Moment of silence for the guy who drew six vowels in the most crucial moment of the final match

@tomhejda6450

4 күн бұрын

While keeping a vowel on the rack, needless to say...

This story is close to my heart because I was at that tournament. Not only was I there, but I saw Nigel right before this game and just asked casually "So is this your year?" He responded that he didn't think so.

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

Rare Nigel L

@tehesprite502

11 ай бұрын

@@wanderer15 Hardly an L to underestimate yourself.

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

Yeah, I was being snarky. His humility in the face of his amazing achievements is inspiring as well.

@ev6558

11 ай бұрын

@@tehesprite502 Wow I bet you're fun anywhere that recognizing social cues is important.

@tehesprite502

11 ай бұрын

@@ev6558 Like you've never done similar.

KZread has decided that I now want to see Scrabble content, and I must admit, I haven’t been disappointed.

@nicolasfpauly

2 ай бұрын

Same brother 👨

@davidatherton

Ай бұрын

Ditto, brothers

@kamen42

9 сағат бұрын

Same here a week ago. I don't even play Scrabble, but these videos are fascinating.

_I used to call you on my sulphone_

@letsplayscrabbledotcom

11 ай бұрын

lol

I am a chemist, and just watching how chemistry nomenclature keeps coming up in scrabble is so fascinating. I look forward to these videos every week. Also, I think an answer to why sulphitic is an inconsistency probably has to do with IUPAC naming regulations. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is the international referee for the standardization of chemistry, including naming conventions. In 1971, they sided with the Americans and designated "sulfur" as the correct spelling for the element and all the derivative names of sulfur compounds followed suit. This is my theory: We don't use sulfitic/sulphitic a lot in chemistry as it's seen as redundant when sulfite/sulphite can be adjectives to begin with. It's even made more rare with the fact that sulfates/sulphates are the more commonly encountered ion. Therefore when sulfitic/sulphitic is used, and it's rare, it's more likely to follow the 1971 IUPAC spelling of sulfitic. However, the Collins dictionary might be tapping into an older lexicon of British chemistry papers where sulphitic was used, and that's why it's listed there.

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

What great context!

@miaowmiaowchowface

11 ай бұрын

10/10

@meta04

11 ай бұрын

It might also be worth pointing out that IUPAC went with the British on "aluminium" and "caesium", though...

@yoyoyo761

11 ай бұрын

Loremaster.

@harryvincent2434

10 ай бұрын

Glad I saw another chemist comment about this 👍

Will, I have a story that highlights another dimension to challenging phony words. I recently had a game where the only way I could guarantee the win was to NOT challenge a bingo that I KNEW was phony. My opponent's phony bingo was worth about 70 points, and, had I not challenged it, he would have emptied the bag, drawing HUVWC. I then could have played an out-bingo of NOTTURNI, for 77. Those 77 points, combined with the 32 points gained from my opponent's unplayed tiles, would have given me the win with a margin of about 10 points. However, I didn't think this through -- so I challenged his phony off and bingoed with NOTTURNI. I drew HVUWC, of course, and I also gave my opponent the chance to play an eight-letter out-bingo through NOTTURNI. I was fortunate that he did not find the eight-letter bingo, and I ended up winning. But after the game was over, I saw what I should have done: let the phony bingo stay on the board, unchallenged.

I love your videos. I never realized how much strategy is involved in scrabble

@Trip_Fontaine

11 ай бұрын

I remember when I first started playing competitive Scrabble, I thought "I could beat any of these guys if I just memorized the words they've memorized." It was quite a big surprise that my strategy was possibly MORE lacking than my lack of knowledge of ultra-obscure words.

@randybugger3006

11 ай бұрын

I rarely get bingos, but I win most of the games I play. I use a strategy to minimize my opponent's scoring, coupled with a decent knowledge of some of the more obscure NASD words as well as a sizable vocabulary generally. I'm not a competitive player, but I enjoy playing against people that can beat me, which means that my enjoyment is limited by my mediocre opponents. If there was a Scrabble club in my area, I'd have more practice, since winning 99% of the time gets boring enough to make me stop playing. Not bragging, just wishing for more skillful opponents.

