Nigel Richards, the Champion of US NSC 2008!!!
p/s: Funnily enough, he is announced as from Malaysia!!!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
US National Scrabble Champion 2008
Nigel Richards, the Champion of US NSC 2008!!!
p/s: Funnily enough, he is announced as from Malaysia!!!
National Scrabble Championship 2008 - Day 4
The winner plate for Division 4. Too far for my reach :(
Day 4, starting with new determination. I've got to win 5 games to even out win-loss record.
Game 22: Against Gene Tyzska, no luck... Started ok, and tried to keep up with him. No bingoes for me in this game. Played DINES(31) instead of KINES(49) at N14 down, because I was unsure of it (yes, back to study words). He phonied me with NOLLI(6) but I let it go because of the points. Looking back, I probably should have (could, should, would etc). He had EX (38), ZOA (32) and a well played NAP(31) and of course, bingoed first with LASHiNG. It was 259-321 towards end game, where I decided to play IF(30) to gain some points but opened up the triple-word line. Of course, he had the last blank and played iFf/fRIGATE on the triple word. Bingoed out with 78 points and grabbed 16 points from my rack. Lost 289-415.
p/s: Not very good at counting scores. Tend to 'overscore' *wink* *wink*
Game 23: Against Barbara Epstein, luck turned for me. Fourth rack, bingoed with VARA/EARTHeD (69). Then scored well with FOEHN(39), PLUG(30), HAHAS/SICK (31), SICKO/COOT(38) and other strategic plays. She bingoed with RETAiLE(D)(70) and kept close till towards the end where I pulled ahead. She later told me my SICK play blocked her SOLVENTS to the triple word. Woohoo! Won 444-307.
Game 24: Against Joan Gatthorn. Close game. Actually, a pretty low-scoring game for us both. She probably could have played her many 'S' and blank tiles better, as well as the Z, J, Q. She conned me with ZEN/ZONE(26) then picked up her tiles pretty quickly. I was slow, I guess. No bingoes for either of us. She tried GIRLIES/OYS, which I challenged off. Played EX(36) and the rest were pretty bland plays. She played TROTH(27) which is good, and OMAN(16), which is no good. I left it there unchallenged because it was so close towards the end, and I could not afford to miss a turn while slightly ahead. Won 341-317.
Game 25: Against Andy Ludwig, luck ebbed and flowed and turned bad against me. First, he LIONISE(70), then JOKE(30), then bingoed again with REALGAR(68), then NIX(47). At the end game, he had hWAN/AQUA(33). Me, I got JILT(57), then picked up the orphaned bingo EARNEST/EASTERN/NEAREST rack. Played ED to open up a line. Later, bingoed with BUTANES(71) but I missed NATTERS/RATTENS worth 80 points a turn ago. Got to memorize my RANTER 6+1 list again.... Then had HUGER(34) and WOMAN(37) towards the end, but he was too far ahead. Lost 359-462.
Got to win all three games after lunch to even out at 14W-14L. Yes, set target. Possible, yes, probable, no.
Now typing this at lunch, where I am having Asian Chicken Salad at the poolside bar & grill. It's gonna pour soon. I hope it showers some luck on me for the last three games. Signing out!
p/s: Nigel Richards, after 24 games, is tied 19W-5L with Brian Cappelleto but loses out in spread, so in 2nd position now. The others are at 19Ws, so not likely that they can catch up against the two of them.
Part 2...
Game 26: Against Jerry Schwartz, it went smooth for me. He was to started but changed tiles instead. Early on, I played ZItI(54). I challenged off two of his non-words, JULIP (should be JULEP) and NEAF (should be NEIF). I played somewhat dangerously because I wanted to get rid of the Q on my rack. I played QIND(a)R for 25, leaving the end exposed to a double-word tile. Both blanks and three of the 'S' tiles are already played out, mostly by him. There was still one 'S' tile either left in the bag or on his rack. It actually took ten turns between us before I drew it! Before playing QINDaRS/OMS(42), I scored with JAMBE(34) and BELONG(30) and picked up the 'S' tile!!! Later, a nice play of KEPT/REE/YAP/UT for 34. He played IXIA(35) and OVARY(36) but was otherwise fishing for a bingo or have a really bad game. I won 367-321.
Game 27: Against Tim Wise, my luck continued to roll. ZOA(32) early on, JIG(31), then bingoed with SOARING(66), then FUME(30) and bingoed again with MANNErS(65). He had KAY(32) and QaID(52) but was pretty much low scoring with the rest of his tiles. Won 415-289.
Game 28: Against Marie Gier, this game I deserved to lose. I had good tiles but did not see the words. She changed seven tiles on her first move, and I played ULU(7) on second turn. She bingoed with ABOIDEA(U) (72) on my U!!! I played ABUNA#(30) (British-only) but she did not challenge it. I scored well with YAH(37), JAY(29) early on and XI(56) towards the end. But I had so many missed bingoes! She had at least three of the 'S' tiles and she was fishing for a bingo, so I raced her for a bingo. But I missed the chance. I changed on my sixth turn EEIITOU and drew a blank tile. With it, I had sEVENTH, which was orphaned. Played VOTE and had up AEILOT?. The number of vowels confused the hell out of me and I did not spend the time to look for the words (had a E hook available). I should have known about fOLIATE, vIOLATE and IsOLATE. This costed me the game. Next came SHeENIE (needed a E hook), which I did not know, so I don't blame myself. She beat me to it, playing STEALER/PE/NICER for 72. I responded with XI(56) with the X on the exposed triple-word tile. Then, I picked up the second blank tile!!! Then I had EXItINg or EXILINg which was orphaned with the increasingly closed up board. The only location was a 'A' hook on top of the VOWS that she played earlier. The only play available was aEONIaN, which of course, I do not know. I was hoping to pull RETSINA, INGESTA or something, but it did not come. Lost closely 354-380. So disappointed that I did not equalize my wins-loss in this tournament. But my rating should remain pretty constant. Preliminarily, I came in with 13W-15L, ranked 81 of 114 players. I am exactly where I was supposed to be....
p/s: Nigel Richards is the US NSC 2008 Champion!! 22W-6L. He overcame Brian Cappelleto who came in second at 20W-8L. He must have been 21 vs. Brian's 20 wins in round 27. They played at least four rounds with each other.
