# Question for other Scrabble players **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 15, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-other-scrabble-players/224656 "2004-01-15T21:57:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-other-scrabble-players/224656/1 "2004-01-15T21:57:25Z")
Mom and I have been playing the game a lot recently, and I noticed something I do. When I consider using a blank tile, I try to make it represent a low-value letter (like a vowel, or T or R, etc). I do this because I think that if I make it represent a higher value letter (like B or P or H) then it’s a waste, but I know that either way, I still get no points for the tile. Does it make any sense to think this way? Especially when I _know_ that no matter what I still don’t get points for the tile. I will, however, make a point of not putting a blank on a double/triple spot. Anyone else do this, too? Oh and just to brag, I’ve won the last 3 games with a 313, 275, and a 325. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-other-scrabble-players/224656/2 "2004-01-15T22:23:26Z")
Hmm, your way sounds a little odd to me. I simply use the blank tiles in a way that most benefits me whether as an E or Z, whether a plain square or triple letter score. Generally I will hold on to them until I have a chance for a 7 or 8 letter word. I hold them until I can’t get at least 10 points without it. ---
**Author:** ![A\_Curious\_Writer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@A\_Curious\_Writer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Curious_Writer)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-other-scrabble-players/224656/3 "2004-01-16T00:06:44Z")
that’s the way I always did it, but I did find that it was most commonly used as a T, S, R, or something like that; of course, those are among the most common letters. What I used to try to do was to attach it to a word going one way and also make a word going the other - i.e.: if “log” goes across, I’d try hard to use as a C and make ‘clog’ and something, or else at least as an “s” to make soemthing. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-other-scrabble-players/224656/4 "2004-01-16T02:58:53Z")
I simply use the blank to make the highest scoring word… generally holding on to it until I can make a seven letter word. I would be loathe to use a blank for less than 40 points. I don’t care if the blank is on a double or triple square or is an E or Z. Dr\_Paprika (1750 on [games.com](http://games.com)) ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-other-scrabble-players/224656/5 "2004-01-16T03:12:22Z")
Why artifically limit your possibilities? How wasteful is that? ---
**Author:** ![vandal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/858c86/32.png) [@vandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vandal)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-other-scrabble-players/224656/6 "2004-01-16T03:55:01Z")
> [@saramamlana](#): > > Mom and I have been playing the game a lot recently, and I noticed something I do. When I consider using a blank tile, I try to make it represent a low-value letter (like a vowel, or T or R, etc). I do this because I think that if I make it represent a higher value letter (like B or P or H) then it’s a waste, but I know that either way, I still get no points for the tile. True, if placed on a blank square, then you will receive no points. But, then again, it’s not like you are penalized either. So, I don’t see what it is that you’re _wasting_. But, like others have mentioned, I find it best to save them for that knockout 7-letter word, or even that 8-letter bomb. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-other-scrabble-players/224656/7 "2004-01-16T04:30:55Z")
As is usually the case, the Doper consensus is correct. Don’t play the blank unless it spells a 7-letter word, or allows you to get WAY more points than you otherwise could… 40+ at the minimum. We need to have an online Doper Scrabble tournament, as has been discussed on a few occasions. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-other-scrabble-players/224656/8 "2004-01-16T04:54:00Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > We need to have an online Doper Scrabble tournament, as has been discussed on a few occasions. I’m up for it. ---
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-other-scrabble-players/224656/9 "2004-01-16T22:01:45Z")
Oooooooh a tournament! Sweet. And yeah, when I do use the blanks, I try to use it to a good advantage. I rarely manage to make 7 or 8 letter words, although I did on Tuesday (_GUILDER_, blank for the D), but I do try to save them up for moves that will earn big points.