Practical tips for word games

Find connections with short words first

Short Turkish words such as EL, AL, AN, AT and İŞ help you connect in tight spaces on a Turkish board. Try them in different positions in free play instead of simply memorising them, and check the words formed in the crossing direction too.

You can extend an existing word by adding a single letter. For example, in Turkish, place T before “EL” to form “TEL”. If the new T also touches another letter, check the word in that direction as well. For placement rules, read the rules guide with examples.

Compare the total score of crosswords

Placing tiles parallel to a word on the board can create several short words in one move. Every crossword must be valid; when they are, their scores add together. This means a shorter placement can score more than a single long word.

Use the game’s draft score to compare placements. Before confirming your move, choose “Return to rack” to clear the draft and try another position.

Use high-value tiles on letter multipliers

In Turkish games, J is worth 10 points, Ğ is worth 8, and F and Ö are worth 7 each. Placing these tiles on a double- or triple-letter square (2H or 3H on the Turkish board) can raise your score. A bonus alone is not enough: the word and all its crosswords must be in the dictionary.

A blank is worth zero points. A letter multiplier does not increase its value, but a word completed with a blank can benefit from a word multiplier. Decide whether to use a blank or save it for your next move based on the board.

Think about the squares you open for your opponent

Leaving a new letter next to a triple-word square (3K on the Turkish board) can give your opponent a chance to score heavily. Alongside your own score, consider where the next player could connect.

You do not always have to choose the highest immediate score. A move that opens less space may be preferable, especially near the end of the game. There is no guarantee: the tiles in each rack and the available connections affect the result.

Keep a balanced rack

Think about which letters will remain after a move. A rack containing only consonants can make it harder to form a word next turn. Using your entire rack in one move earns a 30-point bonus, but forcing an invalid placement to chase that bonus will not help.

If you cannot find a valid move, consider exchanging tiles. The bag must contain enough tiles, and exchanging uses a turn. That cost matters even more in a five-move game.

Review the words you learn

Tap a word on the board to see its meaning and save it in your word notebook. Brief reviews can help you remember new words in later games. If you are unsure about a word, check its meaning and source instead of just memorising a string of letters.

For practice without an opponent, choose “Free play” on the home screen. To try a computer opponent or compare modes, see the game modes guide.

Use hints as a chance to learn

When you request a hint, look at where the word connects and how it earns its score. In matches with a friend, the position is not shown, so you find the connection yourself; in free play, you can study the preview. Suggestions come from a search with limits and are not guaranteed to be the best possible move.