Day Three

Game 15 vs. Cynthia Seales

Missed ?AGIIPT (1) right out of the gate. AEGINRS (2), VIZOR for 62, and a fun, rack-cleaning HEPCAT got me the lead. ADONSTU (3) and EEFGILNT (4) bookending her REVEALER salted it away. With a monster lead, I actually let LIQUOERS* go late for 104. I had an out-bingo in hand, and I did the math that if somehow that mess was valid on a challenge I would lose by 4. I was not letting that be the story of me. Screw the 140 pts extra spread I burned. Went out with ADEIRST (5).

516 – 412 9-6 +576 me: ?SSSZ

Game 16 vs. Vera Bigall

She landed the first bingo – CLEANERS – and the last with REGIONAL. In between, I got EEGINRTT (6), AEIRTUZ (7) for 104, and ADEINPRT (8).

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24316#0%23

518 – 361 10-6 +733 me: ?SSXZ

Game 17 vs. Joel Horn

Early, I saw the possible word in ABDELLS (9) and dismissed it. ADEGOST (10) followed a couple turns later. He laid a blank bingo down before picking it up and scoring 30 in order to save said blank. I missed EEEHNST (11) and then both in AEMNRSST (12) before finally getting AEENRSTU (13) down. He double-blanked with REASONS to essentially tie it before things went sideways.

I missed non-bingo WINGLET and took WELTING, which was inferior for opening a tls-tls QI spot. I blocked it the next turn, and just in time it turned out. Then I got FUSER* by, not realizing myself it was phony. That set up his REZ for 40 however. I'd tracked the right number of tiles unplayed, but somehow had the Z already marked off. This was balanced out on my tracking by what turned out to be a missing J. We found it under his foot after the game.

http://cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24343#0%23

386 – 353 11-6 +766 me: SSSS

Game 18 vs. Nedd Kareiva

Five-tile overlap with NEAREST for for him early. I had SSS at one point and milked them enough to stay close. He got burned challenging SUS, and I took advantage by playing DERME* as an intentional phony a couple turns later, figuring he didn't want to risk another lost turn. It wasn't a game-breaking score, yet enough put me down less than a bingo again. The perfect tweener.

He exchanged one tile late, which I correctly figured to be the Q. So I opened a 30+-point QI spot that also dumped my V, drawing three tiles out of seven for the Q. The gambit paid off as I picked it up and he didn't block. Carrying the case blank a few turns inspired just enough confidence to try it. Did I bag him? Sure did. But I'd never beaten him before, so I took it with no apologies.

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24344#0%23

350 – 297 12-6 +819 me: ?SSSSJQXZ

Game 19 vs. Kevin Leeds

Why on earth did ZOEAS look bad to me? Passed it up to open thinking it only took -E back hook. EIMORSU (14) for me before he back-to-backed SWINDLE and TANGRAMS. His lead fluctuated throughout between about 25 and 50 was all, yet his board control was masterful; I never threatened.

360 – 381 12-7 +798 me: ?SSSXZ

Game 20 vs. David Turissini

His unknown-to-me PAKORA would've earned a challenge, but that it opened a spot for my EILNRST (15). RIDGILS for him, ACEILRT (16) for me to put it away late. He outplayed me and was a worthy division champion, I just had some serendipity on my side this round.

http://cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24353#0%23

428 – 419 13-7 +807 me: ?SS

Game 21 vs. Mike Stafford

His TONELESS and my miss of DEENLRTY (17) set the pace. I caught him on MAIRY* midgame, but he followed up with a superior ARRAYS for nearly 40 anyway. Double-blank NEGRONI for him late sealed it on a lane I had to open.

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24447#0%23

303 – 404 13-8 +706 me: XZ

Stat me, baybee –

Blanks: 5/14

Esses: 18/28

JQXZ: 10/28

Bingos: 12-11 Avg. score: 408 - 375

Quiz

1) PIGTAIL

2) SERINGA (also ERASING, EARINGS, GAINERS, REAGINS, REGAINS, REGINAS,

SEARING)

3) ASTOUND

4) FLEETING

5) ARIDEST (also ASTRIDE, DIASTER, DISRATE, STAIDER, TARDIES, TIRADES)

6) RINGETTE – a team sport played on ice, mostly by teams comprised of woman, like hockey, but

involving a rubber ring

* All my now-four-year-old's former binge-watching of “Caillou” finally paid off. That and many other children' educational shows are produced in Canada and often specifically Quebec. This primarily Canadian sport is featured in one of the episodes and the only reason I knew the word.

