An Ode to Scrabble: What the Board Game Taught Us

An Ode to Scrabble: What the Board Game Taught Us

There comes a time in all of our lives when Scrabble makes its indelible mark: a lost rainy weekend, a bored teenage summer, or maybe even the start of a blossoming relationship. Whenever or wherever Scrabble strikes, it’s guaranteed to leave its imprint on you forever.

They say that it’s a game about letters and words, which it is. However, it’s also about friendships and relationships, egos and triumphs, and learning to win and lose graciously – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Join us to uncover what Scrabble really teaches us.

The Origins of Scrabble

But first, a little about the game. As with all good stories, Scrabble’s journey to becoming one of the top family board games in word search started with humble beginnings back in 1931. The brainchild of Alfred Butts, it was first named ‘Lexico’ and then ‘Criss-Crossword’. A fan of the game, James Brunot, approached Butts, believing that with some smart marketing and a few tweaks, it could become a global phenomenon. They agreed on a licence deal, simplified the rules and renamed and trademarked it Scrabble. Fast forward to today, and Scrabble is widely considered one of the best family board games of all time, selling over 150 million sets worldwide.

What Scrabble Teaches Us

So now you’re enlightened, let’s take a look at some of the fascinating ways that this iconic board game has taught us.

• The Value of Togetherness

Perhaps what makes Scrabble so special, is that it brings people together – and sometimes unlikely people too. Friends and foes, colleagues and neighbours, random strangers on a park bench. Scrabble can transcend the mood, and clear the air. It’s the perfect platform for togetherness. The ultimate family night board game is one that all ages can play together too. This is why you might find Granny, Uncle, or even the grandkids reaching for the Scrabble board on New Year’s Day or family games night, such is its magic.

• That Strategy (Sometimes) Trumps Knowledge

Of the many lessons life teaches you, one of the most important comes from Scrabble. Because sometimes, it’s not about finding the longest word – or even the smartest word in your vocabulary, but instead which available letters give you the biggest bang for your buck! For instance, a strategic placement of the word ‘Za’ (slang for pizza, yes really) can earn you 31 points when you hit a triple letter square, while the comparatively intelligent word of ‘Qanat’ (a tunnel), would merely deliver you 14 points. It really isn’t about what you know, but how you can work the system – life lesson right there.

• That You Can’t Beat Perfection

It’s refreshing to know that Scrabble has hardly changed since it came into the world all those years ago. This in itself shows us that even in these digital times, you can’t beat a well-thought-out family board game. However, part of Scrabble’s success is its legacy in creating exclusive editions to appeal to a broader audience. For instance, new editions of Harry Potter, and Star Wars, are just some of the much-loved favourites without losing their magic.

• Smart Studying is The Way Forward

Scrabble separates the players from the winners, and it does so by studying. No, we don’t mean hours upon hours digesting encyclopaedias – that’s a fool’s game. It’s all about learning quicker and smarter. There are dozens of websites and books dedicated to the art of Scrabble’s success. All you have to do is swot up on a couple of keywords from each of these, and it will give you a huge competitive advantage. Better known as smart studying, it’s a life skill you’ll want in your armoury. For instance, did you know that ‘Flapjack’ has the potential to earn you 356 points if you can stretch it between to triple words, or that the Hebrew word ‘Chutzpah’ will gain you a least 27 points and a maximum of 383 for clever placement. That’s not all, knowing how to get yourself out of sticky situations is handy too. Two-letter words like Yo and Xi are game-changers when you’re played into a corner.

• It’s Okay to Take Risks

While nothing in life is certain, risks are there to tempt us, to challenge us, and to see how far we are willing to risk it all. And as the saying goes – ‘fortune favours the bold’. While we may not know what letters our Scrabble opponents have, the game reminds us to take risks when we can and to reap the rewards that come from it.

• That Pedants Definitely Exist!

It’s not until you know the rules, that you can take full advantage of Scrabble. There are new words added to the official dictionary all the time, and if that wasn’t enough, there’s even an official rulebook if you want to really know your rights. For most people, this is a bridge too far – it’s a fun family board game after all, right? Well not for everyone, and this is where it gets interesting because it seeds out the rule-finders and sneaks – once you know someone has a secret copy of the Scrabble rules, you’ll never look at them in the same way again!

• The Art of Never Giving Up

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced a bittersweet game of Scrabble, most usually with a close friend or sibling – you know, people you can really be yourself around. There are many times in a game of Scrabble where you might feel that there’s nothing to play for – but keep going and you might just find that new opportunities come up all the time. There’s a lesson right there for all of us.

• It’s Fun To Travel With

Foolish are those who think that Scrabble is just a simple family board game to pass the time. Because to play it is to love it. This is why Travel Scrabble is one of the top-selling travel games that families pack on their holidays. Don’t deny yourself the chance of this guilty pleasure, invest in the grab-and-go game set and never worry about being bored on a family holiday again.

• Gaslighting is Real…

There’s nothing like a competitive game of Scrabble to bring out someone’s true personality. With this often comes feuds and debates around acceptable word usage and questioning if you even know what the word means in the first place. Unfortunately, gaslighting is real –  which in layman’s terms is when you’re made to question your sanity. If this happens, take comfort in knowing that you are not required to define a word or demonstrate knowledge of it, to play it in Scrabble, so there.

• … and So is Sibling Rivalry

Speaking of gaslighting, many of us first discover Scrabble in our childhood, while rooting through our parent’s best family board games for Christmas entertainment. The trajectory from starter to a fierce competitor doesn’t take long, and as any sibling rivalry will teach you, winning is everything. Competitive playing helps us discover more about our own personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the darker side of those around us. Freud would have a field day unpicking it.

• We Are Merely Students of Life

It’s easy to forget sometimes that we’re constantly learning from the world around us. Family board games are no exception. Scrabble is more than a top family board game, it’s also a great teacher. From playing, we can extend our vocabulary, learn new words and expand our knowledge. It also helps with our own communication skills and problem-solving skills too.

• It Makes a Lovely Gift

Whether you’re popping over to a friend’s house for a barbecue, or looking to buy a meaningful present for a family member, Scrabble is always the answer. There’s even fancy limited edition versions, like this Art Deco version which wouldn’t look out of place in any home. And for those who take their Scrabble very seriously, there’s some brilliant accessories to stock up on: rotating turntable anyone? Yes really!

• How to Win and Lose Graciously

Isn’t it interesting that whether you win or lose in Scrabble, your reaction is encouraged to be one of grace and kindness to your opponent. How fitting to learn such an important value, especially from a young age. Because we all know, that life is a series of successes and failures, and learning to appreciate them both for what they are, will keep you steady in a world full of turbulence.

• Patience is a Virtue
  

And finally, if there is to be any criticism of this much-loved family board game, it’s the sheer frustration that comes with waiting for opponents to play their turn. Being in the waiting room of Scrabble is a test of your patience for sure, and this is never felt more than when you have a great set of letters you’re ready to lay down.

Patience is a virtue, as the saying goes, and in life, there are valuable lessons to be gained for waiting your turn. If nothing else, it’s a prime opportunity for practising your poker face, before you lay down the winning letters to victory! Hoorah.