How to Start the Game of "Scrabble" If You Pick a Blank Tile

"Scrabble" is a popular word game.

"Scrabble" is a word game in which contestants must form words from letter tiles they draw. The game is fun and educational. When architect Alfred Butts found himself out of work during the great depression, he decided to use the time to create a board game. Originally called "Criss-Cross Words," the game gained popularity after it was stocked by Macy's. One of the world's favorite board games, Scrabble remains popular with players of all ages.

Instructions

1. Place the tiles in the bag they originally came in, or face down on the table. There should be 100 tiles.

2. Give each player a letter rack where they can stack their letters. Each player draws one tile and turns it over for the other players to see.

3. Check each player's tiles. If one player has a blank tile, he goes first. If no players have blank tiles, the player with the letter that is closest to "A" goes first. If two players have blank tiles, they must draw another tile. Only these two players are now competing for starting honors and the player who draws a blank tile or the player with the tile that is closest to "A" goes first.

4. Return the tiles to the bag or turn them over on the table. Shuffle the letters. Each player draws seven letters and places them in his tile rack. If you have a blank tile, that tile may represent any letter of your choosing.

Tips & Warnings

• Official "Scrabble" rules dictate that once a blank tile has been assigned a letter by a player, then that tile must remain on the board. Many people choose to play differently. Once a player uses a blank tile, the other players may take the tile and replace it with a letter tile that it represents. They can then use the blank tile in their own word.

Resources

• Hasbro: About Scrabble