National Scrabble Championship 2008 - Day 3
Today was a terrible day to play….
Game 15: Against Terry Aitken, it was a disaster for me. I changed three racks (AEEIIOU, AAAEIUV, DLNSVVW) and played words of no consequence. Meanwhile, Terry started with SIX (35) and continued to score with MOZO (44), SOLAR hooked to MOZO (35), CAJoNE(S) (36), JEAN (30). Lost badly 282-362.
Game 16: Against Betzy Collins, second disaster of the day. Again, no words of consequence for me. Meanwhile, Betzy had GAUNTEr (65), TAX (39), ZITS (39), RAZEE (30), JURA (27) and finally a bingo of RO(C)KeTER (64), which I challenged unsuccessfully. I was thinking about the movie Rocketeer, so I thought another E was required. Sigh…. Lost 259-453.
Game 17: Against Keith Nishimi, my third disaster of the day. I only had FEZ (35), and played a British only word TENE# that he challenged off. Meanwhile, he ran with the game GENE (34) on the same spot I played TENE, JAMBE (50) and a bingo which I forgot to record (66). Lost badly at 250-416.
Game 18: Against Conchita Deprospo, my fourth disaster in a row. I had one very good play of Jo(K)ES (62) on B10, with J on triple-letter, leading to the double-word, and later on had AZO (31). Meanwhile, she consistently scored and bingoed as well with AnNUALS (62). Lost 285-375.
I got so frustrated, so I went off to get a good lunch at Tchoup Chop, a Hawaiian/Asian fusion restaurant in the hotel. Very good fish! And I think after filling myself up with some good food and ice-cream for dessert, my game turned for the better.
Game 19: Against Martin Rosen, I played as best as I could. I bingoed midgame with RE(A)GENTS (70) and had JAMBE (32), HATH (29), ADZ (33) and TWAIN (36). Martin bingoed with PANSIES (70), and FAX (39). It was pretty even midgame. But I got lucky with (L)IQUID (78) on J1, with the Q on double-letter towards the triple-word. This helped me pull ahead far enough to get ahead as I knew with a S and a blank in Martin’s rack, he could bingo at end-game, which he did with INTeNSE (76). Won 411-359.
Game 20: Against Esla Ewida, I bingoed with ReGIONS (73), played JINS (44) and scored consistently well through the game. Esla had SIZE (37), QUINT (45) and scored well overall too. Won 341-318.
Game 21: Against Joan Haworth, my lucky streak continued. I bingoed with NAILERS (64) and RETA(C)KLE (65). Also scored with SUQ (46), JAWED (32), BLUEY (31) and CRUDE (30). She had GOX (34), FIZ (30) and WEIGH (32). Won 429-318.
Ended third day with 3W-4L, three days in a row. Now at 9W-12L. Hope tomorrow my luck continues!!
p/s: Nigel Richards ended Day 3 in 2nd place, with 16W-5L. David Cappelleto is 1st place with 17W-4L. It will be a close one!
Game 15: Against Terry Aitken, it was a disaster for me. I changed three racks (AEEIIOU, AAAEIUV, DLNSVVW) and played words of no consequence. Meanwhile, Terry started with SIX (35) and continued to score with MOZO (44), SOLAR hooked to MOZO (35), CAJoNE(S) (36), JEAN (30). Lost badly 282-362.
Game 16: Against Betzy Collins, second disaster of the day. Again, no words of consequence for me. Meanwhile, Betzy had GAUNTEr (65), TAX (39), ZITS (39), RAZEE (30), JURA (27) and finally a bingo of RO(C)KeTER (64), which I challenged unsuccessfully. I was thinking about the movie Rocketeer, so I thought another E was required. Sigh…. Lost 259-453.
Game 17: Against Keith Nishimi, my third disaster of the day. I only had FEZ (35), and played a British only word TENE# that he challenged off. Meanwhile, he ran with the game GENE (34) on the same spot I played TENE, JAMBE (50) and a bingo which I forgot to record (66). Lost badly at 250-416.
Game 18: Against Conchita Deprospo, my fourth disaster in a row. I had one very good play of Jo(K)ES (62) on B10, with J on triple-letter, leading to the double-word, and later on had AZO (31). Meanwhile, she consistently scored and bingoed as well with AnNUALS (62). Lost 285-375.
I got so frustrated, so I went off to get a good lunch at Tchoup Chop, a Hawaiian/Asian fusion restaurant in the hotel. Very good fish! And I think after filling myself up with some good food and ice-cream for dessert, my game turned for the better.
Game 19: Against Martin Rosen, I played as best as I could. I bingoed midgame with RE(A)GENTS (70) and had JAMBE (32), HATH (29), ADZ (33) and TWAIN (36). Martin bingoed with PANSIES (70), and FAX (39). It was pretty even midgame. But I got lucky with (L)IQUID (78) on J1, with the Q on double-letter towards the triple-word. This helped me pull ahead far enough to get ahead as I knew with a S and a blank in Martin’s rack, he could bingo at end-game, which he did with INTeNSE (76). Won 411-359.
Game 20: Against Esla Ewida, I bingoed with ReGIONS (73), played JINS (44) and scored consistently well through the game. Esla had SIZE (37), QUINT (45) and scored well overall too. Won 341-318.
Game 21: Against Joan Haworth, my lucky streak continued. I bingoed with NAILERS (64) and RETA(C)KLE (65). Also scored with SUQ (46), JAWED (32), BLUEY (31) and CRUDE (30). She had GOX (34), FIZ (30) and WEIGH (32). Won 429-318.
