i recently played in a small scrabble tournament, and I won! It was not a competitive tourney, and I attribute a large portion of my success to the fact that I "out metagamed" the rest of this field with this type of game knowledge. thanks will
(C) UPBEARER & [SAV]VYING - like the sneaky fun hooks and extensions you worked in. Also, super important to remember that the S is the most common front hooking tile too, great point. The fact that Butts *playtested and then reduced the number of S’s is also fascinating, I didn’t realize that was a step in early board game design! You packed a lot of great strategy and history into this one, glad to see the return of this series!
My crude analysis shows that drawing all four esses in a game actually increases a player's win percentage more than drawing both blanks. Will nails his writeup on this one -- S scores and bingos like no other letter.
Interesting to see that P is the second-most common front hook. I'm guessing a lot of those words that take a front P are words beginning with the RE- prefix becoming PRE- words.
So far, my best scoring word with Z has been “quizzical” (2nd z being a blank) off of “camp” and “land” on 2 TW’s for 396. Still my proudest scrabble accomplishment.
The only tile stronger than the S is the blank, and even then it's arguable just how big the gap is, because a well-placed S can still be worth over a dozen points by itself. A blank is only ever worth zero.
I suppose your ability to both analyse specific tournament matches in-depth and explicate general theory like this is why they call you the Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson of golf
Wow, this is amazing! As someone who got into Scrabble only because of your videos (although not professionally), I'm always amazed to learn more about the game. These videos are so entertaining! I would kill for more content like this, thank you for keeping this channel alive, Will!
The return of the better know a letter series is definitely highly anticipated. SSSSuperb video Will! 🎉 The new editing style is amazing too! Would love to see videos on either neighbor of S in the alphabet R/T. Great bingo letters but somewhat struggles to score well
S, X, and E. My three favourite tiles in scrabble. Edit: I bingoed with excesses through a c. Actually, I didn’t. I’m planning to do so though 😀. Will update
learning to not use my s unless it’s for a hook is definitely what upped my scrabble game to the point where i can finally beat my dad reliably in games of scrabble for the first time in my 26 years
When watching your series for the first time, I was a little surprised you didn't do S, despite it being well-known that it's good. Thank you for doing it after finally! I wonder if you'll be considering doing the blank as well? I also actually got confused why it was grouped with the powers so I'm glad you addressed that. Chuckled at the remark on the definition of archival. Again, very informational and well-researched. I didn't know a lot of the stuff you mentioned.
Are there statistics on which letters the blank is most often used for? I would expect S or E would be the most common, but the most advanced players with perfect word knowledge would have a more varied distribution. A novice would never assign a blank to be a J or a X, but it would happen occasionally in tournaments.
Hi, Will. might be something no-one has data on, but do you know what (in competitive scrabble) letter blank is most often used as, I imagine it'd be S because of its hook ability, or E because of its frequency, but that data would be interesting.
I would like to request B! B seems like such a mediocre tile, with no real benefits, and it seems like tiles like H are just strictly better in every way (more points, more words, better synergies, etc). Does B actually have any redeeming qualities?
The next letter I'd like to see in this series would most likely be the P. I swear it appears in more bingo length words than it does, and it doesn't seem to be a bad letter to duplicate.
What tools do you use to make these videos? I have some ideas for study tools that would really be aided by knowing which letters have synergies with others and where they tend to appear in words
Great channel Will! But may I point out that at 3:42 you've used unnecessarily gendered language ("*He* probably has another"). I'm sure you're aware of how Scrabble struggles to be inclusive to women and non-binary people, and opting for inclusive language ("They probably have another") is one habit that can help promote inclusivity.
so this is why it's called "s-tier"
haha
It’s because of s-hook. i.e. shook.
babe wake up from ur 3 year coma, get to know a letter is back
We have 9 more letters left, A B D N P R T Y ?
@@Firefly256 bandp?rty is unfortunately not valid
@@Firefly256abandon party!
@@Firefly256 My favorite letter, the blank
Such a powerful letter that a man named Nigel Richard added it as an S hook to his own last name, and the rest is history.
Actually he changed his last name to Richards to strategically block the S hook for his opponent
At 3:44 I believe Player 1 has the beautiful bingo of ASSFACE
Not valid, unfortunately...
