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− | This page discusses the downsides to playing using the Collins lexicon, and is part of our introduction to [[SOWPODS|Collins (SOWPODS) in North America]]. For brevity, we will refer to the North American and International lexica | + | This page discusses the downsides to playing using the Collins lexicon, and is part of our introduction to [[SOWPODS|Collins (SOWPODS) in North America]]. For brevity, we will refer to the North American and International lexica as NWL and CSW respectively. |
While these downsides are certainly not intended to discourage anyone from playing CSW, it is useful to be aware of them before committing to learning and playing the CSW game. | While these downsides are certainly not intended to discourage anyone from playing CSW, it is useful to be aware of them before committing to learning and playing the CSW game. | ||
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; '''It is difficult to play well in both lexica''' | ; '''It is difficult to play well in both lexica''' | ||
− | : While one does not have to study many words to play CSW quite well, it could become difficult when playing | + | : While one does not have to study many words to play CSW quite well, it could become difficult when playing NWL again to remember which words are only acceptable in CSW. This difficulty of remembering can inhibit the CSW-er's play in NWL because any word that is CSW-only is likely to be challenged off by a nWL player who is not familiar with it. Having a word challenged off is one of the worst things that can happen in a game with respect to optimal play. And while CSW contains more obscure words, simply using the maxim "if it's weird, it's Collins" will lead to many mistakes. |
; '''Smaller North American community''' | ; '''Smaller North American community''' | ||
− | : While the number of CSW players is growing, the North American community contains far more | + | : While the number of CSW players is growing, the North American community contains far more NWL players, and in many clubs there are no CSW players at all. In tournaments, the fields are often small, with uncertainty about whether an event will happen because a minimum quorum of 4 is needed for rating. If the event does happen, you will more likely encounter the same players frequently, or have to play them multiple times. The CSW field is also dominated by highly rated players who are often motivated to play Collins because of the opportunities for international play. And because the fields are small, usually all players are in a single division. While having many top players may be good or bad depending on your point of view, if you are not a top player, you will likely play and lose a lot of games in CSW. |
; '''The challenge rule may be less challenging''' | ; '''The challenge rule may be less challenging''' | ||
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; '''There are [[Obscure Collins words|obscure words in Collins]]''' | ; '''There are [[Obscure Collins words|obscure words in Collins]]''' | ||
− | : While | + | : While NWL contains obsolete and archaic words, the CSW contains more of them. |
; '''The existence of CSW play splits the U.S. SCRABBLE scene''' | ; '''The existence of CSW play splits the U.S. SCRABBLE scene''' | ||
− | : While the large majority of North American players are | + | : While the large majority of North American players are NWL, a significant number of top players either play only TWL or only CSW. This divides the top divisions of tournaments and lowers the prestige of winning any particular one. Because the Scrabble community is relatively small, fragmentation in general is bad. There are, however, many other ways in which the scene is fragmented. For example, we have School play with the School lexicon; unsanctioned, recreational club, competitive club and tournament play; online and in-person play; and a long list of variant rules that people like to try. It is part of the strength of the basic game that its many variations appeal to different people. Officially sanctioned CSW play lets us keep players who prefer it to NWL play in the fold, and encourages immigrants and tourists to join our community. |
; '''There is no single official Collins dictionary with all the definitions''' | ; '''There is no single official Collins dictionary with all the definitions''' | ||
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; '''Existing study may have to be redone''' | ; '''Existing study may have to be redone''' | ||
− | : A player who has spent a lot of time becoming expert in | + | : A player who has spent a lot of time becoming expert in NWL is understandably reluctant to undertake the effort again merely to become proficient in a game at which they are already proficient. This is why it is important to note that a player expert in NWL can do well in CSW with a relatively much lower level of study. But there is still work for them to do, and, depending on the study method, it can add up. For example, using "stems" of 6 or 7 letters combined with mnemonics to know which combinations make a bingo will require significant revision because extra letters make bingos (see, e.g., [http://www.math.toronto.edu/jjchew/scrabble/anamonics-dd.html here]). |
− | ; '''A Collins player can take advantage of a | + | ; '''A Collins player can take advantage of a NWL player''' |
− | : Although as mentioned a | + | : Although as mentioned a NWL player can do well in CSW by learning relatively few words compared to what they learned for NWL, this does mean that an expert Collins player can use their knowledge of the lexicon to take advantage, by, for example, deliberately playing obscure words they know to be CSW only, or setting up and using CSW-only hooks. (For example, your author once played WHOW, then later hooked it to EWHOW for a lot of points, albeit in a rated tournament against another expert player.) This taking advantage is mitigated somewhat by the challenge rule, but penalties for challenging can still add up, and with hooks the opponent may not even know there is a possible play. |
; '''Differing strategy''' | ; '''Differing strategy''' |
This page discusses the downsides to playing using the Collins lexicon, and is part of our introduction to Collins (SOWPODS) in North America. For brevity, we will refer to the North American and International lexica as NWL and CSW respectively.
While these downsides are certainly not intended to discourage anyone from playing CSW, it is useful to be aware of them before committing to learning and playing the CSW game.
Please direct comments about this page to its author, Nick Ball.
This page was last edited on 4 October 2021, at 15:46. Privacy policy
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