Handmark has added an option to have the computer automatically look up each word that is placed on the board using the Official Scrabble Dictionary. Although having this option checked slows down the action in the game it is a nice way to expand your vocabulary - I found it interesting to see the definition of some of the words that the medium and hard computer opponents used.
Conclusion
I have to admit that I wasn't really all that into Scrabble before I began testing this game. I play it occasionally, but I rarely play it competitively because I think that it is too much of a chore to figure out the score. You have to worry about how much each letter is worth and then you need to take any special squares into account. This is usually too much trouble for me to worry about so I just play for fun without keeping score.
Scrabble for the Pocket PC takes the 'pain' out of playing Scrabble. All words are compared against the Official Scrabble Dictionary, and the score is automatically tallied. This makes for a very pleasant user experience. Add in the nice features such as suggested words and the auto look-up option and you've got a great game.
Handmark's Scrabble for the Pocket PC is definitely a W-I-N-N-E-R (9 pts.). I give it 4.85 out of 5. It is perfect for those times when you want to play a quick game, but want it to be a little more meaningful than standard arcade fare.
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