@escapedlunatic27

7 ай бұрын

In some games the gulf between a recreational player and the world elite is obvious e.g. a top tennis player chases down and returns a shot which most people wouldn't have got near. In Scrabble it's less obvious - it needs another top player to explain it. Most casual players will just try to make the best score they can from the tiles they have, regardless of other considerations. Move up a level and players start trying to retain a combination of tiles which gives them a good chance of a bingo next turn, or at least avoid a really terrible rack. Then at the top level they're figuring out what words their opponent will probably be looking to play, based on the tiles left, and making moves specifically intended to block those words. It's a completely different game.

@cdubsoptional7849

6 ай бұрын

When I play Monopoly, my goal is to make everyone lose to the worst player. It's so much fun, and it drives people crazy. With Chess, my goal is to get my King to all four corners of the board. It's impossible, but trying to do something dumb like that, is so much more fun than playing it straight. Or pacifist chess, where the goal is to be as peaceful as possible, and you try to maneuver your opponent into drawing first blood. I've never played scrabble, but it looks like the best way to be a troll would be to give your opponent easy layups. Set 'em up for every bingo possible. Try to lose by 600 points.

Your storytelling is impeccable. Your pacing, the drama, the explanations are just

In 2019, i started getting recommended chess videos out of nowhere, and like many others, I became obsessed! I think Scrabble is next boys!

@magicmulder

11 ай бұрын

And the crazy stories are similar. German chess GM allegedly learned Hungarian during 4 hour train ride with just a dictionary (which I assume container some grammar info).

Weirdly loving these videos. Keep them coming :)

@wanderer15

9 ай бұрын

Thank you! I admit, they are a little weird ;)

@elidoesstuff5503

3 ай бұрын

They are weirdly amazing lol. I think you took editing and made a whole other level with it​@@wanderer15

@jayamo-addae415

2 ай бұрын

It's not weird at all

We are all truly blessed to get a glimpse of epic moments in the Scrabble community. Thank you so much for your effort to immortalize these moments that otherwise might be lost to time!

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

Appreciate the kind words!

ive never loved learning about scrabble more… i can sense a wave of scrabble becoming popular like chess?!

@noahmay7708

11 ай бұрын

Wouldn't mind that

@Ascension721

11 ай бұрын

I hope so one day.

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

Lots of work to do to get there, but we can dream...

@MewtwoStruckBack

11 ай бұрын

I'll believe that Scrabble is going to be equally as popular as (or more popular than) chess when /r/AnarchyScrabble is as popular as /r/AnarchyChess.

@coachmcguirk6297

11 ай бұрын

😂

I was there and saw the board and situation as Brian described to me. Something else to note that, to me, made Brian’s ill-fated find was this: the tiles they were playing with were old Boston Area Tournament (BAT) tiles. These tiles had a bat inscribed on the blank tile. It’s hard enough to visualize a blank letter for what it has been designated, but with a funny looking semi-faded bat on it? Brian’s find was extraordinary. Nigel’s challenge? Beyond extraordinary.

4:13 🎼You used to call me on my sulphone. 🎶

You and Jomboy are KZread saints in your ability to show us something we wouldn't have otherwise watched, pause it at the right moment, and explain in detail why that moment was so cool. I can comfortably click on your vids even if I don't think I'll be interested in the subject--you choose them well enough to always get my attention in the end. Great stuff, thanks for sharing with us!

@wanderer15

10 ай бұрын

Really high praise. Have loved Jomboy for years. Thank you very much for the kind words!

Have played casual scrabble with the family for years but watching your videos about the competitive scrabble scene are so interesting! Keep it up!

Only the KZread GOAT could make videos of this quality!

you are very good at explaining scrabble strategy in a non-patronizing way. Many "video essayists" are trash, but you are not. Great work

I was part of the dictionary committee when we made an attempt to update the Long Word List-- we wasted countless hours for nothing because at the end when we presented the list to M-W for review, they said "no thanks"

I haven't played Scrabble since I was a kid, and even then it wasn't serious. Yet I love watching these videos. I don't even know why the algorithm recommended your channel to me, but I'm glad it did.

