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30 little-known words that will help you win Scrabble

Oxyphenbutazone: A type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)

This is theoretically the highest-scoring of all the Scrabble words – hooked to the right words, it would earn a whopping 1,778 points, found Dan Stock of Ohio. But it would require perfect placement of eight other tiles, so it’s never actually been played in a real game. One day…

Muzjiks: A Russian peasant

With this alternate spelling of muzhiks, Jesse Inman earned the record of the highest-scoring opening Scrabble word ever played in 2008.

Qi: The energy of life flowing through the body

When you’ve been holding on to that Q for way too long, just get rid of it with this easy-peasy two-letter word that doesn’t even require a U. Add an S at your next turn to take advantage of that ten-point Q all over again to win Scrabble.

Qat: A shrub that grows in the Middle East and Africa

Q with no U? You’re in luck – “qat” makes it easy to get rid of that tricky letter. When your friends question you, make sure to pronounce it right (“kaht”).

Xi: Letter in the Greek alphabet

You know “ax,” “ex,” and “ox,” but when your only vowel is an I, you’ve got options.

Xu: Coin that used to be minted in South Vietnam

Don’t get stuck with that X! Short Scrabble words that start with X are hard to come by.

Phpht: Interjection

No vowels? No problem! Other long consonant-only options to win Scrabble include crwth, byrls, fyrds, ghyll and xylyl.

Zuz: Ancient Hebrew coin

Super Scrabble players curse the days they get two Zs. “Pizza” and “fuzz” are obvious choices, but you can get rid of those pesky letters even quicker with this three-letter word.

Cwm: Cirque, a half-open hollow on a mountainside

When you’re stuck with all consonants, you don’t have too many options, especially if you don’t have a Y either. Enter cwm to save the day, or even tsk, brr, pht, zzz, nth, or shh.

Beziques: A card game played with a pack of 48 cards (two of each suit for high cards)

This word can get two tricky letters out of the way: Z and Q.

Caziques: Black-and-red or black-and-yellow orioles of the American tropics

Impress your Scrabble opponents with this unexpected eight-letter word.

Highjack: Alternate spelling of hijack

Who knew there was more than one spelling?

Mezquite: Alternate spelling of mesquite

Trick all of your opponents with the alternate spelling to win Scrabble.