Super Scrabble
Super Scrabble is an expanded variant of the classic word-forming board game Scrabble, released in 2004 by Winning Moves Games in North America under license from Hasbro, and by Tinderbox Games elsewhere under license from Mattel. It features a larger 21×21 grid game board with 441 spaces—compared to the standard Scrabble's 15×15 grid—and 200 letter tiles, double the number in the original game, allowing for more extensive word placements and strategic depth.[1][2] The game is designed for 2 to 4 players aged 8 and older, with typical playtime ranging from 45 to 60 minutes.[2] In gameplay, players draw seven tiles from a bag and take turns forming interlocking words crossword-style on the board, scoring points based on letter values and premium squares, which now include purple quadruple letter score spaces and yellow quadruple word score spaces in addition to the traditional double scores.[3] A key feature is the "Bingo" bonus, awarding 50 extra points for using all seven tiles in a single turn, while blank tiles can represent any letter and, once played, remain that letter for the game.[3] The game ends when no tiles remain and one player has used all of theirs, with the highest total score declared the winner; this supersized format supports more complex strategies and longer games compared to standard Scrabble.[3]Overview and History
Introduction
Super Scrabble is a variant of the classic word board game Scrabble, introduced in 2004 by Winning Moves Games under license from Hasbro, designed to offer an expanded playing field that facilitates significantly higher scores through increased strategic opportunities.[1][3] In core gameplay, 2 to 4 players compete to form interlocking words crossword-style on a 21×21 grid board, utilizing a total of 200 letter tiles drawn from individual racks of seven tiles each, with scoring determined by letter values and premium squares.[1][3] The game's larger scale doubles the number of tiles compared to standard Scrabble and nearly doubles the board spaces, enabling prolonged play and the potential for individual game scores exceeding 800 points, particularly in two-player matches where strategic depth can lead to extreme totals.[1][4] This variant appeals to Scrabble enthusiasts seeking amplified competition and replayability, as the expansive board supports more complex word placements and higher multipliers, while the central 15×15 grid replicates the standard Scrabble layout, allowing players to optionally conduct traditional games on the same board.[5][4]Development and Release
Super Scrabble was conceived in the early 2000s by inventor Murray Eskenazi as an expansion to the classic Scrabble board game, designed to support larger player groups and facilitate higher-scoring games through an enlarged playing area.[1] Eskenazi, a Columbia University alumnus and holder of multiple U.S. patents, drew on the core mechanics of Scrabble to create this variant, aiming to overcome the spatial constraints of traditional play. The game made its market debut in 2004, published by Winning Moves Games under license from Hasbro, marking a significant evolution in word-based board gaming by introducing a supersized format.[6] This initial release emphasized expanded components and board dimensions to enhance multiplayer engagement, quickly gaining popularity among Scrabble enthusiasts seeking more ambitious sessions.[7] In 2007, the line evolved with the introduction of the Deluxe edition, which incorporated a rotating gameboard and interlocking tiles modeled after features in Deluxe Scrabble sets, improving accessibility and stability during extended play.[8] This update addressed practical challenges in handling the larger setup, solidifying Super Scrabble's appeal as a premium variant for group entertainment.[6] The core motivation for Super Scrabble's development stemmed from the need to transcend the limitations of the standard 15×15 board, particularly in scenarios involving multiple players, by offering a "super-sized" experience that amplified strategic depth and scoring potential.[1]Manufacturers and Editions
Super Scrabble is manufactured and distributed in North America by Winning Moves Games under license from Hasbro, the owner of Scrabble rights in that region.[5][9] Outside North America, production is handled by Tinderbox Games under license from Mattel, which holds Scrabble rights for the rest of the world, with distribution focused on the UK and Europe.[5][10] The game is primarily available in English and German editions.[11] The standard edition was released in 2004, featuring the core 21x21 board, 200 tiles, and basic components.[1] In 2007, Winning Moves introduced the Deluxe edition, which includes a rotating gameboard for better player access, interlocking durable tiles to prevent shifting, and improved storage solutions in a premium wooden case.[8][6] As of 2025, no major updates or new editions have been released beyond these variants.[2] Both editions are sold through major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and eBay, with the Deluxe version positioned for the premium market due to its higher build quality and price point around $60.[12][13]Game Components
Board Design
