Scrabble

Blank Scrabble board with coordinates

Alfred Butts letter frequencies

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Scrabble American logo

Scrabble 2015

PocketScrabble

Scrabble is a word game in which two to four players score points by placing tiles, each bearing a single letter, onto a game board divided into a 15x15 grid of squares. The tiles must form words that, in crossword fashion, read left to right in rows or downwards in columns, and be included in a standard dictionary.

History

Scrabble was created in 1938 by Alfred Mosher Butts, an architect from New York. Butts initially called the game "Lexiko" and later "Criss-Crosswords". He based the game on the crossword puzzles and anagrams, which he loved. The game underwent several modifications and name changes before being named "Scrabble" by James Brunot, who became one of the first manufacturers of the game. The game gained popularity in the 1950s and has since become one of the most popular word games in the world.

Gameplay

Each player draws seven tiles from a bag of 100 tiles at the start of the game. Players then take turns to place their tiles on the board, forming words and scoring points based on the letter values and the board's premium squares, which multiply the score of a letter or word. The game ends when all letters have been drawn and one player uses his or her last letter, or when all possible plays have been made.

Scoring

Points are awarded for the letters used in the words formed by the player, with some letters having higher point values. Premium squares on the board, such as "double letter score" or "triple word score", can significantly increase the points scored from a word. The strategy involves not only making high-scoring words but also strategically placing words to block opponents or to set up future high-scoring moves.

Competitions and Clubs

Scrabble has a competitive scene, with clubs, national championships, and a World Championship. The North American Scrabble Players Association (NASPA) and the World English-Language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) are organizations that oversee competitions and rankings in their respective regions.

Educational Value

Scrabble is not only a game of entertainment but also educational, helping players improve their vocabulary, spelling, and strategic thinking skills. It is used in schools and by educational organizations to encourage learning through play.

Variants and Digital Versions

There are several variants of Scrabble, including "Speed Scrabble", "Scrabble Duplicate", and "Clabbers". In addition to the physical board game, digital versions of Scrabble are available on various platforms, allowing players to compete against each other online.

Cultural Impact

Scrabble has made a significant cultural impact, being featured in movies, books, and plays. It is also a popular gift item and is played in casual settings, from family gatherings to competitive clubs.