Sunday, July 19, 2009

Scrabble Nationals 2009 (Day Two)

Game 5: vs Ismail

Had a 0-3 record against Ismail, so wasn't feeling very confident about the game. Led comfortably after two bingos but my opponent slowly narrowed the gap as he had power tiles like the J, Q and Z. Luckily, it was not enough for him to win the game!

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: ETESIAn(71) ENCLOSEd(74) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: STURD*
My High Moves: MAIN(31), JEW(40) Opp High Moves: DOZY(55), QI(34), JAG(37)
W 396-362, +34. 3W 2L (Accum spread +63).

Game 6: vs Aloysius

Had very good tiles and could have played two more bingos if I had been more sure of the words. The potential bingo racks are BCDEHIR and AEEHRSS rack.[5]

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: WIRiNGS(82), JOLTIER(76) Opp Bingos: OTARIES(69)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: TIM*, GEF*
My High Moves: ZAP(34), EXO(53) Opp High Moves: -
W 493-269, +224. 4W 2L (Accum spread +287).

Game 7: vs Ruby

Had terrible racks this time round and even changed twice but didn't really benefit from the changes.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: WEEPERS(69)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: CMY*
My High Moves: AXE(40), REBOIL(33), FLAG(31) Opp High Moves: DUCKS(31), UNTAME(35), BUSIER(36)
L 310-410, -100. 4W 3L (Accum spread +187).

Game 8: vs Albert

Lots of phoneys from my opponent but he played many high scoring moves too, so they sort of balanced up!

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: UNITERS(75) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: DEOXIDE*, JOWER*, JUNES*
My High Moves: DITZ(33), OBI(37) Opp High Moves: DOZED(36), LIKES(35), MOWER(45), HEH(31), JUN(32), wEB(31), XIS(54), FONT(31)
L 352-410, -58. 4W 4L (Accum spread +129).

Game 9: vs Winston

Had terrible tiles in this game and phonied twice while trying to make a bingo. Could see that my opponent was fishing to make a bingo too but he had more success doing it!

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: DENOTES(78), FIDELITY(92)
My Phoneys: PANTRIED*, MONITER* Opp Phoneys: ENTILED*
My High Moves: CADS(35), RAX(35), KOI(31) Opp High Moves: ZA(37)
L 299-445, -146. 4W 5L (Accum spread -17).

Game 10: vs Bee Tiang

Quite a close game! Not sure if I could have won if I had played differently though.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: DIVErTS(72) Opp Bingos: SALUTES(69)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: KHI(31), HOW(31), LEFT(35) Opp High Moves: QUEAN(33), WISE(33), COZE(34)
L 360-387, -27. 4W 6L (Accum spread -44).

Game 11: vs Jeffrey

My second time playing with Jeffrey and he said he wanted revenge! Didn't give him the chance but I did learn a new word OVOID from him!

New words learnt: OVOID
My Bingos: VINERIES(74) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: OVIDE*
My High Moves: RAX(32), ZA(57), MED(34) Opp High Moves: OVOID(43), CHUTES(33)
W 462-281, +181. 5W 6L (Accum spread +137).

Game 12: vs Khamis

Finally, the last game of the day! Pulled ahead after my opponent phonied twice and I found a bingo! Managed to hold on to my lead until the end of the game!

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: rAFTERS(88) Opp Bingos: DEcLINE(71)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: OUKED*, PREET*
My High Moves: QUA(39), ZEST(35), SWIRL(38) Opp High Moves: YEH(33), AXE(39)
W 439-337, +102. 6W 6L (Accum spread +239).

Won 10th position out of 24 players with 6 wins out of 12 games and +239 spread in the end, my best showing at the Nationals so far since 2005! I also had fun talking to old friends and making new friends! The only regret is that I didn't have the chance to play with Victor. Think I should be back for next year's Nationals!

Quiz answers (Highlight to see clearly):

[5]: BIRCHED, HEARSES

No comments: