Drawing J (8 pts), X (8 pts), or Z (10 pts) can win you the game if placed on multiplier squares, or clutter your rack if you don't know short hook words.
Essential Short Power Words
JO (8 pts)
XI (9 pts)
ZA (11 pts)
ZAX (19 pts)
JAZZ (29 pts)
QUIZ (22 pts)
Maximizing Triple Letter (TL) Squares
Placing a Z tile on a Triple Letter square instantly nets 30 base points before word multipliers are computed. Use short words like ZA or ZAX to cross two words simultaneously for 50+ point plays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ZA a legal Scrabble word?
Yes! ZA (short for pizza) is a legal 2-letter word in official Scrabble dictionaries.