This is the kind of video that some random guy will recommend a big streamer to watch. Great video mate.

I absolutely love these videos. A topic I have never once been interested in but you make it so cool to watch unfold. Master at storytelling. Well done!

I love scrabble history. I’ve never been into scrabble until I started watching this channel like a month ago. Since then, I’m addicted to bingos.

Reminds me of this moment: kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5ebz8iaj8-rgc4.html It's just disgusting that Nigel can keep this stuff apart. When I try to remember exceptions like SULPHITIC, in game, I always end up convincing myself that the _other_ word was the exception...

@jeffe2267

11 ай бұрын

They said that he's also the best in French?? What a monster.

@shaonian

8 ай бұрын

Sadly Nigel hasn't played since 2019... I guess he has lost interest in the game.

@AlexDings

8 ай бұрын

@@shaonian He's still playing in local tournaments - has avoided international ones because of Covid

These videos are phenomenal! I've been watching many of your other videos too. This channel is a diamond in the rough.

This series is incredible, man. Thank you.

Totally agree. I was at this tournament, as well. This has been one of my favourite stories, too. I have told it often. Glad you made it even better.

Richards's knowledge of words.... is amazing. But i'd expect nothing less from someone who won a french scrabble tournament, by memorizing their dictionary

This is great, love your videos. I regret not getting into scrabble earlier in life. I guarantee your videos will bring more players into the game!!

remember loving your livestreams a couple years back, glad you're having some success your recent videos have been great good work

my new fav channel ive never played scrabble and i never knew i was such a fan

Amazing story, beautifully told. It’s really cool to hear someone as good as you are, Will, be so in awe of Nigel.

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

Thanks! I'm in awe of lots of other players, too, so I'll be trying to mix it up a bit going forward as well, though it's hard to resist Nigel!

thank you for doing these videos, they're so interesting! i love hearing about the scrabble tournament scene

I live for these collins/NWL differences

More Scrabble History! Merry Christmas!!

Another fantastic story, Will!

BABE WAKE UP NEW SCRABBLE HISTORY VIDEO!!!

Been playing Scrabble my whole life but am new to these fantastic videos - great work! : )

Before watching I am guessing that he challenged a perfectly and obviously valid word for some obscure strategic advantage of missing a move in this one position with precisely these letters left in the bag. After watching I am guessing that I was wrong.

Wow, as a new viewer, I am captivated by your storytelling. Scrabble is so interesting to learn about!

Alright my guy Nigel is cracked. Good job Will this story is straight up fire.

I loved this video and subscribed Your passion for Scrabble is infectious

Before I watch I'm going to guess it's Nigel challenging DENIALIST which is a Collins only 9. EDIT: Had the right idea at least.

@Columbine-en3qc

11 ай бұрын

Yeah, that was a crazy idea by Jackson Smylie.

@BrettMKW

11 ай бұрын

@@Columbine-en3qc I don't think Jackson knew it was a Collins only 9, he probably just hoped it was good. In another game in the same tournament against Alec Sjoholm he tried WEENILY* and also let ZERKING* and BATWINGS* go (BATWING is valid but is an adjective) so I just don't think he had the word knowledge to know about DENIALIST#.

@Trip_Fontaine

11 ай бұрын

I believe this channel has done another video on that game.

@harraz7632

11 ай бұрын

LMAO I WAS THINKING THE SAME! The DENIALIST play was actually awesome to spot since he was behind but I got shocked when it was a Collins only. And also didn't knew Nigel played NWL too lol

5:15 I'll never tire of seeing images of David's dictionary. 🏆

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

An epic Scrabble artifact indeed

This story is so great, thank you

Oh wow what a story, enjoyed every bit of it!

i cant get enough of your content

Youre truly a content pioneer this is gold

Keep em coming. These videos are very well done. Perfectly fits the genious of Nigel Richards. In a perfect world, you'd live comment on the coming world championship.

An enjoyable video, love the historic framing!

You made this play sound epic, and I think it indeed was!

You know you’re a nerd when you know the play in question in advance. (: Great stuff, Will, loving the series!

