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Thursday, January 13, 2011

Hasbro Scrabble Flash Game - Think Quickly!


Great news for all fans of Scrabble, the well-known game for wordsmiths; Hasbro decided to produce an electronic version of Scrabble, they call it Scrabble Flash Game and it was released in fall 2010. Because of all its great features and functions (see below), Hasbro Scrabble Flash is a great Christmas gift idea for 2010.

For a retail price of about $30, it is an affordable toy and though it might seem a little bit pricey, the price is great if you take into consideration that Scrabble Flash comes with a brand new technology called SmartLink. The Scrabble Flash package contains 5 electronic tiles that has a square shape (that's why the game is often called "Scrabble Flash Cubes"), instructions and a small plastic case, which is perfect to store the tiles in (it has a nice design and is very handy to store whole game to play on the move). Batteries that are essential to run the game are include.

Each of the five tiles has a small display. When you turn the game on, each of the displays will show a letter from the English alphabet. The goal of the game is to order these 5 letters to create a 3-, 4- or 5-letter English word. When you line the tiles up, they will recognise their position to one another. There are three game modes. Let's review the game modes in more detail:

1. The first game mode is called simply Scrabble Flash and you are supposed to spell as many 3-5-letter words as possible within 75 seconds. Regardless of length, when you create a word, you will get 1 point. In addition, when you create a 5-letter word, you will be given additional 5 seconds. When the time is over, the tiles will tell you how many points you have got and how many points it is possible to get maximum.

2. The second game type is called Scrabble Five Letter Flash. From the name, it is obvious that you will be forming 5-letter words and again, you have only 75 seconds to act. Unlike the first game mode, here you will get no additional time when you create a word, but you do create one, the letters on each display will change to 5 new ones.

3. The third mode's name is Scrabble Pass Flash and this is probably the most enjoyable game. Here you don't play on your own, but with your friends and there is no upper limit of players. You have a short amount of time to spell a 5-letter word and when you spell one, the tiles will say "next" and you should pass the Scrabble Flash Cubes to another player. On the other hand, when you fail to form a word, the tiles will say "out" meaning you have been eliminated out of the game.

The Scrabble Flash Game is perfect to play on the go (while you are travelling by tram, bus or waiting for food at a restaurant). You don't have to waste your time by doing nothing, instead, you can develop you fantasy and the quickness of thinking.








To buy Scrabble Flash, I would recommend visiting scrabbleflashgame.net, as they offer a discounted price on the toy. Please note that Scrabble Flash Game is one of the top Christmas gifts for 2010 and therefore can get sold out at any moment.


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Children and Scrabble: The Perfect Match

Scrabble was a tradition in my family. From the time I could barely see the board from my vantage point at the edge of the table, I witnessed the subtle strategies used by my older brother and sisters at play. I dreamed of the day I was old enough to play--how I'd dazzle them all with my victory! But that day was long in coming. If there's any game that makes kids feel left out, it's Scrabble. Because it requires reading, spelling, and vocabulary skills, many parents think Scrabble isn't for the very young. Think again! Parents these days can easily introduce the game to a child as young as four or five years old. With a little time and effort, they can help children even develop advanced skills that many adults don't know.


After the Official Scrabble Player's Dictionary, the best Scrabble tool introduced by Hasbro in recent years is the Scrabble Junior Edition. This by far is the best way to introduce Scrabble to your four year old. Play resembles regular Scrabble, getting children accustomed to the flow of the game. First, children draw seven tiles from the pool. In turns they lay down tiles from their racks to match the letters on the board. Letter by letter they eventually spell out entire words, winning points. By game's end, they will have used over a hundred tiles to work a variety of different words. Few preschool teachers could match that for reading practice!


Children who have mastered this simplified version can then "graduate" to the next level of play by flipping the game board over to reveal another basic version of the classic Scrabble game. Using this board and modified scoring rules, children progress in difficulty and skill level.


By eight years old, most children will be ready for regular Scrabble. Don't get caught up in talking rules and strategy at first. Just jump right in and let your child experience the game for him or herself. Even better, you might play an opponent as a team, allowing the child to suggest plays and explaining tactics as the game goes on. Even if it's not the best play, use your child's suggestions occasionally so that he or she feels like a valuable member of the team and experiences first-hand the triumph or failure of a move. Having a teammate to share the disappointment will help when moves aren't successful, or when the child doesn't win.


Particularly in their early years, allow children to use a dictionary while playing. One rule variation used in my home while growing up was that players were allowed to "browse" the dictionary for word options as long as it wasn't their turn. This way, young players didn't get bored waiting for their turns, while they acquired a great learning skill! Dictionaries are a terrific safety net and their use can help children broaden their vocabulary base.


