Deluxe Turntable Scrabble

This item in general is of cheaper make than the older Deluxe Edition. The grids are shallow, so the tiles are not securely anchored in each slot--a major reason for my purchase. The turntable as well as the tile holders are flimsy, made of cheap plastic. (If you use the pedestal for the turntable, your board will rise about 4 to 5 inches above your table!) For [money amount], one'd think that MB would be able to maintain the quality of this classic game, if not improving upon the older version.

That being said, this version still will perform better than the standard edition. So if you want a brand new Scrabble game, this is definitely the one to get. And, if you play on the floor a lot, maybe you actually will like the high-platform game board. On the other hand, if you want a Deluxe Edition because an older set impressed you at some point, this is NOT the one.

One can get the older Deluxe Edition on eBay.


Good Concept, Poor Quality   December 6, 1999
 169 out of 192 found this review helpful

We've been playing Scrabble for years, and I bought this item as a gift for my husband for his birthday. We were sorely dissapointed. The turn table doesn't actually turn at all, and the plastic piece on top which forms the grid began to break free of the board almost immediately.


A Fantastic Game for Young & Old Alike!   October 24, 2002
 102 out of 148 found this review helpful

Scrabble has endured as one of the best board games for more than 50 years and the reason is simple: the game is different and very challenging every time you play it!

The premise of the game is simple:
1. Scrabble uses a board of 225 squares (15 by 15) upon which the players (between 2 and 4) form interlocking words from a set of 100 tiles.
2. Each tile bears a letter of the English alphabet and each letter has a designated point value. The more commonly used a letter is, the more tiles bear the letter. Letters that are the least frequently used have the greatest point values.
3. Points are scored by adding the point value for each letter played for the word(s) created by a player. Special squares on the board may double or triple individual letter point values or the total word value.
4. The game ends when all tiles are used and one player has no tiles remaining. The player with the highest point score wins.

There are several advantages to purchasing the Deluxe Scrabble as compared to the regular Scrabble game:
1. The entire board sits on a Lazy Susan so that each player can turn the board to an upright position for ease of reading.
2. A plastic grid keeps the played tiles from moving when the board is turned. This is also very good if you have pets or small children that can accidentally bump the table: the played tiles will usually stay in place.
3. The tiles are dark cherry with a gold letter painted on. This makes the tiles much easier to read than the standard Scrabble which uses birch-colored tiles with black letters.
4. A cloth bag is included for easy mixing of the tiles instead of a plastic bag. It's easier to keep the tiles from spilling out of the cloth bag during play.
5. All of the racks, tiles, bag, rules and timer are stored in the bottom tray of the Lazy Suzan for storage.

I have only seen two disadvantages purchasing the Deluxe Scrabble as compared to the regular Scrabble game:
1. Deluxe Scrabble is more expensive.
2. Deluxe Scrabble requires more storage space than regular Scrabble since the board doesn't fold in the center.

Whether you get the Deluxe Scrabble or regular Scrabble, you will be ensured many hours of educational fun when you play. Also, this is a truly great game that both children and adults can play together. It doesn't require any special adapters, a computer or special software; it just requires two or more game-loving people that know how to read, write and add.

If you're an avid Scrabble player, I highly recommend getting the Official Scrabble Player's Dictionary. It can help immensely when you can't figure out what to do with a rack of seemingly unusable tiles.


A Timeless Classic   July 2, 1999
 94 out of 102 found this review helpful

This is THE edition of Scrabble to own. You'll never have to replace it (just don't lose the tiles!) because it is durable and easy to use. The swivel base makes it easy for everyone to see and use. Rugged and attractive, every home should have this game.

It's educational and fun. And, by the way, I happen to be unbeatable!


Scrabble Queen   December 1, 1999
 91 out of 97 found this review helpful

I am an avid Scrabble player and I found the Deluxe version to be excellent. I love the ease of the swivel base (helps me to better see my brother's made-up words), as well as the special bag that the pieces are stored in. We have had the Deluxe Scrabble in our family for years and it's still going strong....Even though no one will play with me the 'Scrabble Queen' anymore!