What are your scrabble strategies?

[Freudian Slit]

I know twickster will be in here soon to divulge hers. Or not, perhaps she'll keep those close.

Among mine, I try to never, ever use an "S" or a blank unless I really need it (i.e., triple letters or bingoes). If you never use them, getting a bingo becomes commonplace. I never understand people who use an s where it's not necessary and barely gets you any points.

I also try not to over use e's or d's because they're very useful.

What are yours?

[Ludovic]

Sometimes I use those sorts of letters (besides the 'S'!) even if I don't have a good scoring word, if:
-- It will get rid of lots of letters,
-- It won't result in too many vowels or too many consonants left, and
-- It won't open up a double or triple word score to my opponent.

My thinking is, if you can use 4 or 5 of your letters it's almost as good to get points and almost replenish your hand than to trade them in (as long as you're not giving your opponent an opening.)

[Yorikke]

I hide half of the I tiles under the couch. Otherwise, I wind up with endgame racks of IIIORFI.

Joe

[twickster]

Forget my tips -- get Mad The Swine in here, he's my coach.

My main strategy is to look for the point-boosting squares (double/triple letter/word), look at the highest-point tiles on my rack, and figure out how to place them on the point-boosters for maximum impact. If it's early in the game, I'll sit on a Q, X, or Z for quite a while rather than waste them on anything less than twice, and preferably three to six times, their value.

And, yeah, I don't usually use an S except to set something up with serious points.

[Freudian Slit]

I try not to use my q's or x's too soon, but I hate sitting on anything for too long. I also try to get the x on the triple letter as often as possible, particularly if it's going in two directions--then you can get 50 points on it.

twick, have you ever had a triple letter used twice (i.e., on a bingo)? I didn't think it was possible but then I realized it was very rarely. If someone already has something, say, a "t" to the right of the middle red triple square and you put an "s" down on the middle and then six more letters down, you should get the triple letter twice, yes?

[drm]

I don't have any particularly complicated strategies, the main thing I do is try to get rid of the difficult letters each turn and save the easy ones in order to be able to finish out. I also figure I've got a better shot at using all of my letters if I have all easy ones.

I also look to see if I have the makings of a word that will use all of my tiles. If the letters missing are fairly commonplace I'll save the required letters for a few turns to see what comes up.

I win as much as I lose against my family so i dont know if these strategies actually work...

[twickster]

twick, have you ever had a triple letter used twice (i.e., on a bingo)? I didn't think it was possible but then I realized it was very rarely. If someone already has something, say, a "t" to the right of the middle red triple square and you put an "s" down on the middle and then six more letters down, you should get the triple letter twice, yes?

Yes, I've done it twice -- and what's cool is that you get your letter-score x9, not x6 (base score x3, then x3 again). Plus the bingo. So I scored 158 for that single turn the first time I did it, and 185 the second time I did it.

**good times, good times**

[MadTheSwine]

Learning the two letter words is a must including their front and back hooks.

I generally wont play a blank or an S unless they get me 25 points better than my next highest play.

Dont underestimate the value of the X,Z,J and even Q they are the most important tiles other than the blanks and S's.

Draw more tiles than your opponent.If you get more of the premium tiles (S, Blanks,X,Z,Q and J) you raise your chances of winning a LOT.I don't mean by drawing 8 tiles either ;),make longer words if possible.

Rack balance,always be trying to get Bingos.Its easier to get a Bingo with 1 point tiles,or letters that work well together QU,ING,TION,ERS etc.I think this is probably the most important strategy.


Passing is silly,anyone that passes without trading is most likely looking for their opponent to open up a Bingo opp., they will not get it from me.Sometimes Bingos are unplayable,it happens. Make a play,try to keep the best rack and draw another bingo.

Lots of people I have played put a bunch of value(rightly so) on the TWS,but treat the TLS like a throw away square and open them up like they dont matter.just playing a 4 point tile on the TLS and making two words with it is at least 26 points (assuming no blanks are used).

Found a good play? Always look over the board and make sure you have found the best spot to play it.

Found a really neat word? Like AALII or JNANA? Neat words are fun and make ya look cool but it isn't always the best play,you might be better off playing an uncool word.(though looking at the example I've given , if you have AALII in your rack,ya should probably play it cause your rack really aint that good.)

Being aware of the tiles left in the bag is important.I've seen players fish for a letter by trading when they are all in play already.

