Scrabblings

For the first time in a number of years, I did not go to NASPA’s Super Bowl of Scrabble (aka Nationals, aka SPC 😢). It was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and I was lured into trying the OTHER nationals, Word Cup.

No, not that one. W-O-R-D. Taking place in colonial Williamsburg - an easy 3hr drive from Durham. The tournament is smaller in size/fanfare/prize $, but same length. 31 games over 4.5 days. Hosted by NASPA’s nemesis, WGPO. So I can use expurgated words.

To prepare, I’ve been doing some worksheets and hoping that I can remember all these words I’ve been reviewing for years and years. I have worksheets for the top 10K high probability 7s and the top 1500 8s. If I miss one, I add it to my computer program (Zyzzyva), so that I can review the missed words in a semi-systematic way.

Reviewing them in alpha order helps to more quickly identify them while playing. Because I can put my letters in alpha order and hopefully they magically appear in my mind!

J and I have been doing the NYTimes Strands puzzle. Today’s had some nice, weird garment-related words.

I was today years old when I learned that MUMU can be MUUMUU. And what the heck is a DIRNDL (see below)? You can only wear DIRNDLs while drinking large steins of 🍺 apparently. (Note to self: make a list of words related to beer).

3-1 this morning. Played 2 strategic games where played defensively to secure the wins. I had played PIU/BUNA and then drew INTER? And played INTER(l)AP on the tip row. That was sweet.

My loss was a classic “I got bagged” situation - meaning my opponent got everything at all the right times. He accidentally laid a bingo down in the wrong spot and I challenged it off. But otherwise, he was unstoppable!

In my last game, I “bagged” my opponent. Got the bingos: POLENT(a)(s), AREOLES, and REESTING.

Went for a quick walk and ran into these pups. 2 more games and then heading back to Durham. Hoping I can get an LIVE word. I’ll have to beat a 91 point word someone played. So it’s a long shot.

Started off the tourney with three losses - ouch! But lost to some of my fav people, Nancy and Emily.

I had a nice win - finally - before lunch against the guy who is currently in first. In that game, I played OIDIA and it got challenged, sealing the win for me. I have sunk a lot of time in learning 5-L words, so it was fun to win the game because of them.

There was a food truck for lunch and I had an amazing tamale. The afternoon was pretty good.

I had a really cool “finishing play” in this game right after lunch. I had been leading with 3 early natural (no blanks) bingos - MALADIES, ELECTION, and TALIONS. But she was keeping up with good 30 and 40 point plays. She had a 78pt Z play, BRAZA. And then bingoed with, BORNITES. I had a blank but no spot for a hook. So I dropped a UR to open up a bingo spot for myself. My opponent smartly blocked the S hook by playing NAE. But little did she know she had created a brand new hook for my play of ERGO(t)IC which was a walkoff bingo. I won, 483-452. She was shocked.

In my very last game, I had some cool bingos - COPARENT and TEASABLE. I ended the afternoon at 4-4 with -26 spread. Would need a lot of luck and some big wins to get in contention for prize $.

Went out to dinner with Nancy, Andy, and Cathy. In the wonderful foodie town of Asheville, we found ourselves a chain Italian restaurant to dine at. It was delicious and good company!

Me and GI Joel are up early doing the Aerolith daily. GI Joel is a scrabble legend. The GI stands for gastrointestinal. You know you are big time when you have a Wikipedia bio!

Scrabble words in the wild. What three-letter 8s do you see???

….spoiler alert….

ENTAILER

ELATERIN

His fav is the Rock Hyrax, which we’ve nicknamed - Mr. Chuckles. Wouldn’t want to run into this guy in a dark alley. Fun fact: the rock hyrax is a distant relative of the elephant. Its incisors are like two tiny tusks.

Heading to Asheville this afternoon for the biggest NC tourney of the year! A prize will go to the highest scoring word containing - LIVE. So I’ve compiled a list.

In my last game yesterday, I accidentally let my clock run during my opponent’s turn which gave me under a minute on the clock. I was so stressed about running over that I didn’t block her setting herself up with OWL to then bingo on her next turn with ARTsIER. On the bright side, she thanked me for being such a good sport. So maybe I have achieved one of my WWDGD? goals! Hooray!

In probably my most “on” performance yesterday, I did come back on this Purple Rain-inspired board after my opponent opened with URINATE and TORULAE. I eventually got INSIDEs. I stupidly set her up to be able to play ANTIWEAr in the top lane. Luckily she mistracked and I was able to go out to win 445-424.

If you’re looking for someone to root for that’s in the money, go for Diana in Division 4! And Nancy in CSW 2! There will be exciting finishes in all the divisions I suspect.

After this AM, it’s a wrap! Driving home to Durham to see my boys!! Can’t forget to get Jay cotton candy - a special request bc it’s a Baltimore delicacy (?!).

Thanks for tuning in despite a less-than-exciting run for me. Better luck next time!

In my next game - a little bright side, I found OVERSAD and ENSNARE. I was playing a Maryland State Senator, Cheryl Kagan. She asked me what I thought of the venue and I told her it was a corporate, concrete hellscape. Oops. She’s very nice and lord knows how she finds time to play Scrabble, but she’s very active in the scrabble community.

In my last game, I was keeping up in a super low point game. My opponent played MOISTER and CItRATE. I played StUNNED. I was behind and had a rack of EGGSQU and something else. I played EGG because Gs are the worst. A shimmer of hope arrived as I drew SEQUIN. But he blocked the spot with NAE. Womp, womp.

3 more games this afternoon! Diana and Kayla are in contention in D4. Nigel Richards is making a comeback and lots of drama could unfold in the next 6 games! Stay tuned!

Shaking up my routine. Woke up at 4 and watched one episode of International House Hunters. Then went BACK to bed and slept til 6!! Almost got lost in the casino and also in the casino parking garage. But emerged victorious!

**Live coverage**

If you want some people to root for in other divisions, here are some people to cheer for:

Division 1: Kenji! Kenji recently relocated to NC and is an amazing player. He’s literally written books on Scrabble strategy. Always rooting for Andy. He’s an NC native who has run many tournaments I’ve played in. Former school scrabble champ - Andy has a knack for wining. It might be a long shot, but I’m always #TeamChloe - one of the only women competing in D1 and a rising Scrabble star.

Division 2: Natalie Dicou! She’s currently in second and has been crushing it all tournament long. Natalie is super nice and would love to see her place!

Division 3: Me, root for me! But if I’m not in the running, I’d root for Katya or Dana - two formidable female players.

Division 4: Diana! And Kayla! Diana had a 636 (no blanks) on day 1! She is a bingo slinger and very strategic player. Kayla is a rising star from NC that is also in contention for the top prize.

I have some cheerleaders in Pittsburgh. My mom and Jalapeño Hannah - pierogi mascot from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Which leads me to today’s word list:

- pirog

- pirogie

- pierogie

- pierogi

- piroghi

- pirogi

- perogie

- perogi

Lost 1 and won 2 in the afternoon. Still a long way to catch up - I’m currently in 21st place. But I’m happy with how I was able to play with more confidence and find a lot of bingos today.

In the two games that I won I played: EXIGENT, SAPIDER* (not good. DIAPERS, DESPAIR, ASPIRED, PRAISED are the anagrams), UNDErPAY, IDOLiZED, ROWDIER, (a)UNTLIER, ECHIDNaS, LOAmIER.

There are people at the top of the division that are just crushing it. But with 2 and a half days left, who knows!