How does the going-out bonus work in Scrabble?

When a player uses all their tiles, they receive double the total face value of their opponent's remaining tiles added to their score. The opponent also loses those points. So a Q (10) remaining on opponent's rack means you gain 20 and they lose 10 — a 30-point swing.

What happens if neither player can go out in Scrabble?

If both players pass consecutively (or if neither can play), each player subtracts the face value of their remaining tiles from their own score. No bonus is awarded. The player with the higher adjusted score wins.

How do you calculate the optimal play-out in Scrabble?

List all possible plays from your rack. For each, calculate: your score + going-out bonus (if it empties your rack) OR your score + likely subsequent plays. Compare the total sequence value of going out quickly vs scoring more over multiple turns. The path with the highest net point advantage wins.

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End of Bag Calculations

July 29, 2026 8 min read Word Finder

The bag is empty. No more draws, no more surprises. From here, Scrabble becomes pure calculation — a mathematical puzzle where the player who computes best wins. The going-out bonus, rack deduction penalties, and play-out sequencing can swing a game by 30-50 points in the final 2-3 turns. This is where close games are decided, and it's where most club players leave the most points on the table.

2×

Going-out bonus multiplier

30-50 pts

Typical endgame swing

Max turns to plan ahead

100%

Information when bag is empty

The Going-Out Bonus — The Math

When you play your last tile, you receive double the face value of all tiles remaining on your opponent's rack. Meanwhile, your opponent subtracts the face value from their own score. This creates a triple swing:

🧩 Going-Out Bonus Calculation

Sum opponent's remaining tile values: Q(10) + V(4) + I(1) = 15 points

You gain 2× that sum: +30 points to your score

Opponent loses 1× that sum: -15 from their score

Total swing: 45 points (30 gained + 15 they lost relative to neutral)

This means when your opponent holds high-value tiles (Q=10, Z=10, X=8, J=8), going out first is incredibly valuable. A stuck Q alone creates a 30-point swing (you +20, they -10).

When Going Out Fast vs Scoring More Is Correct

Going out isn't always the best move. Sometimes scoring more points over two turns beats the going-out bonus. The decision depends on what your opponent holds.

✓ Go Out Fast When

Opponent holds 10+ points of tiles. You can go out in 1 play (even for low score). You're behind and need the bonus to catch up. Opponent's tiles include Q, Z, X, or J.

✗ Don't Rush When

Opponent holds 3-5 points total (E, A, N = 3pts → 6pt bonus). You can score 30+ over two turns. Going out requires a 4-point play when a 28-point play is available.

💡 The Comparison Formula

Compare: (go-out play score + 2× opponent's tiles) vs (big play score + next play score - opponent's best response). The higher number wins. Remember: going out also prevents your opponent from scoring again, which is worth 20-30 points of denial.

Optimal Play-Out Sequences

With 4-7 tiles remaining, plan your entire sequence rather than playing turn-by-turn. The order matters enormously.

Score + Setup: Your first play should score well AND set up your second play to go out. Even if a 32-point play exists, the 24-point play that lets you go out next turn (gaining a 20-point bonus) is better: 24 + 20 = 44 vs 32 + unknown.

Block Then Go Out: If your opponent has a devastating play available (Z on triple letter), block it first even for 0 points, then go out next turn. Denying them 40 points is worth sacrificing one turn.

Two-Play Finish: With ATERS remaining: play STARE (12pts) and leave nothing → go-out bonus. Or: play RE (2pts) keeping ATES, next turn play ATES for 8 + no bonus because opponent went out. First sequence wins.

The Stuck Tile Penalty — Avoiding the Trap

If you can't play all your tiles and the game ends via consecutive passes, you lose the face value of your remaining tiles. This is devastating with power tiles:

Stuck Q-10 points Stuck Z-10 points Stuck X-8 points Stuck J-8 points Stuck V-4 points

Pre-endgame strategy should aim to play power tiles before the bag empties. If you enter the endgame holding Q without a place to play QI, you're already at a 30-point disadvantage (your -10 plus opponent's +20 if they go out).

Worked Example — Full Endgame Calculation

👑 Scenario

You Lead by 12 Points

Your rack: DENT | Opponent holds: QI (value: 11 pts)

Option A: Play DENT (5pts), go out → 5 + 22 (2×11) = 27 net. Final lead: 12 + 27 = 39. Option B: Play TEND (8pts), opponent plays QI (11pts). You can't go out (stuck with nothing). Net: 8 - 11 = -3. Final lead: 12 - 3 = 9. Option A wins massively — go out even for fewer points because the bonus overwhelms the scoring difference.

📚 Dig Deeper

→ Strategy for the Last 10 Tiles — the broader endgame framework → Complete Scrabble Endgame Guide — every endgame concept in one place

The Double-Pass Ending — When Nobody Goes Out

If both players pass consecutively (neither can or wants to play), the game ends without a going-out bonus. Instead, each player subtracts their remaining tile values from their own score.

When double-pass helps you

You lead by 30+ and opponent holds high-value tiles (Q, Z). Passing forces them to subtract those values. Your low-value tiles (E, A, I) cost you only 3-4 points to subtract.

When to avoid double-pass

If you can go out and collect the bonus, that's always better than double-pass (you gain bonus + avoid subtracting your own tiles). Only force a double-pass when you can't go out but opponent holds worse tiles than you.

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