Outside actual play there are a few games you can teach that will help children sharpen their Scrabble skills. Using the Scrabble tiles, have your child spell out his or her name. Add up the score. Then spell out the other names of friends and family members, cities, states, countries, or other favorite words, adding and comparing the scores of each. Play for fun, taking off the competitive edge, and allow the child to explore the value of different word options.


Few skills are more important than anagramming to a Scrabble novice, and this is a skill you may want to explain as your child progresses. Give them a word and a time limit, and challenge them to find five, ten, twenty, or even more words using only the letters given. As they improve, encourage them to find lengthier options, maybe even offering a reward for using all the letters. I've used this game frequently in the elementary classroom when my class is waiting in line, and I haven't yet found a youngster who doesn't like it. Students especially love comparing their lists. If they've found a word nobody else found (or a word I didn't) it is especially rewarding.


You may be surprised how fast your child picks up on more advanced strategies after introducing Scrabble this way. More importantly, he or she will develop an interest in word play, which is infinitely more valuable than alternative interests in TV and video games. Go ahead, invite your child for a game of Scrabble--it'll be a perfect match!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Scrabble Blast Download - Old School Enters New Age


Are you one of those people who have been playing games for a long time and remember the days when Tetris and Scrabble used to be the rage amongst the youngsters? Simultaneously, do you wish that you were able to play games like these even now, despite the fact that you are extremely short on time these days? If your answer to both questions is a resounding 'Yes', then the ideal solution for you would be the Scrabble Blast download.

Scrabble Blast is a game that is an ideal hybridization of the age old classics of Scrabble and Tetris. This game can help the purists blend the new age by way of being able to quickly reminisce the old school games of Tetris and Scrabble simultaneously. The game is the perfect way to improve vocabulary and speed for word game buffs of all ages.

Scrabble Blast download is a game that is divided into three segments. These three segments would challenge you in a variety of ways to test and improve your different facets and skills. These variations are nothing but renditions of the basic game. The following are details.

1. The one bag basic mode:

This is the old school way of playing Scrabble. In this mode of the Scrabble Blast download, you would be given 100 tiles from which you have to make as many words as possible. This is a simple mode that would allow you to actually spend a lot of time thinking of the kind of words you want to make, just like you used to when you had a lot of time on your hands.

2. Puzzle numbered bombs mode:

This mode of the Scrabble Blast download adds the property of puzzle into the whole concept of playing Scrabble. Herein, you would be given a board full of numbered bombs which you need to explode. You can explode these bombs by way of making words on the bombs but the length of the words have to correspond to the number written on the bomb. This game is the best method to improve your vocabulary because the variation in bomb numbers would perpetually keep you in a state of deep thought.

3. Action mode:

This is a mode that is probably as fast paced as your life is today. Hence, if you have a life wherein you are always short on time then this mode is the way to go in those little periods of lull. This mode of the Scrabble Blast download requires you to make words to blast bombs that keep coming at you. Gradually, the speed of the entry of the bombs and their numbers increase to make you feel more frantic.

Resultantly, regardless of the frame of mind that you are in, Scrabble Blast download will be able to cater to you without fault. Additionally, Scrabble Blast download would also allow you to compare your scores with other players and find out your standing with respect to other Scrabble and word games buffs. Hence, downloading Scrabble Blast would be one of the more convenient ways to reminisce of times when you used to be tension free.








Mike has been writing articles for over a year now. His latest website gives reviews on Scrabble Blast. Here is his website... http://www.scrabbleblast.org When you get a minute come and see it.


Scrabble Flash Cubes


Do you or your kids love playing word games? Then the new Scrabble Flash Cubes will definitely be the game to have fun with family and friends this Christmas season.

The Scrabble Flash Cubes are an excellent and very impressive makeover of the classic longtime favorite Hasbro Scrabble board game.

So what exactly has Hasbro improved? Forget the classic board game and step into the future. Hasbro has managed to design an electronic Scrabble game, which you can play wherever you are. Five electronic letter tiles allow you to swap, slide and shuffle letters your way to win.

How does it work? You have to use the word tiles to create words. The tiles will recognize whenever you have created a word and give a signal tone and flash. These tiles can actually read each other's letters. This is really amazing! The Scrabble Flash Cubes have three game possibilities for group or single player mode:


1. Make as many words as possible in 75 seconds. Every five-letter word you create gives you an extra five seconds to play.
2. Find one five-letter word and then receive five new letters and try to spell as many words as possible in 75 seconds.
3. Pass the tiles around to players trying to find a five-letter word in 75 seconds. If a five letter-word has been found, pass the tiles and new letters will come up to play with. If a shorter word has been found the same letters pass to the next player and if no word is found at all, the player is eliminated.

