Port Clinton, OH 2015

Port Clinton, OH 2015   (Quiz answers at bottom)

Will Scott and I drove into the teeth of lakefront snowy circle of hell in Port Clinton. As bad as it was when we returned to Lexington, it was actually illegal to drive during the Level Three up there. Good thing what few restaurants were open were within walking distance, if barely, considering the easily subzero temps.

Game 1 v. Dallas Johnson

An honor to play Dallas, such a class act. He will be missed in the ranks of NASPA leadership. He bingo'ed with INSTATES early and PETIOLAR late. Then I tried SULVAKI* - meaning SLUVAKI* - when the Greek food is SOUVLAKI. Didn't deserve this one.
405 – 342     1-0     +73                                   me: SSSJXZ              opp: ??SQ

Game 2 v. Kit Morehead

CDEIKRT (1), ACDEEENR (2), and phony PREMELTS* that got through. Good morning, good afternoon, and good night.
463 – 321     2-0     +142       +215                  me: ??SSQZ              opp: SSJX

Game 3 v. Kevin McCarthy

VASTIER had him up by fifty through midgame. I hadn't known AEENPTTY (4) or EENTTSY (5) and so missed a chance to catch up, even while getting away with CYTE*. Kevin felt confident enough in his lead and the board shape to guess at VIBES/(TELOMIC)S*,- challenged.

Down eighty late, I finally managed ADENOST (6) with a blank. It only made one new bingo lane - unlike the better play -ADENOPS (7). Kevin wisely lowered my chances at the one with BID. Down forty, I now needed a bingo ending in A, O, or have either in the sixth position of a seven-letter find. EGILNOT (8)! Yet in creating OBA, S(OBA) on a tws two ways was created, and there were two esses and the other blank unseen to me. He couldn't take advantage, at least to effect, but then I missed seeing the one way to block it! He ended up with all three big tiles, but had just the unlucky combos to not be able to bingo.

366 – 361      3-0     +5     +147                           me: ?SXZ           opp: ?SSSJQ

Game 4 v. Maureen Kennerk

The only bingo of the game was mine, and one I hadn't known until three days before when doing analysis on games from the Des Moines tournament the weekend before. EEGLOPRS (9).
330 – 296     4-0    +34     +181                           me: ??SSQX       opp: SSJZ

I don't recall if I was in first at this point or not. Surely any other 4-0 players had a larger cumulative spread than mine. Lunch at the 1812 Island House – the tourney site was very affordable, quite good, and kept most players right there on site for squeezing in more games in less time.

Game 5 v. Jason Idalski

My greatest Scrabble fear isn't losing, it's looking foolish. Failed. A thousand ways to spell the food, and I got PIROGH* out before getting to make it valid hooking an I. Jason scored GABIONS and got PURpLEs(T) late when I foolishly left the only lane open.

269 – 456     4-1     (187)      (6)                          me: SSX               opp: ??SSJQZ

Game 6 v. Joe South

Joe struck first with MAPLESS*. I assumed he saw SAMPLES and was trying for a challenge. My AEINQRTU (10) for 131 changed everything. His iNCHOA(T)E/ E(DIT) play was countered by my EIKLOORT (11) with the other blank. I went out with ADEINRT (12).

534 – 361    5-1     +173      +167                        me: ?QX               opp: ?SSSSJZ

Game 7 v. Lila Sinaan

My open- FLOWY* Booo. I “missed” AEGNRSSTU (13) through disconnected G and T, but drew to AILORST (14) with one blank, EIINPPR (15) with the other, and AEENRRS (16) in between.

457 – 291    6-1     +166     +333                          me: ??SSSJZ        opp: SQX

Game 8 v. Connie Breitbeil

I thought NONSPACE* was valid. Got it by though. DEIOPRS (17) was fine, but knowing that plus another S (18) would've been better. Connie landed INGRATE. Weird – I played one blank for eleven at the end, and hers went unplayed.
454 – 309    7-1     +145    +478                           me: ?SSSSXZ       opp: ?JQ

Alone at seven wins, first place! Excitement reigned, even with almost half the event to go.

Will and I hoofed it back the two blocks to the quaint old Our Guest Inn. Port Clinton is near Cedar Point, the nearby amusement park, and -very- reasonable in the off-season for rooms. Then it was back the way we came for dinner and drinks at the Irish Pub and Grille McCarthy's. I enjoyed a passable shepher'd pie/boxty combo dish. The recipes must've come from a different part of Ireland than Dublin Bay in Ames, Iowa, a fave old haunt of mine, where they black peppered the bleep out of everything. The company was even better, as we were invited to join (eventual champ) Jason Idalski and former Scrabble acquaintance Pete Ziegler (my opp for the coming KOH match).

