Using a three-letter word can be a great way to use the high-scoring tiles J, Q, X and Z, especially by getting the power tile on a double- or triple-letter square. Here are some for you to learn that might help you:
J first: JUD a block of coal
J second: GJU a Shetland violin, an alternative spelling to GU
J third: there are three, HAJ, RAJ and TAJ: a Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, an Indian word for government and a tall conical cap respectively
Q first: QAT a shrub with leaves used as a stimulant
Q third: SUQ an Arab marketplace
X first: XIS plural of XI, a Greek letter – the only three starting with X
X second: OXO an acid containing oxygen
X third: TEX a unit of weight of yarn
Z first: ZOL a cannabis cigarette
Z second: AZO a term used in chemistry
Z third: WIZ short for wizard
There are even some three-letter words with two power tiles: JIZ (a wig), ZAX (saxophone) and ZEX (a tool for cutting slates). There are no three-letter words with Q in the middle.
By Barry Grossman
Barry is a leading UK Scrabble player and winner of several tournaments. He is the author of Scrabble for Beginners (Chambers), Need to Know Scrabble, Scrabble – Play to Win and The Little Book of Scrabble Trickster. He has also contributed to numerous other books on the subject of words and word-games, has been a series champion of Channel 4’s Countdown, and has written four comedy series for BBC Radio 4. He lives in Hertford.
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