@@100beep5it's valid to me
Valid in UDSL (Urban Dictionary Scrabble List)
I’m sure they won’t be so thrilled if this is played in school scrabble
FWIW the only expletive -FACE words valid in NWL23 are F*CKFACE and SH*TFACE (the latter of which naturally takes a back D as well as an S).
Can we PLEASE have more videos on the history of Scrabble's development/game design? That was an incredibly interesting part of the video!
100% agree, can't think of a better person to make it
Definitely agree, would love to hear some more scrabble history or even a comprehensive documentary on the game and it's creation
i recently played in a small scrabble tournament, and I won!
It was not a competitive tourney, and I attribute a large portion of my success to the fact that I "out metagamed" the rest of this field with this type of game knowledge.
thanks will
finally! after 3 years of waiting, I now know how to effectively use the S
Better Know A Letter is a perfect name for the series
(C) UPBEARER & [SAV]VYING - like the sneaky fun hooks and extensions you worked in. Also, super important to remember that the S is the most common front hooking tile too, great point. The fact that Butts *playtested and then reduced the number of S’s is also fascinating, I didn’t realize that was a step in early board game design!
You packed a lot of great strategy and history into this one, glad to see the return of this series!
My crude analysis shows that drawing all four esses in a game actually increases a player's win percentage more than drawing both blanks. Will nails his writeup on this one -- S scores and bingos like no other letter.
But how about if you draw all 12 Es?!
@@tranonehalf according to the record books, Josh Sokol vs Jesse Day, 2 blanks > 12 E's. Check out annotated game 18430
Interesting to see that P is the second-most common front hook. I'm guessing a lot of those words that take a front P are words beginning with the RE- prefix becoming PRE- words.
oh snap i love this series
So far, my best scoring word with Z has been “quizzical” (2nd z being a blank) off of “camp” and “land” on 2 TW’s for 396. Still my proudest scrabble accomplishment.
Those examples where the S is both a both a front hook and a back hook was beautifully done!
Glad this series is back!!
And when the words needed him most, he returned.
Been watching all the old ones. Amazing to see a new upload. Your presentation is simply superb Will.
I can’t say I’m not surprised you’re continuing this series, but I sure am glad, can’t wait to see what’s next
YES! Been waiting for this for literal years! I hope we can see this series completed some day 🎉
glad that it's back! binged all of these back then when i found out about your channel ❤
The only tile stronger than the S is the blank, and even then it's arguable just how big the gap is, because a well-placed S can still be worth over a dozen points by itself. A blank is only ever worth zero.
Yes! Finally! I have been looking forwards to this series being finished for ages and am so happy that looks like it's going to be back on track :D
Please finish this series - great educational resource :)
I suppose your ability to both analyse specific tournament matches in-depth and explicate general theory like this is why they call you the Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson of golf
Wow, this is amazing! As someone who got into Scrabble only because of your videos (although not professionally), I'm always amazed to learn more about the game. These videos are so entertaining! I would kill for more content like this, thank you for keeping this channel alive, Will!
Yes please finish this series!
So satisfying to know that “Better know a letter” is back!!! Thanks
WE MAKING ENDLESS HOOKS WITH THIS ONE 🗣🗣📣📣🔥🔥
The return of the better know a letter series is definitely highly anticipated. SSSSuperb video Will! 🎉 The new editing style is amazing too! Would love to see videos on either neighbor of S in the alphabet R/T. Great bingo letters but somewhat struggles to score well
Love these Better Know a Letter vids.
Thanks Will!
1:12 was LICKS... oh sorry I meant SLICK
I think I've said it before, but I don't even play scrabble and yet these vids are always so interesting :0
WE'RE SO BACK
Oh my god it’s finally happening and this is the letter I’ve wanted the most…
S, X, and E. My three favourite tiles in scrabble.
Edit: I bingoed with excesses through a c. Actually, I didn’t. I’m planning to do so though 😀. Will update
Very sus
@@SasmithaXD being completely serious, yes, they are lol. Great for bingoing and scoring.
Xs are powerful tiles that can be easily used with vowels, Es can make longer words and can help using hard tiles like C, V, K. And S is just goated.