Will had a touch more adult beverage than me, so I got the best of him in three straight matches back at our room. But would my good fortune from both the day and evening hold for Sunday?

SUNDAY
Game 9 v. Josh Kopczak
TWANGEr early for him, then DOZIER for 78, VALIDATE and ATHELING for more each. I made suboptimal decisions early and often, if missing no bingos. EILNORST (19) late was little help.

312 – 529     7-2    (217)     +261                      me: ?SSSX             opp: ?SJQZ

Game 10 v. Will Scott

I lost the score sheet. I done got whupped, too. I should've bought him a bourbon beforehand.

362 – 488     7-3    (126)     +135                                        unknown

Game 11 v. Flossie Swint

Had to out-bingo her 3-0. ADEORSTU (20), AIGIORTV (21), and then AEIILSRT (22) for the out. The last was blockable for a win for her, but she confirmed just not seeing the chance.

420 – 357     8-3     +63      +198                       me: ?SSSJ              opp: ?SQXZ

Game 12 v. Stephen Henney

He hit REAGENT and VANISHES. His miss on ASTATIC and ASTRICT with the second blank was little consolation.

291 – 404     8-4     (113)     +85                       me: SJZ                   opp: ??SSSQX

The lunching, complete with delicious eggplant entree and time to mull over my drop to eighth place.

Game 13 v. Joe South

Had to have this one to keep playing folks at the top of standings, have any shot at a money slot. Life is better with blanks. I hit ABDEEMNO (24) as a double double with one, ACERKST (25) with the other. Last letter was a C, so he made up about seventy points in end game on the stick.

440 – 352    9-4      +88     +171                             me: ??SSSJ               opp: SQXZ

Game 14 v. Kit Morehead

I missed ADLMORU (26). CEHLORRT (27) with a blank was ok, but remembering GALA takes an H back hook would've given me ECHLRRU (28). Her only bingo was LEMURINE with the other blank, but she scored so consistently that my late BDEEINOS (29) didn't get me close.

349 – 406     9-5     (57)      +114                            me: ?SSSQ                opp: ?SJXZ

Game 15 v. Pete Ziegler KING OF THE HILL match

Final round match would be my most exciting. Pete opened with LINEATE, but I pulled close with ADEGILMN (30) and took lead with ?ABGORR (31). I'd get a free turn off his VIVES*, but gave it back and burned several minutes of clock on PLENATE*.

AEELNST (32) regained me the lead late. Time pressure led me to create two unnecessary bingo lanes for him late, as I decided to go for score and to not lose to any combination of non-bingos. I lucked out and he did not have an out-winner.

402 -388     10-5    +16       +130                           me: ?SSJX                 opp: ?SSQZ

(Pete minus 10 for time)

I tied with several people at the ten win mark, but with the smallest spread, and one victory out of first.  Sixth place, one slot out of winning any cash, and met my win expectation almost exactly. And so I still linger just under 1700 after the two point rating gain. Will finished with nine wins, and congrats to him for it, also finishing at expectation and gaining single digits on his rating.

I'm not missing tons of playable bingos. But I'm still needing to improve my consistence on nonbingo plays, as I miss so many overlaps using letters already on the board. My new focus on rack leave versus overemphasizing the highest-scoring options is very much a work in progress. My fours and fives need reviewing... and it's also a day of the week that ends in Y. But I understand to at least some degree how I can improve at the board and in prep, and learned/relearned the lessons without crapping the bed at the tournament. Good times!

Stat me, baby –

Blanks:      15/28     (played 15 games, but don't have the Will-stats)

Esses:        32/56

JQXZ:       24/56

            TOTAL:   71/142 power tiles

25 bingos to opps' 15

391-377 average scores

Games with both blanks: 4-0
Games with no blanks: 1-2
Games with one blank: 5-2
Games against Will: 0-1

QUIZ ANSWERS

1) TRICKED
2) CAREENED
3) There is no #3. Let us meditate.
4) ANTETYPE – an earlier form of something
5) TEENTSY
6) DONATES
7) DAPSONE – an antibacterial medicine, used on leprosy and dermatitis
8) LENTIGO – freckle
9) GOSPELER – one that teaches the Gospel
10) ANTIQUER          (also QUAINTER)

           – one that antiques, gives an aged feel to something

11) ROOTLIKE
12) TRAINED             (also DETRAIN, ANTIRED)
13) ASSURGENT – rising
14) RIALTOS             (also ORALIST, TAILORS)
           – a Venetian marketplace, consisting of an island and surrounding district
15) NIPPIER
16) REEARNS            (also EARNERS)

