What is Scrabble?

Scrabble is essentially a word game which can be played by 2-4 players at a given time on a board which comprises a grid of squares in a 15 X 15 format. The squares are assigned different scoring attributes. There are 100 tiles to draw from and players must draw 7 tiles initially and maintain the same number on their racks till they are exhausted. Each tile has a point value attached to it. If all 7 tiles are used in a word an additional 50 points is added to the players score. The goal is to win by scoring more than your opponent. Scrabble is now increasingly played competitively across several countries on the globe and in several languages.

Featured post

Scrabble Word Study Tools

 My colleague Ishika takes you through some useful tools for word study namely Zyzzyva, Aerolith, and Anagram Quizzer. I chip in on my favor...

Friday 2 September 2016

World Scrabble Championship 2016 - Day 3

We are done with the third days proceedings at the World Scrabble Championship in Lille France. Here are the standings from the coverage out of Lille. The stage is set for the knockout phase and you had to win 2/3 of your games to get there.

RankWon-LostSpreadPlayerLast Game
119–5+1262Nyman, Mark (A10)2W:578-365:A56
219–5+1152Webb, David (A22)1W:471-378:A69
318–6+974Simmons, Allan (A20)1W:418-396:A16
417–7+1216Robinsky, Robert (A26)2W:422-419:A48
516–8+1424Smitheram, Brett (A4)2W:406-379:A1
616–8+854Logan, Adam (A9)2W:434-433:A46
716–8+771MacKay, Lewis (A7)2W:469-353:A11
816–8+676Wapnick, Joel (A15)1W:505-277:A61
915–9+334Koenig, David (A21)1L:488-497:A19
1015–9+175Allan, Paul (A19)2W:497-488:A21
1115–9−50DENNIS, IKEKEREGOR (A13)1W:464-377:A33
1214½–9½+155Kirk, Terry (A33)2L:377-464:A13
1314–10+987Richards, Nigel (A1)1L:379-406:A4
1414–10+985Armstrong, Peter (A12)2W:435-400:A8
1514–10+924Ullah, Moiz (A46)1L:433-434:A9
1614–10+649Clinchy, Evans (A11)1L:353-469:A7
1714–10+393Winter, Winter (A36)1W:522-318:A63
1814–10+312Eldar, David (A2)2W:502-401:A6
1914–10+224Jackson, Scott (A61)2L:277-505:A15
2014–10+93Keller, Jason (A38)1W:492-285:A64
2113–11+1196Shin, Austin (A16)2L:396-418:A20
2213–11+804Rau, Stefan (A49)2W:516-275:A71
2313–11+765Jighere, Wellington (A8)1L:400-435:A12
2413–11+722Wiegand, Dave (A5)2L:394-453:A3
2513–11+436Lipe, Chris (A30)1W:437-332:A55
2613–11+268Panyasophonlert, Komol (A3)1W:453-394:A5
2713–11+171Kelly, Wayne (A39)1W:563-286:A68
2813–11+1Vicary, Chris (A45)2L:422-495:A24
2913–11−174Carter, Gerry (A32)2W:483-366:A57
3012½–11½+337Halsall, Trevor (A28)2L:413-446:A44
3112½–11½+308Berofsky, Evan (A17)bye
3212–12+553Day, Jesse (A24)1W:495-422:A45
3312–12+271Bullock, Orlet (A51)1W:485-442:A25
3412–12+173Martin, Teo (A43)2L:411-421:A59
3512–12+59Dangoor, Elie (A44)1W:446-413:A28
3612–12+9Chunkath, Mohan (A34)2L:289-573:A67
3712–12−26Sharma, Puneet (A59)1W:421-411:A43
3812–12−95Khatri, Waseem (A25)2L:442-485:A51
3912–12−112Prudencio, Marlon (A27)2L:438-468:A50
4012–12−175Delicata, David (A47)1W:398-368:A23
4112–12−244Perry, Stephen (A58)1L:400-452:A42
4212–12−339Broersma, Jason (A60)2W:486-349:A31
4312–12−407Grossman, Barry (A48)1L:419-422:A26
4411–13+390Dominiczak, Rafal (A37)1L:368-409:A54
4511–13+176Anderson, Gunnar (A65)2L:332-453:A40
4611–13+6Tang, Michael (A54)2W:409-368:A37
4711–13−152Jackman, Bob (A53)1L:379-404:A29
4811–13−427Kennedy, Rik (A42)2W:452-400:A58
4911–13−511Abbasi , Shan (A64)2L:285-492:A38
5011–13−624PAUL, ETA (A18)bye
5110½–13½−240Sandu, Dan (A67)1W:573-289:A34
5210½–13½−686Micallef, Charles (A66)1L:382-421:A72
5310–14−122Zolty, Natalie (A55)2L:332-437:A30
5410–14−231Cohen, Evan (A31)1L:349-486:A60
5510–14−346Scott, Neil (A29)2W:404-379:A53
5610–14−355Awowade, Femi (A40)1W:453-332:A65
5710–14−469Beevers, Craig (A6)1L:401-502:A2
5810–14−906Ubeika, Jason (A56)1L:365-578:A10
5910–14−913charles, Leslie (A50)1W:468-438:A27
6010–14−1412Hadi, Hasham (A72)2W:421-382:A66
619½–14½−195Klaphajone, Jakkrit (A14)bye
629½–14½−296Haizel, Charles (A23)2L:368-398:A47
639½–14½−754Boyle, Vincent (A57)1L:366-483:A32
649–15−584Hunt, Stephen (A52)2L:383-387:A35
659–15−746Linn, Robert (A35)1W:387-383:A52
669–15−806Durand, Jack (A69)2L:378-471:A22
679–15−817Rosenkrantz, Omri (A62)1W:443-299:A70
688–16−787Wai, Tsang (A71)1L:275-516:A49
697–17−744Richards, Karen (A63)2L:318-522:A36
706–18−1423Kuroda, Kunihiko (A70)2L:299-443:A62
715–19−1889Herve, Bohbot (A68)2L:286-563:A39
721–23−2148Freeman, Lucas (A41)bye

