The logic of 8 letter triples and scoring is explained in the expert guide, and high scoring games are a combination of playing 8 letter triples and "smart" use of the premium letter tiles (like using the J on a triple letter square to form 2 words) -- and every game has opportunities for MANY 8 letter words. Players just don't see the 8 letter words or don't have the patience to wait for the letters for a 8 letter word before playing a triple. I can't explain why any other player does not use a triple square to it's fullest advantage, but a couple of reasons may be the player is a troll who likes messing up the score, or the player has not read the instructions (not the expert guide, the instructions) which plainly states a high scoring game is the game's objective. Only the player making the word can explain why they're doing it.
Scores used to be higher; check out the archives for a year ago. Those games over 1000 points all have 2, 3 or 4 8 letter words per game, and smart use of the premium tiles. Many of the players from a year ago haven't been playing lately (and I don't know why), and the new spat of players, IMO, just don't play the game with an eye to high scores. However, the expert games (which are not accessible unless you know the secret) play 8 letter triples from the 4 corners, and the expert games scores make the regular board scores look pathetic. [I suggest anyone that does not follow the expert guide to play not play the expert games -- the tongue lashings for plays considered poor can be harsh. There are only 2 expert games, and they are meant to be played by the experts.]
I'm not sure what you mean by "superior players also seem to avoid the triple words" -- I don't remember anyone ever saying they were a 'superior' player, and the experts are usually loathe to call themselves expert -- and, again, I can't speak for ayone else, but as an experienced player I have stopped making the set-ups for triples because they are so often wasted. It is incredibly frustrating to make a set-up and see it used for any word scoring less than 100 points, especially if the chat requests the set be used for an 8 letter word or, worse yet, the playable 8 letter word is spelled out IN THE CHAT but ignored. I don't, however, ignore the triple squares: if there is an 8 letter word to be placed there, I will play it.
How anyone chooses to play is their own cal, but I like playing an 8 letter word on a triple and having a game score 800+ points. Even though we are meant to be playing together, not against, each other, IMO scribble is meant to be and can be mind challenging, not just plunking down any word.
|