Improve your Scrabble Game with Two-Letter Words
Most beginner Scrabble players think the key to being a successful player is a mastery of every word in the dictionary – being able to bingo (use all seven tiles) on every turn. However, let me dispel that myth.
Want higher Scrabble scores? Start thinking small – really small.
Two-letter words aren’t just for those last turns at the end of the game, when you are trying to dump tiles. These tiny words can be a powerful tool in your Scrabble arsenal, once you know them all and learn to place them properly.
The full list of two-letter Scrabble words
Take a look at the complete list of two-letter Scrabble words accepted by the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary. I know what you’re thinking… Aa? Qi? Xu? Believe me, they are all actual words with actual definitions (rough jagged lava found in Hawaiian volcanos; Chinese life force, short for chi; and a Vietnamese coin, respectively).
So how do you use them in-game? Here are just two examples:
Vowel Dumps without Drawing
We’ve all had a that rack, all vowels. Your first instinct may be to swap tiles – however, each time you give up your turn, you lose the opportunity to score points.
Instead, try using one of the four vowel-only two-letter words (aa, ae, ai, oi) to get some cheap points. In this example, you’re stuck with all vowels and (seemingly) not a lot of options. Those ending e’s are useless – maybe you place BOA, yea or another short word.
However, if you know your two-letter words, you’ll see a few more points available using the y and b in maybe. By placing ai, you’ll form two extra words – ya (5 points) and bi (4). Total points: 11. Certainly better than nothing!
Dropping Bombs on Bonus Tiles
Bingos aside, a great way to demoralize your opponent is to drop a monster score using just one or two letters. Use the two-letter words with at least one high-point partner (such as qi, xi, hm, etc.), and keep an eye out for those colored bonus tiles.
We’ll use the most dramatic example. You’ve got the q with no u. Finally, your opponent lays down that elusive letter, and you’re in business! You go to lay down quad, but then you see it – the triple-letter score sitting next to two i’s.
By placing your q in that spot, you form two instances of qi – and that q counts triple both times. One tile = 62 points = one steamed opponent.
Think Big by Thinking Small
Trust me – memorizing those two-letter words will add 50 points to every game you play. You can squeeze them anywhere, they can help you avoid tile swaps, and – if played properly – can devastate your opponent.