Ended third day with 3W-4L, three days in a row. Now at 9W-12L. Hope tomorrow my luck continues!!
p/s: Nigel Richards ended Day 3 in 2nd place, with 16W-5L. David Cappelleto is 1st place with 17W-4L. It will be a close one!
Monday, July 28, 2008
National Scrabble Championship 2008 - Day 2
Game 8: Against Shelley Kirk, it was a close one. This is the second game that my opponent started with a bingo, this one an ELATION (64). Soon after, I caught up by REvISI(N)G (70). She then TORQUE (30) and SEX (41). But I ZAG (41) to even it out. It was towards the end game, with careful tile-tracking and careful playing, I won 374-361.
Game 9: Against Hans Oh. Got a thrashing. He was JIVIER (32) with a POOCH (40) and a WISH (30). Next, his ENT(I)TIES (62) and WARTY (38) put him more than double my score at 102-256. I could only bring NAILERS (68) ad OXY (44) to catch up a little. However, his ORIENTs (71) and ZA (36) towards the end game did me in. Lost 303-459.
Game 10: Against Marcia Wade, she InFLA(T)ED (76) her score. It was a SENATOR (75) and then a sTORIED (80) for me a few turns later on a double-double word to get ahead a little. She did challenge off my UEY# (British-only word). Sigh, SOWPODS still affects my play…. My words ARB (37) and GRAY (34) balanced out her ZORI (33) and HINTS (34). Won 413-328.
Game 11: Against Jo Anne Cohen, this was a very, very close game. My second turn, I had DEACONS (71). She answered sIZIEST (79). I had FE (30), THO (31), BULKING (30) and AQUA (34). She had REX (29), JO (36), (C)URBED (36) and SWIG (35). In this game, I drawed three ‘I’s in a bag of 25+ tiles, statistically < 1% chance. The tile gods started to dislike me. It was neck to neck and it went down to our very last play. I lost 360-361, a measly 1 point!!!
Game 12: Against Susie Page, again I got thrashed. I get to play small words mostly. Had only HE (30), DETOX (32) and ZA (28). Meanwhile, Susie SHIRKEd (70), JEU (30), REACTIVE (82) and QUIP (32) to thrash me 266-404.
Game 13: Against Diana Ittner, it was a close game. I had DEX (35) and ZOA (32). She had KETO (34) and JEER (43). We both left the triple word line open with a S hook for a long time and I think we both wanted to bingo on that line. I got lucky first with RETSiNA (8). It evened out the game a to my favor and I won with a better end-game with 339-307.
Game 14: Against Jennifer Devaney, it was a lousy rack balance for me. I had the blank and three ‘S’ at one time. I played SONS (16) just to get rid of two of them. Jennifer had BAITERS (80) on her second turn. I responded with JADES (42) with the J on double-letter onto the double-word tile on L1. She used J for JEAN to triple-word for 33. I bingoed SIeVING (69) and did EX (55) while she responded with ZOA (32) and VOIL (33). It was neck-to-neck till towards the end, she bingoed with (L)ETTERED (77) on triple-word tile. That won the game for her 387-444.
In between games, I went to meet up with Nigel Richards at Division 1. He was doing well, ended the day in the top 10 position, I believe.
Ended the day at 3W-4L again, overall 6W-8L. Woohoo!!! Off to see the Blue Man Group performance at the Sharp Aquous theatre in Universal Citywalk!!!
Game 9: Against Hans Oh. Got a thrashing. He was JIVIER (32) with a POOCH (40) and a WISH (30). Next, his ENT(I)TIES (62) and WARTY (38) put him more than double my score at 102-256. I could only bring NAILERS (68) ad OXY (44) to catch up a little. However, his ORIENTs (71) and ZA (36) towards the end game did me in. Lost 303-459.
Game 10: Against Marcia Wade, she InFLA(T)ED (76) her score. It was a SENATOR (75) and then a sTORIED (80) for me a few turns later on a double-double word to get ahead a little. She did challenge off my UEY# (British-only word). Sigh, SOWPODS still affects my play…. My words ARB (37) and GRAY (34) balanced out her ZORI (33) and HINTS (34). Won 413-328.
Game 11: Against Jo Anne Cohen, this was a very, very close game. My second turn, I had DEACONS (71). She answered sIZIEST (79). I had FE (30), THO (31), BULKING (30) and AQUA (34). She had REX (29), JO (36), (C)URBED (36) and SWIG (35). In this game, I drawed three ‘I’s in a bag of 25+ tiles, statistically < 1% chance. The tile gods started to dislike me. It was neck to neck and it went down to our very last play. I lost 360-361, a measly 1 point!!!
Game 12: Against Susie Page, again I got thrashed. I get to play small words mostly. Had only HE (30), DETOX (32) and ZA (28). Meanwhile, Susie SHIRKEd (70), JEU (30), REACTIVE (82) and QUIP (32) to thrash me 266-404.
Game 13: Against Diana Ittner, it was a close game. I had DEX (35) and ZOA (32). She had KETO (34) and JEER (43). We both left the triple word line open with a S hook for a long time and I think we both wanted to bingo on that line. I got lucky first with RETSiNA (8). It evened out the game a to my favor and I won with a better end-game with 339-307.
Game 14: Against Jennifer Devaney, it was a lousy rack balance for me. I had the blank and three ‘S’ at one time. I played SONS (16) just to get rid of two of them. Jennifer had BAITERS (80) on her second turn. I responded with JADES (42) with the J on double-letter onto the double-word tile on L1. She used J for JEAN to triple-word for 33. I bingoed SIeVING (69) and did EX (55) while she responded with ZOA (32) and VOIL (33). It was neck-to-neck till towards the end, she bingoed with (L)ETTERED (77) on triple-word tile. That won the game for her 387-444.
In between games, I went to meet up with Nigel Richards at Division 1. He was doing well, ended the day in the top 10 position, I believe.
Ended the day at 3W-4L again, overall 6W-8L. Woohoo!!! Off to see the Blue Man Group performance at the Sharp Aquous theatre in Universal Citywalk!!!
