NYT Games Guide
Last reviewed: February 16, 2026Crossplay vs Scrabble: Key Differences Explained
NYT Crossplay vs Scrabble: how tile values, dictionaries, board design, and AI coaching differ. Which word game is right for you?
NYT Crossplay differs from Scrabble in tile values (common letters like S and T are worth just 1 point), dictionary (uses modified NWL23 with some words removed), AI coaching (Cross Bot reviews every game), platform (mobile app with real-time online play), and in-game chat. Both use a 15x15 board with bonus squares.
Definition
What is Crossplay?
NYT Crossplay is a competitive 2-player word game launched in January 2026 by the New York Times. It uses a shared 15x15 board with unique tile scoring and features Cross Bot, a built-in AI coach that analyzes completed games.
Overview
If you have played Scrabble, Crossplay will feel familiar at first. Two players, shared board, letter tiles, bonus squares. But the details differ in ways that change strategy significantly. Different tile values mean different high-priority letters. A modified dictionary means some of your go-to words will not work. And Cross Bot adds a coaching layer that Scrabble has never had. Here is a detailed breakdown.
Key Strategies
- Tile value differences and strategic impact
- Dictionary changes from Scrabble to Crossplay
- Cross Bot AI coaching feature
- Board design and bonus tile placement
- Which game suits different player types
Quick Tips
- Scrabble S-tile strategy does not transfer directly -- S is worth only 1 point in Crossplay.
- Some Scrabble words are removed from Crossplay's dictionary -- test unfamiliar words carefully.
- Cross Bot reviews every game -- use it as a free coaching session after each match.
- The blank tile strategy is similar in both games -- save blanks for 7-letter bonus words.
- Crossplay's in-game chat adds a social element that Scrabble traditionally lacks.
Side-by-side comparison
Quick Facts
15x15 (both)
Board size
NWL23 vs TWL
Dictionary
Crossplay only
AI coaching
Game rule analysis
Tile values: the biggest strategic difference
In Scrabble, the S tile is worth 1 point but is strategically gold because it lets you pluralize words for parallel scoring. In Crossplay, S is still worth 1 point, but the overall tile value distribution differs enough to change priorities. Common consonants (N, R, S, T) are all 1-point tiles in Crossplay, while mid-range letters like K, V, W, and Y are worth 5 points. F and H score 4 points each, making them more valuable relative to Scrabble. The practical impact is that Crossplay rewards using uncommon letters more aggressively rather than hoarding them, because the point differential between a K-word and an S-word is larger than in Scrabble.
Dictionary differences
Crossplay uses a modified version of the NWL23 (the tournament word list updated in 2023), and the tile bag contains 3 blanks instead of 2 and only 5 S tiles. The NYT also removed certain words deemed offensive and some uncommon terms that do not fit the game's tone. This means experienced Scrabble players may find some of their reliable words rejected. The core vocabulary (common English words, standard 2-letter words like QI and ZA) remains valid. The best approach for Scrabble veterans is to play naturally and note which words get rejected, building a mental list of Crossplay-specific exclusions over time.
Cross Bot: AI coaching that Scrabble lacks
The most innovative feature separating Crossplay from Scrabble is Cross Bot, a built-in AI coach that reviews every completed game. Cross Bot identifies your strongest and weakest moves, highlights board positions where a different word would have scored significantly more, and tracks patterns in your play over multiple games. Scrabble has third-party analysis tools, but none are integrated into the game itself. For players looking to improve quickly, Cross Bot compresses the learning curve that Scrabble players typically navigate over months or years of experience.
Board design and bonus tiles
Both games use a 15x15 board with double and triple letter and word score bonus tiles. The exact placement of bonus tiles may differ between Crossplay and Scrabble, affecting opening strategy and board control patterns. The fundamental mechanics are identical: landing a high-value letter on a multiplier tile amplifies your score, and triple word scores remain the highest-impact squares on the board. Players transitioning from Scrabble should spend their first few Crossplay games studying the bonus tile layout before committing to muscle-memory positioning strategies.
Which game is right for you?
Choose Scrabble if you value tournament play, decades of strategic literature, physical board gaming with friends, or the specific tile values you have memorized. Choose Crossplay if you want a modern mobile experience, built-in AI coaching, social chat features, and integration with the NYT games ecosystem. Many word game fans will play both. The skills transfer heavily, with the main adjustment being tile values and dictionary edge cases. If you already play other NYT games like Wordle, Connections, or Spelling Bee, adding Crossplay to your rotation is natural.
Key Takeaway
Crossplay is not a Scrabble clone. The different tile values fundamentally change which letters and words are most valuable, and Cross Bot adds a learning loop that accelerates improvement. Scrabble players should expect an adjustment period.
| Feature | Crossplay | Scrabble |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher | New York Times | Hasbro / Mattel |
| Launch | January 2026 | 1948 |
| Board size | 15x15 | 15x15 |
| Dictionary | Modified NWL23 | TWL06 / SOWPODS |
| Tile values | Custom (F=4, H=4, K=5) | Classic (F=4, H=4, K=5) |
| AI coaching | Cross Bot (built-in) | None (third-party only) |
| Chat | In-game chat | No built-in chat |
| Platform | iOS + Android app | Board, apps, online |
| Cost | Free | Board: $20-40, Apps: vary |
| Tournament play | Not yet | Established circuit |
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crossplay the same as Scrabble?
No. While both are 2-player word games on a 15x15 board, Crossplay uses different tile values, a modified dictionary (NWL23), and includes Cross Bot AI coaching. The strategic priorities differ because of the tile value changes.
Can I use Scrabble words in Crossplay?
Most Scrabble words are valid in Crossplay since both draw from similar English word lists. However, the NYT removed some words from Crossplay's dictionary, so a small percentage of Scrabble-valid words will be rejected.
Is Crossplay easier than Scrabble?
Crossplay is more accessible because of its polished mobile interface and Cross Bot coaching, but the competitive skill ceiling is comparable. The different tile values create their own strategic depth.
Will Crossplay replace Scrabble?
Unlikely. Scrabble has a 75-year history and an established tournament circuit. Crossplay appeals to a different audience: mobile-first players who want AI coaching and NYT game integration.
Do Scrabble skills transfer to Crossplay?
Yes, heavily. Word knowledge, board control, rack management, and parallel play all transfer. The main adjustment is learning Crossplay's specific tile values and dictionary exclusions.
Is Crossplay or Scrabble better for beginners?
Crossplay is better for beginners because Cross Bot provides post-game coaching that accelerates learning. Scrabble beginners typically need external resources or experienced opponents to improve.
Written by
Connections Hintz Editorial Team
Our team solves every NYT puzzle daily and publishes verified hints within minutes of each reset. With 500+ puzzles analyzed across Connections, Wordle, Strands, Spelling Bee, Mini Crossword, and Letter Boxed, we specialize in spoiler-free guidance that helps you solve puzzles on your own.
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Social features and accessibility
Crossplay includes in-game chat, allowing players to communicate during matches. This social layer makes it feel more like playing a board game with a friend than the often-silent experience of online Scrabble. Crossplay is also designed as a mobile-first experience with a modern interface, while Scrabble exists across multiple platforms (physical board, various apps, online clients) with inconsistent user experiences. For players who want a polished, social, mobile word game backed by the NYT brand, Crossplay is the more streamlined choice.