Scrabble
The word game
Scrabble is one of the most internationally popular
board games in the world and can also be played online. The object is to form words in a crossword-type format from the seven letter tiles each player is allotted per turn. Each tile is assigned a certain number of points based on how difficult it is to place its associated letter into a word (i.e. 'Z' and 'Q' have the highest point value at 10, while many letters such as 'A' and 'R' only account for one point).
Each word put into play must be found in an agreed-upon dictionary, and proper names cannot be used. Players can challenge each other's words, and there are many opportunities for double and triple word and letter scores.
The National Scrabble Association is one of many organizations that sponsor Scrabble tournaments, including the best-known American tournament, the United States Scrabble Open.
Fast Facts
- Creator: Alfred Mosher Butts
- Invented: 1938
- Ages: 8 and up
- Players: 2 to 4
- Game board: 15x15 grid
- In 1 of every 3 American homes
- Sold in 121 countries
- Available in 29 languages
- American/Canadian trademark holder: Hasbro
- Trademark holder elsewhere: Mattel
- Inspired NBC game show hosted by Chuck Woolery
- "Scrabble" is an actual word meaning "to scratch frantically"
Categories
