Scrabble is one of the most popular board games of all time, with special collector’s editions produced on a regular basis, and huge tournaments both online and in-person that draw thousands of enthusiasts each year. Playing scrabble is fun, and it’s becoming even more popular these days as people search for fun things to do and keep them occupied while in the comfort of their own homes.
The board game isn’t just a way to pass the time or flex your vocabulary muscles. It really helps to hone your strategic skills. This is why there are actually a few tips and tricks that can be helpful to novices and expert scrabble players alike. There are definitely a few techniques you can master to help you become a better player. If you’re interested in learning a bit more about this, then the following should help you to win pretty much every game you ever play.

Master Short Words

Let’s start with the easiest tip out there: use as many two or three letter words as possible. Lots of players make the mistake of thinking that they need to show off all the big words they know, but as impressive as that may be, it’s just not how you win at Scrabble. You don’t always have to play the long game - literally. 
Short words can throw off your opponent and allow you to rack up plenty of points fairly painlessly. Remember that Scrabble isn’t just about demonstrating your love for language. It’s about strategy. So make the best use possible of your turn each time by throwing out as many smaller words as you can.

Use Word Finders

Getting too many tiles with seemingly useless letters such as U, Z, or J can be frustrating. You will find yourself unsure of how to create a word once you get a hold of too many of these tiles. In this case, unscrambling or using a word finder can be a lifesaver. These primarily work as a search engine that you can find via your smartphone fairly easily. 
While some people may consider this cheating, it ultimately depends on the kind of game you are playing and setting out the rules of engagement early on. If you are playing with friends or family (as opposed to a major tournament) and decide that you can use your dictionary, then using a word finder should be absolutely fine. After all, they just help to point you in the right direction - winning the game still depends on your smarts and ability to strategize.

Plan for Bonuses

From the beginning of the game, outlining your strategy is incredibly important. The best way to start a game is arguably by focusing on creating a cluster of bonus squares on the board. This can lead to a very well-played triple word square that will easily push your score into the triple digits with seemingly little effort. These clusters are a smart way of planning ahead and getting as much as possible out of your spelling wizardry.

Do Some Studying

Every Scrabble aficionado knows what a pain Q and U tiles in particular are. If you want to become a master at Scrabble, then it would be a good move to study up on all the words using both letters, if possible. Q tiles are some of the highest-scoring ones, along with Z and U, so it makes sense from a strategic standpoint to familiarize yourself with all of these words straight away. The official Scrabble dictionary is a good way to get started since it includes many of those words that you need to win the game ultimately.

Use the S Tile Often

S is a great, dynamic letter, and it would do you a world of good to get used to using them. You can add an S to the end of one of the words already on the board to pluralize it, and then use it as the start of a new word. As one of the higher point tiles in the game, it’s an easy way to start new words or create another one from an existing word in one stroke: it’s the equivalent of hitting two birds with one stone. 

Be on the Lookout for Bingos

Bingo words in Scrabble are when you are able to use your entire deck to create a word in a single turn. This expert move can net you fifty points straight away and are an excellent way to get the game going in your favor. As you can expect, bingos are rare.
Invented in the traumatic aftermath of the Great Depression, Scrabble ended up being a balm for the entire nation’s soul. This sly game of strategy and verbal dexterity remains a top favorite, one which every player hopes to master. These tips are practiced by some of the best players in the country, and becoming well aware of them is an excellent way to hone your skills. 

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