Even if you claim to not care whether you succeed or fail at Scrabble, you might not be the majority. Even former President Barack Obama, one of the most well-known Scrabble players in the United States, isn't above bragging about his victories. In an interview with The Independent in 2008, Robert Gibbs, who was then the White House communications director, stated that "it's his favourite game to play."

And Obama isn't the only well-known Scrabble player. Richard Nixon, a former president, was a passionate gamer. The same goes for actor Daniel Radcliffe, who once engaged Tom Felton, a.k.a. Draco Malfoy, in a fierce physical conflict. Vladimir Nabokov, a late author best known for his novel "Lolita," was a talented player. Even Queen Elizabeth II is said to take pleasure in a game of Scrabble in royal fashion [source: McSmith].

Not bad for a hobby that was developed during the Great Depression. Alfred Mosher Butts, an unemployed architect, created a game in 1931 that he first called Lexiko and then Criss Cross Words. Before settling on the rules that are now well-known to all Scrabble players, he experimented for several years: On a board with a 15 by 15 grid, you try to create words by drawing seven letters. Each letter receives a certain number of points, roughly corresponding to how challenging it is to fit that letter into a word. It must be in the dictionary if an opponent challenges an odd word; else, you will have to remove it and forfeit a turn.

Initially, Butts' game wasn't very successful. But James Brunot, a different game guru, took control in the 1940s. By 1952, the game had acquired the new name Scrabble [source: Fatsis].

For the sake of bragging rights, Scrabble enthusiasts, like the ones we just discussed, may memorise extensive lists of uncommon terms. However, novice players can enhance their games by memorising just a few helpful entries. By blitzing your pals with high-scoring terms or sneaking in common but clever words that eliminate extra letters, you can impress — and even beat — them. Use the double and triple squares to increase your score on virtually any word. And always keep an eye out for what gamers refer to as a "bingo," the additional 50 points you receive for using all of your tiles in a single play.

Let's now examine 20 words that every Scrabble player has to be familiar with.

20: Za

Challenge! Your initial thought may be that this cannot possibly be a word. However, "za" has become a slang term for pizza and is included in the NASPA Word List 2020. The North American Scrabble Players Association, or NASPA, is the last word on what terms are permitted in the United States and Canada.

Even though our two-letter word "za" doesn't look like much, it packs a powerful punch: with 10 points for the "z," it will at least net you 11 points overall. A triple letter square can result in a score of 31. When pepperoni is added, a dinner results.

Muzjiks, 19
 

Muzjiks, as they were known under the tzar (another useful word to know), are Russian peasants. "Muzjiks" gives you the best starting play in Scrabble. For a starting score of 39, place the "z" on the double letter square. Every beginning play results in a double word, for a total of 78. If you use all seven letters in your rack, add 50 for a bingo. You've got a great start with a total of 128.

18: Aerie
 

An eagle's nest on a cliff or other elevated place is called an aerie. The term can be used in Scrabble as a convenient way to eliminate four vowels at once. Even though you only receive five points, it's better than exchanging your tiles for new ones and missing a turn.

Caciques 17
 

When Spanish explorers first arrived in the West Indies, they discovered Indian tribes who used this phrase to describe their chiefs. The word, which can also be spelt "caciques," was used by the conquistadors to refer to all native chiefs.

In addition, it alludes to a tropical bird related to the oriole. Dr. Karl Khoshnaw established the record for the highest single word score in a Scrabble match in England in 1982. For a total score of 392, he played "caziques" across two triple word squares.

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16: The letter "Q" is both the best and the worst letter. When you use it, it awards you 10 points, but if you keep it at the end of the game, it lowers your score. Finding "q" words to use is never easy. It is wise to keep "faqir" in mind because of this.

Originally, faqirs were Muslim Sufi monks who made a vow of poverty. The term is an Arabic expression meaning "poor man." These days, any Muslim or Hindu holy man is referred to by the word. The word "faqir" awards you a whopping 17 points on the Scrabble board. Additionally, it's the best way to employ a "q" if you don't have its regular partner, the letter "u."

Jousted 15
 

When knights used to joust, they enjoyed using their lances to try to knock each other off their horses. In a game that featured record-breaking high scores in Lexington, Massachusetts, two seasoned Scrabble fans squared off against one another in 2006.

Wayne Yorra, the loser, began with a bingo that included the word "jousted." He made a "j" into the double letter square, giving him a starting score of 23. With the score doubled to 46 and an additional 50 points for using all of his tiles, Yorra was off to a flying start with 96 points.

Quixotry 14
 

In the aforementioned record-breaking 2006 game, played in a church basement, winner Michael Cresta astounded Scrabble fans by using the allowed word "quixotry." It comes from the fictitious character Don Quixote, whose visions inspired him to duel with windmills, and signifies a visionary plan, action, or concept.

The word was stretched between two triple word squares by Cresta, a carpenter by trade. He began with a 35 thanks to a double letter square under the "x." That is multiplied by two triples to get 315. Cresta finished with a score of 365, a North American record for a single word, and added 50 for the bingo. Cresta's final score of 830 was the highest points ever scored in a game by one player, and the two men went on to create two other records. With Yorra's 490 points added in, the players' 1,320 total points broke the previous record.

Jukebox 13
 

There was the coin-operated phonograph before there was the iPod playlist. For many years, jukeboxes spread popular music over the globe and eventually developed into vibrant, boiling monuments to pop and rock. The name originally referred to a juke house or a brothel and is derived from a Gullah word that means wicked.

