The UK ratings are somewhat similar but simpler: the probability of
the better player winning is taken as 50% plus the rating difference
as a percent, but no larger than 90%.
The Australian and New Zealand rating systems are the same as the
North American.
Current North American, UK, Australian, New Zealand and South African
ratings are available in <http://http.teleport.com/~stevena/scrabble/ratings.html> <http://www.pledgor.demon.co.uk/ratings.htm> <http://www.math.utoronto.ca/~jjchew/scrabble/ratings/apsp.html> <http://www.ozemail.com.au/~rjackman/ratings.html> <http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~fostergb/rankings.htm> <http://www.ozemail.com.au/~rjackman/ratingsa.html>.
3.3.6. Upcoming tournaments
For a listing of upcoming North American tournaments, see the
Appendix.
3.4. Organizations conducting Scrabble activity outside North
America and the UK
Spear, which sells Scrabble sets in 31 languages and 120 countries,
organized a Spanish and is considering organizing German and Dutch
Scrabble tournaments. Contact Philip Nelkon (section 3.2).
The remainder of the information in this section is about English
language Scrabble.
Membership in the Australian Scrabble Players Association, which is independent of the trademark holder, is $10 per year, $15 overseas.
Its quarterly newsletter, 'Across the Board', has columns on playing
and tournament listings. It may be reached at
The Scrabble Enquiry Centre
PO Box 405
Bentleigh Australia 3204
+61 3 578 6767
Bob Jackman
Australian Scrabble Players Association
PO Box 28
Lindfield NSW Australia
02 9416 9881
02 9416 9479 fax
<mailto:rjackman@ozemail.com.au>
In Israel, English language Scrabble is played by several clubs.
There is a large one in Jerusalem. Tournaments are rated under a
copy of the North American system. There are occasional national tournaments. Sam Orbaum, who once wrote a weekly Scrabble column for
the Jerusalem Post, runs the Jerusalem club, which meets at ICCY, 12 Emek-Refaim St, Jerusalem at 7:30 pm JST Tuesdays. He can be reached
at +972-2-587-1003 (H), +972-2-531-5678 (W), <mailto:orbaum@netvision.net.il>.
The Thailand National English language Scrabble tournament has drawn
as many as 885 contestants, including some top North Americans. For information on the (OSPD-based) yearly tournament usually held around
the end of January, contact
Mr. Ravee Joradol
Thailand Crossword Club
645/1 Petchburi Rd
Payathai, Bangkok 10400
Thailand
(662) 252-9607, 252-8147
(662) 252-8147 fax
<mailto:crosword@ksc.th.com>
In Thailand, sets are sold without regard to Spear's rights (section
2), resulting in its players not being invited to the 1995 World
[English language] Scrabble Championships (section 3.3.1).
Similarly, before the change in Rumania's regime, unauthorized sets
were sold, and in the ensuing vacuum, Rumania was invited to the 1995
WSC only as an observer.
Nigeria and Japan each have an active English language Scrabble
tournament scene.
For addresses of many English and other language Scrabble
organizations and contacts, see the Appendix.
3.5. Who plays with which dictionary and which rules?
The following is a summary of which lexicon and challenge rules are
used in competitive English language Scrabble play in various
countries.
OSPD, OSW and SOWPODS are described in section 3.3.3. Under single challenge, a turn is lost only by a player making an invalid word
that is challenged, so challenges are free. Double challenge has a challenger also risking loss of turn if all the words are valid. In
New Zealand, only one word may be challenged at a time. Under
Singapore's rule, often discussed as a basis for unification, the
maker of a bad challenge loses five points. (Sweden uses ten.)
There is a movement afoot, especially strong among top players who
have played or have some prospect of playing in the World [English
language] Championship (section 3.3.1) (at which SOWPODS and single- challenge have been used to date), toward merging the rules. Most suggestions center on using SOWPODS and some kind of middle-ground
challenge rule, such as Singapore's or one penalizing a challenger
only for the second and succeeding bad challenges in a game.
However, there is not agreement that convergence is desirable.
OSPD OSW SOWPODS
double-challenge Canada
Israel
Mexico New Zealand
Thailand
US
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
10pt-challenge Malta* *
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
5pt-challenge Singapore
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
single-challenge Ireland Australia
UK Bahrain
Malaysia
Philippines
Sri Lanka
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
unknown Bermuda
Ghana
Hong Kong
India
Japan
Kenya
Kuwait
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Trinidad
United Arab Emirates
* Malta is in transition from OSPD to SOWPODS. A few more, and you
could appropriately call it a movement.
