it's reasons like this that I'm so tempted to write a more comprehensive Scribble instruction file... The usual disclaimer first -- I'm not the one doing the berating, etc. :)
Anyway, until the better instructions are written, I think if you follow two straightforward rules, you'll have far fewer jabs thrown your way:
1. Do not, under any circumstances, block any of the "double-triples" on the outer edge of the board. As an aside, do not even play a word on the outer edge of the board unless it will hit two pink TWS tiles (8-letter-word or higher).
2. For miscellaneous "special" tiles scattered throughout the board (DLS, DWS, etc), always try to play them "doubly", and if you can't on your turn, help others to do so be setting them up. For example, say there's a TLS (light blue square) somewhere, and right below it is the word AG. Try not to just play "ZAG". That will net only 33 points -- try to play a word across at the same time (ZIT, ZAP, FEZ, etc, doesn't necessarily have to be a Z set-up). Then the Z will be counted twice, each time on a TLS. Like if you played ZIP above "AG", it would be worth 67 points -- quite an improvement over 33!).
These are the two most fundamental things to follow. But keep to the beginner boards until you're regularly participating in games over 1200 or so... hehe.
Comments? From beginners and experts alike? :)
-= Mike (either the #1 or #2 ranked player here... hehe, #1 egotist at least) =- |