Latest revision as of 13:12, 6 June 2022

The 2019 North American SCRABBLE Championship (previously known as the National SCRABBLE Championship) will take place on July 20-24, 2019 at the Silver Legacy Resort, 407 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89501, and Reno Ballroom, 401 N. Center St. Reno, NV 89501. This webpage will be updated regularly as additional details became available.

Live Event Coverage

For continuously updated results from our event once it gets underway, please visit the LIVE COVERAGE section.

Registration

Online registration is open now. A list of registered players is available on this website and on cross-tables.com.

The rest of this section describes in detail the various terms and conditions of registration, most of which are also discussed on the registration form.

Eligibility

To play in the NASC, you must (1) be a NASPA member, and (2) have played in an officially sanctioned SCRABBLE tournament to earn an official tournament rating. If you live in the United States or Canada, that rating should be a NASPA rating; if you live elsewhere it may be a WESPA rating or other comparable national rating.

TWL Divisions

If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to play using the Official Club and Tournament Word List 2018 (TWL), you may do so. Four TWL divisions will be offered, divided by Qualification Rating (QR), with unlimited play-up available. If your QR is 1800 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1. If your QR is in the range 1400–1799, you must play in Division 1 or 2. If your QR is in the range 1100–1399, you must play in Division 1, 2 or 3. If your QR is below 1100, you may play in any of the four divisions.

Your QR consists of the highest tournament rating attained at the end of any NASPA TWL-rated tournament (or segment of a split-rated tournament) which finished during the period from August 4, 2018 to July 11, 2019 (the start of last year's Championship to the close of registration). If you have a rating, but do not play during this period, your QR is your unchanged current rating.

Collins Divisions

If you meet the eligibility criteria and prefer to play using the international Collins (CSW) lexicon, you may do so. If your Collins Qualification Rating (CQR) is 1500 or higher, you must play in Division 1. If it is 1499 or below, you may play in Division 1 or 2. Players who only have a WESPA rating will be permitted to play in Division 1 or 2 if that rating is 1399 or below. If there are fewer than 20 players registered in either division as of June 20, 2019, the divisions will be automatically combined into a single division.

If you are thinking about travelling from overseas to play in this event for the first time, please read our 2019 NASC for Overseas Visitors page.

The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be NASPA and WESPA rated.

Player division assignments will be reviewed after July 11, 2019 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your QR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

Entry Fees

The base entry fee for all divisions is $200.

Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after July 24, 2019, may pay $100 to play in any division.

The above fees will be increased by $50 after May 31, 2019. For example, a non-youth player signing up on June 1, 2015 would pay $250, while a youth would pay $150.

Players accepted after the close of registration on July 11, 2019 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a non-youth player signing up on July 13, 2019 would pay $325, while a youth would pay $225. Acceptance of registrants after July 11, 2019 is not guaranteed, and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven.

Players not staying at the host hotel for the duration of the event must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum). The commuter fee does not apply to those local to the Reno area. Verification of status as a hotel guest will be performed at registration/check-in and throughout the event. Players staying at the host hotel for only part of the event must pay the full commuter fee, and may then apply for a refund of $20 per day stayed at the host hotel (to a maximum of $100) after the conclusion of the event, by providing the Championship Committee with hotel confirmation number and dates of stay.

Fees payable are computed based on when (Eastern Time) funds are received in full. If you are not paying right away online at the moment when you register, please be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach us.

Division Changes

Division changes are subject to the following conditions:

• Division changes are subject to a $25 fee.

• Fee will be waived if request is sent within 24 hours of initial registration.

• After registration closes on July 11, 2019, if your division change would increase the number of players who may potentially have to have byes (if you would make two divisions odd, or would make a smaller division odd), you will be waitlisted until this is not the case.

If your rating rises above the limit for the division in which you registered, you will automatically be moved to the lowest division for which you qualify.

To change divisions after you have registered, please email the organizing committee at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.

Refunds

If you paid your tournament fees by credit card, any credit owing to you will be issued to your card; otherwise, we will mail a check to your membership address as shown in your member profile. No refunds will be issued after the refund deadlines described below.

All refunds are subject to a cancellation fee of $25.

If you decide you need to cancel your registration, we will refund your entry fee (and commuter fee, if applicable), if you so request by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 11, 2019.

