Let's see if I can beat Scrabble Deluxe on highest level then

[ParadigmShifter]

My idea for the last tiles was RUS across Ghosts (old name for Russian tribe) but that would have caused trouble as it's not valid for some reason I don't know.
I thought you'd nearly scratch the 400 but the last move really took the score a notch higher. Nice finish.

RUS is a proper noun since it is the name of a Russian state I think.

1 definition found

From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

Rus
n 1: the medieval Russian state established by Scandinavian
traders in the 9th century; the capital was first in
Novgorod and then in Kiev

[ParadigmShifter]

Alright then I will try a longer game. Dunno how long I should wait 30mins, an hour, 45 mins? Game will not be finished tonight then

Rules:

* No cheating - if you cheat (anagram solvers, looking up words in SOWPODS dictionary) be honest about it and post what you found in a spoiler tag.
* If I don't think a suggested word is valid I probably won't play it, but will check afterwards (assuming I can't play it after I check i.e. I have used some of the letters in the word)

I go first again, 4 times in a row? I'm pretty sure I have seen the CPU go first sometimes. So me going first 4 times in a row is a 1/8 chance.

First rack, score is 3-0 to me



I will start commenting my thoughts at about 7PM UK time and make a move at around 10 past, unless you want a longer gap between words. We'll see how much participation there is.

Rack is OK, Duplicate I and the C probably should be played.

EDIT: Also if anyone wants to take me on at Backgammon let me know and I will post a code for 24/7 backgammon so we can have a match.

I considered doing a Psion Backgammon playthrough vs. highest level but that would require drawing on the board a lot lol Psion Backgammon isn't bad either btw.

Nearly 7PM update:

I can see TRACE, TRICE are available. Don't think there's a 6. I might risk ARTIC hoping it's not an abbreviation (short for articulated lorry, also a Spectrum Games label) That scores most points cos I can play the C on the double letter score.

I could also play less letters RICE, ICE, TICE all good.

I think I may risk ARTIC and even if it is challenged CPU might play an F which would give me ARTIFICE lol

I'll play a move at half past or thereabouts. I'm thinking ARTIC is worth the risk (20 points), it is turn 1 after all.

[sn3j]

AR ? Just to prevent building upon it.

[ParadigmShifter]

AR ? Just to prevent building upon it.

Defo want to play at least one I and probably the C. It's worth playing a longer word first go since centre is a double word score of course.

I prefer an open board anyway, you should only really try and close the board down/play defensive if you have a good lead.

ARTIC would leave IE which isn't ideal (both vowels) but I and E are two good vowels. I rate vowels in this order: EAIOU.

TRICE is my second preference I think leaves AI but doesn't quadruple the C.

[sn3j]

Or Art and then put Ice in front of it. Just a thought.

[ParadigmShifter]

Or Art and then put Ice in front of it. Just a thought.

Not liking that cos of the leave IICE. If I pick up an F I can make ARTIFICE onto the triple though yeah. I don't think that's worth gambling on though.

I could pick up L and S if I play ARTIC for ARTICLES on triple if I am super lucky. Although, not that many points for an S that really.

There might be a bingo I am missing as well I might check after I have played a word if I had one (or maybe after the game, or at least a bit later on, maybe at bedtime).

I think there are lots of 8 letter bingos I could make but passing would be silly I think. Would be better if the CPU had gone first though. I think CITARINE is a bingo if there was an N on the board. If my opponent passed on first turn I would probably change letters to try and make them play lol.


... which is making me think I should definitely play ARTIC since I'm not that bothered if it is challenged. I think ARTIC is ok though. Gonna play that in 2 minutes I think...

OK 2 minutes are up! I play it. It is challenged. It's allowed (SOWPODS only)

https://scrabblewordfinder.org/dictionary/artic

artic (ɑːˈtɪk)
n
(Automotive Engineering) informal short for articulated vehicle

THAT WAS A GOOD PLAY!



Blank then. Does not look like a bingo rack at first glance.

And you know what else is valid? CPUs first play



Will post rack thoughts at 8PM.

CPU has blocked me getting double word scores in the top right cos V does not make any 2 letter words btw.

I can see a play that scores 53 btw so that's the par score

[sn3j]

Jet across Artic methinks, to lock the triple

[ParadigmShifter]

Jet across Artic methinks, to lock the triple

You mean JA/JET/EL?

That was my 53 point play yeah. I think it is 53. JA was added quite recently to SOWPODS (2019 or 2016 I think).Why block triple when you can play a J on it (twice)

There might be a bingo though that scores more points I suppose.

I have a VERY risky bingo lol. Think it's too big a risk.

[sn3j]

Yops. It's also securing the triple to the right.
CPU might try to add an 'S' or 'ON' though (Jeton).

[ParadigmShifter]

My risky bingo is JETBI(K)E.

I think that's too risky. It does play on board though.

Please don't check if it is valid before I inevitably rule it out chaps

There might be a better bingo though.

