Scrabble is one of the world's most popular games. The game is sold in 121 countries and is available in more than 30 languages; approximately 150 million sets have been sold worldwide, and roughly one-third of American and half of British homes have a Scrabble set. There are approximately 4,000 Scrabble clubs around the world. 

Scrabble was invented in 1938, during the Great Depression by an unemployed New York architect named Alfred Mosher Butts, who figured Americans could use a bit of distraction during the bleak economic times.

Competitive Scrabble usually involves in person play, in a tournament format. Players improve their skills by playing lots of games, studying words, and improving their strategy. For most players, the social benefits of in person play are as important as their competitive results.