7) AZURITE – a blue mineral from which copper is obtained and is used in paint- and fabric-making

8) DIPTERAN – member of a family of insects that includes flies and mosquitoes

9) BALLSED – to have fouled something up badly

10) DOTAGES – a state of senility

11) ETHENES – a chemical used in improving color of citrus fruits, amongst wide variety if uses

12) SMARTENS, SARMENTS – a type of slender plant stem, also called a runner

13) SAUTERNE – a California-produced white wine, usu. sold as a jug wine

14) MOUSIER

15) LINTERS – a machine for removing fibers from cotton seeds

16) RECITAL (also ARTICLE)

17) TENDERLY

Day Two

Rd. 8 vs. Judy Cole

Got away with MIBB* to open. It and MIG/G are playing marbles. Missed AEELNRTX (1) before hitting AEELNRS (2). Missed ADMRSTU (3) with a blank (not MUSTARD, it didn't fit) but found ADEORSTU (4). We traded my AEEGORV (5) to her NAPERIES late.

http://cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24165#0#

445 – 293 4-4 +307 me: ??SSSX

Rd. 9 vs. Elizabeth Davis

I transposed tiles trying to make AGEIMNS (6), but it stood. I chickened out on EERSTVV (7), but held on in a long, defensive game.

351 – 313 5-4 +345 me: ?SSJQZ

Rd. 10 vs. David Englehardt

I missed ADENOPST (8), but recovered with ABDEINOS (9), one of my fave finds of the week in AFIIMOS (10), and AEELRRN (11).

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24240#0%23

391 – 300 6-4 +436 me: ??SSS

Rd. 11 vs. Carol Tillson

I missed EEHMRST (12) and a sweet nine was also possible in EEHIMRSTT (13). But AEELRST (14) earned me a challenge, and I earned another free turn taking off her UNSTAIN* try before she hit double-blank SHINIER.

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24281#0%23

403 – 326 7-4 +513 me: SSSX

Rd. 12 vs. Joanne Cohen

She struck first with ROARERS, while I missed BEHINNOS (15). Got DEENNOY (16) the next turn, and then EEIILSTW (17). Jargony OUTCUE* from my radio days got me out of a 2-U mess. Joanne found EREPSINS late and I inexcusably missed EELNOSTT (18).

Blown game factor: 10.

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24283#0%23

405 – 407 7-5 +511 me: ??SJQXZ

Rd. 13 vs. Betty Conelison

Missed the only bingo in BDEFSS?? (19), but landed ACDEENS (20) the next turn. INSURES for her late closed the gap, but enabled me to get TOOTHY for 40 on a tws out of that rack plus a third T.

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24284#0%23

379 – 331 8-5 +551 me: ?SSZ

Rd. 14 vs. Ruchi Gupta

She's been due against me. ETERNAL early, than WAX to set up tws-dls Y-hook for 63-pointer. PITIERS for 91 put me away. Her lead was so big she was able to let go my bEZELING* for 118. I challenged a D-hook to OUGHT, got the turn back challenging her STARRIED*, but to no avail.

http://cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24285#0%23

371 – 450 8-6 +472 me: ?SSJQZ

Stat me, baybeee –

Blanks: 9/16

Esses: 16/28

JQXZ: 13/28

Bingos: 11 – 7 Avg. score: 392 – 345

Quiz

1) EXTERNAL

2) LEANERS

3) DURMAST – a European oak, also called a sessile oak

4) READOUTS (also OUTDARES, OUTREADS)

5) OVERAGE

6) ENIGMAS (also GAMINES, SEAMING)

7) VERVETS – a kind of African monkey

8) NOTEPADS

9) BEDSONIA – variant word for chlamydia

10) MAFIOSI

11) RELEARN (also LEARNER)

12) THERMES – a unit of heat

13) HERMETIST – practitioner of a sort of pagan universalist monotheism

14) STEALER (also ELATERS, REALEST, RELATES, RESLATE)

15) SHINBONE

16) DOYENNE – woman who is the senior member in age or rank of a group, class, or profession

17) LEWISITE – a compound used as a blister gas in WWI

18) NOTELET – small sheet of paper for an informal letter

19) SOFABEDS

20) ENCASED (also DECANES)

2016 Nationals - Fort Wayne, IN

Day One

Rd. 1 vs. Marshall Resnick

WARDENS for 90 for him, AAEEPRST (1) for me. RADICEL for him,, late chicken-out on AEINNPR (2) which would've put me 44% chance to win late.

Blown game factor: 3

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24132#0%23

347 – 397 0-1 (50) me: SJXZ

Rd 2 vs. Trevor Sealy

PANDERS for him, ABDEIMOO (3) for me. But he oxymornon'ed me with FATTIER and LANKIER.

Blown game factor: 0

333 – 463 0-2 (180) me: SSJZ

Rd 3 vs. Bernard Gottlieb

I got the only first half bingo with DEILOPT (4), but he made a calculated, aggressive play with VOICE tws-dls opening for 51-pt. ADZ play I couldn't happen to block. Two many duplicate letters for me to make hay and he eventually landed ENRAGES. I tried (COOK)PANS* to no avail, and missed EEHSTUY (5) for an out to mitigate spread.

Blown game factor: 1

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24137#0#

326 – 407 0-3 (261) me: ??SSSX

Rd 4 vs. Guy Ingram

EEINRTU (6), DEILNRTU (7), and AEINSTT (8) made my draws those a player in any division would love. He had fun play LAKING – a noun – and SANDInG. But the latter gave me QI for 63. He told me later he'd chickened out on the safer LADINGS.