3.6. Crossword games on the Internet
3.6.1. Crossword games servers
3.6.1.1. Telnet-based
A MUD-like server dedicated to playing crossword games (with boards configurable by the players) is available by telnet at brauer.math.utoronto.ca, port 7777 (meaning to reach it under Unix,
type "telnet brauer.math.utoronto.ca 7777"). A FAQ for this server
is available at <http://www.math.toronto.edu/~jjchew/doom/faq.html>,
and for MUDS generally at
<http://www.math.okstate.edu/~jds/mudfaqs.html>. A robot, <http://www.doe.carleton.ca/~jac/scrab.html>, normally is on-line to
play there. A Windows graphical interface is at <http://www.math.uga.edu/~mwatkins/BobGrid.html>.
Other MUDs having crossword-game play among their services are listed
at <http://synge.math.toronto.edu:7777/www/dict-clients.html>.
3.6.1.2. WWW-based
Several servers unlicensed by the rights holders have been closed.
Some or all were removed after letters from Hasbro's attorneys.
Net-Scrabble, <http://yoda.cs.udw.ac.za/~ns2/>, by Hussein
Suleman, <mailto:hsuleman@pixie.udw.ac.za>
US mirror of N-S, <http://games.idirect.com/ns2/>
Scrabble Zone, <http://www.virtual.net.au/~dnich/scr_intro.html>,
by Dylan Nicholson, <mailto:dnich@noojee.com.au>
Web Scrabble, <http://ksk.ruhr.de/scrabble/start.asp>, in German,
Play-by-mail
Java Scrabble, <http://www.gragsie.com/Scrabble/>, by
Graham Savage <mailto:scrabblefeedback@gragsie.com>
For now, at least, there is a Java Scrabble at <http://www.bredex.de/DE/bredex/scrabble/java/view.html> in German.
Scrabble Challenge, a duplicate contest, by Kevin Cowtan, at the
University of York, UK, is still running. <http://www.yorvic.york.ac.uk/~cowtan/scrabble/wsc.html>. Some
mirrors of Net-Scrabble may move from one server to another
guerilla-style. Try <http://dynamic166.pha.adelphia.net>. Scribble
is another non-matchplay game.
<http://www.snoot.com/cgi-bin/scribble.cgi>,
3.6.2. Crossword games mailing lists
The international mailing list crossword-games is open to anyone, crossword-games-pro to active tournament players, and
wordgame-programmers to anyone interested in design of programs for
crossword games. To join, send mailto <mailto:crossword-games-pro-subscribe@onelist.com> <mailto:crossword-games-subscribe@onelist.com>, or <mailto:wordgame-programmers-subscribe@onelist.com>. Jim Geary
maintains a list of frequently misunderstood things for the "pro"
list. <http://www.primenet.com/~jaygee/CGPFAQ.HTM>. There are also
a UK-centred list and a SOWPODS list: <mailto:uk-scrabble-subscribe@onelist.com>, <mailto:sowpods-subscribe@onelist.com>
3.6.3. Crossword games related homepages
The Scrabble FAQ's hypertext version has an extensive list. <http://www.teleport.com/~stevena/scrabble/homepages.html>
3.6.4. Crossword games related newsgroup
No Scrabble-specific Usenet newsgroup exists, and all indications are
that such a group wouldn't generate enough traffic. The best
newsgroup for discussing crossword games is <news:rec.games.board>.
The flat-text version of this FAQ is posted there monthly, and
occasional questions are asked and answered there.
3.6.5. Chat
The Hasbro CD-ROM game (section 12.18) and Networdz (section 12.15)
are discussed on IRC Undernet in #scrabble <http://www.effect.net.au/zuzu/scrabble/scrabble.htm> and on DalNet <http://www.dal.net> in #scrabble and #scrabbleparlor.
4. Differences between Scrabble in North America and in the UK
OSW and Chambers govern Scrabble play in the UK. Australia is
moving toward "double-dictionary" play, where words from either
Chambers or OSPD are accepted. Some clubs in North America are
considering making this at least optional. An added impetus for
this trend is the expurgation of OSPD (see section 3.3.3.5).
In the UK, a player erroneously challenging suffers no penalty.
The UK has a second form of Scrabble play that is waning: high-score tournaments, where only the total of one's own scores matters. Since
one's "opponents'" scores are irrelevant, play in this system aims
for open boards and encourages elaborate setups often independently
mined by the two players.
5. Publications on Scrabble
5.1. Periodicals
5.1.1. Scrabble News
This is a publication of the National Scrabble Association (see
section 3.1), and comes with membership.
Puzzles, contests, gossip, intermediate and advanced tactics,
official information from NSA and Milton Bradley, tournament listings
and tournament results.
5.1.2. Non-North American periodicals
5.1.2.1. Onwords
Billing itself as the "Scrabble Enthusiasts' Magazine", this is the
only publication substantially written by more than one person. It
features numerous columns, lists, analyses, letters and tournament
reports. Subscriptions are #6 for 6 issues in the UK, #10 elsewhere.
