Highest Scoring Scrabble Words You Should Know
Every Scrabble player dreams of the one play that blows the game wide open -- a single word that scores 100 points or more and leaves the opponent shaking their head. While those monster turns depend heavily on board position and premium squares, knowing the highest-value words gives you the ammunition to capitalize when the opportunity appears.
Top Scoring Words by Base Value
Understanding Why These Words Score High
- Z (10 points) -- Only one in the bag.
- Q (10 points) -- Even more valuable in Q-without-U words.
- X (8 points) -- Extremely versatile in short words.
- J (8 points) -- Words like JUKEBOX combine J with other high-value letters.
The Bingo Bonus: Your Biggest Weapon
The 50-point bonus for playing all 7 tiles in a single turn is the most powerful scoring mechanism in Scrabble. OXAZEPAM is one of the most celebrated bingo words because it combines X and Z in a single 8-letter word.
Maximizing Score With Premium Squares
- Triple Word Score (TWS): Triples the entire word's value.
- Double Word Score (DWS): Doubles the word.
- Triple Letter Score (TLS): Place Z, Q, X, or J on a triple-letter square for maximum impact. Z on TLS alone contributes 30 points.
Short High-Scoring Words
Practical Tips for High-Scoring Plays
- Track premium tiles: Know whether Z, Q, X, and J have been played.
- Keep premium squares accessible.
- Balance your rack.
- Study 2-letter words.