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24138#0#

463 – 433 1-3 (231) me: ?SJQ

Rd 5 vs. Elizabeth Ralston

EIOPRSTV (9) before I missed new-to-me ACHILMS (10). Her TURGITE allowed me ZIGS for 72. AABCILNO (11) just looked off to her this day and so earned me a challenge. ABEORRT (12) got one as well, and then (HOWE)S/SKEEN.

Late, I decided to not fish for a bingo and burn good tiles scoring well for tws RE(D)ONE saving UY. I ended up drawing to EFLNSUY (13), and she gave me a place for it with PEAsE/S(LYING)*. I was actually getting against PEASES being good, since all contexts I can find for PEASE show it as an archaic own-plural for PEA.

Elizabeth finished higher in final standings than I did. Some games just go wonky.

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=24140#0#

653 - 277 2-3 +145 me: ?SSSSJXZ

Rd 6 vs. Diana Grossman

She opened FABLING, but I got ACELNOTV (14). FLAMINGS* cost her a turn, but she landed ALUMINES and CHANTIES before I cut the spread late with ELIRRSTU (15).

Blown game factor: 3 (missed some good stuff like POOKA, GAWKY and GAVOTTE)

418 – 451 2-4 +112 me: ?SSQZ

Rd 7 vs. Janet Gray

ABEHIRS (16) and AENOSTU (17) early for me, but REGISTER and RIDGIEST back-to-back for her. She hit OUTLIER late, but I snaked it out somehow.

425 – 415 3-4 +155 me: ?SSJQZ

Stat me, baybeeee –

Blanks: 6/14

Esses: 15/28

JQXZ: 12/28

Quiz

1) SEPERATE (also ASPERATE)

2) PANNIER

3) AMOEBOID

4) PILOTED

5) SHUTEYE

6) REUNITE (also RETINUE, UTERINE)

7) UNDERLIT

8) SATINET (also INSTATE)

9) OVERTIPS (also SORPTIVE, SPORTIVE)

10) CHIMLAS – archaized word for chimley, chimney

11) ANABOLIC

12) TABORER (also ABORTER)

13) SYNFUEL

14) COVALENT

15) SULTRIER

16) BEARISH

17) SOUTANE

Bingos: 14 – 12 Avg score: 423 - 406

Richmond, KY – EKU campus – July 2016

Solutions to the in-text alphagrams are at bottom.

Rd 1 vs. Julia Bogle

ADEHIPR (1) to open for me, but she came right back with LORNEST.   Her RETINULA slotted me an A for triple-triple AADELIPS (2) for 158, good for a high-play prize on the day.  I missed AEHILSS (3) late.

510 – 388       1-0     +122                                  me: ?SSSQ

Rd 2 vs. David A. Brown

We traded his DELATOR to my DEILSTT (4) early.  CIOOPRT (5) late sealed it in my favor.

389 – 299       2-0     +212                                  me: SSSQX

Rd 3 vs. Marc Broering

I got away with inadvertent non-bingo FIDEGTY* early, while Marc slipped an OT* past me late. I found the only seven in ?BEMOSY (6), but he came right back with TOPWATER and FEMINISE.  I tried NOVELAS* (TELENOVELA is valid) to no avail and missed AELNNRS (7) while he also got BROCADE.

288 – 463       2-1     +37                                    me: ?SSSJQ

Rd 4 vs. Joe Roberdeau

    It seems I always get all the luck and my biggest scores when Joe visits our Lexington club from Ohio.   This day, he got the big lead and never let up.  For my part, it was a cavalcade of weird misplays and then late-game fireworks.

    I got away with IMIGO* to open.  That meant little when Joe hit NAPPIEST, DRILLED and SIDEREAL in a four-turn stretch.  Meanwhile, I failed to think of the C-front hook for OMA for solid points, missed AEENNTU (8), and played off the Q cheaply instead of QAID for 42.  I saw the new solution to AEHINRS (9), but whiffed by not front hooking the S to NAPPIEST.

    AEIORSTU (10), DEEIRSST (11) going out with AEFINRST (12) and catching him for 36 on his rack made the score look respectable.  But he hit a fourth bingo late with OUTLAWS to seal the win.

http://www.cross-tables.com/annotated.php?u=23982#0#

419 – 473       2-2      (17)                                   me: ?SSJQX

Rd. 5 vs. Will Scott

Didn't see EEINPRXT (13) early, but still might've saved the blank with PREX for 50.  AEGILRTT (14), AEEILORT (15), ADEEGORT (16), tws QURSH for 59, and a couple 40-point plays for me.  The Bag beat will, not me.

506 – 265       3-2     +224                                  me: ??SSQXZ

Rd 6 vs. Steve Bush

Steve was already up over 100 when he hit GLOATERS.  I struck with ABENRSU (17), but this – my only playable bingo – gave him the triple-triple NEUROSIS. He also out-played with CURATOR.

282 – 576       3-3      (70)                                  me: S

Game 7 vs. Michael Bassett

ELPOSST (18), ADEGHIR (19), and EENRSTY (20).  He made LINEATED and cool non-bingo PALAVER.