National Scrabble Championship 2008 - Day 1
Finally, the awaited day for the NSC 2008 came. It was a torture to get to Orlando, Florida from San Jose, California the night before. But that’s another story…
Anyway, this year’s NSC 2008 is hosted in sunny, warm and humid Orlando. Kinda reminds me of Malaysian/Singaporean weather actually. I even got to experience a thunderstorm on Sunday night! The kind that is so heavy, you cannot see much in front of you while driving. Yes, the place of Disney World and Universal Studios and many other theme parks.
I am playing in Division 4 this year. Jumped up from Division 6 in NSC 2006. I just made the mark for Division 4 by winning the Silicon Valley Challenge 2008 in Division 3. The wins gave me a boost to 1122 rating to qualify.
Incidently, 2008 is the 60th anniversary of the invention of Scrabble by a Alfred Butts, back in 1948. NSC 2008 had special raffles for people born in that year.
Day 1:
Game 1: I played against Jon Demeter, from the Bay Area. Imagine that! We played a number of times in the Bay Area (nine times actually, 4W-5L record) and flew hundreds of miles to end up playing against each other. Well, bad start to this tournament. Vowels loved me to death, while he gets to play INDOLES (71), SUICIDE (75), JOE (33), FIERY (37), HAVES (45), CODA (33) and EX (41). Lost 304-432.
Game 2: Against Margaret Bee, not so good either. She got two bingoes in a row, MARRInG (76) and AGIOTa(G)E (61). I challenged the second bingo unsuccessfully. Meanwhile, I get the three S in a rack and no bingoes to show for it. Changed a rack of EEVSSUU. I did have SEX (41)…pun fully intended. She played DIAZOLE (38) later which I smartly. Lost 294-352.
Game 3: Against Kevin Sears, my luck is better. Finally, my first bingo, ReJOINS (72) and QATS (47). Won 366-270.
Game 4: Against Devonna Gee, luck turned against me again. Her very first word is GRAZERS (81). Later came DIORAMA (75). It took me two blanks and a S to get DiNNeRS (81) on the triple word. Lost 338-433.
Game 5: Against Michael Donagan, it went well. I started with ZEINS (48) and soon bingoed two in a row with DRESSER (74) and ALMONDS (69). He did ELOIGNE(D) for 64. Won 393-302.
Game 6: Against Teresa Schaeffer, it was a close game. I played EXONS (62) with X on double letter to the triple word tile. Next turn, I got IODiDES (67). Won 363-326.
Game 7: Against Dallas Johnson, it was a tough one. I was the MEaNEST (69), but he INFORMS (78) and has RAVINGS (78). So then, he has a HUGE (44) win. I lost 303-442.
Ended the day with 3W-4L.
Anyway, this year’s NSC 2008 is hosted in sunny, warm and humid Orlando. Kinda reminds me of Malaysian/Singaporean weather actually. I even got to experience a thunderstorm on Sunday night! The kind that is so heavy, you cannot see much in front of you while driving. Yes, the place of Disney World and Universal Studios and many other theme parks.
I am playing in Division 4 this year. Jumped up from Division 6 in NSC 2006. I just made the mark for Division 4 by winning the Silicon Valley Challenge 2008 in Division 3. The wins gave me a boost to 1122 rating to qualify.
Incidently, 2008 is the 60th anniversary of the invention of Scrabble by a Alfred Butts, back in 1948. NSC 2008 had special raffles for people born in that year.
Day 1:
Game 1: I played against Jon Demeter, from the Bay Area. Imagine that! We played a number of times in the Bay Area (nine times actually, 4W-5L record) and flew hundreds of miles to end up playing against each other. Well, bad start to this tournament. Vowels loved me to death, while he gets to play INDOLES (71), SUICIDE (75), JOE (33), FIERY (37), HAVES (45), CODA (33) and EX (41). Lost 304-432.
Game 2: Against Margaret Bee, not so good either. She got two bingoes in a row, MARRInG (76) and AGIOTa(G)E (61). I challenged the second bingo unsuccessfully. Meanwhile, I get the three S in a rack and no bingoes to show for it. Changed a rack of EEVSSUU. I did have SEX (41)…pun fully intended. She played DIAZOLE (38) later which I smartly. Lost 294-352.
Game 3: Against Kevin Sears, my luck is better. Finally, my first bingo, ReJOINS (72) and QATS (47). Won 366-270.
Game 4: Against Devonna Gee, luck turned against me again. Her very first word is GRAZERS (81). Later came DIORAMA (75). It took me two blanks and a S to get DiNNeRS (81) on the triple word. Lost 338-433.
Game 5: Against Michael Donagan, it went well. I started with ZEINS (48) and soon bingoed two in a row with DRESSER (74) and ALMONDS (69). He did ELOIGNE(D) for 64. Won 393-302.
Game 6: Against Teresa Schaeffer, it was a close game. I played EXONS (62) with X on double letter to the triple word tile. Next turn, I got IODiDES (67). Won 363-326.
Game 7: Against Dallas Johnson, it was a tough one. I was the MEaNEST (69), but he INFORMS (78) and has RAVINGS (78). So then, he has a HUGE (44) win. I lost 303-442.
Ended the day with 3W-4L.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
2008 Silicon Valley Showdown Scrabble tournament -Day 2 and 3
Day 2
Game 9: Salvador Sanchez, rated 1045, 3rd seed
Luck rolled on my side this morning. I actually woke up late, and drove like mad to the tourney site. Got there, with the directors making announcements. No coffee, no breakfast…. Man, I was hungry and sleepy….
On my 3rd turn, I bingoed with a non-word, rETONED. I missed out DENOTEd completely. My opponent thought for a while but decided against challenging, which he said he regretted later. I started picking up power tiles at the right time to play AX, JO, QUID at the right places for some nice points. Then, I proceeded to close up the board. He tired to open up a spot, but I responded with ELAsTIN immediately then picked up EIIONRS the very next rack. I think he had some nice tile combo, as he played off an E to make E(F) but that opened up the S hook for my IRONIES. I played REH#, a British-only word, which got challenged off. He finally got his bingo INSANER, down on the board, but I was way ahead. Won 512-342.