I could go on for awhile and really think I can improve most peoples game if ya wanna discuss it(just ask Twickster).

[twickster]

I could go on for awhile and really think I can improve most peoples game if ya wanna discuss it(just ask Twickster).
Best Scrabble coach EVAH! In a half dozen games, he took me from a good social player to a reasonably competent competitive player -- which is where I'll peak until I'm willing to start memorizing word lists, which ain't happening anytime soon.

[Gangster Octopus]

When I first met my wife we would play scrabble and I would play very strategically, mostly by not opening up triple and double word scores if possible. She used to call it "dirty scrabble" :). In her mind you simply tried to find the best scoring word you could find. I used to beat her a lot

She has changed her mind and is now very strategic and she beats me as often as I beat her.

[Freudian Slit]

Yes, I've done it twice -- and what's cool is that you get your letter-score x9, not x6 (base score x3, then x3 again). Plus the bingo. So I scored 158 for that single turn the first time I did it, and 185 the second time I did it.

**good times, good times**

Sweet. And it's just x4 if you get it on two double letters?

Smart tip about being aware of what's already out there. On lexulous.com, they have an option so you can see which letters are available, so you can see if there are no more U's and you have that Q, or if there are any more S's and blanks left and so on.

Now I *really* want to play twickster. Or Mad. Are either of you guys gonna be playing lexulous tonight, say...9 EST?

[twickster]

Smart tip about being aware of what's already out there. On lexulous.com, they have an option so you can see which letters are available, so you can see if there are no more U's and you have that Q, or if there are any more S's and blanks left and so on.

Yeah, the second thing I do when starting a game (after saying "hi and gl" to my opponent) is open the "unplayed tiles" chart. You don't need to be at the endgame to have that be helpful information for playing strategically. ("Okay, if I do this, my opponent could hit the TWS if and only if s/he had a G -- there are two G's not yet played out of 34 unplayed tiles... so there's a 1 in 17 chance that s/he has one.")

Now I *really* want to play twickster. Or Mad. Are either of you guys gonna be playing lexulous tonight, say...9 EST?
Might be, might not be -- I often am in the evening, but I'm in the middle of an obsessive viewing of all five seasons of Six Feet Under, so I might be watching TV and working on the afghan I'm making for a friend.

I play at Lexulous as twickster, and am always happy to play with another Doper -- throw in a "hi Opal" if I'm not going to realize you are by your username there.

[MadTheSwine]

Sweet. And it's just x4 if you get it on two double letters?

Double word yes.

Smart tip about being aware of what's already out there. On lexulous.com, they have an option so you can see which letters are available, so you can see if there are no more U's and you have that Q, or if there are any more S's and blanks left and so on.
One word list that is very helpful(and not hard to learn) are the U-less Q words.Qi Qat Qoph Qintar Qindar Qaid Qanat Sheqel Faqir to name a few.

Now I *really* want to play twickster. Or Mad. Are either of you guys gonna be playing lexulous tonight, say...9 EST?
Never played there,I'll check it out

[twickster]

Never played there,I'll check it out

Scrabulous went belly-up in the trademark thing -- they regrouped and are back in business as Lexulous. Your sign-in, ratings, buddy lists, etc. all carried over intact.

[Freudian Slit]

Double word yes.

Sorry, double word is what I meant. I've gotten quite a few more bingos now that I try for them, but I haven't managed to land a bingo one two triples or two doubles yet.

One word list that is very helpful(and not hard to learn) are the U-less Q words.Qi Qat Qoph Qintar Qindar Qaid Qanat Sheqel Faqir to name a few.

I knew about qi and qat, but not the others. I'm adding those to my mental rolodex.

On lexulous.com, I'm SadakoGirl. I'll definitely flash the signal ("Hi Opal") if I see you so you know I'm not the local perv. (Though the other night, I got a random message from an older gentleman asking my age/sex/location. I felt a little like I was back in an aol chatroom.)

[MadTheSwine]

On lexulous.com, I'm SadakoGirl. I'll definitely flash the signal ("Hi Opal") if I see you so you know I'm not the local perv. (Though the other night, I got a random message from an older gentleman asking my age/sex/location. I felt a little like I was back in an aol chatroom.)

Do you prefer a certain room there?

[Freudian Slit]

Do you prefer a certain room there?

Usually of the "top 3," (Auntie's Room, Bingo Boomers and The Lounge), whichever I can get into. You?