Thursday 1 September 2016

World Scrabble Championship 2016 - Day 2

We are done with the second days proceedings at the World Scrabble Championship in Lille France. Here are the standings from the coverage out of Lille:

RankWon-LostSpreadPlayerLast GameNext Game
113–3+890Webb, David (A22)2W:464-427:A21st vs. A10 @1
213–3+593Nyman, Mark (A10)1W:453-434:A152nd vs. A22 @1
312–4+992Wapnick, Joel (A15)2L:434-453:A101st vs. A46 @2
411–5+886Ullah, Moiz (A46)1W:487-344:A602nd vs. A15 @2
511–5+815Robinsky, Robert (A26)1W:435-432:A112nd vs. A61 @4
611–5+788Simmons, Allan (A20)1W:454-377:A72nd vs. A2 @3
711–5+785MacKay, Lewis (A7)2L:377-454:A201st vs. A1 @7
811–5+461Jackson, Scott (A61)2W:442-397:A211st vs. A26 @4
911–5+295Eldar, David (A2)1L:427-464:A221st vs. A20 @3
1010–6+868Richards, Nigel (A1)1W:586-387:A402nd vs. A7 @7
1110–6+753Clinchy, Evans (A11)2L:432-435:A261st vs. A19 @6
1210–6+441Panyasophonlert, Komol (A3)2L:389-490:A382nd vs. A60 @5
1310–6+413Allan, Paul (A19)2W:499-323:A322nd vs. A11 @6
1410–6+336Logan, Adam (A9)2L:400-411:A171st vs. A13 @9
1510–6+23Broersma, Jason (A60)2L:344-487:A461st vs. A3 @5
1610–6+20Keller, Jason (A38)1W:490-389:A31st vs. A17 @14
1710–6−110DENNIS, IKEKEREGOR (A13)1W:441-371:A362nd vs. A9 @9
189½–6½+137Berofsky, Evan (A17)1W:411-400:A92nd vs. A38 @14
199–7+896Smitheram, Brett (A4)1W:434-360:A331st vs. A39 @10
209–7+651Shin, Austin (A16)2W:496-455:A531st vs. A25 @24
219–7+625Jighere, Wellington (A8)1W:552-279:A342nd vs. A53 @12
229–7+350Dangoor, Elie (A44)2W:451-437:A251st vs. A21 @8
239–7+241Kelly, Wayne (A39)1W:471-320:A242nd vs. A4 @10
249–7+87Jackman, Bob (A53)1L:455-496:A161st vs. A8 @12
259–7−12Khatri, Waseem (A25)1L:437-451:A442nd vs. A16 @24
269–7−137Koenig, David (A21)1L:397-442:A612nd vs. A44 @8
278½–7½+308Halsall, Trevor (A28)1W:458-347:A302nd vs. A33 @15
288½–7½+52Kirk, Terry (A33)2L:360-434:A41st vs. A28 @15
298–8+525Rau, Stefan (A49)2W:487-345:A181st vs. A31 @11
308–8+466Wiegand, Dave (A5)2W:519-257:A662nd vs. A40 @16
318–8+380Armstrong, Peter (A12)1W:521-392:A272nd vs. A58 @13
328–8+270Zolty, Natalie (A55)1W:426-354:A432nd vs. A27 @19
338–8+237Day, Jesse (A24)2L:320-471:A391st vs. A30 @17
348–8+227Dominiczak, Rafal (A37)2W:453-355:A481st vs. A18 @21
358–8+207Martin, Teo (A43)2L:354-426:A551st vs. A34 @18
368–8+130Cohen, Evan (A31)1W:442-334:A452nd vs. A49 @11
378–8+95Winter, Winter (A36)2L:371-441:A131st vs. A56 @22
388–8−13Awowade, Femi (A40)2L:387-586:A11st vs. A5 @16
398–8−42Lipe, Chris (A30)2L:347-458:A282nd vs. A24 @17
408–8−67Prudencio, Marlon (A27)2L:392-521:A121st vs. A55 @19
418–8−116Perry, Stephen (A58)2W:421-403:A511st vs. A12 @13
428–8−215Chunkath, Mohan (A34)2L:279-552:A82nd vs. A43 @18