Game 10: Andrew Smith, rated 500, 12th seed
I thought I was going to play against the top-seed this round, but it was arranged for with the bottom-seed instead. I played a low-scoring TRAINeR, which he later hooked with his DIArIES. Later on, the vowels dried up on my rack, and I changed twice in a row! Yet, I managed to keep ahead of him and won 327-296. Ten straight wins!! My best ever streak….now, to face the top-seed…
Game 11: Kim Carver, rated 1182, 1st seed
It was a close game. Slow start at the beginning, but she bingoed with hOTDOGS to pull ahead, and kept the lead pretty much for the rest of the game. At one point, I got as close as 2 point difference 325-327, but the end game did me in. I closed out my own bingo line for my orphaned EaSIEST and could not recover. Lost 344-379. Sigh…. Lost the winning streak with 10-1 though not complaining! Still top of the table!
Game 12: Raghuram Jonnalagedda, rated 1029, 4th seed
This was a fantastic game. I started out with a non-word bingo, TOWELER, but he did not challenge as he played HIND(E)RER to even out somewhat. He then played QUAI/HO(I)# for 58 points which I did not challenge off, unfortunately, since I was unsure if HOI was good or not. Stupid SOWPODS lingers within me. On my fourth turn, I played TURNOVER to pull ahead, with the end open for the S for double-word score. Drawn a rack of AEGIMRT. I wished for an ‘N’ and miraculously, he played VANED. I then hooked the N with REMATI(N)G. He played SOJA/TURNOVER(S) for 46 points. I was not sure if SOJA is good in US, so I placed a hold and draw my tiles. I did not challenge, as I could use the A on SOJA to play Z(A)XES, with the Z on triple-letter and S on double-word tile for a whipping 82 points! My opponent played TALA(Q)s#, another British-only word, which I also did not challenge since it was familiar to me. He next tried a non-word bingo GAUKIER, which I knew was a misspelt version of ‘gawkier’ and challenged it off. Won the game 561-415.
Game 13: Steve Brown, rated 657, 10th seed
The luck still rolled with me. On my 4th turn, I bingoed with RETsINA on a double-double word score. Two turns later, I hooked on my first bingo with STINTE(R)S. I kept the lead all the way and won comfortably with 445-288.
Game 14: Shirley E Scott, rated 908, 8th seed
This game was a close fight. Having only won her by 1 point in our previous match-up, I played cautiously. She bingoed early with TASTIEr, and pretty much held the lead through the game though I kept it around a 30 point spread throughout but failed to get a breakthrough. I challenged her unsuccessfully on DIEL, which probably costed me the game. Lost 334-353, a mere 18 point loss. Now with 12W-2L record, but still top of the table.
Game 15: Lois Oda, rated 1005, 6th seed
I got creamed in this game by sheer uneven tiles….. She got all the power tiles: the two blanks, all four ‘S’, Z, Q, X, J, K. It started slowly, and at one point on the 6th turn, I was actually ahead 170-108. She played COXa and SUQ well to keep up. Towards the end, she played her ZESTED (Z on TLS and word on the DWS) for 82 points, she pulled ahead 274-325 and kept the spread. I managed to keep up but cannot do anything against her words…. Lost 325-383, a 58 point spread, which I considered a job well-done given that she had the tile-gods on her side. Now with 13W-3L, I have two other contestants just 1 game behind me, Kim and Raghu, the 1st and 4th seeds.
.Game 16: Kim Carver, rated 1182, 1st seed
We both thought that we will be playing with no repeats today, so we were surprised to play each other. It was a closely fought game. I actually loss 2 turns by challenging her words: COMBE and BORK. She kept the lead through most of the game, and started closing up the board. I almost played RIOJA to hook the R to the YEA on the board to minimize the spread, but decided against it as it opened up the triple-word score. So I just played the J off elsewhere for just 19 points. Two turns later, that turned out to be blessing as I drew the blank along with a V, and bingoed with DRiVING to pull ahead slightly 350-316. I proceeded to lock up the game and won 398-387, a mere 11 point spread but I am certainly very happy about it!
So, I ended the second day with 13W-3L, still top of the table but with Kim and Raghu nipping at the heels with 12 wins each.
Day 3
Game 17: Betty A Toole, rated 1015, 5th seed
This was a fairly low-scoring game. No bingoes on the board. I had fairly uneven racks, missing vowels a lot…. But somehow, I managed to keep ahead and started closing up the board. She had a bingo rack REmNANT on the triple word line, which would have led to my win by just 1 point, but she did not see it, and honestly, neither did I. Won 352-286. I found out that Kim lost her game and Raghu won, so I still had Raghu at 1 game behind me only and Kim at 2 games behind.
Game 18: Salvador Sanchez, rated 1045, 3rd seed
Salvador went first but changed his first rack. I played with low-scoring tiles as I had a bingo potential. Unfortunately, he bingoed first with TONNERS, I had EASTERN, but did not see it, so I threw an E out for 6 points and drew a D to bingo with STANDER after him. I think he then had a bad luck streak, or trying for a bingo as he changed tiles again and then played low-scoring words with 1-2 tiles the next 3 turns. At that point, I hooked to his last play with a D for form COlLIDe(D) (=collided), having picked up both blanks on the rack, to pull ahead 246-151. Then, I picked up the Q, X, J and K to played well with them to score some decent points while Salvador struggled with low-scoring turns. I won handily 420-269. At this point, Raghu lost his round too, so both Kim and Raghu is 2 games behind me, with only 1 more game to go! I had won the division by the 18th game!! I was so stoked….
Game 19: Lois Oda, rated 1005, 6th seed
At this point, before the next game, we were discussing if I was going to be ‘gibsonized’, i.e. not playing Kim or Raghu. The tourney director decided it so, and so I played Oda, the 4th placed contestant instead. Kim and Raghu is to fight for the 2nd place.
