Outspell: Spelling Out the Rules and Unique Features (2024)

Outspell: Spelling Out the Rules and Unique Features (1)

Created by Beth Wiggins for Wordfinder

Outspell is a Scrabble clone that you can play in any web browser. It’s a single-player experience, making it a great alternative to the multiplayer game that inspired it. It’s also entirely free to play. If you want the fun of Scrabble without needing to rely on another player, Outspell might be the perfect spelling game for you.

The Basics of Outspell

As mentioned, the Outspell game is based on classic Scrabble. The gameplay is essentially the same. If you are an avid Scrabble player, this game will come naturally to you. If you are only familiar with Scrabble, learning Outspell will take no time at all. And if you’ve never played a game of Scrabble in your life, you’ll still be able to figure things out after a couple of games. Outspell is all about being simple, quick and easy to play.

With the similarity to Scrabble also comes a similarity to Words With Friends. Both games have built-in dictionaries that tell you which words are legal. Words With Friends also has a single-player mode. The only major difference is that Outspell doesn’t have a ranking system like Words With Friends does.

Just like in Scrabble, you play the game on a board with (mostly) blank squares. Each turn, you place letter tiles on the squares to create words. Every word you create earns you points based on the letters you use. The goal is to outscore your opponent by creating the best words possible.

Arkadium: The Brains Behind Outspell

Outspell was created by the company Arkadium. Arkadium specializes in casual browser-based games. They’ve been in business since 2001 and have released some popular web games alongside Outspell. Some examples are the Microsoft Solitaire Collection and an at-home version of the Jeopardy! game show.

Spelling Out the Rules to Outspell

Outspell’s rules are worth studying if you aren’t already familiar with Scrabble or Words With Friends. The first rules you should understand are the steps for playing the game.

  • Set the difficulty: Before the game starts, you can choose from one of three difficulty settings: easy, medium or hard. Outspell can become challenging, so it’s best to start with “easy” if you are new to it.

  • Make the first move: You always play the first letter tile to start the game. Select two or more of your six letter tiles to create a word. You must create your first word with the board’s center space.

  • Pass your turn: If you don’t want to play a word or don’t see any worthwhile words to spell, you can skip your turn.

  • Exchange tiles: You can exchange any number of your tiles for random replacements from the tile bag. Keep in mind that the game will skip your turn if you choose to swap tiles.

  • Win the game: The game ends once you and the computer use all of the 100 letter tiles or if neither player can no longer spell a viable word with their available tiles. At that point, the player with the most points wins.

Points, Placement and Bonus Squares

The other important rules pertain to the placement of letters and how you earn points.

  • Tile scores: Each letter tile is assigned an individual point value, the same as Scrabble letter values. Commonly used letters are typically only worth one point each. Less common letters are worth more. The letter Z, for example, is worth 10 points.

  • Word placement: You can only spell words in straight lines, and each word must be readable from left to right or from top to bottom. Sometimes, spelling a word alongside an existing word can create other legal words. If you spell any words this way, you’ll earn points for them as well.

  • Bonus squares: The board has multiple blue squares and red squares mixed in with the regular white ones. Each of these squares has an “X3” or an “X2” on them. Placing a letter on a blue square will multiply the points for that letter by the number on the square. Spelling a word on a red square will multiply the points for the entire word by the number on the square.

Where to Play

Being a browser-based game, Outspell has the benefit of being playable on many different websites. Arkadium “leases out” the game, in a sense, to other sites so they can offer their users extra entertainment. Playing AARP Outspell is effectively the same as playing Outspell on Arkadium’s own page

Other sites to get your fill of Outspell include MSN Games and USA Today, as well as The Washington Post. Millions of people visit these sites every day.

Play Scrabble Online as Well

Outspell is a quality supplement for Scrabble. The rules are almost identical. And, being a single-player game makes it good practice if you don’t feel ready to play real people in Scrabble or Words With Friends. However, it’s not the only online option to enjoy tile-based gameplay. Explore some other options for single-player Scrabble to find a game you might enjoy just as much as Outspell.

Zac Pricener has been a content creator for the past eight years. He’s a bit of an all-around nerd, and he has a bad habit of working movie and TV show references into conversations whenever possible.

