I have never considered myself good with words. I love to read and like to make (word) puzzles, and from time to time, I Scrabble along with the family. Recently I got challenged to lay down a Duffy and Friends-themed Scrabble, and I accepted it. Within a couple of seconds, I realised that it would be more challenging than expected. The Dutch version of Scrabble only has 3 L’s, 2 Blanco’s and 1 Y. With words as Disney, Duffy, Stellalou, Shelliemay, Gelatoni and Olu, I am already in deep trouble.
Before I started this challenge, I decided to look up a bit more information about the game. At home, we have an old edition (from the 1950s), but the game has never changed its letter sets. The game was invented by crossword lover and architect Afred M. Butts in 1931. His first version of the game was named Criss Cross, and after some design changes, it was marketed as Scrabble in 1948. The game is sold in 121 countries and is translated (with different letter sets) in 29 languages. I would love to get my hands om some other editions, but for now, the Dutch version will do.
Dutch letterset
- A x6
- B x2
- C x2
- D x5
- E x18
- F x1
- G x4
- H x3
- I x6
- J x2
- K x2
- L x3
- M x2
- N x10
- O x6
- P x2
- Q x1
- R x6
- S x3
- T x6
- U x2
- V x2
- W x2
- X x1
- Y x1
- Z x2
Blank 2x
Duffy and Friends themed Scrabble
To start a Scrabble, you have to start in the pink star in the centre of the board, and you can add words left, right up and down like a crossword puzzle.
After a couple of minutes, I already run into trouble. With only 5 words on the board, I had to use all my L’s tiles and Blank tiles. Right now, I only can add some general Disney words to the board… And not even the word Disney self.
After another 30 minutes of some serious thinking, I finished the challenge with a score of 284 points. While quarantine is still here, I will revisit this challenge, see if I can beat my score and do other challenges. Also, I am going to ask if Shelliemay will play a real game of Scrabble with me, hope she says yes!
Beartalk 