4 Essential Scrabble Rules
1. Bingo Your Way to Bonus Points
Remember that kids’ song “Bingo”? Well, it’s not just the name of a dog. It’s also a key Scrabble rule that will catapult you into the lead.
In Scrabble, a “bingo” is when you use every tile in your rack in one turn. When you do that, you get an instant 50 bonus points. You can definitely use our Scrabble Cheat to help you find that winning word, but these tips can help too.
Play With Patience
“Patience” is the name of the game. Okay, it’s actually “Scrabble,” but still, patience is important here. Playing a bingo takes planning. If you think you might have an opportunity to do it, start playing two-letter Scrabble words and other short plays. Save up your good letters until you’re ready to lay them all down in a bingo.
All About the Ending
Watch for the perfect place to play your seven-letter word. It’s all about the endings. Look for a free “S” or “ED” to tack on your word. At the same time, try not to leave these open too long because your opponent may snag that spot.
2. Pick Your Dictionary (& Know What’s Allowed)
Did you know that there are actually three official Scrabble dictionaries? There’s the Official Scrabble Players’ Dictionary (OSPD), which is what most people use for normal play. Then there’s the NASPA Word List (NWL), which is the go-to for competitive Scrabble. And finally, we can’t forget the Collins Scrabble Words (CSW) that’s mainly for international play.
Winning at Scrabble is all about knowing the dictionary you want to use so you can make sure the words you play are in it. If you’re not sure, use our handy Scrabble Dictionary Checker to confirm your play. That way, you won’t have to worry about being challenged.
3. Bring On the Bonus Squares
Bonus squares are kind of a big deal in Scrabble. They’re one of the first things you notice when you look at the board, and they’re a key way to make the most of the high-point tiles in your rack.
There’s actually more than one way to use these bonuses to your advantage, though. It’s not just about plunking down a high-point letter on a triple letter bonus tile. Keep these tips in mind.
Go Ahead and Waste Those Bonuses
Not ready to plunk something down on the triple letter score because you don’t want to waste it? Think twice. Snagging that spot on the board means your opponent can’t use it, so even if you don’t have a great play, it’s still worth taking up the real estate to keep it out of someone else’s hands.
Playing on those spots actually lets you control the board. You decide who gets to use the bonuses and when. Even if it’s not going to net you a ton of points, playing a low-point letter on a bonus spot gives you control.
Score More Than One Bonus at a Time
If you play a word on a triple letter score and a double word score at the same time, you get both. That means the letter triples in score, and then the word doubles. You can get some serious points by stacking bonuses like that.
4. It’s Legal to Bluff
Bluffing is totally legal in Scrabble, and it’s actually a really good way to score some points when you’re desperate. Say you have a play that you suspect isn’t really a word, and you’re already behind when it comes to points. This might be the time to break out your acting skills.
You get the points for a play that isn’t a word, as long as your opponent doesn’t challenge you. If you play something they don’t think is real, they might challenge you. But then again, they might not. The key is to play with confidence and maybe even make up your own definition for the word. As long as no one breaks out the dictionary, you’re in for some extra points.
Use the Rules to Your Advantage
Scrabble has some hard and fast rules, but they also give you the chance to maximize your points. Play on bonus spots, bluff when you have to, and go for a bingo if you can. Use the rules to your advantage and dominate your next game.