A U.S. academic has declared that the board game Scrabble is now too easy after changes in the English language have made the value of the letters meaningless. American academic Dr. Joshua Lewis suggests that the letter values need to be altered to make allowances for changes made to the English dictionary over recent years. But Scrabble makers, Mattel, claim Scrabble is down to luck and the company is resisting pressure to change the classic scoring system.
American architect Alfred Butts invented the game of Scrabble 80 years ago and it still ranks highly among the world’s most popular board games.
The original scoring system is still used today, which was invented by Butts based on the popularity of usage of letters in the New York Times.
Playing Scrabble is a great way to improve your English language skills by widening your vocabulary.
English language adaptations mean Scrabble letter scores need to change
Dr Lewis believes the scores need to change in order for the game to remain fair. For this reason, he created a computer program, Valett, which works out appropriate scores for the letters based on current English language usage. He explains:
“The dictionary of legal words in Scrabble has changed. Among the notable additions are all of these short words which make it easier to play Z, Q and X, so even though Q and Z are the highest value letters in Scrabble, they are now much easier to play.”
Dr Lewis says Z is now worth just 6 points not 10
Perhaps the Scrabble letter values need an overhaul. The changes Dr Lewis proposes include awarding just 6 points for a Z, instead of the current 10 points, and awarding 5 points for an X instead of the current 8.
Other letters have been upgraded, including U, which he suggested should be worth 2 points instead of 1 point. He also thinks G should be worth 3 points rather than 2 points.
Dr Lewis recommends that Q retains the same value of 10 points.
Many Scrabble fans have been outraged by Dr Lewis’s suggestions that we should change Scrabble letter values. Some board game fans see the original scoring system an integral part of the classic game with any modifications unnecessary.
Others have been more supportive of Dr Lewis’s idea to change Scrabble letter values. His supporters are pleased that the issue of assumed and actual letter usage has been addressed, with the potential to make the game fairer.
Another idea is that there should be different rules for competitions and casual scrabble play. The Scrabble letter values are more important in competition play.
One idea proposed is that the National Scrabble Championships could revamp their scoring system to reflect the new studies in language adaptation.
As English vocabulary changes, the frequency of letters used in the English language is changing all the time. Competitions could try to stay on top of these developments to create the fairest judge of skill possible.
Mattel rejects idea of changing Scrabble letter values
Despite the logic behind Dr Lewis’ suggestions for changing Scrabble letter values, Scrabble makers, Mattel, have no plans to alter the scoring system.
Philip Nelkon, the UK representative for Mattel, said: “Mattel has no plans to change Scrabble tiles. It is not a game where fairness is paramount, it is a game of luck and changing the tile values wouldn’t achieve anything.”
Casual players might be relieved that they will still have the chance to beat more highly skilled players with the use of an over-valued lucky Z.
However, many Scrabble competitors have been angered by the comments of Mr Nelkon and oppose his idea that Scrabble is only down to luck.
Playing Scrabble requires a good vocabulary and the ability to solve anagrams – clearly these abilities are nothing to do with luck. Many players insist that Scrabble is a game of skill and the only luck aspect of the game is in the letters you are allocated.
Similarities could be drawn with the game of poker. Luck determines the cards you are dealt but skill determines how you play them.
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What do our readers think? Should letter values be changed in Scrabble to reflect current English language usage?
Is Scrabble a game of skill and judgement – or only luck?
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Dr Lewis is being pedantic. Who cares. It’s just a game.
Even if the language has changed enough to affect the distribution of letters, so what. Ten points for a Z? Ok. As long as it’s ten points for everyone playing.