1. Scrabble 101

2. Overview What words to use How to make plays Two letter words Bonus squares

3. The OSPD4 Official Scrabble Players Dictionary: 4 th Edition Official word list for friendly play Includes single definitions for each acceptable word up to eight letters long (plus inflections) Clubs and tournaments use the OWL2 – Official Club & Tournament Word List: 2 nd edition

4. Making Plays Playing through an existing word Hooking a word to an existing word Extending an existing word Playing parallel to an existing word or words.

5. Playing through a word BALLOTS plays through LAME for 36 (9 x 4, for hitting two double-word score squares) LAME is the opening play for 12

6. Hooking to an existing word LAME is the opening play for 12 FLYER is hooked to LAME, forming FLAME for 44 (14 for FLAME + 30 for FLYER)

7. Extending an existing word -NTATION is extended from it, making LAMENTATION for 92 (42 plus 50-point bonus for playing all seven tiles) LAME is the opening play for 12

8. Playing parallel to an existing word THAW is played parallel for 33 18 for THAW + 2 for TA + 11 for HM + 2 for AE LAME is the opening play for 12

9. The Two Letter Words Experts say that knowing all 101 twos will automatically boost your score by 30-40 points.  They allow more parallel plays, which often score better than other plays.  They open up more spots for scoring. Your friends will accuse you of cheating – this is just something you learn to deal with.

10. Learning the Twos Read through the list a few times Write them out alphabetically Learn them by groups Play lots of games

11. Using the twos Where can you play: DEX for 50? JOES for 41? FLEE for 33?

12. Bonus Squares Which ones can you use?  Parallel plays with high-point tiles can be especially lucrative.  Look for ways to use one or two.

13. Parallel Plays & Multiple Bonuses Your rack: A A E F L M T What’s your highest scoring play?

14. AFLAME scores 45 (38 for AFLAME + 7 for APART)

15. Bonus Squares Which ones does your play let your opponent use?  Try not to put vowels next to bonus squares.  Avoid opening access to the triple word scores.  If a bonus square is available on your turn and you can’t use it, make it harder for your opponent to use it next turn.

16. Parallel Plays & Multiple Bonuses Your rack: A A E F L M T What play would be the best combination of scoring and defense?

17. FAME scores 43, FETAL (or FATAL) scores 42 Which do you prefer?

18. Next week Anatomy of a Scrabble turn Word Study Tournament play

19. Play! One on one (or team vs team) Free challenges Use your two- and two-make-three letter word lists

20. Lessons from this week Check multiple options Look for parallel plays Use two letter words Use bonus squares Keep your opponent from using bonus squares when reasonable