Is QAIDS a valid word?

QAIDS is the plural of QAID, an Arabic word for a local leader or chief in North Africa (also spelled CAID). Five letters with a Q, no U and only common tiles besides, it is a strong play when you hold an S. If QAID is already on the board, adding the S makes QAIDS and counts the Q's 10 points again, and the S can start a second word in the other direction. Keep it in mind with QADIS, the plural of QADI, which uses exactly the same letters in a different order. In Morocco, a qaid once governed a district on behalf of the sultan.

Before any bonus squares: Q 10 + A 1 + I 1 + D 2 + S 1 = 15. On a double-word square that's 30, on a triple-word 45, and every letter bonus under one of these tiles is applied first.

Later in the game, put the Q on a 3L square and QAIDS is worth 35 before any word bonus.

Swap any one letter of QAIDS and these are still words:

These use exactly the letters of QAIDS:

QAIDS is the plural of QAID, a North African chief. Hook an S onto QAID and the Q scores again.

• Q without U

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