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Remember that high-scoring words in Scrabble don't have to be difficult to pronounce. You will receive at least 27 points for this frequent term. It's worth a respectable 85 as an opening bingo, which is excellent news for any player.

12: Zax
 

This name originated from "sax," an ancient Scandinavian single-edged blade, and it came to denote a device for cutting and punching nail holes in roofing slates. In addition, the craftsman who employs the tool is mentioned. It yields the highest possible three-letter Scrabble score: 19. You'll perform much better if you land on a double or triple letter square. Additionally, you can eliminate two problematic letters at once.

11: Queue
 

One belonged to George Washington. Your printer also does. The word "queue" can be used to describe anything, including a queue of people, print tasks or a braid of hair hanging down someone's back. Its name is derived from the Latin for tail, cauda.

The word "queue" receives a respectable minimum score of 14 in Scrabble. Even better, it gets rid of a lot of awkward vowels from your rack. Of course, you also lose the letter "q," which you don't want to be stuck with at the end of the game.

10: Positivity
 

Chutzpah, according to the author Leo Rosten, is when a man kills his parents and then begs for mercy from the court as an orphan. The word comes to us in Yiddish from Hebrew. Extreme confidence or blatant impudence are both possible meanings.

Anywhere on the board, you'll score at least 27 points if you have audacity. You'll fare considerably better if you fit it into either the upper-right or lower-right corner travelling across. You get an initial 37 when the "z" is placed on the double letter square in this way. You can also make two triple word squares with it, which increases your score by nine. To get a bingo, add 50. You'll end up with an incredible 383 points and a huge confidence boost.

9: Xi
 

The 14th letter in the Greek alphabet, Xi, is situated between the letters nu and omicron. The pronunciation of the word in English is something akin to "sigh."

This Scrabble move may cause you to exhale in relief since it rids your rack of the "x," which will deduct eight points from your score if it remains in the final tally. Hence, keep "xi" in mind. It's uncommon that you can't get this tiny word in, get rid of the "x," and score nine points in the process.

Syzygy 8
 

It is impossible to utter this word, which refers to the alignment of three celestial bodies, without sounding intoxicated. But it's a good term to remember for Scrabble because it's cool and impressive.

You will initially receive at least 21 points for "syzygy." Of course, since Scrabble only has two "y" tiles, you'll need to utilise a blank. However, if you align the word with one of the corners, your score will increase. You will receive 93 points if you land on a triple word square and the double letter square with the letter "z". When you're short on vowels, this is an excellent move.

7: Wagyu
 

Gourmets can purchase Kobe beef from this Japanese breed of cattle for up to $200 per pound. 2011 saw the addition of "wagyu" to the Scrabble word list for use outside of North America. That distinction highlights a significant gap in the Scrabble community. Hasbro, which controls the Scrabble brand in North America, sets the criteria for the words that are acceptable in competitions. Scrabble is promoted and managed by Mattel throughout the rest of the world. Official word lists that differ apply. Players can select a standard dictionary as the last word in terms of acceptable word usage in casual games.

You might be baffled when you see the combination AYWUG on your rack. However, if you keep in mind "wagyu," you'll initially gain at least 12 points and have a possibility to earn extra if you find double letter squares — if you live outside of North America.

6: Yo
 

"Hey, man!" This exclamation is used to draw attention to something. Although "yo" sounds modern, it actually dates back to the Late Middle English around the year 1400. In a roll call, soldiers in World War II used it to denote being "present". In the Rocky films, Sylvester Stallone made extensive use of it as well. "Hey Adrian!"

In Scrabble, it's a creative technique to get rid of a bothersome "y." Even though it only gives you five points, that might be crucial in a close game.

Five: Zymurgy
 

This area of chemistry focuses on fermentation, such as that which occurs during the manufacture of wine or beer. Your upcoming kegger may be described as a zymurgy experiment.

It's also a fast-paced Scrabble word. If you place the letter "z" on the double letter square for an opening bingo, you will receive a score of 120. If you're short in vowels, it can be a great method to win points.

Bezique 4
 

Winston Churchill's preferred card game was bezique. A deck of 64 cards is used in this high-scoring, trick-taking, and melding competition. Pinochle, one of its most popular progeny, is.

The word "bezique" can succeed in Scrabble. If you play it anywhere on the board, you'll get at least 27 points. However, if you utilise it as an opening bingo and place the letter "q" on a double letter square, you'll get 124, one of the best openings you can make.

(3) Flapjack
 

This is a different term for pancake used in America. They were served poor coffee as breakfast by cowboys. But in Britain, a flapjack is an oat-based chewy treat.

Flapjack may go unnoticed as a common word, yet it has a high Scrabble point potential. You can score 34 if you use the "j" to hit a double letter square. You may squeeze it in between two triple word squares to get a nice 356.

2: Qanat
 

A qanat is an irrigation tunnel used in dry areas. It was created some 2,500 years ago in Iran, which was then known as Persia, and is still in use today. It draws water from underground and moves it according to the slope of the land without using a pump.

It can be frustrating to see these letters on a rack. There were two "a's" and no "u" to accompany the "q." But don't give up. Most of your letters are cleared by Qanat, who also gets rid of the letter "q," earning you at least 14 points in the process.

1: Aa
 

There are two types of solidified lava. Aa has cinder-like roughness. Smooth pahoehoe is made with hotter lava. They are both Hawaiian terms.

The game is coming to an end. You might not see this play again. The word can be inserted practically anywhere there is another "a." Even if it just earns you two points, if you manage to defeat your opponent, you will be able to take pride in those two points for some time.