Scrabble Ethics

[jyl]

I'm playing two Scrabble-like games with a couple of remote opponents using "Words With Friends" (iPhone app).

I'm not very good at Scrabble, and my opponents are both fiendish, remorseless, gloating monsters. I really want to beat them.

Is it ethical for me to use a dictionary? How about an online Scrabble word finder, where I type in letters, and it gives me all the words they make? How about an automated Scrabble solver, where I enter the board and my letters, and it gives me the optimal word to play?

Does it make any difference if these opponents are my wife and daughter?

[onlycafe]

would you "cheat" them at cards?

[jyl]

Is it cheating, though?

Don't dum peeple have rites?

Would you give terrorists civil rights?

[onlycafe]

depends on the definition of is?

[jyl]

So after I do it, and is becomes was, then it is not cheating?

[mossguy]

If you have to ask......

Best,
Tom

[mossguy]

Better yet, do you think your opponents are using these or other aids?

Best,
Tom

[onlycafe]

if they beat you in scrabble , challenge them to a game of mumbly peg.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by jyl

I'm playing two Scrabble-like games with a couple of remote opponents using "Words With Friends" (iPhone app).

Dude... there's your problem right there.

Just stop this time-wasting, nerd-like behavior.

Immediately.

[Brando]

Play them at chess. No words to define.

[Paco Anton]

I play Words with Friends too. I used a Scrabble solver once when I felt abused, otherwise I play without aids. I usually have 3 games going on (nerd+)

What I don't like about Words with Friends is that it lets you try words until you get it right. I think that if you write a word and it is not correct you should skip your turn.

BTW, if you'd like to play with me just challenge me. My user name is Moggul.

[jyl]

Hm, do I feel abused at home? I'd rather not say.

Paco I will invite you to a game one of these days. I need to lose to my family first.

[legion]

Originally Posted by jyl

Is it cheating, though?

If you were playing scrabble for money at a casino, do you think you'd be allowed to use such aids?

Originally Posted by jyl

Don't dum peeple have rites?

Yes, and one of them is getting beat at scrabble.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by mossguy

Better yet, do you think your opponents are using these or other aids?

No. I may be crappy at Scrabble, but I still have the edge in sneaky venality.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by Brando

Play them at chess. No words to define.

Easy to twiddle that one too. Launch a chess program, set for human vs AI, crank difficulty to max. Enter your opponent's moves as the "human", you copy the moves that the AI does.

[vash]

john..if you are gonna cheat...cheat big. use an online scrabble word builder site. they wont know what hit them!!

[MBAtarga]

I play words with friends too. I've got 4 or 5 games going at a time. My user id is my pelican username. I'd offer to play you, but not if you're considering cheating!

[Jagshund]

a2zwordfinder is a great resource for Scrabble, crosswords and Chicktionary.

[Steve Carlton]

I got to admit, we need sniper here.

[onlycafe]

i look at it as a table stakes game, except you play with what you brought in your head.
dictionary should only be used when your play is called.