How is NYT Crossplay different from Scrabble?
NYT Crossplay plays like Scrabble with different numbers. Using all seven tiles adds 40, not 50, and many tiles are worth more. There are three blanks, the center star isn't a bonus square, and when the bag runs out each player gets one last turn. Leftover tiles cost nothing.
One rack, both games
The same opening tiles, D, G, I, O, P, R and U, on an empty board in each game. These are the plays Next Tile ranks highest:
| Game and play | Points | Chance to win |
|---|---|---|
| Crossplay: UPGIRD, down from the center | 34 | 68% |
| Scrabble: GROUP, down from the center | 22 | 64% |
| Scrabble: UPGIRD, down to the center | 26 | 63% |
UPGIRD scores 34 in Crossplay and at most 26 in Scrabble. Crossplay's G is worth 4, not 2, and lands on a double-letter square, and its U is worth 2. In Scrabble the center doubles any first word, so the shorter GROUP does about as well.
The rules that differ
- Sweeps add 40. Using all seven tiles in one turn adds 40 points in Crossplay. Scrabble calls it a bingo and adds 50.
- The center star is plain. In Scrabble it doubles the first word. In Crossplay it's worth nothing extra.
- The bonus squares move. Crossplay has 20 triple-letter squares to Scrabble's 12, and 8 double-word squares to Scrabble's 17. Its corners are triple-letter, not triple-word.
- Three blanks, not two. Crossplay also has one more H and one more S, and one fewer I, N and U.
- Many tiles are worth more. K and V are worth 6, W 5, B and G 4, and L and U 2. J is worth 10. H is the only tile worth less: 3, not 4.
- So the bag is worth more. All 100 tiles add up to 210 points, against Scrabble's 187.
How the game ends
- Each player gets one last turn. Once the bag is empty, you each play once more and the game is over. Scrabble usually goes on until someone plays all their tiles.
- Leftover tiles cost nothing. In Scrabble, tiles left on your rack come off your score and go to whoever went out. In Crossplay they don't count, so there's no prize for going out first.
- So the last turn is about points. Score all you can, and watch what your opponent can still reach with their last tiles. With the bag empty, Next Tile knows their tiles and works out both turns exactly.
Questions
Is Crossplay the same as Scrabble?
Close, but not the same. The bonus squares, tile values, sweep bonus, blanks and ending all differ.
How many points is a bingo in Crossplay?
Crossplay calls it a sweep, and it adds 40 points. A Scrabble bingo adds 50.
Do leftover tiles count against you in Crossplay?
No. Once the bag is empty each player gets one last turn, and tiles left over don't change the score.
Does Next Tile know both games?
Yes. It reads screenshots from NYT Crossplay and Scrabble GO, and plays each by its own rules.
Is it free?
Yes. No account needed.