Forming bingo words for Words with Friends

'Bingo' words, in the context of Words with Friends, actually refers to 7-letter words. Putting such words give you a nice 35 point bonus, so naturally, people expect such words to be very difficult to put. However, it is actually easier than it looks.

1) Look out for 'DE', 'RE', and 'UN' in your tiles. With a 'S', it is even easier.

Such tiles provide a shortcut in forming bingo words. DE can be put in front of a word easily, for example, DESERVE, DERIVES, DECLARE, DEFLATE. Or putting them behind a word (ED) as a past tense, like ENACTED, DRAINED, FAVORED, FANCIED, DRAGGED, HANDLED. 

As for RE, it can also be put in front (RE) or behind a word (ER). Just some quick examples - REFLECT, REFRACT, REGAINS, REALIGNS, FOGGIER, NASTIER, BOUNCER.

UN is used mainly in front of a word, like UNNAMED, UNEARTH, UNEATEN.

So if you have these tiles, put them in front first, then experiment to see if you can form a bingo word. If not, put them behind and try again. In a way, you just need to come out with a 5-letter word and then try adding UN, RE or DE in front, or ER and ED behind. Chances are that you will get some bingo words soon enough. 

Having a 'S' just makes things better, because you can put the 'S' at the end of the word. This is particularly good with UN, RE and DE in front, because effectively you just need to form a 4-letter word.

2) Stuck? Look out for 'connecting letters'.

I don't know the proper name for these letters, but they can be used easily as the second letter of the word. Such letters are R, H, and L. For example, CRANK, DRANK, CHILD, SHIELD, FLOAT, BLUR. Put these letters as the second letter and try.

'S' is rather special, because it can also be put in front of a word and can combine easily with letters (in the second position) which people generally do not think of. For example, SCHOOL, SHOUT, SKATE, SLUR, SMEAR, SNEER, SPEED, SQUAWK, STOUT, SWEAR. 

3) A quick 'one glance' to determine whether to try forming a bingo word.

Some of the best letters to form bingo words are ADEINRS. Having 3 vowels is a good start, and its best if they are AEI. Then if you also have tiles such as S, R, N, or D, it's even better. 

Generally, if you have power tiles like Z or Q in your hand, it is more difficult to form bingo words.