Outspell: Spelling Out the Rules and Unique Features (2024)

FAQs

Outspell: Spelling Out the Rules and Unique Features? ›

The only major difference is that Outspell doesn't have a ranking system like Words With Friends does. Just like in Scrabble, you play the game on a board with (mostly) blank squares. Each turn, you place letter tiles on the squares to create words.

How do people get such high scores in Outspell? ›

If you use all six of your tiles on one word, you'll get an automatic 50-point bonus. But that's not the only way to gain an advantage. Look carefully for open x2 and x3 tiles, which double or triple the letter (if it's a blue tile) or word (if it's a red tile).

What are the rules for outspell? ›

Outspell Spelling Game

First you'll need to choose your desired difficulty. Then, spell your first word on the board, making sure that it touches the center space. Next, the computer will spell a word off of yours. Continue building words until there are no more tiles available!

What dictionary does Outspell use? ›

Outspell uses a broad word bank composed of several different word game dictionaries including Scrabble. This ensures players have access to a wide range of available words, even if some may be less well known.

How do you spell aarp? ›

AARP was formerly known as American Association of Retired Persons. People do not have to be retired to join AARP. In fact, 44% of AARP members are currently still working. For these reasons, AARP shortened its name in 1999 from the American Association of Retired Persons to just four letters: AARP.

What's the highest scoring word in Scrabble? ›

What is the single highest-scoring possible play in Scrabble? OXYPHENBUTAZONE, for 1780 points, spanning all three TWS squares on the left side and with the major crossings OPACIFYING, PREQUALIFIED, BRAINWASHING, AMELIORATIVE, and EJACULATIONS.

What is the most powerful word in Scrabble? ›

Let's jump right in: the highest-scoring legal Scrabble word is OXYPHENBUTAZONE. With all the bonuses bonused and tiles totaled, that sucker — an obsolete anti-inflammatory medication, evidently — will net you 1,778 points.

How do you win at Outspell? ›

Try to increase your score by building multiple words in a single turn. If your tiles are touching the computer's and spell valid words, all of those points are added to your score. Take advantage of the shuffle feature.

What happens if you play all your letters during the game of Scrabble? ›

Any player who plays all seven of their tiles in a single turn scores a premium of 50 points in addition to their regular score for the turn. The 50 points are added on after doubling or tripling a word score. In this case, player 1 plays TRAINER, scoring 16 points in normal play + 50 for the bonus word = 66 points.

What is the difference between Scrabble and Outspell? ›

The only major difference is that Outspell doesn't have a ranking system like Words With Friends does. Just like in Scrabble, you play the game on a board with (mostly) blank squares. Each turn, you place letter tiles on the squares to create words.

What is the most popular Scrabble dictionary? ›

The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary or OSPD is a dictionary developed for use in the game Scrabble, by speakers of American and Canadian English. Merriam-Webster, Inc. Merriam-Webster, Inc.

What is the best dictionary with the most words? ›

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely accepted as the most complete record of the English language ever assembled.

Can you look up words in the dictionary for Scrabble? ›

Scrabble Dictionary

When you enter a word and click on Check Dictionary button, it simply tells you whether it's valid or not in Scrabble or any similar word games such as Words with Friends or Wordfeud.

What is the AARP $9 deal? ›

Renew your AARP Membership for $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term.

Is AARP free for seniors? ›

AARP membership is open to anyone 18 or older. While AARP's mission is dedicated to the needs of the 50+ population, anyone can become an AARP member for as low as $12 for the first year with automatic renewal. Once you're a member, you'll gain access to hundreds of discounts, programs and resources.

What is the motto of the AARP? ›

AARP's Motto: “To Serve, Not to Be Served

Today, in significant part because of the work of Dr. Andrus, Americans are living longer, richer lives. Dr. Andrus lived her life by the motto, “To serve, not to be served,” which remains AARP's motto today.

What is a good score in Scrabble for two players? ›

A well-contested Scrabble game should end with around 600 to 700 total points. So, the average Scrabble score to beat is about 350 for a 2-player game, 230 for a 3-player game, and 175 for a 4-player game. If you can regularly score higher than that, you can legitimately claim the coveted title of "Good at Scrabble."

What is the average Scrabble score? ›

The average score in a typical game of Scrabble is 600 to 700 total points. Really. Did your stomach just drop? Don't worry, because 600 to 700 total points played is the average amount for a well-contested game of Scrabble.

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