Words with Friends is a video game crossword puzzle based on the famous Scrabble board game. However, there are significant differences between the two games, including the rules, board layout, and scoring methods. Words with Friends has become very popular since you can play it online with a person anywhere on the planet. You can also save a game and return to playing with your opponent later, so a game can last as long as you want. There are strategies used by those who win games of Words with Friends that can help you become a better player, including ones listed below.
Positioning is Key
Just like Scrabble, Words with Friends is a game of points. Many players choose to play for points at all costs, which can impede their play and successful results. Sometimes you should sacrifice a few points for a better position. A better position on the board can accomplish two tasks. It will put you in a position to accumulate more points later in the game. It will also prevent your opponent from gaining a lot of points from better positions.
Focus on the Board, not the Words
Words with Friends is a board game with the emphasis on the word ‘board.’ You should never think you will win a game of Words with Friends because you have a vocabulary superior to your opponent. Your wording is essential in helping you come up with words to use in the game.
However, compared to managing the board, managing the words is an inferior strategy. You will find more here about the board design. The better you know the board, the better your chances of winning. Even when using the tiles to make words, use them in a way that puts you in a better position on the board. Focusing on the board game gives you a big picture, whereas the words give you a smaller one.
Defense Wins Games
You have probably heard the saying that defense wins championships said concerning many sports around the world. The same goes for Words with Friends. Offense in the board game involves how you create and arrange words on the board to accumulate points. Defense consists of preventing your opponent from acquiring any points.
If you are torn between going for a high point score or denying your opponent one, you should go for the latter. Moreover, it would be best if you capitalized on any opportunity your opponent leaves begging.
Learn More Words
Ultimately, the game of Words with Friends is about words. Therefore, one surefire way to be better at the game is to have a more extensive repertoire of words that you can make using your tiles. One of the best ways to increase your vocabulary is to read. The more you read, the more words you will be exposed to and learn.
There is no limit as to what you can read to increase your vocabulary. Books, magazines, blogs, and even tweets can help you expand your repertoire of words. Perusing a dictionary occasionally is a great tip to learn more words. You can start alphabetically or pick words at random to grasp their meaning.
Learn How to Set Up
You can set yourself up for either success or failure in Words with Friends. If you are not setting yourself up to succeed, then you are setting up your opponent to win. You should create openings when creating words that make it easy to use random tiles. Moreover, you should set yourself up to use the tiles remaining in your rack. A good setup can also be used to make it more difficult for your opponent to form words. If it works, you not only improve your chances of winning but diminish your opponents.
Keep Strong Tiles
There are tiles in Words with Friends that are superior to others. They are superior in that they give you a higher chance of forming a longer word than others. The ‘S’ and blank tiles are especially important tiles in the game. You can add ‘S’ after many words to create a plural word and increase your points tally.
A blank tile is used to create a space and play longer words. X and Z are tiles that help you form tricky words with more points. You should use strong tiles only if they give you 30 points or more per play.
Words with Friends is a great pass time activity to engage in with friends and family. However, the competitive nature in all of us makes us want to win. The above tips should help you formulate a successful strategy that you can use every time you play Words with Friends.