LOVE WORD HUSTLE™? WANT SOME INSIDER TIPS?

Players should build words being mindful of how to score. Word length matters. In particular, words formed with 7 (or more) letters are especially powerful.

Red letter tiles can be strategically placed in a crossword grid to appear in 2 words, scoring more.
The penalty for not using a letter is minor so it is more important to try to make the best word lengths you can, sometimes setting a letter aside — sacrificing it — intentionally.
Exceeding 7-letters in a word doesn’t gain you more points. If possible, stop when you have a 7-letter word and use remaining tiles on shorter words to make them longer. For example, if you could spell “Brownie” (7-letters) don’t make it “Brownies” (8-letters). Instead, use that “S” elsewhere to gain more points with another word.  
Prefixes and suffixes that make it easier to form 7-letter words are helpful – for example -ING, -IES, -TION. Consider these carefully during the letter draft and when you weigh your tile-stealing options.

Even though the gold die locks, players may strategically decide not to follow its subtle lead. This is to say, you don’t have to try to match the gold die. An example of when you might want to try not to match it is when a SHARE arises on it. You might want tiles only for yourself and not want to share. You are not obligated to roll for a matching SHARE on the white dice. However, if after your 3rd roll you have matched the SHARE — you must do what all the dice say. Always do what all the dice say after the third roll.

When rolling with the aim of gaining a STEAL, remember, 3 of your dice which could be earning you letter tiles are used to earn you a single tile. Choosing to steal means you will likely get less tiles overall for that rolling turn. Steal strategically, when you really must keep your opponent from scoring with a powerful letter (for example, take their only “I” breaking up their “ING” or steal their red letter tile).
In rounds 2 and 3, players’ rolling turns go from the player with the highest recent round score to the lowest score that round. (The lowest-scoring player receives a slight advantage by rolling last as that player has the option to steal, but can not be stolen from.)

For a more relaxed game, try not using the Hustle Timer. Simply let players finish when they finish, yelling “DONE!” each time.