[Asimovian]

I don't want to give away too much as one of my favorite opponents is also a popular Doper, but I will say this: I have been very good at perplexing my opponents by making plays that seem to be incredibly foolish, giving them wide openings that allow them to score lots of points.

They are usually so puzzled that they are often still scratching their heads after beating me by triple-digit margins. :)

[Asimovian]

Scrabulous went belly-up in the trademark thing -- they regrouped and are back in business as Lexulous. Your sign-in, ratings, buddy lists, etc. all carried over intact.Wow...I did not know that. I've been playing regular Scrabble on Facebook since Scrabulous vanished, buggy as it is.

[MadTheSwine]

Usually of the "top 3," (Auntie's Room, Bingo Boomers and The Lounge), whichever I can get into. You?


No,i will try to find you later.

[twickster]

I don't want to give away too much as one of my favorite opponents is also a popular Doper, but I will say this: I have been very good at perplexing my opponents by making plays that seem to be incredibly foolish, giving them wide openings that allow them to score lots of points.

They are usually so puzzled that they are often still scratching their heads after beating me by triple-digit margins. :)

As I said, I'm always happy to play with another Doper ... and I've been on a losing streak recently. :D (Though I did win two games in a three-game match this morning -- including one where I played a Z on a TLS that scored in both directions.)

[Santo Rugger]

I don't want to give away too much as one of my favorite opponents is also a popular Doper, but I will say this: I have been very good at perplexing my opponents by making plays that seem to be incredibly foolish, giving them wide openings that allow them to score lots of points.

They are usually so puzzled that they are often still scratching their heads after beating me by triple-digit margins. :)Did you steal my technique guide? :p

[Really Not All That Bright]

I spend pretty much the entire game looking for places to put seven-tile words, so I either win by 200 or lose by 200.

[Hal Briston]

Me, I like to play against idiots. The illiterate also make good opponents for boosting one's ego. I regularly destroy my three-year-old daughter at the game, which is always good for a laugh.



Then she goes and kicks my ass at Candy Land.

[MadTheSwine]

Me, I like to play against idiots. The illiterate also make good opponents for boosting one's ego. I regularly destroy my three-year-old daughter at the game, which is always good for a laugh.



Then she goes and kicks my ass at Candy Land.

Do we need to open a Candy Land strategy thread for ya Hal?

[sinjin]

So, based on this thread I went over and joined and have played several easy games. And I have a couple of questions. I used to play scrabble, but always with 4 players, so the two player timed thing was a bit different for me. I basically got my ass handed to me and my rating number? got pretty low and people declined to play with me.

1) Is that because they don't get a big enough bump for beating a lowly player like me?

Follow on question, I sort of got used to the time limit thing by playing the computer bot. So in the last game I played I was winning and time was almost up and all of a sudden I got a request to add 400 extra seconds to the game. Well I had crappy letters (3 u's) and no hope of getting any different letters and was confused and it was my turn with the clock running, so I declined. I didn't even know you could extend the time. I know RTFM, but how do you handle this? Is there some sort of etiquette involved here? Did I breach it? Note I did not set up the table just accepted an invite to play. So confused:confused:

[capybara]

I spend pretty much the entire game looking for places to put seven-tile words, so I either win by 200 or lose by 200.

This (because the way in which one actually WINS the game upsets my worldview so I'm unable to accept it all), plus I avoid playing against my sister (hi!), and when I start to lose by 200 (the other option never actually happens) I start plying the other players with more beer so everyone abandons the game faster.

[jormundgondir]

Seconding most of what MadTheSwine said (it sounds like he'd kick my butt!)...

- KNOW THY TWOS! You can opt not to deploy them if you're having a kitchen table game with friends who would mock you for it, but if you want to play someone to win, you need to have them down pat and not be embarrassed to use them with insouciance. There are only like a hundred of them (they added more recently, grr), so I keep them on a credit card sized piece of laminate in my wallet for cribbing on the bus, etc.

- Keep an eye open for parallel plays, and watch the color squares

- I typically never use an S unless I've got a really good use for it, or I have three of them. Similarly I will hang onto a blank or two for probably longer than is always prudent (see bingo fishing as vice below).

- Keep track of where the high value letters are (still in the bag? In my opponents rack?), and in general try to go through as many letters as quickly as seems reasonable- the more letters you personally play, the more point values you're getting to spend. Don't be too miserly.

