Scrabble Adventures

I was looking forward to another night at the club so that I could try out some of the words I’ve been studying.  I’m currently going through the J words and have finished the 3, 4, 5, and 6 letter words with J.  I’m hoping to polish off the 7 and 8 letter words this week.

Game #1 vs. Kevin T (view full game)
This was an interesting game.  Reviewing the game on Quackle, I missed two bingo opportunities:  ETERNITY and BROMELIN/MISENROL – both opportunities were 8s.  I don’t think I would have found the second one, but maybe had a chance at ETERNITY.  Basically, I made one strategic and sub-optimal play early in the game, and Kevin played off of it for his bingo (FATTENS 89 points) which is basically the difference in the game.

FINAL SCORE:  360 – 291 (LOSS)

Game #2 vs. Priya F (view full game)
I was trying to figure out why/how I was matched with Priya for game #2.  She’s in the “A” division (1500+) and I’m … not.  I figured “I have nothing to lose” and decided to play as best as I could.  On my second turn, I had ILLORS? and didn’t see anything.  BRILLOS is the only bingo there (I would never have thought of that word).  On turn #2, Priya played ACTIONS at J2 but then switched to 11C.  I had ILMPRS? and was thinking SIMPLER.  I saw LIMPERS but wasn’t sure if that was a word (“one who limps” – just doesn’t really sound right).  I played off a few tiles and then a few turns later, I played SeXTANTs, burning two blanks for 76 points – again, I missed a better play (same word, but for 102 points) just a few spaces over.  I played so-so the rest of the match, but then got stuck with a bunch of Es the rest of the game.  Turns 10 to 14, I had 4 Es on my rack – I would play off a couple, but get them back some how.  In the end, Priya’s solid play, her superior word knowledge, and a touch of bad luck for me led to my loss (no big surprise).

FINAL SCORE:  419 – 294 (LOSS).

Game #3 vs. Valeria K (view full game)
Not sure what to say about this one.  I’ve lost my last couple of games to Valeria, and for some reason, I just don’t play well against her (lately).  She keeps announcing the score and it sort of bothers me.  Maybe that plus the fact that she seems to be getting the better tiles (lately) has put me in a bad frame of mind.  I think this is something I need to work on – maintaining a positive attitude.

Anyway, I battled the tiles this game.  On one sequence, I had BGGHPSU and played off UG (in retrospect, maybe I should have exchanged some tiles).  As luck would have it, I picked up UG.  I made one bingo (E)MPOwERS for 87 points on turn #10.  Quackle pointed out that I could have played REiMPOS(E) for 92 points as one better play.  That was pretty much it for me as this game was a series of sub-optimal plays.

FINAL SCORE:  405 – 341 (LOSS)

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In addition to my word knowledge, I think I’m going to make a conscious effort to improve the mental aspect of my game.  My strategy is improving as my word knowledge improves, so I’m going to focus on staying positive and not “giving up” on any one rack.  Craig (our club director) tells us to “always look for a better play” even if you’ve found a bingo.  I think I’m going to try and put that advice into practice the next few weeks before the Cambridge Scrabble tournament (March 31, 2007).