522 – 290       4-3      +162                                me: ?SSSQZ

Game 8 vs. Will Scott

To get 3^rd place money, just needed to not lose by about 160 or more.    Will fooled me early with NICOISES*. Nicoise olives may or may not be delicious, but it's only valid for us as an adjective.  He then double-blanked me with ONBOARD and was already up 120.  I managed AEEGLNRR (21), but then and moving forward made only mildly aggressive plays.  If he hit another bingo, it wouldn't score so much that I couldn't likely score back on a tws and then shut the board down and take the prize at least.  If I got one, I could then reassess if going for the win would substantially risk getting the 3^rd place prize. But no more fireworks ensued.

352 – 407 (-10 for time) 5-3 +107 me: SSQZ

    3^rd place!   Dropped a few more ratings points, remaining just above 1700. 

    Thanks to Steve Bush, Will Scott and new local director Fred Morlan for putting on a fine event!  And congrats to Steve as well as Victoria Bledsoe on their division titles. Next up – Nationals.

Stat me, baybeeee –

Blanks: 6/16

Esses: 18/32

JQXZ: 15/32

TOTAL: 39/80

Avg. score: 408 – 395

Bingo count: 16 – 15

QUIZ ANSWERS

1) RAPHIDE – calcium oxalate crystals occuring in many plants as a metabolic product

2) PALISADE – to fortify with a heavy fence

3) SHEILAS – Auusie slang for a girl or young woman

4) SLITTED                                                                                            (also STILTED)

5) PORTICO - porch consisting of a roof supported by columns

6) EMBRYOS

7) ENSNARL

8) UNEATEN

9) NEARISH

10) SAUTOIRE – heraldic form of St. Andrew's cross                                (also OUTRAISE)

11) EDITRESS – a female editor                                                    (also DIESTERS, RESISTED, SISTERED)

12) FAINTERS
13) INEXPERT

14) AGLITTER

15) AEROLITE – a meteorite made of mostly stony matter

16) DEROGATE

17) UNBEARS

18) TOPLESS

19) HAGRIDE – to afflict with worry, dread, need, etc.; torment

20) STYRENE – a liquid hydrocarbon used in making synthetic rubbers and plastics           (also YESTERN)

21) ENLARGER  

Arden Cup 2016

This is a Scrabble tournament that takes place every weekend in Chicagoland. My now-wife and I attended several years in a row, and in our last together was where I proposed to her. She and our daughter had a family girls' weekend, so I came solo. Though now held at a hotel conference room in Elmhurst rather than the former public facility in Skokie, and no longer quite as well-attended as it once was, this event still holds a very special place in my heart.  This was my first year playing in Division One there.

Solutions to parenthetically notated alphagrams are at the end of this blog piece.

Rd 1 v. Thomas Reinke

He opened PITIERS. Soon after we traded my ABEKOSTU (1) to his ATTESTOR. His NAILABLE stayed, my OUTCLEAN* came off. The real solution (2) didn't fit. He salted t away with CONELRAD.

391 – 463      0-1      (72)                                  me: SSSJXZ

Rd 2 v. Nedd Kareiva

RATTENS gave him the earlier lead. AEHINRST (3) and EIILRST (4) nearly caught me up, but I was forced to try challenging his late BIRDINGS.

364 – 490      0-2      (198)                                me: ?SJQ

Rd 3 v. Peter Schneidicke

He opened with BINDERY, I replied with AEEGRRT (5). Being to anxious to be rid of a U, I slotted an E for his dws-dws NOTARISE. He hit EDITION midgame to negate the TAXIES for 63 I'd fished for. I missed ?ADEFLOS late (6).

349 – 454      0-3      (303)                                me: ?SSSJQX

Rd 4 v. Marty Gabriel

UNWEAVES early for Marty, ADEHISST (7) to get close. Marty gave me a couple turns trying Collins plays, but his PEARLIER gave him control and RAVINGLY the big spread.

339 – 458      0-4      (422)                                me: ?SJQ

Game 5 v. Charles Reinke

INVITED for him, EENORST (8) for me. I got EELNOSV (9), but let his GILDABLE* for 95 stand. He drew into COZENAGE for 116. 20 plays between us was all.

437 – 499      0-5      (484)                                me: ?SSSSX

I doubt I've ever seen a stretch where my opponents averaged 472 against me, yikes! And it's not like they were getting more than their fair share of the premium tiles.

Game 6 v. Steve Hartsman

DEIKNRRS (10), AAEGIMNT (11) plus a challenge, and went out with EIILLSST (12).

511 – 297      1-5      (270)                                me: ??SSJQX

Game 7 v. Doug Lundquist

Doug opened with GREYISH I hadn't be sure of E vs. A spelling there, but let it be. DWS-DWS AEGIMNS (13) for 101 and ABEILST (14) for me.

409 – 368      2-5      (229)                                me: ??SSJXZ

Game 8 v. Thomas Reinke

I opened with AELORVY (15). Thomas tried VENAIDAS* - thinking of ZENAIDAS – before landing NAIADES. I should've blocked it, but opted to exchange out of a dreadful rack. I risked slotting a Z in a triple-lane for 46 and got to score it myself the next turn for 39. We traded my EIILNRS (16) to his AIRDATE later.

498 – 377       3-5      (150)                               me: ?SSJXQZ

I was very proud of my finish after the 0-5 start. I only know so much and can only play so well, but I can control not throwing in the towel at least.

Gam3 9 v. Nedd Kareiva

Nedd opened with exchange, 16, exchange. Since I landed AELNOST (17), thought I was in good shape. But then he found the gas pedal, hitting PASTIES, REALIGNS, ZED for 70+, DAINTIER and QUAKY for 50 all in a row. Had I not happened to block the spot with a 52-pt. X-play, his QUAKY would've gone for 123!

Over that time, I missed DEMNORY (18), that plus an S (19), CDEEIMNR (20), ENNNOOWV (21) and BDIOOOV (22).

Late, I found CDHIORS (22) with a blank, but missed better ones – DCHIOOR (23), CDHIOPRW (24), and CCDHIIOR (25). And the best play was non-bingo CDEHIOR (26) for 32 and saving the blank. I played the end game correctly, but to no avail.

476 – 477      3-6      (151)                              me: ?SJX

Game 10 v. Peter Schneidicke

I opened with RAZOR, completely forgetting ARROZ. He landed SETTLER, followed by me forgetting to check for bingo possibilities to an A, missing AEILNRTU (26). I got EGILNRT (27) and EIIKSTT (28) before missing ADNNOSU (29). But the next turn I played ADEMORS (30).

434 – 394      4-6      (111)                              me: ?SSSJQXZ

Game 11 v. Marty Gabriel

I struck first with blank for I ADEIILS (31), though missing tws bingos from a C (32). AACHERTT (33) with the other blank for me as well, and then late CEHILONR (34) allowed me to outpace is outplay of NONARIES.

483 - 381      5-6        (9)                                me: ??SSXZ

Game 12 v. Charles Reinke

I bingo'ed, but missed a double-double chance early when landing EEINRSTV (35). His FALCONS blocked my next bingo rack all three possible ways. Ten I lost the battle of phonies, only getting RAWED* down for 9 to balance a rack while he sneaked SMEWING* (SMEW is a noun) and MYCIN by me about 115 pts total. My late EEGILNRT (36) left me well short.

373 – 476      5-7      (112)                             me: ?SZ

Game 13 v. Steve Hartsman

Steve seemed frustrated about the time it took, but DOEsKIN for the only possible double-double was so worth the clock. I responded with AEFLLNNS (37), but missed EIIMRSTT (38) soon after. ATONIES for Steve as well.

311 – 440      5-8      (241)                             me: ?SSQZ

Game 14 v. Doug Lundquist

Tried PRETAXING* early, but Doug knew PRETAX is only valid as an adjective. We'd trade EIPRSTV (37) to his DECREPIT soon after. His HOARIEST would win it, as I was forced to try extending to DECREPITRY*.

397 – 407      5-9      (251)                            me: ?SSJZ

Game 15 v. Steve Hartsman

SPARKLE for 100 for Steve, UNSATED for me. He blocked an early nine for me of AACILMNST (38).

359 – 380      5-10      (272)                         me: ?SQ

Game 16 v. Nedd Kareiva

REFRAMED for Nedd midgame, but missing a double-double afforded me the spot for it with DEINSSST (39). I lost the game missing the A-front hook to BRIDGE for a perfectly-fitting AADELRT (40). Instead I had to open the board without the case blank in hand. Nedd landed ALEVINS there.

378 – 453      5-11      (347)                          me: SSSJQX

Game 17 v. Peter Schneidicke

CONFETTI for him, but AEGIKNRT (41) and soon after ADEILOST (42) for me. UNREELS pulled him close, but EEINORST (42) let me pull away. I sort of missed ABEINRST (43) late, but didn't even look for a bingo there since I just needed to block a triple-triple lane elsewhere to seal the win.

482 – 359      6-11      (224)                         me: ?SSSQXZ

Game 18 v. Marty Gabriel

ENTITLE and ACCEDES early for Marty, but I got right back into it with AABELSWY (44) for 98. Turned out I could've had 136 for an underlapping double-double with that that rack minus the A (45) I'd played through. I chickened out on ENROBERS with a blank, taking the lower-scoring ABEORRS (46).

I was very happy with a late decision to score 28 for VETOED, saving QR with two U's unseen to me. As I'd hoped, Marty had to open a scoring lane and I picked up a U, then hitting QUERN for 54. He got RESINATE at the end.

425 – 415      7-11      (214)                         me: ??SSJQZ

Game 19 v. Charles Reinke

I was happy to remember at least one of the two in AACILTTS (47), though AAFILSTT (48) would've been better. The Reinkies had been phonying me all weekend, and I finally got a couple by, if accidentally. I thought REBAKES* was valid, but missed the two valid plays (49). I chickened out on DEFILNOR (50) before getting away with YANkERS* when AENRSWY (51) and AEIMNSRY (52) were available. EEIGNNQU (53) for 104 late.

526 – 339      8-11       (27)                         me: ??SSSJQZ

Game 20 v. Marty Gabriel

Played this match pretty darn well. Except for the missed bingos. TREASON and SNORTER for Marty while I missed AAIILRTX (54) in between. AAEEGLRY (55) and AACELRTY (56). I managed AEEGLRRS (57), but OBEDIENT with the second blank ended me.