- Don't be afraid to swap tiles if your rack is hopelessly hopeless: nickel-and-diming away several turns for six points each because you weren't willing to selectively ditch some of a rack reading like A I I I I I V is folly. Just skipping a turn is almost always a bad idea, unless you know why exactly you're doing it.

- Watch for common letter combinations in English and try to keep them together: if i have the opportunity to hang on to, say, "I N G" or "O U T" or "E N T" or something like that with everything else being equal, I'll be more inclined to hold them back and fish for an easy bingo completion.

Unfortunately bingo fishing is my vice lately, and I will sometimes torture my game in the vain hopes of pulling out a bingo. Sometimes it happens 5 times a game, sometimes none, and it's poor strategy to put all your eggs in one basket.

[MadTheSwine]

So, based on this thread I went over and joined and have played several easy games. And I have a couple of questions. I used to play scrabble, but always with 4 players, so the two player timed thing was a bit different for me. I basically got my ass handed to me and my rating number? got pretty low and people declined to play with me.

1) Is that because they don't get a big enough bump for beating a lowly player like me?

Follow on question, I sort of got used to the time limit thing by playing the computer bot. So in the last game I played I was winning and time was almost up and all of a sudden I got a request to add 400 extra seconds to the game. Well I had crappy letters (3 u's) and no hope of getting any different letters and was confused and it was my turn with the clock running, so I declined. I didn't even know you could extend the time. I know RTFM, but how do you handle this? Is there some sort of etiquette involved here? Did I breach it? Note I did not set up the table just accepted an invite to play. So confused:confused:


I really don't play online enough to answer these questions,twickster should be able to help.

[twickster]

I personally don't like playing people with really low ratings because they are, in general, not very good players, which makes for an incredibly unamusing game. Can't speak for others as to why they don't want to play you, but assume it's something like that.

Just keep playing people at roughly your current rating level and you'll build back up to what your "real" rating is. When I first signed up there, I plummeted to about 1000 while I figured things out and got used to playing by the clock (which does definitely take some getting used to). If you play people who have pretty much the same rating as you, if you're actually better than that you'll build back up fairly quickly to a more realistic rating. [At this point, alas, I've been stuck at high 1600s for about a month, but am reluctant to accept that I'm not actually better than that. **rueful smiley**]

Re: time -- sometimes the site lags. If it does, mention it in chat, and the other person will generally give you a time extension if you need one -- and it's courteous to do the same for them. In a game with a pal, I'll give the time extension also, esp. if we're chatting while we play. Other than that -- you see the clock, you understand the rules, I'm not obliged to give you the time, esp. if my not giving you the time means I'll win. The opponent may think I'm an asshole and not want to play with me again, but fuck 'em. (Note: I'm talking the standard 10/10 game -- I suspect the people who play speed games are a lot more ruthless about time, but I don't play speed games so I don't know.)

[sinjin]

Thanks twickster, that basically answers my question. I just felt bad about not giving the extra time, but I want to be able to play other people too, so that means winning sometimes. Next up get a mouse so I can move tiles faster.

[Askance]

I just discovered my edition of Scrabble has a few play hints in the back of the rule book. One which surprised me was their claim that good players will on average discard their whole hand two or three times a game. I've been trying it but can't say it's transformed my play, although it's only been a few games so far. What do others here think on that?

[Springtime for Spacers]

I play on Lexulous as Skkylla, exclusively in the SOWPODS rooms. I'm from the UK and I find it very frustrating when the TWL dictionary rejects what I know as perfectly good words. My scores improved when I paid more attention to my end game. When I'm down to seven tiles I try to see how I can finish in two moves, preferably with a long word as my last play, so as to catch my opponent with several tiles in their hand. It's also very important at this stage to be aware of the tiles your opponent has so as not to leave them a good opening.

[MadTheSwine]

I just discovered my edition of Scrabble has a few play hints in the back of the rule book. One which surprised me was their claim that good players will on average discard their whole hand two or three times a game. I've been trying it but can't say it's transformed my play, although it's only been a few games so far. What do others here think on that?

I find that strange and very bad advice.I think it will transform your play by losing a lot more. What edition is it?

Good players rarely have to trade 2 or 3 times a game,let alone all the tiles. The average among good or great players is certainly less than one trade per game.This goes back to rack balance,keeping flexible letters to improve your chances of a bingo,even if I have a really bad rack, many times I can find a scoring play worth near my average play,or if need be block a premium square that has been opened.