And so…. Lois creamed me again with all the power tiles on her side. I somehow suspect she is using her Hawaiian tile-gods prayers/chants or something Her first move was AnTHEMS. Three turns later, another bingo of gOOIEST, at which point, she led 78-175. Of course, she proceeded to pick up the rest of the S tiles, Z, Q, J, X to keep the lead up. I had no bingo chance whatsoever but just tried to minimize the spread. Lost the game, of course, with 317-398, which was a good effort, I think.
And so, I won the first multi-day tournament in the US, albeit not a major ‘major’ but still!! Finally, I think I am sowing the last of my SOWPODS mind to rest and is able to concentrate to play TWL2 only….. So, next in sight, the 2008 US Nationals in Orlando, Florida!!!
Link to official results
Game 9: Salvador Sanchez, rated 1045, 3rd seed
Luck rolled on my side this morning. I actually woke up late, and drove like mad to the tourney site. Got there, with the directors making announcements. No coffee, no breakfast…. Man, I was hungry and sleepy….
On my 3rd turn, I bingoed with a non-word, rETONED. I missed out DENOTEd completely. My opponent thought for a while but decided against challenging, which he said he regretted later. I started picking up power tiles at the right time to play AX, JO, QUID at the right places for some nice points. Then, I proceeded to close up the board. He tired to open up a spot, but I responded with ELAsTIN immediately then picked up EIIONRS the very next rack. I think he had some nice tile combo, as he played off an E to make E(F) but that opened up the S hook for my IRONIES. I played REH#, a British-only word, which got challenged off. He finally got his bingo INSANER, down on the board, but I was way ahead. Won 512-342.
Game 10: Andrew Smith, rated 500, 12th seed
I thought I was going to play against the top-seed this round, but it was arranged for with the bottom-seed instead. I played a low-scoring TRAINeR, which he later hooked with his DIArIES. Later on, the vowels dried up on my rack, and I changed twice in a row! Yet, I managed to keep ahead of him and won 327-296. Ten straight wins!! My best ever streak….now, to face the top-seed…
Game 11: Kim Carver, rated 1182, 1st seed
It was a close game. Slow start at the beginning, but she bingoed with hOTDOGS to pull ahead, and kept the lead pretty much for the rest of the game. At one point, I got as close as 2 point difference 325-327, but the end game did me in. I closed out my own bingo line for my orphaned EaSIEST and could not recover. Lost 344-379. Sigh…. Lost the winning streak with 10-1 though not complaining! Still top of the table!
Game 12: Raghuram Jonnalagedda, rated 1029, 4th seed
This was a fantastic game. I started out with a non-word bingo, TOWELER, but he did not challenge as he played HIND(E)RER to even out somewhat. He then played QUAI/HO(I)# for 58 points which I did not challenge off, unfortunately, since I was unsure if HOI was good or not. Stupid SOWPODS lingers within me. On my fourth turn, I played TURNOVER to pull ahead, with the end open for the S for double-word score. Drawn a rack of AEGIMRT. I wished for an ‘N’ and miraculously, he played VANED. I then hooked the N with REMATI(N)G. He played SOJA/TURNOVER(S) for 46 points. I was not sure if SOJA is good in US, so I placed a hold and draw my tiles. I did not challenge, as I could use the A on SOJA to play Z(A)XES, with the Z on triple-letter and S on double-word tile for a whipping 82 points! My opponent played TALA(Q)s#, another British-only word, which I also did not challenge since it was familiar to me. He next tried a non-word bingo GAUKIER, which I knew was a misspelt version of ‘gawkier’ and challenged it off. Won the game 561-415.
Game 13: Steve Brown, rated 657, 10th seed
The luck still rolled with me. On my 4th turn, I bingoed with RETsINA on a double-double word score. Two turns later, I hooked on my first bingo with STINTE(R)S. I kept the lead all the way and won comfortably with 445-288.
Game 14: Shirley E Scott, rated 908, 8th seed
This game was a close fight. Having only won her by 1 point in our previous match-up, I played cautiously. She bingoed early with TASTIEr, and pretty much held the lead through the game though I kept it around a 30 point spread throughout but failed to get a breakthrough. I challenged her unsuccessfully on DIEL, which probably costed me the game. Lost 334-353, a mere 18 point loss. Now with 12W-2L record, but still top of the table.
Game 15: Lois Oda, rated 1005, 6th seed
I got creamed in this game by sheer uneven tiles….. She got all the power tiles: the two blanks, all four ‘S’, Z, Q, X, J, K. It started slowly, and at one point on the 6th turn, I was actually ahead 170-108. She played COXa and SUQ well to keep up. Towards the end, she played her ZESTED (Z on TLS and word on the DWS) for 82 points, she pulled ahead 274-325 and kept the spread. I managed to keep up but cannot do anything against her words…. Lost 325-383, a 58 point spread, which I considered a job well-done given that she had the tile-gods on her side. Now with 13W-3L, I have two other contestants just 1 game behind me, Kim and Raghu, the 1st and 4th seeds.
.Game 16: Kim Carver, rated 1182, 1st seed
We both thought that we will be playing with no repeats today, so we were surprised to play each other. It was a closely fought game. I actually loss 2 turns by challenging her words: COMBE and BORK. She kept the lead through most of the game, and started closing up the board. I almost played RIOJA to hook the R to the YEA on the board to minimize the spread, but decided against it as it opened up the triple-word score. So I just played the J off elsewhere for just 19 points. Two turns later, that turned out to be blessing as I drew the blank along with a V, and bingoed with DRiVING to pull ahead slightly 350-316. I proceeded to lock up the game and won 398-387, a mere 11 point spread but I am certainly very happy about it!
So, I ended the second day with 13W-3L, still top of the table but with Kim and Raghu nipping at the heels with 12 wins each.