371 – 447      8-12      (103)                       me: ?SSJQXZ

And so I finished in 6^th, just as I was seeded. Congrats to Charles Reinke on his Division One win. Special kudos to my roommate for the weekend and good friend Dan Heck for winning the third division. Like me, he'd had a rough start, but was equally gracious in victory as in defeat. No one could've deserved a trophy more. Thank you to Director Marty Gabriel and all who contributed for a fine event!

Stat me, baybeeee –

Blanks: 23/40

Esses: 43/80

JQXZ: 51/80

TOTAL: 117/200 58 %

Avg. score: 415 – 418

Bingos: 38 – 41

QUIZ ANSWERS

1) OUTBAKES

2) CLEANOUT

3) THERIANS – mammals which give birth to live young without shelled eggs

– also INEARTHS, HAIRNETS

4) SILTIER

5) REGRATE also GREATER

6) LEADOFFS

7) SHADIEST also DASHIEST

8) ESTRONE – an estrogen

9) ELEVONS – type of aircraft control surface

10) DRINKERS

11) ENIGMATA also AGMINATE

12) SILLIEST

13) GAMINES – tomboys also ENIGMAS, SEAMING

14) ASTILBE – Asian perennial, of the saxifrage family

also ABLEIST, ALBITES, BASTILE, BESTIAL, BLASTIE, STABILE

15) OVERLAY also LAYOVER

16) INLIERS also RESILIN

17) TOLANES – organic compound used in organic synthesis

also ETALONS

18) DORYMEN – one that fishes from a dory (a flat-bottomed boat)

19) SYNDROME

20) ENDERMIC – acting by absorption through the skin

21) NONWOVEN (a noun to my mild surprise)

22) OBOVOID – ovoid with the narrow end at the base

23) CHOROID – a membrane in the eye also OCHROID

24) WHIPCORD

25) DICHROIC – have two colors

26) RETINULA – neural receptor of an arthropod's eye

also AUNTLIER, TENURIAL

27) RINGLET also TINGLER

28) KITTIES

29) ADNOUNS – adjective when used as noun

30) RADOMES – domelike device used to shelter a radar antenna

31) SEDILIA – one of the seats in a church used for officiating clergy

also DAILIES, LIAISED

32) CEDILLAS, CITADELS, CAMELIDS

33) REATTACH also ATTACHER

34) CHLORINE

35) REINVEST also NERVIEST, SIRVENTE

36) GREENLIT

37) FLANNELS

38) CLAIMANTS

39) DISSENTS

40) LATERAD – toward the side

41) RETAKING

42) DIASTOLE also ISOLATED

43) BANISTER also BARNIEST

44) SWAYABLE

45) BYELAWS – same as a bylaw

46) ARBORES – a tree when contrasted with a shrub, plural of ARBOR

47) CATTAILS – a marsh plant also STATICAL

48) FATALIST

49) BEAKERS, BERAKES

50) INFOLDER

51) YAWNERS

52) SEMINARY

53) QUEENING

54) TRIAXIAL

55) LAYERAGE – a method of propagating plants by which shoots are made to take root while still

attached to the parents

56) ACRYLATE – same as acrylic

57) REGALERS

2016 Spring Richmond, KY one-day

Richmond, KY Spring One-Day

Rd 1 v. Ken Dutch

I hit AEGLNRRW (1) but missed the tws bingo AEELNGRR (2). MISTRIAL for Ken, ?AEEOSU (3) for me. ZAIRE for 68 put him right back in it. I figured out the correct endgame out-in-two sequence based on what we thought the score was. As it turned out, we had both underscored a play of his by two. That plus him missing three points on a top last play cost him a one-point win. All in all, I got outplayed this round.

377 – 375     1-0     +2                    me: ??SS                opp: SSJQXZ

Rd 2 v. Paul Erland

Missed a fun extension right off the bat, DRY(POINT), and then a nine the next turn – AEINRRY through IT (4). We traded his DELAINE to my ADEEGORT (5) before he put me away. He landed FUSTTIER, making (VERST)E. The hook was unknown to me, and so unsuccessful challenge. I missed ADOOSPWW (6) late, but would still have been all but sunk.

345 – 426    1-1     (79)                   me: ?SSX               opp: ?SSJQZ

Rd 3 v. Marc Broering

Found AEEILOTT (7) early, but missed better EEILOTTT (8). Missed CEGINORZ (9). Found AENOPRT (10), but missed that the P could front hook #7 (11). Missed ABDEGNRU (12) and ABEGNOR (13). Either of the last two would've blocked Marc's late, great ROULEAUX. I managed to find an out-in-two that included back-hooking an R to the end of ROOKIE.

351 – 342    2-1     (70)                   me: ?SZ                 opp: ?SSSJQX

Rd 4 v. Emily Brodeur

EGIILNRT (14) early for me. AELNORV (15) gave me a monster lead, though ACEKLORV (16) or AEKLORTV (17) would've scored better. Emily landed STORMED late.

