HT Games
Two-Letter Words
Two-letter words allow you to create parallel words, which enable you to get double the amount of points when creating words. Two-letter words are especially useful near the end of the game, when space is severely limited to create new words. The Chambers Official Scrabble Words dictionary recognizes 120 two-letter words, while the Merriam Webster Official Scrabble Players Dictionary reduces the list to 96 words.
Playing the Q Letter
The letter Q does not have to limit your word options. If you memorize different words that use Q without the use of the letter U, you can maximize the value of the letter by playing it on a bonus square. Try to play the Q as soon as possible, because if you hold on to it too long, you may lose your chance to play the letter, which adds 20 points to your opponent's score at the end of the game.
Hook Words
Take advantage of hook words--words you can build on by adding one letter to make it plural or adding a letter at the front to make it a completely different word. Examples include "host," "come" or "lush." Add a "g" to form "ghost," a "t" to form "comet" or a "b" to form "blush." Analyze the board carefully before each turn to locate hook words.
Organize Your Letters
Keep your letters organized. Move common prefixes to the left and suffixes to the right, allowing you to create longer words. Endings such as "ing," "ed," or "er" are useful to form longer words. Prefixes such as "un" or "re" are useful to start words. Utilizing prefixes and suffixes allows you to create "bingo words,: which use all seven of your tiles.
Hot Letters
Do not waste "hot" or bonus letters on the board with low-scoring words. Use hot letters to your advantage by creating bingo words and placing the higher-scoring letters directly on the bonus square. Don't use your hot letters right away, just because you can. In addition, never set up your opponent so he or she can add on to your word. The opponent will get the points for your word, plus the points for the new word.