Strategy Guide
Whether you are playing for the first time or trying to crack the top 10 on the leaderboard, this guide covers how scoring actually works and the strategies that separate high scorers from average runs.
How Scoring Works
Every word score is calculated the same way: add up the point value of each letter, then multiply by a bonus based on word length. Short words score at a discount; longer words get multiplied.
Letter values
Length multipliers
Example
QUARTZ (6 letters): Q(8) + U(1) + A(1) + R(1) + T(1) + Z(8) = 20 base points × 2 = 40 points, plus a time bonus. That one word is worth more than ten 3-letter words combined.
Managing the Clock
Every word adds time back. The base bonus depends on word length, and you also get 15% of your word score added as extra seconds — so a 40-point word adds 6 seconds on top of the base.
This is why high-value words are doubly powerful — they boost your score and keep the clock healthy at the same time.
Core Strategies
Always prioritise rare tiles
When you draw a Q, Z, X, or J, your first move should be to build a word around it. These tiles are worth 6–8 points each, and wasting them in a 3-letter word at 0.5× multiplier is one of the most common mistakes. Words like JAZZ, JINX, EXAM, QUIZ, ZONE, and ZINC let you cash in properly.
Aim for 5–6 letters, not 9+
Nine-letter words are amazing when they happen, but they require the perfect tiles and take time to find under pressure. The 5–6 letter range gives a 2× multiplier, a solid time bonus, and is achievable on most draws. Consistently hitting this range will outscore players who gamble on rare long words.
Keep 3-letter words as a safety net
If the clock drops below 5 seconds and you cannot see a long word, submit anything valid. Words like THE, ARE, RAN, TOP, CUP, NET, TAN keep you alive. Surviving on short words is always better than timing out while searching for the perfect play.
Look for suffixes before submitting
Before you play a 4-letter word, scan your remaining tiles for -S, -ED, -ING, or -ER. Adding two letters can jump you from a 1× to a 2× multiplier for free. This habit alone can meaningfully increase your average word score.
In multiplayer, speed beats perfection
Solo mode rewards finding the best word. Multiplayer rewards finding a good word fast. If you spend 10 seconds searching for something better, your opponent has already submitted two words. See something valid — play it.
Words Worth Knowing
Top players keep a mental list of reliable high-value words. Here are some worth internalising:
Q words that don't need U
High-value Z words
7-letter words with common letters
These hit the 3× multiplier using letters you will often have available.
Common Mistakes
- Spamming 3-letter words. They score at 0.5× and give minimal time. Only use them when the clock is critical.
- Ignoring the timer. It is easy to focus on building a word and let the clock drain to zero. Keep one eye on it at all times.
- Not checking for suffixes. Always check for -S, -ED, -ING before submitting — free multiplier upgrades are often sitting there.
- Holding rare tiles too long. Waiting for the perfect moment to use your Q often means never using it at all. Play it in the first reasonable word you can build.