17) PERIODS

18) DISPOSER and DROPSIES – excessive accumulation of serous fluid
19) RETINOLS – vitamin A
20) OUTDARES        (also OUTREADS, READOUTS)
21) RAVIGOTE – a spiced vinegar sauce
22) LISTERIA – rod-shaped, aerobic bacteria
23) There is no #23.  It went AWOL with #3. Discuss.
24) BEMOANED
25) RACKETS           (also RESTACK, RETACKS, STACKER, TACKERS)
26) MODULAR
27) CHORTLER
28) LURCHER
29) EBONISED – to stain black, in imitation of ebony
30) MALIGNED       (also MEDALING)
31) BEGORRA – as in “faith and _____ !”
32) LATEENS           (also LEANEST)

Des Moines tournament Feb. 2015

Iowa will always be home for me, and it was amazing to get back to Des Moines and see so many friends. Thanks to Rich Banker for directing this year's event and Pat Boddy, who has directed all previous years and helped again. To those I forget to mention who helped, my apologies and thanks!

Our two year old daughter, Abby, had been sick before and as we left for Cedar Rapids on Friday. For the first time in our short years as a family, wife Wendy and I were down some serious sleep. I normally even shun coffee, but Saturday morning was for even stronger stuff. Two large energy drinks had me barely functioning for the morning two hour drive to Des Moines and the early games. But it's not Day One tiredness tends to affect me as much.

 

Parenthetical quiz number answers at bottom of entry.

Round 1 v. Kevin Gauthier

It would be a tough weekend for Kevin, who came from Albany, NY. ADEORTU (1) and EIILNOS (2) with a blank back to back early for me. I missed CDEIILT through a wide open O (3) midgame.
414 – 332      1-0     +82                            me: ?SSJQ                opp: ?SSXZ

Game 2 v. Chuck Riordan

I held but let go WAULERS* for his first play. Inexcusable. More, I completely overlooked that my opening NUS takes more than just a G front hook and missed answering with ADILOTU (4). I managed ADLNOST (5) with a blank, but his THI(E)vERY and COESITE were too much.
365 – 459     1-1      (94)      (8)                 me: ?SSJZ                 opp: ?SSQX

Game 3 v. David Brown

Strange game. I had both blanks and all esses, but mediocre decisions kept me from more spread. I hit STELEnE, but missed the double-double that slots the S in the third slot (6). EIGNOOS (7) followed shortly with the other blank. Between us we only had one more play that was for 30+ points.
367 – 248     2-1     +119     +111              me: ??SSSSJZ           opp: QX

Game 4 v. Mike Johnson

This took all the sweet letters and more than a little serendipity this. I opened with no vowels while he took lead with REBLENT early. I picked both blanks on a three-tile draw for ??ASTTX (8), but was still down. REGINAE for him, an exchange 7 for me, down 100+ again. Then the serendipity. AACNSTT for me and an open A he doesn't happen to block (9). I was still down a bingo after his AQU(A) for 39, but outscored him with higher-point letters through the end game.
404 – 377     3-1      +27      +138               me: ??SSSSXZ         opp: JQ

Another thank you to Rich Banker for the bevy of six foot sub sandwiches he brought for everyone again this year.!

Game 5 v. Avery Mojica

?AEUWYY- how would you open (10)? My vowels hurt me more than his struggles early, and he led after we traded my ?EGLORP (11) (hadn't known GosPEL(E)R for 96) to his REMAINS.

Then my history with Avery caught up to him. I've helped him quiz for English class vocab tests before. So I tried TSARINA/T(ROPED)* with nowhere else to bingo. He held me for several minutes, let it lie. ZITi for 52 sealed the deal.

436 – 356     4-1      +80      +218                me:  ??SZ                  opp: SSSJQX

Game 6 v. Kevin Gauthier

Study all you want, I say be lucky. EILOORTV (12) with one blank and AEILNRTU (13) with the other blank early staked me a holdable lead. I did miss TEXTUAL with a blank in between. ADILNOS (14) sealed the spread late.
424 – 341     5-1       +83     +301                me:  ??SSX                opp: SSJQZ

Game 7 v. Chuck Riordan

Gotta bring A-game against Corky. I brought my D-game. CEGINOSZ (15) kept me from flunking. Chuck phonied me with FORESAY* for 98 (FORESAID is valid, so weird). Then he caught me on PREDIALS* when know valid bingos played. Should've known he'd know the real answers (16) or that PREDIAL was only an adjective. His TERAOHM was salt in the wound I'd opened myself.
322 – 460    5-2       (138)    +163                me: SSSXZ                 opp: ??SJQ

Game 8 v. David Brown

HUNDREDS with for David, AIORSTU (17) for me. David then slotted a K in the triple lane for maybe my fave play of the weekend – KWANZA! Not just a holiday, also a currency. I let him back in late, creating an overlapping lane for his ANISOLE, but held on.
395 – 357     6-2        +38     +201               me: SSXZ                    opp: ??SSJQ

Evening was time for double date dinner at Chef's Kitchen in the Beaverdale neighborhood. Dan Heck and wife Michelle live close enough to walk from their house, so it had been something of a favorite for even we former suburbanites from further north in the metro when we lived there. I surprised myself by skipping my favorite Baked Shrimp Scampi there (a dish that redefines jumbo for shrimp) for an Italian Sandwich that was half ground beef, have grazziano sausage. No regrets!

