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The X is worth 8 points in Scrabble, and it has a special talent the other big tiles lack. It sits comfortably at the end or the middle of very short words, which makes it perfect for parallel plays that score the X in two directions at once. A well-placed X can be the difference between a quiet turn and a 40-point swing.
This page lists the X words that earn their keep. We begin with the five two-letter X words, the foundation of every strong X play, then cover the short three-letter X words, and finish with advice for using the X late in the game when the board is tight. Point values are shown throughout.
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There are five two-letter X words, and together they are the most useful set in the whole game for a high tile. Each one places the X next to an existing letter for at least 9 points, and on a colored square that figure climbs fast. Memorize all five. They unlock parallel plays that nothing else can match.
| Word | Points | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| AX | 9 | A chopping tool |
| EX | 9 | A former partner |
| OX | 9 | A draft animal |
| XI | 9 | A Greek letter |
| XU | 9 | A Vietnamese coin |
Pair the X with another high tile and a tiny word becomes a big score. ZAX combines the X with a Z for 19 points in just three letters. These short X words are the ones to reach for when you want maximum points per tile.
| Word | Points | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ZAX | 19 | A slate cutting tool |
| PYX | 15 | A container for the host |
| KEX | 14 | A hollow plant stem |
| FOX | 13 | A wild canine |
| FAX | 13 | A sent document |
| VOX | 13 | Voice |
| WAX | 13 | A soft solid |
| HEX | 13 | A curse |
1. Lean on the two-letter X words. Late in the game the board is crowded and long plays are hard to fit. AX, EX, OX, XI, and XU slot into the smallest gaps. Laying one of these parallel to an existing word can form two words and score the X in both directions, which is exactly the kind of compact, high-value play you want when space is tight.
2. Hunt for the parallel play. The X shines when it bridges two rows or columns. Place a short X word directly beside an existing word so that the X also completes a second valid word running the other way. Plays like this regularly double the value of that single 8-point tile.
3. Target the double letter squares. An X on a double letter score is worth 16 before the rest of the word counts, and if that placement also forms a crossing word, the bonus applies to both. Scan the remaining premium squares before you settle for an ordinary spot.
4. Do not get stuck holding the X. As the bag empties, an unplayed X becomes a liability that counts against you if the game ends with it on your rack. If you cannot find a premium spot, take a solid two-letter X play rather than risk being caught with the tile.
5. The same X words help in Words With Friends. The X is worth 8 there too, and the short X words are valid. Because the bonus squares are arranged differently, the best X placement on a Words With Friends board may not match where you would play it in Scrabble, so read the board each time.
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