438–8−426PAUL, ETA (A18)1L:345-487:A492nd vs. A37 @21
448–8−439Ubeika, Jason (A56)1W:496-467:A642nd vs. A36 @22
458–8−493Carter, Gerry (A32)1L:323-499:A192nd vs. A23 @28
467½–8½−129Haizel, Charles (A23)1W:446-396:A521st vs. A32 @28
477–9+124Delicata, David (A47)1W:543-334:A722nd vs. A57 @23
487–9−66Beevers, Craig (A6)2W:506-443:A622nd vs. A45 @26
497–9−93Tang, Michael (A54)2W:476-308:A591st vs. A64 @25
507–9−314Boyle, Vincent (A57)1W:436-431:A291st vs. A47 @23
517–9−418Abbasi , Shan (A64)2L:467-496:A562nd vs. A54 @25
527–9−437Vicary, Chris (A45)2L:334-442:A311st vs. A6 @26
537–9−563Micallef, Charles (A66)1L:257-519:A52nd vs. A50 @20
547–9−685charles, Leslie (A50)1L:330-407:A141st vs. A66 @20
556½–9½−165Klaphajone, Jakkrit (A14)2W:407-330:A501st vs. A59 @27
566–10−55Bullock, Orlet (A51)1L:403-421:A582nd vs. A42 @30
576–10−144Anderson, Gunnar (A65)1W:506-407:A352nd vs. A48 @32
586–10−258Sharma, Puneet (A59)1L:308-476:A542nd vs. A14 @27
596–10−290Rosenkrantz, Omri (A62)1L:443-506:A62nd vs. A35 @31
606–10−392Linn, Robert (A35)2L:407-506:A651st vs. A62 @31
616–10−492Grossman, Barry (A48)1L:355-453:A371st vs. A65 @32
626–10−775Kennedy, Rik (A42)2W:386-348:A701st vs. A51 @30
636–10−1133Hadi, Hasham (A72)2L:334-543:A471st vs. A67 @33
645½–10½−560Sandu, Dan (A67)2L:379-418:A712nd vs. A72 @33
655–11−531Scott, Neil (A29)2L:431-436:A571st vs. A63 @29
665–11−546Richards, Karen (A63)bye2nd vs. A29 @29
675–11−574Hunt, Stephen (A52)2L:396-446:A23
685–11−666Wai, Tsang (A71)1W:418-379:A671st vs. A69 @34
695–11−728Kuroda, Kunihiko (A70)1L:348-386:A422nd vs. A68 @35
705–11−770Durand, Jack (A69)1W:410-299:A682nd vs. A71 @34
713–13−1415Herve, Bohbot (A68)2L:299-410:A691st vs. A70 @35
721–15−1348Freeman, Lucas (A41)bye

Wednesday 31 August 2016

World Scrabble Championship 2016 - Day 1

The World Scrabble Championship has kicked off in Lille France. Here are the top 50 after the first day of proceedings from Nicky Deco via Facebook:

Saturday 27 August 2016

Tracking Our Kids at the World Youth Scrabble Championships

The World Youth Scrabble Championship has concluded in Lille France. India had 8 participants this time around. Big congratulations to all the kids. Here's how they finished from the coverage from Lille:


Player
Win
Loss
Spread
Rank
Aditya Iyengar
16
8
1705
5
Vraj Jain
15
9
69
17
Samrath Singh Bhatia
14.5
9.5
903
18
Yash Potnis
13
11
267
41
Vedika Hingorani
11
13
-178
74
Vihaan Hingorani
10
14
110
84
Aishwarya Naidu
9.5
14.5
-907
95
Udey Singh
8
16
-1222
103
















































































































