Wendy and I stayed downtown at the Mariott Savery. Fancy lobby, diginified rooms. A night out of town with no Abby, and it was a nearly-literal race to bed after dinner - for passing out immediately. And yet still, no regrets!

Day Two. When a full night's sleep and another energy drink were not enough...

Game 9 v. Mike Johnson

Mike's first move was LEAFING and he never trailed. We traded AEORRST (18) to his double-blank PERIDOT later. I got away with PERMAIN* late, and probably won't ever get this rack right (19).
422 – 485     6-3       (63)    +138                                   me: SSQZ              opp: ??SSJX

Game 10 v. Avery Mojica

AEIIMRT (20) and AEEIGNPR (21) back to back for me early, but he fired off MANGROVE for 90+. I intentionally phonied EYELINE* to retake lead, but he'd picked up esses. SHEILAS for another 90+ sealed my fate in a game in which my my biggest mistakes involved not exchanging.
399 – 463    6-4        (64)    +74                                     me: ?JXZ                opp: ?SSSSQ

Game 11 v. David Brown

David started the show early with AGONIST using a blank, but AEENNMO (22) and EGILNOS (23) reversed our course. I misplayed some consonant-heavy racks late, but pulled the second blank to bingo out with DEENRST (24).
451 – 354    7-4        +97    +171                                    me: ?SSJQZ           opp: ?SSX

Game 12 v. David Brown

He's too good to not have been overdue for a win against me. CAVITIES and AVERTING let him lead pillar to post. I managed ABEINORT (25) after.
360 – 398    7-5         (38)    +133                                  me:  ?SSSJQZ         opp:  ?SX

I'd been seeded second, finished in third tied with two others on wins, lost just enough ratings points to knock me under 1700 rating again – and couldn't have had a better time. Congratulations to Avery for living up to his seed and taking Division One handily. But I must say, my most pride and joy was for Dan Heck and Rich Banker, who won Divisions Two and Three. Dan works his game away from the board very hard, had been playing me evenly for months before Wendy and I moved back to Kentucky, and continues to do so online. Rich isn't a classic studier, but plays more club games than everyone else to do his learning. They're both so deserving, and I couldn't be happier for them.

Stat me, baby -

13 of 24 blanks
27 of 48 esses
25 of 48 JQXZ
65 of 120 power tiles total 54%

24 – 17 bingo advantage

396 – 387 average score

Games with both blanks:    3-0
Games with one blank:       3-3
Games with no blanks        1-2

QUIZ ANSWERS

1)   OUTDARE            (also OUTREAD, READOUT)

2)   ELISION                (also LIONISE and ISOLINE)
3)   IDIOLECT – the variety or form of a language used by an individual
4)   OUTLAID
5)   SANDLOT             (also DALTONS)
6)   EUSTELE – plant part, weird botanical term
7)   GOONIES – albatross
                                    (also NOOGIES, ISOGONE)
8)   SEXTANT – astronomical instrument used to determine latitude and longitude
                                    (also TAXITES, POSTTAX)
9)    CANTATAS
10)   YAWEY – pertaining to an infections disease in children in tropical climes, related to syphillis
11)  PERGOLA – a shaded walkway or passage
                                    (also PROLEGS, PLEDGOR)
12)  OVERTOIL
13)  TENURIAL – pertaining to tenure
                                    (also AUNTILIER, RETINULA)
14)  LADINOS – a wild, unmanageable, vicious horse or other ranch animal
15)  COGNIZES – to become aware of in one's mind
16)  LIPREADS, PARSLIED, SPIRALED
17)  SAUTOIR – a heraldic design (St. Andrew's cross)
18)  ROASTER
19)  PERMIAN – related to amphibious part of Paleozoic era
              ^ For PERMAIN*, I combined this and PEARMAIN
20)  AIRTIME
21)  PERIGEAN – pertaining to a perigee, when a satellite is at closets point in orbit to Earth
22)  ANEMONE – plant of buttercup family
23)  LONGIES – long underwear
                                    (also ELOIGNS, LEGIONS, LINGOES)
24)  TENDERS
25)  TABORINE – a small drum, used to accompany oneself on a fife or pipe