7-letter words with S as the 1st letter and B as the 5th letter

This frame scores well above the usual seven-letter list, with an average of 13.2 points. B is worth 3, and the pattern invites heavy partners: W, Z, X and Q turn up in the top scorers. The result is a rewarding group to know if your rack has a B and an S together.

Five facts about the S___B__ frame

• Matches: 92 words, with 6 of them common English.
• 72 words carry a definition, and the mean score is 13.2.
• E closes 21, D closes 16, and R and Y close 13 each.
• SHOWBIZ scores 24, SQUABBY 23 and SHOWBOX 22.
• Cut a letter and the same frame holds 29 words.

Which suffixes cover the list?

-BLE gives 19 words, such as STUMBLE, STUBBLE, soluble and sizable. -BED gives 16, including STABBED, snubbed, stubbed and swabbed. -BER gives 10, with slumber and slobber among them.

-BOX adds 6, such as SANDBOX, shoebox and soapbox, and -BLY adds 6 more, as in sizably. Those five endings cover 57 of the 92 words, which is 62 percent.

-BES adds 5, as in SCRIBES, and T closes 3 words, including SHERBET. Those small groups are the ones to try last.

Why do four words score 22 or more?

Each of the top scorers carries one big tile. SHOWBIZ has a Z worth 10, SQUABBY a Q worth 10, and showbox an X worth 8. SJAMBOK reaches 22 through its J and K.

The next group is the -BOX family, where shoebox scores 19. If your rack has an X and a B, this frame is a natural landing spot, since only the S and a few connecting letters are missing.

Dictionary coverage