Lesson 4 of 15
Scoring and bonus squares
Each tile shows its letter value as a small number. To score a turn, add those up for each word you made. Colored bonus squares change that: 2L and 3L double or triple one letter and count first; 2W and 3W double or triple the whole word and count last. Using all seven tiles from your rack (the tiles you hold) adds 50, called a bingo. Bonus squares only count if one of your new tiles is sitting on them.
- 1Letter bonuses first: a letter on 2L counts double, on 3L triple.
- 2Add up the word.
- 3Word bonuses last: 2W doubles the whole word and 3W triples it. Two word bonuses in one word multiply, so ×4 or ×9.
- 4Add up every word you made this turn.
Practice
C lands on a 3L square, and A and T land on plain squares. What does CAT score?
Practice
JAM covers a 2W square. J is 8, A is 1 and M is 3. What does it score?
Practice
Your word covers two 2W squares, and its letters add up to 10. What is it worth?
Common questions
Do bonus squares count again on later turns?
No. A bonus square counts only on the turn a new tile covers it. After that, the tile on it is worth its face value.
How do two word bonuses in one word score?
They multiply. Two 2W squares make the word worth four times its letters, and two 3W squares make it nine times.
Does a word bonus double the 50-point bingo?
No. The 50 is added after every other bonus, so a 2W or 3W never doubles it.
Forgot what a word means? Table words
Looking for a rule? How to Play has them all
Free scoring guide for your next game
A one-page printable of tile points, bonus squares and how a turn scores. Download it right away. Then two short welcome emails (three scoring habits, then what Tileside Pro adds), and about once a month, a little more around the holidays: a word to know and a tip that scores.
Word list: NASPA Word List 2023, used under license. NASPA Word List 2023 Edition © NASPA 2023. The copy included in this app is licensed for personal use. You may not use it for any commercial purposes.