News

Details: Written by HG; Category: News; Published: 15 August 2024; Hits: 320

Over the weekend of the 10^th and 11^th of August, there were 2 one day Scrabble tournaments in Oxford. The weekend was one of the hottest of the year, but the air-conditioned room made for a refreshing atmosphere. Players came from Edinburgh, Kent, Southampton, Staffordshire as well as more local Oxford and Berkshire players.

The first tournament consisted of three divisions of 16, with seven games to be played.

Helen played in Division A, Richard and Graham in B, and Pat in Division C.

Pat probably wished the tournament could have ended after 3 games, not 7, as she won her first 3 games, including one by 223 points – Pat scored 514 ! Pat then lost the remaining 4 games, finishing with 3 wins and a 10^th place finish.

In Division A, Helen probably wished the tournament could have started AFTER the first game. She was drawn against the top rated player, and lost by 197 points – ouch! Her luck didn’t change much during the tournament, and her two wins came against the two players who finished below her at the end of the tournament. One of which she beat by 4 points, this followed a game which she lost by 6 ! Some very close games indeed!

In B, Richard and Graham matched each other game for game both with 4 wins from 5 games. Richard then had to play a local Oxford player, who had a much lower rating than his 40 years Scrabble experience would suggest. The ratings were wrong and Richard had three bonus words laid against him in the first 3 moves! Not easy coming back from that.

Graham won his game, so played the Oxford player to decide the winner of the division. The game started with 2 bonuses each – Graham managed a third later in the game, and held on to win by 38 points, and won the division – well done Graham.

Day 2 had a different tournament schedule, groups of 8 players each playing each other. Pat, Helen, Richard and Graham were joined by Fiona and Megel.

Fiona and Pat competed in Division D and both won 3 games. This was a good performance by Pat as she was bottom rated in the Division. Fiona scored over 400 in 4 of her games, which included beating Pat in the last game of the tournament.

Division B was the only division with 10 players. It also contained the other 4 East Berks players. Fixtures were calculated after every round, and frequently there was at least one matchup of East Berks Players. Helen won 2 games out of 7 with a highest score of 449. Richard won 3 games including 2 with scores over 480!

Megel won 5 games during the day, with his lowest score being 389 against Graham. Graham lost his first game then went on a 5 game winning streak, beating a player who was unbeaten over the two days. In the last round, a King-of-the Hill round, Graham had to play the same player again, and lost but still finished second. Megel won his last game, which was enough to secure a ratings prize. Well done Graham and Megel.

Here are few of the more unusual words East Berks players played or were played against them and a couple of the finished boards :

TUTANIAS, FOSCARNET, PIEZO, CROZIERS, HOPDOG, SERPULID, TETRAPLA, SELENIUM, SUNDAES.

Note well : this final board contains the word GOY, which since 2021 has been invalid.

Details: Written by HG; Category: News; Published: 08 August 2024; Hits: 361

The Broadstairs tournament took place at the end of July, and Richard went along. Here is his report:

I entered two one day events held at Broadstairs on 27th and 28th July. Its a good option for anyone considering combining Scrabble and a summer holiday -you can easily walk to the beach from the venue.

I played in Division A on both days (8 games on each day) with day 1 being packed with good games.

I started Game 1 against the top ranked player so was very pleased to win the game 462-373. After two bonuses there was a nice spot for WILJAS near the end for 75 which sealed the win.

Game 2 was very exciting -a 514-477 win. I started with 3 bonuses in the first 5 turns -PERILUNE, ROOTSIER and FAWNERS to give me a 130 lead. The opponent put up a good fights with 3 bonuses and 2 50 point plays but I held on.

I lost game 3 476-418 but another good game -the opponent spotting the tricky OESTRIOL and then getting high scoring plays with the Q and Z.

Game 4 could have gone either way with the opponent having both blanks at the end but the board was quite closed so difficult to bingo and I held out for a 375-368 win.

Game 5 was similar -I had two early bonuses but the opponent came back with 55 for HOOPY and 76 for MELTIER towards the end. I thought I'd lost but found EDGER for 30 with several overlaps and hung on for a 421-418 win. See Board attached. (Please note HOOPY is not a valid word !)