@@I_like_smashburgers agree EXS tiles are very versatile valuable at any time..
When your opponent is better than you, but you win anyway because of good draws: "doesn't matter, had SXE"
After FILMISH hooking STOT yesterday... We have definitely learned
learning to not use my s unless it’s for a hook is definitely what upped my scrabble game to the point where i can finally beat my dad reliably in games of scrabble for the first time in my 26 years
When watching your series for the first time, I was a little surprised you didn't do S, despite it being well-known that it's good. Thank you for doing it after finally! I wonder if you'll be considering doing the blank as well?
I also actually got confused why it was grouped with the powers so I'm glad you addressed that.
Chuckled at the remark on the definition of archival.
Again, very informational and well-researched. I didn't know a lot of the stuff you mentioned.
oh we're so back
Next: The blank (GOATed bingo tile, worst scoring tile).
the moSt anticipated episode!!
epiSode
Are there statistics on which letters the blank is most often used for? I would expect S or E would be the most common, but the most advanced players with perfect word knowledge would have a more varied distribution. A novice would never assign a blank to be a J or a X, but it would happen occasionally in tournaments.
I wonder how many other fans of this channel don’t play scrabble 😅
A testament to good content 🫡👏
Hi, Will. might be something no-one has data on, but do you know what (in competitive scrabble) letter blank is most often used as, I imagine it'd be S because of its hook ability, or E because of its frequency, but that data would be interesting.
Great question, I’ll try to dig this up!
New Better Know A Letter!!!!!
Lol, the S was so good it was nerfed before release
SSSSSSSuper video Will!
this came out after I found the series and watched all the vids
COINCEDENCE?
I would like to request B! B seems like such a mediocre tile, with no real benefits, and it seems like tiles like H are just strictly better in every way (more points, more words, better synergies, etc). Does B actually have any redeeming qualities?
Big fan of the new editing style; keep it up, man! :D
Worth the wait.
The S is also the only power tile than can be relatively easily used in combination with one of the other power tiles.
OMG IT'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
Yay better know a letter is back
YES FINALLY!!
Let's hecking go, still waiting for an episode on the last vowel tho 👀
He’s back let’s goooooo
Omg my dreams have come true
I`ve been waiting for this one!
We should continue this plus I wanna know how the R works so well with the E
Back from the dead 🎉
The next letter I'd like to see in this series would most likely be the P. I swear it appears in more bingo length words than it does, and it doesn't seem to be a bad letter to duplicate.
Wow
Good to be back.., good job Will
Could you do B and P next?
I knew this episode was coming!
Are there episodes on B and P? Would definitely love to see those!
4:39 what about the T for (VAU)T
"Can you play OMG! Words"? It's a scrabble roguelike and I don't think any pro Scrabble players have made a video on it
You gotta post more bro I’m craving your vids
Do you think it would improve the game to add more "S" to the tile set?
We baaaack
Where are my fellow S-heads?
Let’s go baby
What tools do you use to make these videos? I have some ideas for study tools that would really be aided by knowing which letters have synergies with others and where they tend to appear in words
Great video will
yeas itsss back
yayyyyy it's back!
Power.
Great channel Will! But may I point out that at 3:42 you've used unnecessarily gendered language ("*He* probably has another"). I'm sure you're aware of how Scrabble struggles to be inclusive to women and non-binary people, and opting for inclusive language ("They probably have another") is one habit that can help promote inclusivity.
Appreciate this feedback and will be more mindful!
Guy who pogs out at a video about the letter S in Scrabble (it's me)
id like to see a Y video because its both a vowel and a constonant
Outta place
I would like you to do A next I’m expecting 3.5-4 stars
No end screen? 🥲
Topp Tree Scarbbel Tyles
Numbra Wun: Blankie
Numbra Too: Ser Pentius
Numbra Tree: Flore Tyles
Ye(s)!
Who else immediately saw all the S-front hooks :)
Oo lunch!
YAY
I’m a big S fan
First I click like, and then I watch.
S = OP, I C, OK
Day 1 of suggesting Better Know a Letter - Blank
Sss
Do blank!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOOO hamburger
Claim your spot in the first 1K views here
👇