448 – 302     3-1    +66                    me: ?SSJQZ           opp: ?SSX

Rd 5 v. David A Brown

Marvelous comeback for David. I missed CEEGNORV (18) right out of the gate, but managed BEINOST (19) soon after. EGRRSSU (20) was nice but EGLNRSSU (21) would've been double-double. The 80 point lead wasn't enough. David got ZONAE for 58 and OXID for 40 to get close. He then set up a bingo-lane I couldn't properly block and landed ANOTHER for 90. He then drew to a perfectly-fitting INERTIAE out of a pretty bad bag to seal it.

397 – 448     3-2     +15                   me: ?SSSSJQ          opp: ?XZ

Rd 6 v. Steve Bush

DEIOSTU (22) double-double for me, CAROTIN for Steve. I hadn't known KIPPEN – a past tense of KEP, but nearly got a challenge on ENPINK. Instead, Steve just played DIVULGE. ZAIRE for 68 and VEX for 42 got me back in it, but the latter set up his THERMOS for 108.

421 – 456     3-3     (20)                   me: ?SSXZ            opp: ?SSJQ

Rd 7 v. David Shuman

Opened by taking a guess at BEFOOL, since I knew BEDUNCE to be valid. I hit CELOSST (23), but missed EEHIOSTX (24) and AEHIMPST (25). GANNETS gave him a late lead, but with homeless ETESIAN I got PEATINESS* by.

437 – 335     4-3     +82                   me: ?SSSQX          opp: ?SJZ

Rd 8 v. Paul Erland

Likely the most points in a game in the fewest turns in a game in which I've ever been invol ved.

I opened with BCEEFIN (26). He knew the E-backhood, scored decently out of what I suspect was not a great rack. I failed with CUDDIER*, and even had it been valid, BENEFICE it it turns out is a verb. EMBOWING for him, ADIGNNOR (27) and AABEEKLT (28) back-to-back for me. GNATTIER for him, and then FLUORITS shortly after, then EHNRSSTU (29) for me.

I'm still stunned MISPUT* I bad, and it took my chances of winning from seemingly so-so to far worse. But he had both V's in the end game and made a mistake trying for an out-in-two, inadvertently setting up my AMU with (IS)M for a game-winning 35.

487-470     5-3     +99                     me: ?SSSJ            opp: ?SQXZ

Everyone in both divisions finished more or less according to where they'd been seeded, including me in 3rd place.  

Thank you to Will Scott for running such a fine event and to Cafe Meeples' peoples for providing our rental space and timely lunch service. Will indicates Cheryl Melvin and Steve Bush helped things run very smoothly, and kudos to Marc Broering on his Division One title! A special shout-out to the happy, cackling art class of elderly ladies in the adjacent room. I play friendlies at home with a four year-old running around, so it's harder for me to get distracted :)

Stat me, baybeeeee –

Blanks: 9/16

Esses: 19/32

JQXZ: 12/32

TOTAL: 40/80

Avg score: 408 – 396

Bingo count: 16 – 14

QUIZ ANSWERS

1) WRANGLER

2) ENLARGER

3) AENEOUS – having a greenish-gold color

4) ITINERARY

5) DEROGATE

6) WOODWASP

7) ETIOLATE – to whiten

8) TOILETTE – the act of dressing and grooming oneself

9) COGNIZER

10) PRONATE                                                             (also OPERANT, PROTEAN)

11) PETIOLATE – having a zoological or botanical stalk

12) UNGARBED

13) BEGROAN

14) RETILING                                                             (also GLINTIER, TINGLIER)

15) VERONAL – the first commercially-available barbiturate

16) LAVEROCK-- Scottish word for 'lark'

17) OVERTALK

18) CONVERGE

19) BONIEST

20) SURGERS

21) RUNGLESS

22) OUTSIDE                                                                (also TEDIOUS)

23) CLOSETS                                                                (also CLOSEST)

24) ETHOXIES – a univalent, radical chemical (pl.)

25) MATESHIP                                                              (also SHIPMATE)

                       – the state of being a mate; also Australian bro-code

26) BENEFIC – kindly

27) ADORNING

28) TAKEABLE

29) HUNTRESS

Asheville Spring March 2016 one-day

My wife and daughter were in Indy for a girl's weekend , so I ode down the night before with clubmate Steve Bush. Medication for an ear infection kept me up half the night, though Steve's noisy hotel A/C afforded hm even less sleep. How would we fare?

Rd 1 v. Steve Bush

Opened with DEEHNORT (1) with blank for O, missed better ADEEHNRT (2) and several other betters. We traded his NEROLIS and my ACEGNOST (3) midgame before I likely blew the game, chickening out on AADEILRT (4). I managed AEILNOST (5) at the end, but Steve's SEIZED reply was worth more.

382 – 441      0-1      (59)                     me: ?SS

Rd 2 v. Joey Krafchick

Started with a bingo again – AAEELRTV (6) to no avail. Joey let me get away with ESCORTER* , but I'm pretty sure only because he saw I could've (and should've) played CEORRST (7) and one of the valid plays in the eight. I made late-game gaffe with GUD* that still left me a coin-flip's chance of winning, but Joey's blank-Z combo I could not overcome.