I looked at 10 games from the NSA 2008 championship tourney,in those 10 games there were four trades total(by four different players) and never for all the tiles.

[MadTheSwine]

I just discovered my edition of Scrabble has a few play hints in the back of the rule book. One which surprised me was their claim that good players will on average discard their whole hand two or three times a game. I've been trying it but can't say it's transformed my play, although it's only been a few games so far. What do others here think on that?


I notice that you are in Australia.I have heard that in some parts of the world it is considered tacky to use a TWS unless you have a bingo(or really BIG score),thats the only reason I could figure to trade so much. Is that how you play?

[MadTheSwine]

Sorry for the triple post.
I play on Lexulous as Skkylla, exclusively in the SOWPODS rooms. I'm from the UK and I find it very frustrating when the TWL dictionary rejects what I know as perfectly good words..

I really wish they would all use the same dictionary,OWL preferably.
My scores improved when I paid more attention to my end game.When I'm down to seven tiles I try to see how I can finish in two moves, preferably with a long word as my last play, so as to catch my opponent with several tiles in their hand. It's also very important at this stage to be aware of the tiles your opponent has so as not to leave them a good opening.

Yes. Just by knowing what your opponent has left can win you some games.If I am losing ,or in a close game,first thing I do when all the tiles are drawn is figure out if my opponent is gonna be stuck with an unplayable tile.

[twickster]

If I am losing ,or in a close game,first thing I do when all the tiles are drawn is figure out if my opponent is gonna be stuck with an unplayable tile.

... and, if necessary, "make it so." I've been known to play something less than amazing on the last open "I" if I know my opponent has the Q.

[Asimovian]

... and, if necessary, "make it so." I've been known to play something less than amazing on the last open "I" if I know my opponent has the Q.Don't mind me...just taking notes...

:D

[Freudian Slit]

... and, if necessary, "make it so." I've been known to play something less than amazing on the last open "I" if I know my opponent has the Q.

Or if you know they have an "x" and there's an open triple letter so they can make the word "EX" or "OX" twice...stick something else in there that may only get you four points but will ensure they don't make 50. Or use up a triple word even if you don't have anything huge so they don't play something bigger.

[stpauler]

I notice that you are in Australia.I have heard that in some parts of the world it is considered tacky to use a TWS unless you have a bingo(or really BIG score),thats the only reason I could figure to trade so much. Is that how you play?

My SO and I will purposefully block or use the TWS/TLS if we can't use it well to prevent the other from using it. I've gotten 6 point words just to stop him from scoring big there. Tacky or not, it's a game and part of it is strategy of tile placement opportunities.

[MadTheSwine]

My SO and I will purposefully block or use the TWS/TLS if we can't use it well to prevent the other from using it. I've gotten 6 point words just to stop him from scoring big there. Tacky or not, it's a game and part of it is strategy of tile placement opportunities.


I agree,I block often.

[Yllaria]

... and, if necessary, "make it so." I've been known to play something less than amazing on the last open "I" if I know my opponent has the Q.

At the risk of sounding clueless, how do you know what your opponent has, or is likely to have?

[MadTheSwine]

At the risk of sounding clueless, how do you know what your opponent has, or is likely to have?


If all the tiles are outta the bag you know what is left,if ya keep track.Many of the online games keep track for you.

[twickster]

At Lexulous, there's a chart for "unplayed tiles" -- you access it from the options in the box below the box where your chat with your opponent is. (Sorry, I'm not on my home machine right now, so I can't look at the page and be more helpful than that.)

And FS -- I haven't forgotten my promise to play you -- I've been busy the last week or so and have been playing quick games at very random intervals when I need a break. This week should be better for me though.

[twickster]

Don't mind me...just taking notes...

:D
Heh.

(Asimovian and I just started an email game.... not sure how I'll intimidate him if we're not playing by the clock .... :D)

[twickster]

At Lexulous, there's a chart for "unplayed tiles" -- you access it from the options in the box below the box where your chat with your opponent is. (Sorry, I'm not on my home machine right now, so I can't look at the page and be more helpful than that.)
It's in the box for Game Options -- click on "more options" and it's on the dropdown.

[Askance]

I notice that you are in Australia.I have heard that in some parts of the world it is considered tacky to use a TWS unless you have a bingo(or really BIG score),thats the only reason I could figure to trade so much. Is that how you play?Not at all, and I can't fathom how this would be thought so. Use it or block it, by any means possible.