The Super Scrabble board consists of a 21×21 grid, totaling 441 playable squares, in contrast to the standard Scrabble board's 15×15 grid of 225 squares. This expanded layout accommodates longer words and more complex formations, enabling higher-scoring plays over the course of the game.[1][5] The board is typically constructed from folding cardboard, which divides into quarters for compact storage and portability. In the Deluxe edition, it incorporates a rotating mechanism to support multi-directional gameplay and includes raised edges around each square to prevent tiles from shifting during play.[14][15][16] The design exhibits rotational symmetry around a central starting square, akin to the standard game's setup, but with broadened edges and corners that enhance strategic positioning and word extension opportunities.[3] Premium squares appear at a greater density than in the standard game, featuring an increased number of multipliers—particularly quadruple word and letter scores clustered near the borders—to promote aggressive expansion and high-risk, high-reward tactics.[5][17]Tiles and Distribution
Super Scrabble utilizes 200 letter tiles, double the 100 tiles found in the standard version of the game, which are drawn randomly from a cloth pouch during play.[3] This expanded set supports extended gameplay on the larger 21×21 board, reducing the risk of tile depletion and facilitating more opportunities for high-scoring plays such as bingos.[18] The tile distribution in Super Scrabble is not a simple doubling of the standard set but features targeted adjustments to reflect English letter frequencies while enabling novel word formations impossible in the original game. Common vowels and consonants are increased significantly—for instance, E appears 24 times (compared to 12 in standard Scrabble), A 16 times, I 13 times, O 15 times, and U 7 times—while rarer letters receive modest boosts, such as K, Q, X, and Z each appearing twice (up from once). Blanks, which can represent any letter and score zero points, are also doubled to four tiles.[18] These changes promote diverse vocabulary use and complex interlocking words over longer sessions.[3] Each tile is crafted from real wood, engraved with a letter on one side and featuring the letter's point value (ranging from 0 for blanks to 10 for high-value letters like Q and Z) printed at the bottom for quick reference.[2] The following table summarizes the complete tile distribution:| Letter | Quantity | Letter | Quantity | Letter | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 16 | I | 13 | R | 13 |
| B | 4 | J | 2 | S | 10 |
| C | 6 | K | 2 | T | 15 |
| D | 8 | L | 7 | U | 7 |
| E | 24 | M | 6 | V | 3 |
| F | 4 | N | 13 | W | 4 |
| G | 5 | O | 15 | X | 2 |
| H | 5 | P | 4 | Y | 4 |
| Blank | 4 | Q | 2 | Z | 2 |
Accessories
Super Scrabble includes several supplementary items designed to facilitate gameplay, organization, and storage, enhancing the experience on its expanded board. These accessories are standard across editions produced by Winning Moves Games and support up to four players.[2] The game provides four wooden tile racks, each capable of holding seven letter tiles face-down to conceal players' hands during turns. These racks are essential for organizing tiles and are constructed from real wood for durability, matching the material of the letter tiles themselves.[2][3] A score pad, consisting of sheets with grids for recording turns, is included to track player scores accurately, with dedicated spaces for word scores, bonuses, and running totals. This accessory helps the designated scorekeeper maintain precise tallies without disrupting play.[18][3] The cloth draw bag, a drawstring pouch, holds all 200 letter tiles at the start and during refills, ensuring blind draws to prevent players from selecting specific letters. Its opaque fabric promotes fair gameplay by mixing tiles thoroughly.[2][3] An illustrated rulebook accompanies the set, detailing setup procedures, core rules, scoring mechanics, and basic strategy tips tailored to the game's larger scale. In deluxe editions, the instructions may include additional clarifications on advanced play options.[2][3] The components are packaged in a sturdy boxed set for convenient storage and transport, with the drawstring bag aiding in keeping tiles contained when not in use.[19]Rules and Gameplay
Setup and Objective
Super Scrabble accommodates 2 to 4 players, though it is optimally played with 3 or 4 participants, as 2-player games tend to last considerably longer due to the expanded components.[5] To prepare for play, unfold the 21×21 game board and position it centrally on the table. Distribute one tile rack to each player for holding their letters. Place all 200 letter tiles into the provided cloth bag and shake to mix thoroughly. Determine the starting player by having everyone draw one tile face down; the letter closest to "A" wins the turn order, with blank tiles ranking highest and beating any other letter. Return these tiles to the bag, remix, and allow each player to draw seven new tiles to arrange on their rack, keeping them concealed from opponents.[3] The primary objective is to accumulate the highest score by constructing valid, interlocking words on the board using the letter tiles, leveraging both tile values and premium squares for multipliers. Words must conform to an agreed-upon standard dictionary, such as the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (OSPD) in the United States or Collins Scrabble Words internationally. A key scoring incentive is the 50-point bingo bonus awarded for emptying one's rack by using all seven tiles in a single turn. Games typically last 90 minutes to 2 hours or more, longer than standard Scrabble due to the larger scale.[3][20]Turn Mechanics