Conditions

Rules, Code and Terms/Conditions

By registering for the NASC, you agree to abide by the NASPA Tournament Rules and Code of Conduct, and agree to comply with the 2019 North American SCRABBLE Championship Terms and Conditions. In particular, some games at this tournament, probably the highest Division 1 board without a Gibsonized player, will be annotated live. If you refuse to play a designated game with annotation, you will forfeit it, and may at the director’s discretion be assigned a spread penalty of −200 points.

Minor Release

A Minor Release and Consent Form will be required for all players under age 18 as of July 20, 2019, and may be downloaded and submitted in advance, or executed by a parent or guardian at registration.

Player Bulletin

Please read our Player Bulletin, and check it again for last-minute updates before you travel to the event.

Equipment Required

Participants in the 2019 North American Scrabble Championship are responsible for bringing all equipment necessary to play in the tournament. If neither player in a game has equipment available for their game, a double forfeit may be imposed.

Changes

The Championship Committee reserves the right to modify the above to account for unforeseen special circumstances.

Format

Players will paired using tsh, with Gibsonization. The winners of the top divisions in both TWL and CSW lexicons shall be determined as follows:

After Round 30, the top two players (as determined by record and spread) will enter a best of three playoff to determine champion and runner-up. Players not in the top two after Round 30 in these divisions, as well as all players in other divisions, will complete Round 31 to determine their final standing. A break between Rounds 31 and 32 will allow players to view the live stream from Silver Baron A, where the Awards Ceremony will take place immediately after the conclusion of the playoffs.

Hotel/Travel Information

Hotel Registration

The official event hotel is the Silver Legacy Resort at 407 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89501. Online registration is available at this link or you may call the hotel at 800-687-8733 and use the group code NASPA19 to receive our group rate. Tournament entrants are eligible for our special king room rate of $140/night on Friday-Saturday ($150 for double queen), and $70/night Sunday-Thursday ($80 for double queen). All bookings subject to $10 per add'l adult per room per night; plus tax and $25/night in resort and facility fees at the event hotel - use booking code NASPA19.

A limited number of rooms are also available at the Circus Circus Reno at $130/night Friday-Saturday and $60/night Sunday-Thursday (subject to same resort fees & taxes and upcharges of $10 per add'l adult per night and $10 per night for double queen rooms). They can be booked using this link or by calling 800-648-5010 and requesting rate code NASPA19.

Those who live outside of the Reno area and do not either book a room at the host hotel or book a room within our group block at one of the other hotels listed below, will pay a $100 facility fee to contribute the cost of the venue space. The midweek rate will be available before the event from July 21-25, 2019. Late departures will also be accommodated at the group rate subject to availability, but the group rate is not available for the weekend following the event.

Hotel bookings at our group rate are subject to availability within our group rate block of rooms, and must be booked before June 15, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

The Silver Legacy is located down the block from the Reno Ballroom, 401 N. Center St. Reno, NV 89501, where tournament play will be conducted. Many after-hours activities will be held in the Silver Legacy meeting rooms.

Hotel and Event Parking

The Silver Legacy offers free self and valet parking in covered garages.

Dining

The Silver Legacy and its partner properties boast 21 different eateries, catering to all tastes and budgets. To view the many restaurant options available in Reno, Nevada, please visit the Reno Restaurants Page on the Visit Reno-Tahoe website.

Sightseeing

There is much to see and do in the Reno-Tahoe region. Local attractions and activities can be explored on the Events Page of the Visit Reno-Tahoe website.

Roommate Wanted

If you need a roommate and would like a listing here, please complete the NASC Roommate Request Form.

IMPORTANT: When you get your roommate, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

Gene Rawlins is seeking a male roommate to share a room at the Silver Legacy from 7/19 to 7/24. You can reach Gene by email at generalwins@aol.com.

Ava Zeidler is seeking a non-smoking roommate (male or female) to share a room at the Silver Legacy from 7/17 to 7/25. You can reach Ava by email at avawolf@telusplanet.net or by phone at (780) 221-9653.

Ride Wanted

If you need a ride/rider to or from the tournament, and would like a listing here, please complete the NASC Ride Request Form.

IMPORTANT: When you get your ride/rider, please contact the committee so we can remove your request.

Rich Baker is looking for help in transporting some boxes from Northern California to Reno. Rich will be in San Francisco at the beginning of July and could arrange a transfer there as well. If you will be driving to Reno and have room in your car, you can contact Rich at scrabbletours@yahoo.com.

