Scrabble = Game of Satan!

[verbminx]

Finally made my way over to N's house, to find that K was already there and they weren't getting much done. N is efficient, and actually did end up getting some things done, but K and I were mostly just lolling around. Eventually K. turned on SNL reruns and I sat there doing vocabulary. We have something like 100 terms to do, but I got through about 30 of them (I'd already done the first 20 in another session).

Around 9 we gave up and went downtown. Due to the scenic route I elected to take, I arrived late (well, actually I just had trouble fiding decent parking). Had a decaf latte, lost badly at Scrabble even though I was using eccentric words. I haven't played it in 10 years or so. They wouldn't allow "bonce" (british slang for "head" or "brain", IIRC). You do not get points for using clever words, you get points for using simple words on the right squares. Scrabble is an evil strategy game cunningly disguised as an innocuous word game. (not to say that my friends are unclever - that's not the case - just that you can win with words like "me" and "if" and so on.)

now I am home. N and I have another study day scheduled for tomorrow. Videotapes have been banned, so no Aeon Flux or whatnot. Oh well. Perhaps I will actually get something done.

Comments

[bookfoole.livejournal.com]

The way to rack up great scores is to memorize all the acceptable two letter words (and three-letter words, if you have time). Also, it's a huge advantage to sit to the left of the player who tends to think the least strategically.

one question though...

[verbminx.livejournal.com]

how do I sit to my own left? ;)
(I am the player who thinks the least strategically!)

but i am going to get to memorizing those word lists, yes I am. :)

Re: one question though...

[bookfoole.livejournal.com]

I think there was a strategy guide published in the 90's (I found it: The Scrabble Book (http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?author=&title=the+scrabble+book&submit=Begin+Search&new_used=*&binding=*&isbn=&keywords=&min_price=&max_price=&classic=on&currency=USD&mode=advanced&st=sr&ac=qr))

If you are the worst strategically, I'd try to arrange the seating, so the second worst is on your right (so you follow and can take advantage of the openings they give you) and the second best player is on your left --to handicap the best player.

The main strategy is to avoid opening up triple word spaces for the next player and to get as many cross connections as possible to maximize points (thus the advantage of knowing obscure two letter words like "aa", a form of lava). The book has a lot on the probability when returning letters and when it's worth doing so (very rarely), etc.

[spooble.livejournal.com]

Oooh, Scrabble! What a wonderful game. It's great to read up on the players who compete professionally and find their scores are somewhere in the 800s and higher...

*sigh*

:)