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Scrabble Vs. Words With Friends: How Are They Different?

If you are new to board games, you may find “Scrabble” and “Words With Friends” the same at first glance. They are popular word games enjoyed by people from all walks of life.

The main purpose of both the games is to form words and earn points, but they are different. From the board design to the rules of the game, there are many differences between the two.

Let’s find out.

1. Different layout

The most important point that sets these word games apart from one another is the board layout.

● There are different numbers and locations of bonus squares on the 2 boards. Due to this, you need to make unique strategies when it comes to the length and position of words.

● In “Scrabble”, if you are the first player you get the chance to earn double points as centre square counts as a double word. While the value of the centre square is similar to the other squares in “Words With Friends”.

● There are 12 triple letters and 17 double word squares in “Scrabble”. While “Words With Friends” has 16 triple letter and 12 double word squares. Due to this, “Scrabble” players focus more on word length and “Words With Friends” players aim to use the most valuable single letter.

2. Number of letters matters

Another major difference is “Scrabble” has 100 tiles, while there are 104 tiles in “Words With Friends”. This figure is further divided into vowels and consonants.

“Scrabble” has 42 vowels and 56 consonants while “Words With Friends” has 44 vowels and 58 consonants.

Moreover, the total number of each letter tile also varies.

Scrabble: A-9, B-2, C-2, D-4, E-12, F-2, G-3, H-2, I-9, J-1, K-1, L-4, M-2, N-6, O-8, P-2, Q-1, R-6, S-4, T-6, U-4, V-2, W-2, X-1, Y-2, Z-1 and Blanks-2.

Words With Friends: A=9, B=2, C=2, D=5, E=13, F=2, G=3, H=4, I=8, J=1, K=1, L=4, M=2, N=5, O=8, P=2, Q=1, R=6, S=5, T=7, U=4, V=2, W=2, X=1, Y=2, Z=1.

3. Value of letter tiles

The value of letter tiles is different in both the board games.

Scrabble  Blank tile – 0 Points  A, E, I, L, N, O, R, S, T and U – 1 Point D and G – 2 Points B, C, M and P – 3 Points F, H, V, W and Y – 4 Points K – 5 Points J and X – 8 Points Q and Z– 10 Points Total face point value is 187

Words With Friends Blank tile – 0 Points A, E, I, O, R, S and T – 1 Point D, L, N and U – 2 Points G, H and Y – 3 Points B, C, M, P and W – 4 Points K and V – 5 Points X – 8 Points J, Q and Z – 10 Points Total face point value is 220

 

 

Also, in “Scrabble”, you can score 50 points from bingo and 35 points in “Words With Friends”.

4. Use of fake words

You can form fake or misspelt words in “Scrabble” in case your competitor doesn’t notice.

However, “Words with Friends” strictly don’t allow the use of fake or irrelevant words.

Moreover, there are a few 2 letter words that can only be used in “Words With Friends” but not in Scrabble.

For instance, VU is one such word that is only valid while playing “Words With Friends”.

In the end…

Both “Scrabble” and “Words With Friends” are entertaining word games that you can play with your friends, parents and grandparents. While they may appear the same, they are different. It’s better to play both the games yourself to experience the difference. What you shouldn’t be forgetting is to learn new words and have fun! That’s the ultimate purpose of word board games.