The Answer
The answer depends on how and where they are played. Some of the best scoring words include MUZJIKS, QUARTZY, CAZIQUES and OXYPHENBUTAZONE.
There is no single answer to this question, so let’s break it down into separate more specific questions.
What is the highest-scoring opening word?
The length of the first word in the game is limited by 7 letters because there are no existing words to expand upon. We also know which bonus squares are in play.
MUZJIKS
Muzjiks, which was what Russian peasants were called prior to the Russian Revolution of 1917, is worth 29 points. Putting the Z on the double letter square increases the total to 39, which gets doubled to 78 since all opening words are worth two times the points. Add in the bingo bonus of 50 points for clearing your rack, and you’re sitting pretty at 128 to start the game.
What is the highest-scoring 7-letter word?
To get a higher-scoring 7 letter word, you’d have to make use of the triple word score and other bonus squares.
QUARTZY
Play [QUARTZY] across a triple word score square with Z as a double letter score, and get a 50-point bingo for using all seven letters on your rack.
Points: 164
What is the highest-scoring word played in competition?
CAZIQUES
In 1982, a player named Dr. Karl Khoshnaw played the word CAZIQUES to score 392 points in a tournament in Manchester, England. The word refers to ancient Peruvian and Mexican princes.
What’s the highest-scoring word theoretically?
No, it’s not the word ‘theoretically’.
OXYPHENBUTAZONE
…there is OXYPHENBUTAZONE. Ohioan Dan Stock found the word, which is worth a wild 1,458 points. And if a player was able to add some specific hooked words to the theoretical board, they could score up to 1,778 points.
Oxyphenbutazone is a chemical compound that treats arthritis.
So, next time you’re playing Scrabble, keep these words in mind so you can impress your friends.