Scrabble lovers: what is it about scrabble that you love/what benefits do you think it has?

Question

If you don't like scrabble, this is not for you. I'm writing my final engish paper on scrabble. i have to include a little about how scrabble can be a form of stress reduction. i want to include some testimonials. help me out. scrabble lovers, i need you.

Answer 1

http://www.scrabulous.com

Free scrabble site and you play against real people any time. I love it :)

Anyway, you can go there and talk to hundreds of scrabble addicts and probably get a greater response.  Good luck on your paper!

Answer 2

in my opinion, scrabble is a great stress reliever. if i am having a bad day, i can play someone in scrabble on the computer and beat the pants off of them! nothing makes you feel a little more optimistic than beating someone in a game where your knowledge of vocabulary, and strategic placement of words determines a winner. It's also great,  because instead of sitting and playing a game that doesn't involve any true knowledge (like  wario ware, or warcraft...) I am actualy increasing my vocabulary and keeping my brain active!

Answer 3

I compete in the expert division of Nat'l Scrabble Assoc. tournaments.  My interest in Scrabble is mainly due to the unusual number of ways it challenges you.  Obviously there's a brute analytical side to it, similar to chess (although chess is overwhelmingly analytical, and little else), especially in the Scrabble endgame.   If you have tracked tiles accurately, you know what your opponent has left, they know what you have left (if they've tracked also), so now you're predicting the opponent's possible responses to each of your possible choices, and how well each scenario will play out.

But until the endgame, you're relying on a sense of probabilities as to what you will draw, what the opponent might have, or how much danger are you actually inviting if your play is vulnerable to the X, for example.

There's also an artistic side to it: conceiving possibilities, having good enough board vision to find great plays that hook in unusual ways.  There is a psychological aspect to it, more akin to poker, that comes into play when you're considering trying to play a phony (or possible phony) and trying to judge ahead of time whether your opponent will accept it or challenge it.

Then there's also brute force memorization.  Remembering RAINBAND is a word, and that it can be front hooked as TRAINBAND, even though you may play 100,000 games and never use this knowledge.  

There's something inherently magical about marrying math and language.  Scrabble is a math game involving words.

Math is logical, predictable, orderly.  The layout of the board is mathematical.   Language, especially the English language, is absolutely chaotic.  Some words take S, some don't.  Most Q words need a U, some don't.  No rules, a few patterns, but always exceptions.

I also like the sense that every Scrabble game will be a different game, and that you have no idea of what sort of racks you are going to see or what words you'll play until it happens.  In chess, of course, you start out with the same pieces in the same layout every time (and may have lots of games where the first few moves are the same).

Answer 4

When I was younger Scrabble was a game that I hated.  It was too tough to try to spell words out of 7 letters, and most of my words were short.  Then somehow I got into creative writing and started to expand my vocabulary.  Then Scrabble became fun.  I read a book that explained two basic styles of playing and learned the two letter words and words that start with Q.  Now when I get to play in a group setting usually at a church event with mainly women, I can rack up the points, surprise the group because of a misguided stereotype that guys aren't good at Scrabble, and crack a lot of jokes.

When I play on the computer, it is a form of stress reduction because it allows me to focus on things other than real world concerns for about 30 minutes at a time.  I have keep two games throughout my numerous computer changes, because without a doubt chess and Scrabble are two of the most challenging and demanding games ever made.

Answer 5

I loved playing against my mother when i was little and beating her was one of the best feelings i had growing up (sorry Lionheart! Take solace in the fact i am already ruing the day my yet to be born offspring beat me!)

Having 4 older brothers made it hard to find quality time to spend with just with my mum and scrabble gave us that... especially after she lost a couple of times...

I also love the ISC, Mainly because you can play against people from all over the world in ranked games. But i love all things scrabble... except losing.... Good luck with your paper!

Answer 6

well i think that it extends your skills in English and in some sways it doesn't do anything but if your playing with a not offence but a dumb person then the game doesn't have any benefits on the other hand if your playing with a rather intellectual person then it can be very useful as for your knowledge as you will learn new words of them (or each other) good luck with your English I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 7

1) fun - I like words and trying to figure them out - stress reduction for me - though the stress level increases when all I have on my tile-rack is VVFGKBM and no place to make a play

2) educational - learn new words, learn to visualize other words and problem solve as you rearrange tiles

3) entertaining - watching others work to come up with words and non-words - you get all kinds of weird explanations (hey, it's about having a good time, right?)

Answer 8

i personally love scrabble because it makes me think really hard and it also extends my vocabulary

Answer 9

Scrabble is a wonderful and a very entertaining board game. It sure helps to improve one's vocabulary when trying to refer the dictionary for possible combinations of the letter tiles and also when playing against a computer. The game is a great pastime activity ensuring maximum enjoyment when playing with multi-players.

When you go on playing scrabble you get the experience of finding new strategies and techniques to surpass your opponents. This trains your brain to think of more complex things. You gradually become an expert in breaking anagrams. In such exhilarating word games you find learning new words and  improving your vocabulary very entertaining.

When you are able to learn something worthy through enjoyment, why not!!! Scrabble is the best word game ever!

Answer 10

i like scrabble because it makes me less hungry . and if its too wet outside to go to the store. ill just ask my grandma for some more scrabble. not only do i get full but we laugh. And sometimes i get a hug!!!!

Answer 11

What do you mean by stress reduction.  My oldest daughter plays against the computer and now she beats me every game.

But anyways, it does teach you new words and increases your ability to spell correctly so you don't look uneducated in your correspondence.