There is only one X in the standard edition of Scrabble, but it can be a difficult letter to place on the board. Have you ever noticed in kids alphabet books that "x-ray" and "xylophone" are just about the only words ever used. There are plenty of words that use the letter X and a few words that actually begin with it.

X is worth 8 points. Using rare letters can rack up a nice score, so it's good to study words using these letters to give you the best possible advantage and more options when playing these difficult letters.

In the Scrabble 4th edition dictionary are listed a few X letter words. Here is a sample of some of those words with their definition:

XI - a Greek Letter
XU - a monetary unit in Vietnam
Xenon- a gaseous element
Xebec- Mediterranean sailing vessel
Xerox - to copy on a xerographic copier
Xiphoid - part of the sternum
Xyloid - resembling wood
Xylan - substance found in the cell wall of plants
Xeric - requiring only a small amount of moisture
Xylene - a flammable hydrocarbon

X is also used in quite a few words that begin with the letter E. Here is a list of some of the more familiar 'ex' words:

Excuse Exempt Exec Excite Excess Excerpt Excel Exceed Exam Ex Exact

Exalt Exchange Exert Exile Exist Exit Exhibit Exhale Exhume Exodus Expose Express External Extend Extra Extoll

There are also a handful of 'ox' words. Some common words include:

Ox
Oxide
Oxo
Oxide
Oxy
Oxygen
Oxymoron

Let's not forget Ax words:

Ax
Axe
Axel
Axillary
Axis

'Tax' begins a few words that are listed in the Scrabble dictionary.

Tax
Taxi
Taxicab
Taxless
Taxpaid
Taxwise

'Max' also has a few words as well.

Max
Maxi
Maxicoat
Maxim
Maximal
Maxwell

Using uncommon letters in Scrabble is an easy way to score big in the game. Even though there is only 1 X tile, knowing how to best place it for a maximum scoring possibility can really help on the road to victory.

Should you plan to use one of the more uncommon X words, you may want to have on hand a Scrabble dictionary because some words might be challenged.