Jason Keller is looking for a ride from Reno to the Dublin/Pleasanton (CA) area after the tournament ends on the afternoon of July 24. You can reach Jason at orangejkel@gmail.com.

Caroline Polak Scowcroft is seeking a ride from Reno to Las Vegas after the tournament. You can reach Caroline by email at cpolakscowcroft@gmail.com.

Airport Transport Information

Reno, Nevada is served by the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. For complete airport information, please visit www.renoairport.com.

Airport Shuttle

The Silver Legacy offers a free hotel shuttle to guests of the resort. The shuttle departs from the airport on the quarters of the hour from 5:15am to 11:45pm. Upon your arrival at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, proceed to the baggage claim area and follow the signage directing you to the general airport shuttle area to board the Silver Legacy shuttle.

The Silver Legacy shuttle also offers complimentary transportation to guests from the hotel to the airport at the top and bottom of the hour from 5am until 11pm.

Many other hotels in the area also offer complimentary shuttle transportation. If you are not staying at the host hotel, please check with your property for shuttle information.

Check-In

To play in the first round on Saturday morning, you must check in between 10:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. on Friday, July 19, 2019, at the NASC registration desk (location to be announced later). You may ask a friend to check in for you by proxy, if you cannot check in in person. If possible, please email us at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org to notify us in advance of proxy arrangements. If you check in by proxy, but do not show up to play, then neither you nor your proxy will be permitted to check in by proxy at future events. If you do not check in before the desk closes at 7:00 P.M., you may join the championship in progress as soon as it is convenient for the pairings staff to add you back in; this may not take place before Sunday morning. No refund will be issued to latecomers.

When you check in, you will be given an announcement sheet. This is to reduce the number of announcements that have to be made on Saturday morning, so that the event can get underway quickly. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the announcements and tournament schedule.

Schedule

This schedule for the 2019 North American SCRABBLE Championship may be modified to add new events, or possibly to change room locations. Also, until about a month before the event, it should be considered an early draft, with only the times for registration and the main event to be set in stone. Once the event begins, please check this schedule for changes at the beginning of each day.

Friday, July 19, 2019

10:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.

Registration (Reno Ballroom Salon)

10:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.

After hours room open (Silver Baron E)

12:00 P.M.–4:00 P.M.

Early bird tournament (Reno Ballroom)

4:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M.

Committee meeting for Division Leaders, Division Assistants, Auxiliary Staff (Reno Ballroom Foyer)

Saturday, July 20, 2019

8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.

Set up for play (Reno Ballroom)

8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.

Group Photos - School SCRABBLE/Youth Players (Reno Ballroom)

8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.

Announcements (Reno Ballroom)

9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.

Rounds 1–4 (Reno Ballroom)

1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.

Canadian Committee and Social Media Committee lunch meetings (Reno Ballroom Foyer)

2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.

Set up for play (Reno Ballroom)

2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.

Announcements (Reno Ballroom)

3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.

Rounds 5–7 (Reno Ballroom)

6:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.

Advisory Board Dinner Meeting (Roxy Restaurant)

9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.

After hours room open (Silver Baron E)

8:00 P.M.–11:00 P.M.

Trivia Contest hosted by John Robertson (Silver Baron D)

Sunday, July 21, 2019

SWAG SUNDAY! Wear your NSC/NASC or Scrabble-related swag!

8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.

Set up for play (Reno Ballroom)

8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.

Group Photos - Past NSC Champions/Division Winners (Reno Ballroom)

8:55 A.M.–9:05 A.M.

Announcements (Reno Ballroom)

9:05 A.M.–1:15 P.M.

Rounds 8–11 (Reno Ballroom)

1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.

Forward Energy Committee and Membership Committee lunch meetings (Reno Ballroom Foyer)

2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.

Set up for play (Reno Ballroom)

2:55 P.M.–3:00 P.M.

Announcements (Reno Ballroom)

3:00 P.M.–6:15 P.M.

Rounds 12–14 (Reno Ballroom)

7:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M.

After hours room open (Silver Baron E). Board games ft. A-Math mini-tournament from 8:00–11:00 P.M.

8:30 P.M.–11:30 P.M.

Evening Musicale hosted by Josh Sokol (Silver Baron D)

Monday, July 22, 2019

8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.

