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6. A Triple-Triple, or 9-Timer

Here is the ultimate in high-scoring moves; the triple-triple. If at least one already-played tile (the T in this case) lies at the edge of the board, between two of the red triple-word scores, there exists a possibility of using all the tiles on the rack to bridge the two triple-word scores. The score for the word is tripled once, and then tripled again, multiplying the score for the word by 9, before adding the 50-point bonus.

In this case, it is only the A that falls on the double-letter square. If it ever becomes possible to place a high-scoring tile on the double-letter square, using a word like CRAZIEST, then the scoring potential for a move such as this is tremendous. It is left as an exercise for the reader to check that the score for the word CAZIQUES could be 392! The reader might also like to calculate the potential score of the theoretical best 8-letter play QUIZZIFY, where one of the Z's is a blank. Triple- triples are the main, and deliberate aim of the type of tournament Scrabble known as "High-Score Scrabble".

7. The Premium Letter Squares

Less spectacular, but much more common, is the practice of placing a high-scoring tile on a double- or triple- letter square as part of a move in which the tile is scored twice, once in a word which reads horizontally, and once in a word which reads vertically. Thus, in the example, here, the X has scored 6 times its face- value. 4-point tiles, such as the H, used in this way, generally score around 28 points, whilst even the 3-point tiles will yield 20.

Either on their own, or as parts of more complicated moves (see Board 9, for example), such use of the premium-letter, or even the premium-word squares, which can be used similarly, is the staple diet of every competent Scrabble player. Learn to spot them in your sleep!