372 – 389      0-2      (76)                    me: ?SSJ

Rd 3 v. Guy Ingram

And then came the car wreck. I got the first bingo down with CEEINRRS (8). Then I challenged 58-pt. WEbCAM because I had guaranteed bingo my next turn and took the chance it was too jargony. But instead I tried BROMITES*. EIMORST (9) eventually put me back in driver's seat, but he took that away with SAINTING that blocked me.

And so desperation GOUTLESS* came off. And then I tried LUTEOLS* instead of OUTSELL, which would've put me over 2/3 to win. Finding the valid play in ELOPSTU (10) wouldn't have been a big enough out-play to win, but POSTULE* didn't stick. So between all that mess and two exchanges, I scored zero on seven turns.

349 – 433      0-3      (160)                  me: ?SSSJ

Rd 4 v. David Gibson

Nothing like staring down the barrel of likely 0-4 start facing North American #1.

He hit HOAGIES early, then got double-double RHEUMIER in reply to my DEEINRRT (11). His QI play for 45 in a way happened to lose this for him, despite Quackle rating him 98% to win at that point. Down nearly 100, I was going to risk (PYOID)S* to land orphan AEGISTU (12), but the QI gave me a valid tws landing zone.

I made a very questionable block of the only highly-prone bingo lane with CROC, as the K could be scored for game-changing points potentially. But David had been drawing no vowels late and I'm guessing drew the K a turn too late.

442 – 423      1-3      (141)                    me: ?SXZ

Rd 5 v. Randy Hersom

AEIKMMS (13) for nearly 100 unsuccessfully challenged allowed me to lead pillar to post. He hit TANAGERS and TRENDING, but my NIQABS for 72 maintained the pace.

477 – 332      2-3      +4                          me: ?SSSSJQZ

Rd. 6 v. Ruchi Gupta

ADEEILR (14) early for me. I missed the one bingo ending in S out of ??EEIQR (15), but split the blanks up for QuOD and EEIMRST (16) to effect.

418 – 357      3-3      +65                      me: ??SSJQ

Rd 7 v. Mark Schmidt

Got a challenge on AAELMOT (17). He went back-to-back with SAVINES and MOTIONS to make up for the lost turn., but a 54 pt reply gave me the lead again for good. I missed AEFGIRRU (18), but went out with CEEIRSTU (19). Mark “missed” the far weirder of two in AEIIRRSTT (20) with both blanks through disconnected letters from his final rack. I think that's a Nigel Richards-alone find.

440 – 334      4-3      +171                    me: JZ

Rd 8 v. David Gibson

My streak put me in 4^th place for the KOH match – another round against Numero Uno. I cannot find the score sheet, but I remember playing well and yet never really being in this one.

418 – 495      4-4      +94                      racks unknown

I know my likelihood of ever even truly competing for national championship is about nil. Being able to avoid crapping the bed completely after a start like on this day is an attainable goal. I know player who 0-3 would incapacitate emotionally and play-wise. So I've got this going for me, which is nice. And getting my first win over Gibson – no matter how much luck was involved at end – is easy to smile about. Gained a few points, had a good time.

Atlanta(-ic?) Bread Company turned out to be a great venue for us, about three dozen contestants. Congrats to Steve on winning the division! He is within shouting distance now of 1900 and I believe has cracked the top 50 in North America. Thank you to Bill Snoddy and everyone at the Asheville group for hosting another fantastic event!

Stat me, baybeeee –

Blanks: 6/14

Esses: 14/28

JQXZ: 11/28

              TOTAL: 31/70 power tiles

Avg score: 412 - 401

Bingo count:             14-7

No-blank games:      1-0

Two-blank games:    1-0

Split-blank games:    2-3

Quiz Answers

1)   DETHRONE                                         (also THRENODE)

2)   ADHERENT                                         (also NEATHERD)

3)   COGNATES                                          (also COAGENTS)

4)   LARIATED  –  to catch with a lariat (a lasso)

5)   INSOLATE  –  to expose to sunlight               (also TOENAILS, ELATIONS)

6)   VALERATE  –  a chemical salt, used in some steroid-based pharmaceuticals

7)   RECTORS; SECRETOR                      (also ERECTORS)

8)   SINCERER

9)   EROTISM                                             (also MOISTER, MORTISE, TRISOME)

10)  TUPELOS  –  a softwood tree, name coming from Creek (Muscogee) for 'swamp-tree'

11)  INTERRED                                          (also TRENDIER)

12)  AUGITES – a mineral, used as ornamental gem in parts of India where it is known as sharaj

13)  MISMAKE

14)  LEADIER

15)  QUERIES

16)  MEISTER – one who is knowledgeable about something specified

                                                                     (also METIERS, REEMITS, RETIMES and TRISEME)

17)  OATMEAL

18)  ARGUFIER – one who argues stubbornly

19)  EUCRITES – meteorites that mostly come from 4 Vesta, the second-largest body in our solar

                                  system's asteroid belt

20)   ARTERITIS – inflammation of arterial walls                                (also IRRITATES)