Five letters might be too difficult for younger players. So Hasbro has designed all three games to work with four letter tiles as well.

Scrabble Flash Cubes are for word gamers from eight years and above. It can be played with one or more players. And look out: this game is addictive! Playing against time, friends or family is loads of fun! So forget the large board and small letter parts. These five portable electronic tiles are everything you need to have fun. And the game comes with a lightweight storage box.

Scrabble Flash is a modern, compact and portable version of the classic Scrabble board game. It will definitely be the best word game this holiday season for kids as well as for adults!








Robin Dee
http://christmastoys24.com

I really like toys and I like to read and write about toys. Hence, I've build a website showing of the best toys of 2010. So check out my site (christmastoys24.com) for the top toys for this holiday season


Thursday, January 6, 2011

Scrabble Diamond Anniversary Game - 4 Reasons Why Scrabble Fans and Collectors Love It


The Scrabble Diamond Anniversary Game is perfect for fans and collectors. It is special because it marks the 60th anniversary of the popular word game. Hasbro commemorates the occasion by releasing one of the fanciest versions of the game to date. But what makes it different from other versions of Scrabble?

1. A Special Board with Raised Grids. The grids hold your tiles in place on the board. The quickest way to start confusion is to have someone's letters slide out of place. This happens often when more than two people play, and the board is spun to face another player. Thankfully, this version of the game ends that problem.

You can stop worrying about your letters getting knocked out of place. This means no more confusion about what letters went where. And that means fewer arguments between friends and family.

2. A Sturdy Board and Carrying Case. The game board is attached to a rotating base that doubles as a carrying case. This comes in handy when you play away from home. The pieces stay in the box where they belong during transport.

3. Built-In Storage Trays. I love this feature. Storing the racks after a game drives me nuts. I have to get them into the box just right. If I don't, the board sticks up and the box stays open. Do you have this problem? The Scrabble Diamond Anniversary edition solves that problem with built-in storage racks.

The storage racks are attached to the sides of the rotating base. They easily slide in and out for easy access. You simply put the racks and tiles inside when you're done. I think it's the best feature about this edition.

4. A Rotating Base. The game board is attached to a rotating base. The board easily spins to face any direction. Players can easily see the board when its their turn.








The Scrabble Diamond Anniversary Game is a great gift and a collector's item. It's definitely one of the most stylish editions available. Learn about other collectible Scrabble editions now -> Scrabble Collectible Editions.


Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Difference Between Scrabble Dictionaries


The internet has changed the face of Scrabble play - there are lots of online games such as the official Scrabble game by Hasbro, and similar word games such as Wordscraper, Lexulous and Words with Friends. Each of these games offers several options for the game dictionary - which should you use when playing with friends versus playing in a tournament?

The 'Official Scrabble Players Dictionary' was originally compiled in 1978 by members of the US National Scrabble Association for use in sanctioned tournaments. For a word to be included in this dictionary it must be present in one of five standard print dictionaries - Merriam-Webster's Collegiate, Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary of the English Language, The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Webster's New World Second College Edition, and The Random House College Dictionary. The current version of this scrabble list is OSPD4.

In the United States, Canada and Thailand tournament play now uses the Tournament Word List (TWL) which is a modified version of the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary. The dictionary has been edited from the original OSPD version to remove some words which are less suitable for tournament play. The removed words are those that could be considered offensive to players. The current version used in competition is TWL2, and is sometimes referred to as OWL (Official Word List).

Within the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand the dictionary used is 'Official Scrabble Words' (OSW). This is a collection of all the words and combinations playable in tournament Scrabble within those countries and uses British English.

In the rest of the world, the SOWPODS dictionary is used. The SOWPODS dictionary is an amalgamation of the British OSW and National Scrabble Association's OSPD dictionary. It is not published as an actual dictionary with definitions, rather it allows for either of the OSW or OSPD dictionaries to be used as a reference when playing Scrabble.

So, which list should you use? The SOWPODS word list has the most words in it, which would give you the most possibilities to play in a friendly game. If you're practicing for a tournament or playing in a more competitive game, the official word list for your country should be used.








Dave Shimoda is a Software engineer and Scrabble Enthusiast, who developed Scrabble Word Finder. As well as allowing you to find all the words available from your Scrabble tiles, it has a series of articles and resources to help beginner Scrabble players become experts.