Tips and tricks for New York Times' latest game.
By Echo Apsey 25th February 2026
Credit: New York Times
Crossplay is the latest puzzle game from the New York Times, but this time there is a twist. It is a 2-player game, the first in the New York Times’ lineup and as such there are a host of new tips you can learn to win each match. Plus, you will need to know how the game works.
- READ MORE: Today’s Wordle answer and hints
Scrabble immediately comes to mind with Crossplay, with each player having seven tiles, each given a score based on the letter on the tile. Your job is to spell words with the tiles and place them in high-scoring areas of the board to boost your points. But, there are a limited number of tiles in the game and ones they have all been used, the game wraps up and the person with the highest points claims victory.
AdvertisementOn top of playing against random players at your skill level, you can challenge friends and also take on the computer at various difficulties.
But, how can you actually win? Here are some tips.
Crossplay tips
The first important tip is to save your high value tiles for when you are able to make a world on high-scoring sections of the board, such as the triple or double letter squares. You don’t want to be wasting these right away at the start of a match, especially if you have other options available.
Place words next to each too. Placing words one after another or near another word can often cause points to stack, allowing you to multiply your score in less obvious ways than simply using high-scoring tiles or grid positions.
Additionally, avoid trying to stockpile several of the same letter, as this can back you into a corner unless, they are letters which often appear twice in one word, such as T or S.
RecommendedFinally, keep an eye out for opportunities to use all of your tiles in one word for a score bonus.
Crossplay best word ideas
In reality, seven letter words will always be the best. But, you won’t always, of even often be able to use them. So instead, you will need to look for words that use one or several high scoring tiles. The table for the points for each letter looks as follows:
- A — 1 pt
- B — 4 pts
- C — 3 pts
- D — 2 pts
- E — 1 pt
- F — 4 pts
- G — 4 pts
- H — 3 pts
- I — 1 pt
- J — 10 pts
- K — 6 pts
- L — 2 pts
- M — 3 pts
- N — 1 pt
- O — 1 pt
- P — 3 pts
- Q — 10 pts
- R — 1 pt
- S — 1 pt
- T — 1 pt
- U — 2 pts
- V — 6 pts
- W — 5 pts
- X — 8 pts
- Y — 4 pts
- Z — 10 pts
For even more New York Times games help, check out our guide on Connections, Framed, and Globle.