Adding a JET engine to a bike has to be a bad idea which is why I think it is not going to be valid

I think that's what they had in Return of the Jedi though for the forest chase scene. Still think it is too risky.

I'm thinking of following my advice from last game, never turn down an easy 50 (or 53 in this case). Would leave BITE_ on rack.

[sn3j]

Shouldn't it count 59? 3x 9 + 3x 10 + 2 (EL). I'm no Scrabble player btw. Just unsure.

[ParadigmShifter]

Shouldn't it count 59? 3x 9 + 3x 10 + 2 (EL). I'm no Scrabble player btw. Just unsure.

It's a triple letter not a triple word so only the J is tripled. 24 + 2 for JET 24 + 1 for JA and 2 for EL = 53.

I'm gonna play it I think, not found another bingo.

So I play it (it is 53)

It challenges JA - again, valid in SOWPODS only https://scrabblewordfinder.org/dictionary/ja I think it's just German for yes.

THAT WAS A GOOD PLAY! again

[sn3j]

Ok, sure. And Jetbike sounds unfamiliar to me btw.

[ParadigmShifter]

CPU plays JET(E), DE(E)D, AD, RE for 22. Not good enough score for a blank play I think.



It has blocked the first bingo spot I saw

Since JETBIKE is off the table I checked it. I was right to think it was too risky

Bingo I had before the CPU blocked it was FITTAB(L)E.

Not sure if there are any others, may just want to play B or F or both in that case. I'll keep looking.

[sn3j]

So it's used up 2 'E's. How many vowels are in play?

[ParadigmShifter]

So it's used up 2 'E's. How many vowels are in play?

Scrabble letter distribution is as follows: A-9, B-2, C-2, D-4, E-12, F-2, G-3, H-2, I-9, J-1, K-1, L-4, M-2, N-6, O-8, P-2, Q-1, R-6, S-4, T-6, U-4, V-2, W-2, X-1, Y-2, Z-1 and Blanks-2

I'm not doing the maths

I just move tiles played into a different section of my scrabble box. I only start counting tiles left and vowels and consonants left nearer the end really.

Played so far: ARTICVALDJEDE_D

So 10 E's left (although I have 1 on my rack, so 9 in the bag).

[sn3j]

Thx. The rack looks like you could get a Bingo, if you're careful.
Problem is the words are all lumped together at the moment.

[ParadigmShifter]

Thx. The rack looks like you could get a Bingo, if you're careful.

The board isn't very open though. And it blocked the one I saw before it played.

Not many good scoring spots either may want to open board up if I can't find a bingo.

Highest scoring non-bingo I can see is just FIB and BAD but it does get rid of the bad letters and leaves ETT_ which is pretty good.

So the problem is there's no single letter hooks they are all double letters :/

I've seen a couple of 8s but nowhere to play BEFITTED, FITTABLE

[ParadigmShifter]

So thinking of playing either

BREE and BEL for 14, leaves FITT_

or

FIB and BAD for 15 which also leaves a better rack ETT_

I've ruled out stuff like VIBE and REFIT although those open up the board a bit more I suppose.

I think FEL may be ok though, although maybe I am thinking of a card from Hearthstone FRET/FEL is better than BREE/BEL. I think FIB and BAD makes sense surely the CPU will have to open up the board on left if I do that.

[sn3j]

What about Bret, Fret, Treb? Anything valid?
Vibe would open up the triple, not so good.

[ParadigmShifter]

Can't see anything so I'm gonna play FIB and BAD



That has to be a bingoable rack now.

CPU doesn't open up the board though



I have N(A)TTERS on rack don't think it goes anywhere.

There probably is a bingo though.

[sn3j]

btw Fret was valid but not Fel
Yeah, great rack but board's a bit messy.

[ParadigmShifter]

Looks like I either need a bingo ending in E to make BADE or one through IF somehow.

Only 1 vowel so ending in E looks unlikely.

Pretty sure BADS is not a word. Can't see a place for NATTERS then.

ARTICS is probably ok though since it was a noun. Will probably play that then, if it's challenged will probably have a bingo next turn as well?

Decide that looks like my only play, so I play it..

Challenges NATTERS - valid in all dictionaries https://scrabblewordfinder.org/dictionary/natters
Challenges ARTICS - no surprise since it challenged ARTIC too - still only valid in SOWPODS https://scrabblewordfinder.org/dictionary/artics

That was worth 72



CPU gets 18 for HA/HI/IT. Still closing down the board



My rack is not great

[sn3j]

Nice move.
I think Zag is valid.

[ParadigmShifter]

Nice move.
I think Zag is valid.

Yeah ZIG and ZAG are both valid. (99.9999% sure of that, sure I have played both of those before in games)

So is ZA/AG which scores a bit more.

SALUT on the rack is pretty good leave too. Probably gonna play ZA/AG, CPU might open up centre top triple word then by playing NAG/HAG/SAG/WAG/BAG/FAG/etc. and something else to the right.