Are there any advanced tips for playing Scrabble well?
1. Learn words with two and three letters. Two-letter and three-letter words can boost your score by up to 50 points per game if you play them correctly.
2. Use the letter “s” to create two words at once.” By adding an “s” to an existing word, you can pluralize it and create a new one. Use it wisely, though. There are only four “s” tiles in the game, so it must earn at least 10 points to be worthwhile.
3. Tiles that create joint ends or beginnings should be placed on the right sides of your rack. Many words end in “-er,” “-ed,” or “-ing,” so putting those on the right side of your rack will help you visualize them better. These endings can also be added to existing words to create entirely new words. The same applies to word beginnings such as “un-,” “in-,” and “re-.” But place these on the left side of the rack.
4. Search for “hooks.” You can add hooks to existing words to create entirely novel ones. For example, “Lush” becomes “blush,” “host” becomes “ghost,” and “comet” becomes “comete.” Be especially aware of words that end with “y,” “e,” “r,” and “d” (like handy, plane, tamer, and tamed).
5. Focus on the “hot spots.” Start your game by moving toward the “hot spots,” also known as bonus squares, on the board. You can reach the triple digits with well-executed triple word squares.