Allan Simmons
Onwords Magazine
Shilling House
1 Woolmer Hill
Haslemere
Surrey, GU27 1LT
England
<mailto:onwordsmag@aol.com>
5.1.2.2. ABSP Newsletter
The newsletter of the ABSP, section 3.1.
5.1.2.3. Forwords
The quarterly official magazine of the New Zealand Association of
Scrabble Players, including news, tournament results, comments and competitions.
Jeff Grant
Waipatu Settlement Rd
RD2
Hastings
New Zealand
5.1.2.4. Scrabble Club News
Published by Spear, #8 for 6 issues. News about clubs in the UK.
5.1.3. Defunct periodicals
5.1.3.1. Letters for Expert Players
This letter-form publication, which ceased in December 1986, still
forms a rich mine of top expert opinion on interesting positions.
Back issues may (possibly) still be available from:
Albert Weissman
11 White Rock Road
Westerly, RI 02891
5.1.3.2. Matchups
Matchups specialized in detailed tournament results, while its
supplement, Matchups Extra, picked up from the Letters in using a
panel of experts to annotate interesting positions. Published
1984-1991. Back issues available. See section 12.6.
5.1.3.3. Medleys
Probably the highlight of this well-edited, entertainingly written
monthly were the game annotations. One game per month was annotated
in full. Three interesting positions were analyzed by readers, with
quotes. Word lists, study techniques, anecdotes, humor and opinions
rounded out the publication. The only drawback was a long-running
two-page tournament advertisement in this 12 page newsletter.
For the 12 issues of 1991 and 1992, $34 each; for 1993, $36; plus $2
shipping ($3 USD in Canada).
Also, compiled from the pages of Medleys, "The Art and Science of
Anamonics" and "Complete 7+1 Anamonics #1-2100" (section 6).
The entire run of Medleys has been reissued as part of "Archive: Two
Word Game Classics." See section 5.2.
$5 and $29 respectively; plus $0, $2 shipping.
"Expert Analysis -- Consensus Game" #1, #2, #3, #4, and "Expert
Analysis -- Consensus Extras" vol. 1, vol. 2, $29 each; plus $2
shipping.
The second and subsequent least expensive items are charged half the
above shipping costs.
Nick Ballard
536 Kirkham St
San Francisco, CA 94122-3611
(415) LOG-NICK
<mailto:nack@netcom.com>
5.1.3.4. Rack Your Brain
Subtitled "Analysis of your favorite crossword game", Brian
Sheppard's series of booklets deeply analyzed specific positions.
By the author of the program Maven (section 12.3), which is an
important tool for move analysis.
5.1.3.5. JG Newsletter
This excellent publication followed in the footsteps of Letters for
Expert Players (section 5.1.3.1) and Medleys (section 5.1.3.3) in its thorough position analyses. Also included some puzzles.
Jim Geary
31 West Cochise Dr
Phoenix, AZ 85021-2484
(602) 943-5281
<mailto:jaygee@primenet.com>
5.1.3.6. Tourney News
This provided mostly tournament results listings, with bits of
discussion of tactics, issues and occasional word lists.
Tourney News
Box 2013
Teaticket, MA 02536
5.2. Books and CD-ROMs
Out-of-print books listed can be located, among other ways, through <http://abebooks.com/cgi/abe.exe/routera^progName=inventoryKeys^ phase=2^titlewords=scrabble^subjectwords=scrabble>.
Archive: Two Word Game Classics, Joel Wapnick and Nick Ballard.
CD-ROM (for Windows 95/Macintosh), 1999. This consists of (1) a
revision of Wapnick's already excellent 1986 "The Champion's Strategy
for Winning at Scrabble Brand Crossword Game" in light of later
learning and insight, plus (2) the entire run of Ballard's periodical "Medleys" (section 5.1.3.3) (which includes contributions from other players). $26 CAD + $4 shipping within Canada, or $18 USD + $3
shipping to the US, $5 shipping overseas, (shipping in any quantity),
from Joel Wapnick, 4851 Cedar Crescent, Montreal PQ H3W 2J1, <http://order.kagi.com/?IEF>, <mailto:archive51@hotmail.com>, <http://www.angelfire.com/biz3/archive/>,
The Official Scrabble Puzzle Book, Joe Edley. 1997, Pocket Books.
In bookstores, $14. Designed to increase board skills. The author
was the 1980 and 1992 North American champion.
One Wordy Guy, William R. Webster. 1995, WilMar Pub. A novel on
Scrabble; includes puzzles. $6 postpaid from WilMar Publishing, c/o
William R. Webster, Box 5023, Carefree, AZ 85377.
Everything Scrabble, Joe Edley & John D. Williams, Jr. 1994, Pocket
Books. In bookstores, $14, or from Cygnus Cybernetics, section
12.1. Practical advice for finding good plays plus practice word
puzzles on and off board.
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