How to play
Overview
Crosswords Arena is a competitive word game for two players. The goal is to score points by forming words on the game board. Words can be placed horizontally or vertically, and each new word must connect to existing letters on the board. All words must be valid according to the game dictionary.
Getting started
The game begins with 100 randomly generated letters placed in a shared bag. Each player draws seven letters to start. The first player is chosen randomly.
Taking a turn
On your turn, you can:
- Swap letters – Exchange any number of letters for new ones from the bag. (Pass button)
- Play a word – Place at least one letter on the board to form a valid word. (Submit button)
Words must be placed in a straight line, either horizontally or vertically. The first word of the game must cover the center square. Every new word must connect to an existing letter. After playing, your rack is refilled with letters from the bag.
Game over
The game ends when either:
- A player runs out of letters.
- Both players pass their turns twice in a row.
The player with the highest score wins.
Scoring
Your score is based on the total value of all new words you create. Each letter has a point value, shown by small dots on the tile.
Bonus squares on the board can boost your score:
- Letter bonus: Doubles (2L) or triples (3L) the value of a single letter.
- Word bonus: Doubles (2W) or triples (3W) the value of the entire word.
When the game ends, any unused letters left on your rack are subtracted from your final score.