"Scabble" A Favorite for Generations

The "Scrabble" game we all know and love has been around since 1948. Though that's a bit before my time, it was always a favorite at our house growing up.

I had 1 brother and two sisters and we would play over and over again -- vying to be named "Scabble Champ" of the family. No one liked to play when my dad was playing -- he always won. I swear -- we used to accuse him of reading the dictionary every night to add to his already extensive vocabulary.

What wonderful memories that game holds for me -- gathered around the coffee table, staking out our side while sitting on the floor, laughing, challenging words and laughing some more. Those were the days...

Scrabble, the Game

It's a very simple format -- each player, in turn, makes a word using the 7 letter tiles they have drawn. The first player must cross the "star" in the center of the grid board. The word can be played horizontally or vertically. The next player must connect his/her word to the original word and may play in either direction.

Subsequent words are connected to any letter already on the board. The letter tiles each have a score ranging from 0 (for blanks or wild tiles) to 10. Once a word is spelled you add the points on each letter and, if you have placed a letter on one of the special squares (double letter score, double word score, etc...) you calculate that into the final word score.

If a player used 5 of his/her tiles to spell their word, they then blind draw 5 new tiles from the "bag" or reserve. Play ends when a player has used all their tiles and the reserve is empty. The player with the most points wins. If no one can play all their tiles, then the person with the most points wins.

There are variations on the rules and many local and national competitive clubs if you are serious about your Scrabble.

Board Games are a Great Change of Pace!

In today's technologically advanced word, we all play games on our iPads, tablets, cell phones, televisions and computers. Words with Friends was developed so that Scrabble lovers can play on the go and with friends or people from around the world! That's all well and good but you are missing out on some things when you play electronically. Things like:

• Camaraderie -- Board games bring people together
• The body language, hoots & hollers and conversation that comes with playing together in the same room facing each other and not a TV, iPad or other device
• It can be a time of "Technology Detox" in a world where our jobs, school and lives seem to revolve around devices.

A family or friend game night is a wonderful way to really interact with each other and have some good old fashion competition too!

Scrabble is the favorite at our house because you can learn new words and meanings while still having fun. However, there are lots of board games out there to choose from.

Sad Scrabble Story

Yes, it is sad -- grab the tissues.

A few weeks ago, I was helping my mom with a large garage sale she was having. She and dad have decided to downsize. We had the entire garage was filled with tables full of treasures as well as 3 - 10 x 10 pop up canopies outside with some furniture and more tables filled with items from their lives.

At one point, I left my post at the checkout table to refill my coffee. As I came back outside, I saw a little girl of about 10 or so walking away from my mom out the checkout table. She was carrying the old 1970's version of the Scrabble game I have played all my life.

I couldn't believe it -- Mom sold the game!!! And, without telling me or my brother or sisters! I teared up immediately (I'm a bit of am emotional creature, I admit it.) I told mom I was shocked she sold the game. She said she hadn't intended to but that the little girl found it somehow in it's "not for sale" hiding place. The girls was so happy and excited to find a scrabble game, mom couldn't disappoint her. That's my mom.

I have decided to buy her and dad a new Scrabble game for Christmas this year. The fancy one with the turntable for the game board like mine. I think she will be thrilled and I see a few rousing games of Scrabble at our family Christmas celebration this year.

It won't be the stained and worn board in the maroon colored box I remember seeing all these years, but at least she will again have the game we all love to play.

A Few Great Accessory Ideas for Scrabble Lovers