Scrabble Deluxe

The object of the game is to compete for the highest score by forming interlocking words in crossword fashion on the Scrabble board using tiles displaying letters with various score values. Higher scores can be obtained by using the tiles in locations and combinations that make the most use of the letter values and premium squares(eg: triple-letter score, double-word score etc) on the board.

The manufacturers recommend that it is suitable for people age 10 years of age upwards which is more or less accurate but slightly younger children could play, especially if there is some measure of supervision.

The contents have all been designed to enhance their look and to increase their function. The large board, 38 cm square, has a rotating base allowing it be turned easily during play, a polished wooden frame, and an embossed playing surface with a raised grid to keep the tiles in place. There are 100 wooden tiles of various values, and 4 storage racks on which players arrange their tiles, and a velvet bag stores and holds the tiles. Also included is an excellent booklet explaining in a straightforward and clear manner all aspects of the game.

"Every word counts when you're playing this deluxe version of the world's most popular word game."--Susan Naylor

My advice, therefore, would be this: If you are looking for a family set, or one for a casual player, then stick to the 'Original' version, which is about a third the price, and differs little in quality. If you are in any way serious about this wonderful game, then check online for some custom board makers in America or Canada. They are more pricey, but you do get what you pay for.


A total disappointment. Cheaply made rubbish.   December 27, 2006
Mr. S. Dodds (Sheffield, UK.)
44 out of 44 found this review helpful

I was totally disappointed to offer this 'deluxe' version of Scrabble as a gift this Christmas. I purchased it on the understanding that it has a 'Highly finished wooden framed board with rotating base' which it simply isn't. The board is made from injection moulded plastic which doesn't fool anyone for wood.
It also claims to include a 'velvet tilebag' - which again it doesn't. The tile bag is mock polymer velvet which feels even cheaper that the original Scrabble bag.

Notice a trend? Plastic, plastic plastic. Cheap plastic too.

It looks as if they tried to make it look extra classy by simulating what a Scrabble board would look like were it painted on a canvas using oil paint. But it instead just looks cheap and can be vaguely hard to read if the angle/light is wrong due to glare.

To add salt to the wound, they now fail to provide you with a score pad and pencil, instead, you have to photocopy the score sheet in the middle pages of the booklet. Now that is deluxe..

I'm not the only one complaining - check out the amazon.com website reviews.

A letter to Mattel is in the post.

A huge disappointment which will be returned and my money refunded.



Not quite as deluxe as it sounds   May 31, 2007
S. S. Shah (UK, London)
29 out of 31 found this review helpful

Scrabble deluxe is not a terrible item but it wasn't what I was looking for in a luxury board game that costs more then twice the normal game - for those looking for a nicely made WOODEN board I suggest purchasing the Anniversary Edition - for some reason this one is not as widely publicised as the Deluxe even on Amazon it was hard to find but it is there- this has a quality real wood board, wooden tiles and tile racks (unlike the plastic ones that come in the deluxe) as well as having the turntable feature - all of this and it comes with a nice wooden case/storage box so its good enough to display - I could go on and on about how much better this board is when compared to the deluxe version - the only thing better then it is the deluxe scrabble board sold in Harrods which is truly a thing of beauty but at 2000 is a bit too rich for my blood!




Scrabble, but not "Deluxe"   January 4, 2007
Lars Arvestad
25 out of 25 found this review helpful

I bought this as a Christmas gift for my wife who is a long time Scrabble fan. I wanted to give her the best Scrabble set I could find and was lured in by the descriptions of this set. Although my wife was very happy for the gift, I was quite disappointed with it.
* The wooden board is actually a wooden frame with a metal (?) playfield. Re-reading the description, I don't understand why I got the idea that the whole board would be wood, but it does not look as splendid as I had hoped. On top of it all, the nice wood is adorned with a crappy plastic "Scrabble" plate that really ruins the impression. The rotation device works well for us though.
* The letter racks are plastic. That is a downer in a "deluxe" set! Looks and feels cheap.
* The velvet bag is not really velvet! It is "velvety plastic". I would rather pay extra for real fabric than save the money on this cheap stuff. It is supposed to be Deluxe!

I really got the feeling that Mattel is manufacturing these sets for just a little bit more money but charges threefold more. I feel tricked.


Review of the Ultimate Scrabble Game - Scrabble Deluxe   October 3, 2001
20 out of 24 found this review helpful

If you or relation or a friend are a Scrabble lover, then is the Scrabble game to get. A limited luxury edition, get this for Christmas. I have already bought it and it was worth the money I paid for it and more. The best bit has to be the spinning function that allows you to rotate the board easily.
Well worth the money I paid for it.