SCRABBLE - The Last Word Newsletter

N E W F A C E SAt that point, I laughed to myself and quickly realized the chasm between a beginner and an expertlevelplayer. They kindly offered me tips, including "learning the 5's" (HA! I'm just working now onthe 4's). Thanks, Melissa and Brian , you two certainly made a favorable impression on me!”The best moment in the tournament for Marc was when he played his first bingo. “In my first game,against Rhea Rashad, I was down 70 points after 12 moves and then played FLINGERS for 66points and managed to come back for the narrowest of my wins that day. I will admit I was a bitnervous when she challenged it, since, although it seemed perfectly legitimate to me, I hadobviously never used that word EVER in my life. Eye surgeons just don't go around sayingFLINGERS. Now, UVEITIS, that's another thing. I will put that and CARUNCLE down with gustoagainst you and smile knowingly when you challenge.”Does Marc have advice for other Scrabblers considering a first tournament? “The best advice I cangive is to have expert friends to get advice from and then sit next to players on the US Nationalteam at lunch. Kidding aside, the two books and software programs I’ve mentioned are invaluable,but putting in the time and effort is key. And doing it at a pace that doesn't detract from your love ofthe game. I'm learning slowly and enjoying it. I may not become an overnight expert, but theprocess has been fun. I take the time to look up words I don't know and learn interesting factsabout the new vocabulary. Have you read the wikipedia page about the QUOKKA? You should! It'sfun to use the game as a vehicle for general enrichment of my knowledge base. The words are aninteresting stepping stone into new areas of exploration in our world.”While Marc is not planning on competing in another tournament anytime soon, he does hope tocompete at the Nationals in 2014. “Until then, I will grind away studying Baron's SCRABBLE®Wordbook and competing against my wife and those who attend the local club. I will not allowmyself to compete at Nationals though, unless I'm able to tile track accurately--and learn those 5’s(just kidding!)”Look forward to seeing Marc at the 2014 NSC!_____________________________________________________________________________Welcome to Marc Booth and the following other new faces:GATLINBURG TN 4/5: Emily Brodeur, Catherine Fleming, Mia KangDANVILLE IL 4/6: Kim StaffordLINDEN MI 4/6: Sally Miklos, Valerie SylvesterGUELPH ON CAN 4/7: Jonathan WattonBOSTON MA (COLLINS) 4/12: Carmel Dodd (new to America)BOSTON MA NEWCOMERS 4/13: Michael Cerullo, Leonid Chindelevitch, Mary Beth Cotter-Goldberg, Peter SchofieldEDMONTON AB CAN 4/13: Bill Chalanchuk, Helen Hauser, Andrew LiuPITTSBURG PA 4/13: Boyd Reed, Jada Rossman, Joyce Shull, Robbin SteifCOEUR D’ALENE ID 4/20: Tracie LeeDALLAS TX 4/20: Jared Williams36