Day 3
Game 17: Betty A Toole, rated 1015, 5th seed
This was a fairly low-scoring game. No bingoes on the board. I had fairly uneven racks, missing vowels a lot…. But somehow, I managed to keep ahead and started closing up the board. She had a bingo rack REmNANT on the triple word line, which would have led to my win by just 1 point, but she did not see it, and honestly, neither did I. Won 352-286. I found out that Kim lost her game and Raghu won, so I still had Raghu at 1 game behind me only and Kim at 2 games behind.
Game 18: Salvador Sanchez, rated 1045, 3rd seed
Salvador went first but changed his first rack. I played with low-scoring tiles as I had a bingo potential. Unfortunately, he bingoed first with TONNERS, I had EASTERN, but did not see it, so I threw an E out for 6 points and drew a D to bingo with STANDER after him. I think he then had a bad luck streak, or trying for a bingo as he changed tiles again and then played low-scoring words with 1-2 tiles the next 3 turns. At that point, I hooked to his last play with a D for form COlLIDe(D) (=collided), having picked up both blanks on the rack, to pull ahead 246-151. Then, I picked up the Q, X, J and K to played well with them to score some decent points while Salvador struggled with low-scoring turns. I won handily 420-269. At this point, Raghu lost his round too, so both Kim and Raghu is 2 games behind me, with only 1 more game to go! I had won the division by the 18th game!! I was so stoked….
Game 19: Lois Oda, rated 1005, 6th seed
At this point, before the next game, we were discussing if I was going to be ‘gibsonized’, i.e. not playing Kim or Raghu. The tourney director decided it so, and so I played Oda, the 4th placed contestant instead. Kim and Raghu is to fight for the 2nd place.
And so…. Lois creamed me again with all the power tiles on her side. I somehow suspect she is using her Hawaiian tile-gods prayers/chants or something Her first move was AnTHEMS. Three turns later, another bingo of gOOIEST, at which point, she led 78-175. Of course, she proceeded to pick up the rest of the S tiles, Z, Q, J, X to keep the lead up. I had no bingo chance whatsoever but just tried to minimize the spread. Lost the game, of course, with 317-398, which was a good effort, I think.
And so, I won the first multi-day tournament in the US, albeit not a major ‘major’ but still!! Finally, I think I am sowing the last of my SOWPODS mind to rest and is able to concentrate to play TWL2 only….. So, next in sight, the 2008 US Nationals in Orlando, Florida!!!
Link to official results
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
2008 Silicon Valley Showdown Scrabble tournament - Day 1
After about two months of absence from Scrabble tourneys, I was somewhat out of touch. Wan, my dearest wife, granted me a birthday pass to attend the 2008 US Nationals in Orlando, Florida in July.
I played in Division 6 two years ago, currently qualify for Division 5 and need only thirteen rating points to hit 1200 to qualify for Division 4. I have been hovering just below 1200 for a year and never had a breakthrough at tournaments. With the birthday pass comes with the opportunity to play in local tournaments in an effort to boost my rating points, as I really do want to qualify for Division 4. I played in a 1-day tourney last week, and managed to raise the ratings to 1091, just nine points short!
The Memorial Weekend, remembrance for US war veterans, gave me a nice 4-day weekend and is also the time for the annual Silicon Valley Challenge! I finished third in the Division 3 last year, and hoped to do better this year.
Twelve players this year in Division 3, average rating of 900. I am second seed based on my ratings, with expected wins of 13.6 wins out of 19 games over three days (8-8-3 games).
And I won!! This was an amazing tournament and of course, it certainly feels great to finally win a major tournament, albeit in Division 3. Was undefeated for the first day, in fact, undefeated for the first 10 games, my longest winning streak ever! Won the tournament on the 18th round, overall 15 wins, 4 losses. Yes, I had fun and lots of luck on my side. Yes, there were some ‘newbies’ in the mix, but they were decent players.
Game 1: JD Rosenberg, rated 628, 11th seed
First 11 games was round robin. I played from the 11th seed upwards. JD gave me a run for the money and I was trying to catch up the whole game. I started, but his first move was DEF(O)RMed across my CLOUD!! With two blanks!! He led the game for 15 turns. I caught up a little with INERTI(A)S on turn 3 but he pretty much led the whole way. Towards the endgame, he gambled with TRINGLE# (a British-only word), at N6 across. I knew RINGLET, did not know of TINGLER but definitely was about to challenge TRINGLE. However, he played the ‘I’ was over the middle bottom triple word score and I had WZ on hand. I took my time to track all the tiles, and realized that he will empty the bag and have the Q tile which cannot be played. At that point, it was 313-352 with his non-word bingo. Played WIZ for 45 points, and caught up 358-352. Knowing that he cannot play out, I played my remaining tiles to maximize my score and won 405-372. Makes tracking tiles worth all the while! Oh, and I faked out with BRASSE
Game 2: Steve Brown, rated 657, 10th seed
Had the luck for this game. Steve changed his tiles the first two turns. On my 5th turn, I played TRAW(L)ING and towards the end, played DEPICtS. Won convincingly 460-249.
Game 3: Miriam Kasdan, rate 791, 9th seed
Luck on the roll. Played RAWNESS on 3rd turn and played oX for 35 and a natural RITZY for 42. Won 390-289.
Game 4: Shirley E Scott, rated 908, 8th seed
This is such a close game! Won by 1 point! Played UNSTATE on 5 turn, but she caught up with HALTERS and shortly sHORING. We leveled at 323-323 after a good play of my JO for 51 and he KAYO over my JO on the triple word for 38. It was a close fight to the end. End game, won 382-381.
Game 5: Jim Barker, rated 966, 7th seed
This game was a slow start, with normal scoring plays until I bingoed with TESTING on the triple word corner on the 7th turn. Played BANIA#, another British-only word, which got challenged off. Later on, followed with R(E)ALISED. Won 383-340.
Game 6: Lois Oda, rated 1005, 6th seed
This was another slow low-scoring game. Bingoed with PANDeRS. Won 349-304. She ate me alive later….