Game 6 was the key game against the eventual winner. Opponent played ENGORED which opened a 9 timer opportunity -my rack was ABNOOS? I went for the 9 timer but played too fast putting down BANDOORS. BANDORES is good but I got confused and missed BRADOONS (a word I knew) which would have scored 149 .Spotted BRADOONS about a minute after playing the phony.

Despite that miss the game was still tight and would have been a tie of 458 each -unfortunately it was 5 point penalty challenge and I felt I had to challenge the opponents KEELAGES. Overall a missed opportunity to go to 5 wins.

Unfortunately the last 2 games didn't go for me and I lost both by over 100 to finish on 4 wins from but still enjoyed the day overall and had the consolation of the ratings prize.

Day 2 also started well. Started with SHRIMPS for 95 on move 2. Opponent then played CORTILES quickly unsure of whether it was good. CORTILE is good but and according to the definition is a courtyard so was a bit puzzled at then end of the game that it turned out to be invalid. However, pleased to find DYNATRON for 86 which helped secure a 450-393 win. See second board below.

The next 4 games were shared with the player that drew better winning so not the excitement of day 1. However game 6 was a painful loss as. We both started badly with me changing once and the opponent changing twice and playing a phony of MOTTLIER which I challenged off. Towards the end there were few opportunities to bingo and I picked up the J and Z which I though would be enough to win. Playing LUZ for 39 gave a 16 point lead but the opponent managed to score well with his final plays -29 for DON, 32 for AYES AND then 41 for HOS while there wasn't a great J spot. It was also a very complicated endgame to work out and my opponent was left on 12 seconds on his clock while I went down to zero seconds. I therefore avoided going overtime but lost 413-405.

The last 2 games were shared giving me 4 wins from 8 though pleased to spot SNAGLIKE in the final game.

A selection of my favourite words/bonuses played by me and against me are as follows;

Me - PERILUNE, ROOTSIER, FAWNERS, SNAILIER, ENNOBLED, MEDCINAL, DYNATRON, COTEAUS, GLENOID (non bonus), FOEDARIE, INTORTED, DENTARIA, SNAGLIKE

Opponents- OESTRIOL, STOVING, KEELAGES, SLEEKIER, INFERIA, IRIDEAL

Details: Written by HG; Category: News; Published: 08 July 2024; Hits: 446

Best improver for this quarter is Wanda de Poitiers, ahead of Richard and Michael Spencer in second and third places. Welcome to Joanne (Jo) Hepburn and Megel Barker.

High-scoring words:

