The tiles and the board
There are 100 tiles in the bag: 98 letters and two blanks. Each player starts with seven tiles and refills to seven after every turn while the bag lasts. Each letter has a point value, from 1 for common letters such as E, A and S up to 10 for Q and Z. A blank can stand for any letter but scores nothing.
Making a play
On your turn, place one or more tiles in a single row or column so that they form a word. The first word must cover the star at the centre of the board. Every later play must touch at least one tile already on the board.
- Your tiles must be in one straight line, with no gaps (tiles already on the board can fill a gap).
- Every word you form, in the main direction and across, must be in the dictionary.
- A word needs at least two letters.
- If a play is not allowed, nothing happens and you can try again.
Scoring and bonus squares
You score the value of every letter in each word you make, including the words your tiles cross. Bonus squares only count when a tile is first placed on them.
- Light blue: double letter score.
- Dark blue: triple letter score.
- Pink (and the centre star): double word score.
- Red: triple word score.
- Using all seven tiles in one turn earns a 50 point bonus.
Swapping and passing
If you cannot find a good play you can swap any number of tiles for new ones, as long as at least seven tiles remain in the bag. You can also pass. Six turns in a row without a score end the game.
How the game ends
The game ends when one player uses their last tile after the bag is empty, or after six scoreless turns in a row. Each player then loses the value of any tiles left in their rack. A player who played out also collects the value of everyone else's leftover tiles. The highest score wins.
Tips for higher scores
- Learn the two-letter words. They let you play next to other tiles and score several words at once.
- Keep S tiles and blanks for a big play, and keep a balance of vowels and consonants.
- A short word on a double or triple word square can beat a long word on plain squares.
- Play the high-value tiles (J, Q, X, Z) while there are good places for them.
- Watch the open triple word squares: do not leave one next to a spot where your opponent can use it.
Frequently asked questions
Which words are allowed?
Words in a standard English word list, including the usual two-letter words, without offensive words. Proper names and abbreviations do not count.
Can I play a word in the opposite direction?
Words read from left to right and from top to bottom.
What does a blank tile do?
It can stand for any letter you choose when you place it, but it is worth no points.
Can I swap tiles at the end of the game?
No. You can only swap while at least seven tiles remain in the bag.
What happens if I leave an online game?
The computer plays your tiles for the rest of the game, and if only one person is left they win.