Set up for play (Reno Ballroom)

8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.

Group Photo - NASC Staff (Reno Ballroom)

8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.

Group Photo - Nevadans (Reno Ballroom)

9:00 A.M.–9:10 A.M.

Announcements (Reno Ballroom)

9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.

Rounds 15–18 (Reno Ballroom)

1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.

International Committee lunch meeting (Reno Ballroom Foyer)

2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.

Set up for play (Reno Ballroom)

2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.

Announcements (Reno Ballroom)

3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.

Rounds 19–21 (Reno Ballroom)

7:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M.

After hours room open (Silver Baron E)

8:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.

Town Hall meeting (Silver Baron D)

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.

Set up for play (Reno Ballroom)

8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.

Group Photo - International Players (Reno Ballroom)

Group Photo - Family Members together at NASC (Reno Ballroom)

8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.

Announcements (Reno Ballroom)

9:00 A.M.–1:15 P.M.

Rounds 22–25 (Reno Ballroom)

1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.

Rules Committee lunch meeting (Reno Ballroom Foyer)

Directors meeting hosted by Ted Gest (Location TBD)

2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.

Set up for play (Reno Ballroom)

2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.

Announcements (Reno Ballroom)

3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.

Rounds 26–28 (Reno Ballroom)

7:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M.

After hours room open (Silver Baron E)

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

8:30 A.M.–8:55 A.M.

Set up for play (Reno Ballroom)

8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.

Announcements (Reno Ballroom)

9:00 A.M.–1:00 P.M.

Rounds 29–31 (Reno Ballroom)

1:30 P.M.

Championship Round 32-33 (Reno Ballroom)

Live Stream view of Championship Rounds (Silver Baron A)

Immediately following

Prize Ceremony (Exposition Hall A)

3:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.

Tear Down (Reno Ballroom)

The Rose Award

Bob and Andi Schoenman, creators of Protiles, honor Rose Kreiswirth's memory. Rose was an expert Scrabble® player for over 30 years and cherished the game for its educational values. An accomplished player, Rose was as well known for her sense of fairness and her congeniality as she was for her competitiveness. The Rose Award will be awarded each year at the North American SCRABBLE Championship to a female player who, in the opinion of the judges, best exemplifies the fierce competitiveness and compassion that we remember Rose for. Thank you, Bob and Andi Schoenman!

Other Donors

If you are interested in donating prizes to events at the championship, please email us at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.

Sponsors

For information about sponsorship opportunities at the championship, please contact Chris Cree.

Prizes

Full details about cash and merchandise prizes are listed on the 2019 North American SCRABBLE Championship prize table.

Staff

Organizer

Chris Cree

Director

Arthur Moore

Assistant to the Director

Diane Moore

Master of Ceremonies

Rich Baker

Division Leaders

Division 1: John Robertson

Division 2: Bryan Pepper

Division 3: Dan Stock

Division 4: John Merlau

Collins: Jason Idalski

Division Assistants

Joyce Stock

Kate Watson

Rich Baker

Webmaster

John Chew

Data Entry

Vince Castellano

Eli Ontiveros

Annotators

Kristen Chew

Kate Watson

Pete Zeigler

Jeffrey Nelson

Sarah Rosenbaum

Social Media Coordinator

Josh Greenway

Internet Photographer

Patty Hocker

Live Stream Commentary

Robin Pollock Daniel

Conrad Bassett-Bouchard

Live Stream Coordinator

Rashad Miller

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to assist with set up, registration and tear down. Volunteers receive a free event T-shirt. Sign up here.

Thursday, July 18

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing room for the tournament.

• Ava Zeidler
• John Robertson
• Kristen Chew

Friday, July 19

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing room for the tournament.

• Matt Canik

Volunteers are needed to help with registration and check-in.

10:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M.

• Judy Cole

12:30 P.M.-3:00 P.M.

3:00 P.M.-5:30 P.M.

• Judy Cole
• Edward Gordon

5:30 P.M.-7:00 P.M.

• Judy Cole

Clean and Pack

We need about 15 Clean and Pack volunteers to help collect and box NASPA tournament supplies to be shipped back to the storage facility after the awards ceremony on Wed., July 24, 2019

• Mark Francillon
• Ida Shapiro

Further Information

This page will be updated as the event draws nearer. If you have urgent questions about the event, please email us at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.