In Super Scrabble, each player's turn follows a structured sequence designed to build upon the existing board while maintaining a hand of seven tiles. The game begins with all players drawing seven tiles from the opaque pouch, and turns proceed clockwise starting with the player whose drawn tile is closest to "A" alphabetically (with blanks highest). On their turn, a player must either place tiles to form one or more new words or opt for an alternative action such as exchanging tiles if unable to play.[3] The core action of a turn involves placing one or more tiles from the rack onto the board to form valid words, either horizontally or vertically, that interlock with previously placed words. For the first turn, the starting player must form a single word of at least two letters that passes through the central premium square (labeled H-H in the 21x21 grid), with the word's value calculated accordingly. In subsequent turns, all new words formed—both the primary word(s) placed by the player and any secondary words created by the addition—must be valid according to official word lists such as the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary or the Official Scrabble Words, and the placement must connect to an existing word on the board without forming invalid isolated words. Tiles cannot be rearranged or removed from prior plays, and all letters in the affected rows or columns must result in complete, acceptable words. After validating the play, the player announces it, and the turn concludes by drawing new tiles from the pouch to replenish their rack back to seven, provided tiles remain available. Using all seven tiles in a single turn qualifies as a "bingo" and earns an additional 50-point bonus, though full scoring details are handled separately.[3] If a player cannot form a valid word, they may exchange any number of tiles (from one to seven) for an equal number drawn from the pouch, but only if at least seven tiles remain in the bag; this action mixes the discarded tiles face-down into the pouch and skips the turn without scoring. Exchanging is limited to once per turn and serves as a strategic option to improve a weak hand, but it does not advance the board state. If unable to play or exchange, the player passes their turn without scoring.[3] Once a play or exchange is made, the opponent has the opportunity to challenge any or all words formed in that turn before the next player begins. Challenges are resolved by consulting an official dictionary; if a word is deemed invalid (successful challenge), the player removes the tiles from the board, returns them to their rack, scores nothing for the turn, and loses their next turn. If all challenged words are valid (unsuccessful challenge), the challenger forfeits their upcoming turn. This verification process ensures adherence to the game's linguistic standards and adds a layer of strategic risk to bold placements. Turns continue in this manner until all tiles are drawn and one player uses their last tile, or no further plays are possible, at which point the game ends.[3]Key Differences from Standard Scrabble
Super Scrabble expands the game's scale significantly compared to standard Scrabble, featuring a 21×21 board and 200 letter tiles—double the 100 tiles in the standard version—with a modified distribution that creates additional word-forming opportunities. These changes result in longer games, while minimizing the risk of the tile bag depleting before a natural end to play.[3][21] The starting rules require the first player to form a word of two or more letters covering the center H square, which functions as a double-word premium and doubles the first word's score, consistent with standard Scrabble procedures. To determine the first player, tiles are drawn, with the letter closest to "A" winning the turn; blank tiles outrank all others in this draw.[3] Challenge rules mirror those of standard Scrabble: players must pre-agree on a dictionary, and an unsuccessful challenge causes the challenger to lose their next turn, while a successful one penalizes the played word and the offender's turn. The game supports 2 to 4 players like the standard version, but the larger board accommodates more fluid multi-player interactions without altering core turn limits.[3] The inner 15×15 grid of the Super Scrabble board replicates the standard layout, enabling players to conduct a classic Scrabble game using only those squares and the standard tile set without any rule adjustments.[5] In the Deluxe edition, a rotating board facilitates 360-degree access for all players, mitigating reach challenges during extended sessions around the table.[2]Scoring System
Tile Values
In Super Scrabble, the point values assigned to each letter tile are identical to those in the standard version of the game, with each tile featuring a number at the bottom indicating its base score. These values are determined by the relative frequency and rarity of letters in English, rewarding players for using less common ones. Blanks score 0 points and can represent any letter, but their assigned value remains fixed for the duration of the play. Despite the overall doubling of tile quantities to 200 letters plus 4 blanks, the scoring system does not alter these base values, maintaining consistency with traditional Scrabble mechanics.[3] The following table summarizes the point values for all letters, grouped by score:| Point Value | Letters |
|---|---|
| 0 | Blank (×4) |
| 1 | A, E, I, L, N, O, R, S, T, U |
| 2 | D, G |
| 3 | B, C, M, P |
| 4 | F, H, V, W, Y |
| 5 | K |
| 8 | J, X |
| 10 | Q, Z |