Can you pass your turn in Scrabble?
Yes. You can choose to pass, keeping the same tiles and scoring nothing, even if you could have played a word. If every player passes on two turns in a row, the game ends and everyone subtracts their leftover tiles.
The rule:
In Scrabble, you’re allowed to pass and keep your tiles even when you could play a word, and the game ends if every player passes twice in turn.
Your options when you don’t want to play a word:
| Option | What happens |
|---|---|
| Pass | Keep the same tiles; score nothing |
| Exchange | Swap some or all tiles; score nothing |
Passing can end the game: if every player passes on two turns in a row (two full rounds of passes), the game is over. Nobody went out, so each player subtracts the value of their own leftover tiles.
The cost: passing scores nothing, so it can cost you ground.
What the rules don’t cover: the sheet doesn’t say whether exchanging tiles counts as a pass toward ending the game, so agree on it before you play.
Example:
Kim could play a 6-point word, but she'd rather keep her tiles for a bigger play next time. She passes and scores 0 for the turn.
Why players argue about it:
Some players think you must play if you can, or that passing means you have to swap tiles. Neither is true.