Wednesday 24 August 2016

Some Handy Animal Words in Scrabble

Here is a visual representation of some useful animal words that can be played in Scrabble from word buff author Derek Mckenzie:

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Different Words Same Meaning

Citolas, Citoles, Cithrens, Citherns, Cithers, Citterns - A Guitar
Waivode, Waiwode, Woiwode, Voivode - An army leader
Cagouls, Cagoules, Kagouls, Kagoules, Kagools - An anorak
Eulachan, Eulachon, Oulachon, Oulakan, Oolakan, Ulikon - A candlefish
Kiester, Keister, Hurdies, Patootie - The Buttocks
Didakei, didakai, Diddicoy, Didicoi, Didicoy - A Tinker
Cabala, Cabbala, Kabala, Kabbala, Kabbalah, Qabala, Qabalah - a Jewish doctrine
Yoghurt, Yaourt, Yogurt, Yoghourt - A type of curd
Narwal, Narwhal, Narwhale - An Arctic aquatic mammal
Lekythus, Lecythus, Lekythos - An ancient oil Jar
Germen, Germain, Germaine, Germin - Something that serves as an origin
Filemot, Philomot, Philamot - A dull brown shade
keblah, Kibla, Kiblah, Qibla - The direction muslims face while praying
Litchi, Lichi, Lychee, Lichee - A fruit
Poursue, Pursue, Persue, Poursew Pursew - To follow
Pummelo, Shaddock, Pompelo - A citrus fruit
Repreeve, Reprive, Repryve - To delay
Baklava, Baklawa, Baclava - A middle eastern desert
Nilgai, Nilgau, Nilghai, Nilghau, Nylghai, Nylghau - a large antelope
Cassina, Cassene, Cassine, Cassena - an evergreen tree
Narghile, Narghily, Nargile, Nargileh, Nargily - a hookah
Dirdam, Dirdum, Durdum - uproar
Shechita, Shehitah, Shehita - krosher killing of animals
Mezuzot, Mezuzoth, Mezuzah, Mezuza - a Jewish scroll

Combo Words of Two Words that are Good Both Ways

Bedrail - Railbed
Dovering - Ringdove
Hangover - Overhang
Turnover - Overturn
Runover - Overrun
Roadside - Sideroad
Outburn - Burnout
Woodworm - Wormwood
Linecut - Cutline
Outpass - Passout
Outspeak - Speakout
Comedown - Downcome
Upclose - Closeup
Outback - Backout
Pinhead - Headpin
Mateship - Shipmate
Cutover - Overcut
Upstart - Startup
Outshoot - Shootout
Overwing - Wingover
Fantail - Tailfan

Common Words with Not so common Anagrams

Tailors - Oralist, Rialtos, Sliotar
Almonds - Dolmans
Mustard - Durmast
Stadium - Dumaist
Romance - Cremona
Cauldron - Crunodal
Acolyte - Cotylae
Cilantro - Contrail
Decagon - Congaed
Ethical - Alethic
Strongly - Strongyl
Ungrazed - Gazunder
Expires - Prexies
Detangle - Danegelt
Teardown - Danewort
Erasions - Sensoria
Innovate - Venation
Inundate - Antidune
Invocate - Conative
Antidote - Tetanoid
Liaises - Silesia
Coalise - Celosia
Isotherm - Moithers
Heroism - Moreish
Sedation - Astonied
Marries - Simarre
Tsunami - Manitus, Santimu
Cheerio - Echoier


Those Handy Pyramid Words!

Pyramid words are words which start at 2 letters but can be extended to 7 letters and beyond. For example take the word loofahs, we start with lo, next we get to loo, followed by loof, loofa, loofah and loofahs. Thus by knowing loofahs we get to know a total of 6 words. Other examples include:
Abasers, Amenders, Amusers, Barbers, Bingers, Chained,
Chiasmal, Daledhs, Divests, Erasers, Fasties, Godsons, Hookahs, Jambees, Jamboks, Kaingas, Kinases, Lapsers, Maliced, Mentors, Nursery, Parkiest, Poleyns, Reeders, Reposes, Singers, Skaters,Tapetis, Teasers, Ureases, and Woosells.

There are some reverse pyramid words too. Take the word drooped for example, we start with ed, then ped, then oped, then ooped, rooped and finally drooped.Other examples include:
Aemules, Afeared, Borates, Cleared, Demures, Escapes, Glaired, Hamates, Lemures, Mananas, Penates, Retapes, Scraped, Testates, Upreach, Vacates, Whooped, Yslaked and Zananas.