Making family fun more fun this Christmas – Alternative Scrabble

Change the Rules (but not in the middle of the game)

(image courtesy of CBC News)

Old traditional board games are the “go-to” over the holiday period but the rules can sometimes descend into anarchy and arguments.  Here are a few alternatives you can try this holiday period that address some of the inherent problems with Scrabble and will make the game more enjoyable.  Remember playing board games at Christmas is about getting your family/friends around a table and having fun...not war.  Let me know how you get on.  

Bonus Points. 
Give 25 extra points for Christmas themed words.  Helps keep people in the festive mood.

Playing 5 letters (either making a 5 letter word by hooking or making a 6 letter word with one tile on the board).  Traditional Scrabble gives a player 50 bonus points when they play all their tiles.  This is difficult for beginners/kids so give 25 points when 5 tiles are played. 

Handicap.  At the start of the game give handicap points based on age/ability.  For example, give youngest kid 50, middle kid 30, oldest kid 15.  Parents get zero unless they are useless! 

Time Limit. 
One of the worst things about any board game is how long the game can take, how long a move can take or if one player has gained a massive lead and other players just want the game finished.  This is when most arguments happen. Using an egg timer is handy but it can ruin the game for weaker players because they will feel rushed.  


One alternative is to set an alarm, somewhere between 50-60 minutes and hide the countdown.  When the alarm goes off every player gets one more turn.  This helps with the end game because sometimes it can get very tight and difficult to play when you don’t know that DZO is a word. 


Or, everyone gets a set number of turns, 8/10/15, whatever number you like really.  It’s also a great way to set a “bedtime” time– “Ok let’s play Scrabble and everyone gets 5 turns”.  It also does away with the difficult end game.

Duplicate Scrabble.I've mentioned this before but it's worth another go.

Supplies: 1 x complete board.  Lots of paper to hand out. Set Up: Everyone sitting around a large table in view of the board.

* Leader pulls 7 tiles from bag and everyone writes down the 7 tiles (a bit like countdown)
* Leader starts a timer (egg timer or timer on phone).  Allow 3 minutes.
* When the timer goes off each player writes down their word and declares it.
* Leader places the different words on the board and helps people add up the score.
* The highest word remains on the board.
* Leader should replenish tiles from bag to a total of 7 tiles.  If remaining tiles are dreadful leader can opt to choose 7 new tiles and throw rubbish back in.


(Another option is that leader could have nice selections pre-prepared with the blank and usable combinations)


This a great way to see what words everyone found and gets everyone playing.  It’s also a quick way of playing, play as many rounds as you like but if you play about 6 rounds the whole thing will be finished in about 30 minutes.  It’s also a great way to learn strategy, particularly if you have a couple of really strong players in the group.  This is the best way to get beginners and children playing, nobody gets bored and it’s finished fairly quickly.
  

Adults Only.

Check a dirty word HERE 

Handy Printable A4 poster for Adult Scrabble

(Above played between consenting adults of course!)

Anyway, have a great Christmas and best wishes for 2018.  Remember Make Love not War.



John The Captain Ryan