How to tell if someone maybe cheating:
Play with them.
Watch what words are formed.
With words that are very unusual, take the letters used, including those already on the board and put them in a word finder. See how many words are formed and the likely score from some of the other obvious ones. If there is only one word of that length make a note. Score 1 to 5 (likely to be with word finder 5, unlikely 1)
Watch for similar plays and do the same.
Likely to be with word finder 5, unlikely 1
Look for a higher scoring placement with some or all of those letters.
A good player who scores a Bingo + 40 instead of a Bingo + 72 with the same letters has made a bad play, especially if the play is nearby. An expert does not get excited, he thinks then plays. A cheat uses a word finder, gets excited and does not understand the finer points of play so misses a better score. So could have done better 5. Not better 1
Use of ‘S’ and ‘Blanks’ Was their use really needed or not?
Not really needed 5. Needed 1
Leaving premium squares available. Did they leave a TW or DW square at the beginning or end of the word? And could a letter or more now be added to elongate that word?
Yes 5 no 1
Chat with them and ask about that play. Why leave the DW square at the end? What if I had an ‘S’? If they chat like an expert then 1 if not 5
If their score is say 15 or more then the likelihood, except with a very expert completion player, is that your opponent is using a word finder.
Remember an expert will probably will do several things.
Use unusual words
Use Premium squares to their advantage
Not leave you the chance to score high.
Not waste letters.
When they have a bad rack of letters they will still score well.
Remember a cheat will probably will do several things.
Use unusual words
Does NOT use Premium squares to their advantage
Leaves you the chance to score high.
When they have a bad rack of letters they will score small.