Game 7: Betty A Toole, rated 1015, 5th seed
She started off with DAZES, and my initial rack was EEIOOUS. Wished EUOI was good here, but just played off (Z)OO for 14 points. Picked up ?R!! Next turn, bingoed REISsUE(S) into the top middle triple word score. I kept a small lead through this game. She tried a non-word bingo SAUTIEr which I challenged off, but I knew she had SInUATE/AUnTIES plus many more. She later played MAR(R)IeRS, which I challenged unsuccessfully. Yet, with careful end-game moves, I won 357-327.
Game 8: Raghuram Jonnalagedda, rated 1029, 4th seed
This was certainly an interesting game. Raghu was a SOWPODS player, like I was. So, he plays certain words which I knew were no good in the US. On his 2nd turn, he bingoed with SNiCKED, which I did not know but decided not to challenge. I bingoed two turns later with PERSONA to even out the score at 139-139. Got crappy vowels for the next three turns, but finally got the blank and bingoed with TENAILS (blank=L). After that, I kept the small but comfortable lead and started closing off the board. I challenged off this TYRE/EVET because I knew EVET is a British-only word. I also challenged off FERET, a non-word. Won 413-345.
Hence, end of Day 1 of the tournament, with an 8W-0L record! The only person across 3 divisions to have an undefeated streak. I was pretty stoked!
I played in Division 6 two years ago, currently qualify for Division 5 and need only thirteen rating points to hit 1200 to qualify for Division 4. I have been hovering just below 1200 for a year and never had a breakthrough at tournaments. With the birthday pass comes with the opportunity to play in local tournaments in an effort to boost my rating points, as I really do want to qualify for Division 4. I played in a 1-day tourney last week, and managed to raise the ratings to 1091, just nine points short!
The Memorial Weekend, remembrance for US war veterans, gave me a nice 4-day weekend and is also the time for the annual Silicon Valley Challenge! I finished third in the Division 3 last year, and hoped to do better this year.
Twelve players this year in Division 3, average rating of 900. I am second seed based on my ratings, with expected wins of 13.6 wins out of 19 games over three days (8-8-3 games).
And I won!! This was an amazing tournament and of course, it certainly feels great to finally win a major tournament, albeit in Division 3. Was undefeated for the first day, in fact, undefeated for the first 10 games, my longest winning streak ever! Won the tournament on the 18th round, overall 15 wins, 4 losses. Yes, I had fun and lots of luck on my side. Yes, there were some ‘newbies’ in the mix, but they were decent players.
Game 1: JD Rosenberg, rated 628, 11th seed
First 11 games was round robin. I played from the 11th seed upwards. JD gave me a run for the money and I was trying to catch up the whole game. I started, but his first move was DEF(O)RMed across my CLOUD!! With two blanks!! He led the game for 15 turns. I caught up a little with INERTI(A)S on turn 3 but he pretty much led the whole way. Towards the endgame, he gambled with TRINGLE# (a British-only word), at N6 across. I knew RINGLET, did not know of TINGLER but definitely was about to challenge TRINGLE. However, he played the ‘I’ was over the middle bottom triple word score and I had WZ on hand. I took my time to track all the tiles, and realized that he will empty the bag and have the Q tile which cannot be played. At that point, it was 313-352 with his non-word bingo. Played WIZ for 45 points, and caught up 358-352. Knowing that he cannot play out, I played my remaining tiles to maximize my score and won 405-372. Makes tracking tiles worth all the while! Oh, and I faked out with BRASSE
Game 2: Steve Brown, rated 657, 10th seed
Had the luck for this game. Steve changed his tiles the first two turns. On my 5th turn, I played TRAW(L)ING and towards the end, played DEPICtS. Won convincingly 460-249.
Game 3: Miriam Kasdan, rate 791, 9th seed
Luck on the roll. Played RAWNESS on 3rd turn and played oX for 35 and a natural RITZY for 42. Won 390-289.
Game 4: Shirley E Scott, rated 908, 8th seed
This is such a close game! Won by 1 point! Played UNSTATE on 5 turn, but she caught up with HALTERS and shortly sHORING. We leveled at 323-323 after a good play of my JO for 51 and he KAYO over my JO on the triple word for 38. It was a close fight to the end. End game, won 382-381.
Game 5: Jim Barker, rated 966, 7th seed
This game was a slow start, with normal scoring plays until I bingoed with TESTING on the triple word corner on the 7th turn. Played BANIA#, another British-only word, which got challenged off. Later on, followed with R(E)ALISED. Won 383-340.
Game 6: Lois Oda, rated 1005, 6th seed
This was another slow low-scoring game. Bingoed with PANDeRS. Won 349-304. She ate me alive later….
Game 7: Betty A Toole, rated 1015, 5th seed
She started off with DAZES, and my initial rack was EEIOOUS. Wished EUOI was good here, but just played off (Z)OO for 14 points. Picked up ?R!! Next turn, bingoed REISsUE(S) into the top middle triple word score. I kept a small lead through this game. She tried a non-word bingo SAUTIEr which I challenged off, but I knew she had SInUATE/AUnTIES plus many more. She later played MAR(R)IeRS, which I challenged unsuccessfully. Yet, with careful end-game moves, I won 357-327.
Game 8: Raghuram Jonnalagedda, rated 1029, 4th seed
This was certainly an interesting game. Raghu was a SOWPODS player, like I was. So, he plays certain words which I knew were no good in the US. On his 2nd turn, he bingoed with SNiCKED, which I did not know but decided not to challenge. I bingoed two turns later with PERSONA to even out the score at 139-139. Got crappy vowels for the next three turns, but finally got the blank and bingoed with TENAILS (blank=L). After that, I kept the small but comfortable lead and started closing off the board. I challenged off this TYRE/EVET because I knew EVET is a British-only word. I also challenged off FERET, a non-word. Won 413-345.
Hence, end of Day 1 of the tournament, with an 8W-0L record! The only person across 3 divisions to have an undefeated streak. I was pretty stoked!
Monday, February 25, 2008
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