· 112 EXOTICS Wanda

· 105 SOUPING Sharon

· 104 SQUIRTER Joy

· 102 TRACHEAS Megel

· 101 QUINTARS Helen

· 98 FRONTAGE Graham

· 97 WEEDING Graham

· 96 TRAYFUL Graham

· 95 DASHIEST Helen

· 94 CLIENTS Helen

· 94 STREAMED Deborah

· 93 SECTION Hepzi

· 92 EVASION Helen

· 92 EXAMINER Helen

· 91 PARSONS Graham

· 91 STUNTED Graham

· 89 SLINKER Maire

· 89 SKIVERS Charles

· 89 STAINED Charles

· 86 FAIREST Helen

· 86 SOAPIEST Jim

· 85 IRISATE Jim

· 85 SPANGLE Keith

· 84 STRIDER Jim

· 82 BLASTER Maire

· 82 HIDEOUT Charles

· 81 DOUBLET Helen

· 81 URINATE Maire

· 80 BEAUTIES Helen

· 80 UPRIVER Mary

· 79 STREAMS Charles

· 78 CINEMAS Martin

· 77 DERIDERS Joy

· 77 EASTERN Jim

· 77 HAIRNET Jim

· 77 HASTIER Maire

· 77 ZESTY Maire

· 76 HUNTERS Maire

· 76 PAUSING Keith

· 75 PASTIER Jim

· 75 THINNERS Maire

· 74 DUMPIER Jim

· 74 OFFENCES Martin

· 73 STERNER Maire

· 72 BANDAGES Jim

· 72 SOLDIER Jim

· 70 ATONERS Maire

· Other words: BENDERS 69 Maire, BITTERS 69 Maire, DETAILED 69 Maire, LADDERS 69 Maire, LASAGNE 69 Jim, BRASSING 68 Charles, PIRATES 68 Maire, SHELTIE 68 Jim, RAISERS 67 Maire, TAENIAE 67 Jim, TOUSLES 67 Maire, URINATE 66 Keith, DELETING 64 Keith, INERTIA 64 Keith, NASTIER 64 Jim, SEQUINS 64 Keith, SNAGGLE 64 Helen, ARSENAL 63 Jim, FESTERS 63 Jim , SMELTING 63 Maire, CANISTER 62 Maire, LAMENTS 62 Joy, LOOPIEST 61 Jim, VIOLINS 54 Charles, BASQUE Charles, BREADED Amanda, NATTERS Maire

Many bonuses or high-scoring moves by one player in a game:

· GAZE 50 QUINA 56 HURRIES 77 JETON 71 LOWRIES 87 OVARIAN 87 INTITLE 60 Helen

· AEROBIC 73 TRAWLERS 74 DENIERS 85 LACQUER 79 FOXED 65 Wanda

· ANNOYING 64 INFECTS 88 TAXI 55 IZAR 57 REVERED 94 Helen

· EJECTOR 104 STANGED 92 FLOATIER 67 LOUDENS 70 Wanda

· REBUTTED 63 OPIATES 71 NOSTRIL 70 CUSHION 80 Graham

· CONVENES 101 FORESTER 72 HARKENS 74 Wanda

· DECANTER 68 TEMPLED 84 RESTIVE 79 Graham

· DELUDED 71 ODDMENT 96 ERECTING 74 Wanda

· DINGBAT 83 RETIRAL 72 EGOTIST 72 Richard

· DOCKING 84 RECLINER 57 ANODISE 82 Fiona

· FASTENER 90 UNITARDS 70 OUTLIER 76 Helen

· GENTEEL 69 SORBENT 80 DENTILS 83 Wanda

· HETAIRA 89 TOLERANT 74 NEOGENE 85 Richard

· LACTEAN 70 LEAVENED 74 SHINTIED 83 Richard

· LINEATED 76 SECTIONS 80 STARTERS 84 Wanda

· LODESTAR 68 COMATOSE 78 BESTAIN 81 Graham

· NERVILY 76 DIACTINE 74 IODURET 66 Richard

· OSTEOID 77 ESCALATE 72 STROKER 91 Wanda

· POUTING 67 TINDERS 73 FURCATED 80 Richard

· RERAISED 69 FENESTRA 62 ALOETIC 68 Wanda

· RESIDUES 80 AUSTERE 73 INUTILE 77 Wanda

· RESTAGED 74 INSANER 76 ANTLERED 74 Wanda

· TAGETES 73 RECITING 72 BANEFUL 66 Wanda

Other things:

· New personal bests: Helen 609

· 11-letter word: ADMINISTERS 34 Michael

Name	Old rating	New rating	Rating change	P	W	D	L	Average	Highest score	Highest ever
Wanda de Poitiers	164	182	18	34	29	0	5	437.5	575	598
Richard Spencer	185	202	17	28	26	0	2	439.0	531	625
Michael Spencer	80	93	13	32	9	1	22	313.6	407	502
Hepzi Rodrigues	129	137	8	20	10	0	10	349.8	465	554
Martin Stephens	109	113	4	25	11	0	14	332.9	443	477
Fiona Titcombe	148	152	4	23	14	0	9	396.3	494	551
Amanda Lowe	80	82	2	26	6	0	20	306.2	379	392
Joy Wade	106	107	1	14	6	0	8	333.2	442	484
Sharon Hewitt	131	130	-1	14	9	0	5	359.2	418	548
Graham Harding	180	179	-1	44	33	0	11	428.5	571	661
Helen Harding	190	186	-4	42	33	0	9	444.6	609	609
Maire Bennett	61	55	-6	32	2	0	30	264.0	343	498
Pat Llanwarne	130	123	-7	17	8	0	9	346.4	442	516
Deborah Porter	137	130	-7	28	14	0	14	354.3	440	542
Charles Parker	113	104	-9	32	14	1	17	320.4	443	509
Jim Macey	126	116	-10	19	7	0	12	354.8	447	478
Keith Radbourn	82	69	-13	36	3	0	33	282.8	380	418
Insufficient games – a previous quarter’s results, or 13 games in a quarter, needed to qualify
Megel Barker		174	1	6	4	0	2	400.8	464	464
Joanne Hepburn		38	-26	3	0	0	3	269.3	292	292
Mary Twomey	99	106	7	9	3	0	6	319.9	377	430
Jen Brennan	50		0	0	0	0	0		0	436
Maureen Barlow	122		0	0	0	0	0		0	528

