Wordsmith strategies

Scan the chunks first. ING can finish a verb, TH can begin a familiar word, and ER may extend a short word. A chunk cannot be split or read backward.

Build a short word, then look for one more letter near its end. Length bonuses grow faster than single common-letter points, so a longer word can be worth much more.

Look for diagonal steps and alternate routes. Different routes can spell the same word with different tile totals. Only five distinct words count, so check your choices before adding them.

Rotate the board when your eyes get stuck. The letters and neighbors stay the same, but a new view may reveal a word. Use hints to learn paths rather than racing through them.