Details: Written by HG; Category: News; Published: 07 June 2024; Hits: 507

The National Scrabble Championships took place at the end of May. Richard was our sole participant - and here is his report as to how he fared :

....

I attended this year's National Scrabble Championship (23 games over 3 days in Coventry) during the last weekend in May. I was the only East Berks player attending.

In the main division there were 50 players. It was a strong field as usual and I was at the bottom end ranked 37 of the 50.

I had a good start winning the first game with bonuses of BENITIER and TYLOSIN giving a win by 450-412. Then came 3 games against high rated players which I lost. Gambled on ZARECHS in one of those but wasn't good. Should gave played ZAS for 47 keeping CHE? which given I lost by 31 could have changed the result. However won games 5 and 6 and finished day 1 on 3 wins.

Then had the first of 2 bad spells losing 5 straight including the first 4 on day 2. 4 of those were lost by over 80. I did win a close game in game 12 by 460-442 and then game 13 but in game 14 got hit with a 149 point 9 timer of PEARLITE after playing a bonus.

Did manage to get back on track with a few more wins to get me to 8 wins but didn't feel I got the breaks at the end where opponents drew better tiles. I did lose two close games by 9 and 3 towards the end though so with better play might have added to my tally.

However, enjoyed the challenge and will enter again in the future. There was a quiz after day 2 which was fun.

Bonus highlights were as follows;

Played by me - Benitier, Tylosin, Eventide, Adnation, Imposted, Uralite, Entoptic, Agrates, Minivets, Sorbitol, Outrance, Spiering

Played by opponents - Voidance, Cornute, Capriole, Whoopers, Pearlite 9x

---

Thanks Richard for the report - you had some tough games and some fantastic words played in your games.

Here is one of Richard's boards :

Details: Written by HG; Category: News; Published: 30 April 2024; Hits: 646

Richard recently played in a tournament in Broadstairs. Here is his report :

There are several events held at Broadstairs during the year including one and two day tournaments with two one day events planned in August. I entered a two day event over the weekend of 20-21st April -the theme was Saucy Seaside Special and some of the players came in fancy dress outfits.

It was the first time I'd attended and as well as Broadstairs there are nearby seaside towns in Margate and Ramsgate within a few miles of the venue.

The event (held next to Crampton Tower museum) was split into 3 divisions of similar rated players with 43 players after one late dropout. I was the one East Berks player involved and played in Division B (The Randy Ruperts Division) in a round robin format.

On day one I split the first 4 games but after drawing game 5 lost the last three so not the best of starts.

Day two was better winning 4 out of 7 and finishing with 6 and a half from 15.

A selection of my favourite words/bonuses played by me and against me are as follows;

Me - ANNOYERS, SPIERED, QUINZE (non bonus), FRIEZED (non bonus), TAILGATE, VOTARIES, RARENESS, ENPRINTS, AIERIES, RAUCLEST, ATTRITS, FILCHER

Opponents- SAPROBE, GNOCCHI, PENTOSAN, PANTHEON, SLEEVING

Page 2 of 21

Oxford 10/11 August

July 27-28 : Broadstairs

Best Improver – April to June 2024

National Scrabble Championships 2024

April 20-21 Broadstairs