Honestly, I have no idea how your videos came up in my algorithm, but I love it. I don't know *anything* about competitive Scrabble, and haven't played it since I was like 14 with my grandparents. Watching this video, it brought me a little joy to recognize Ben Gibson's name when you flashed their standings at ~ 1:43, and I only recognized that from your other videos. Thanks for your uploads dude, I love nerdy shit like this.

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

I’m so glad you’re enjoying!

I don’t play Scrabble and i never will play Scrabble. However, your storytelling in this Scrabble History series is phenomenal. Just the right level of detail, context, explanation, and drama. I hope you extend your youtube videos to other interesting topics.

It’s super lucky and super skillful at the same time only in scrabble man

I love these videos. Hopefully you get more subscribers. I know basically nothing about scrabble but these are really good

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

Thanks, always inspired to keep making more thanks to comments like this

Your content is really good. Please keep it up. Take your time though. Dont give yourself a schedule, or feel the need to have to make more. Great stories like this even 2 times a year are worth alot more than 100 junk filler vides. Great telling and pacing as well. Truly love the videos.

Another great video and Scrabble story. Keep them coming.

Great video as usual, will! I'd kind of like to see a scrabble history on school scrabble plays -- the chloe comeback into WHEELING 9x comes to mind.

Excellent content, will! Really good storytelling

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

"Bizarre inconsistencies" lol for real. Seriously why...that could be an episode unto itself.

Another awesome video! Thanks, Will!

Interesting and well made video, all praise the algorithm for placing it in my feed.

Nigel is the goat of scrabble and I can't imagine anyone will ever come close

Holy this is so crazy, please keep making these videos 😍

I rarely play scrabble or care that much about it but these videos are fascinating so it must be your storytelling. Keep it up

I'm not even sure what scrabble is but these videos hit hard

Your channel could very well increase the popularity of Scrabble substantially. I wish you ultimate success!

Hey, Im' 15 right now and i'm watching your videos and they make me want to get into scrabble. I see how the best players are reallly old relativly and it gives me hope that i can be good some day.

Clicked faster than a bullet when I saw your upload!

Idek the rules of scribble and I love these videos man. Great work

I will watch as many videos about Nigel as your are willing to make. In fact, I will watch each of them multiple times.

Love these videos.

I thought the "challenger loses their turn" rule was default tbh. I didn't realize I've been playing under tournament rules my whole life

these videos are always absolutely incredible. i have to ask-how do you keep track of all of this scrabble history? you're very knowledgable on all of these things and i'm curious on how you even access all of this or know about all of these different events that you cover in the videos

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

Thanks! I was at a lot of these events as a competitor myself (well, at least from 2009 onwards, when I started my tournament career), and within the little subculture of tournament players, many of these moments have legendary status. I like the challenge of translating what makes those moments so special to a wider audience.

I was expecting the challenge to be something where Nigel wanted to skip a turn, knowing his opponent could only play things that he could end the game off of. This is just as wild as that would have been.

another banger another banger by 2017 North American Scrabble Champion Will Anderson

someone knowing the differences in words in each dictionary kinda reminds me of people knowing the differences in answers and guesses in NYT wordle and hellowordl wordlists cool video! very interesting to see :) (its me from wordle speedrunning!)

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

Apt comparison...hi there & thanks for stopping by!

I love Scrabble, I cook my eggs this way every morning 😮

Another great video!

These vids are awesome

Challenge be damned... if I ever get the tiles, I'm playing "Kwyjibo"

This is a great series!

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! I’ve watched a couple videos of yours now and I’ve been utterly amazed each time.

@tom7

11 ай бұрын

@@wanderer15 Oh, that's nice of you :) Thanks!

After seeing both players have hands that required them to exchange tiles, I wondered what if Scrabble had a Magic-style mulligan rule. That is, you may choose to throw back your entire opening hand and draw a new one without losing a turn, but if you do, you have to put one of the tiles back in the bag (thus having a 6 card hand). In particular, it's interesting to consider whether not having to skip your first turn to exchange would be worth the downside of not being able to play a bingo at all that turn.

What a cool play to focus on! Thx Will

Pretty damn ballsy. I would at least consider it, but probably wimp out

I give 0 sh*ts about scrabble but your videos have me hooked because competition and words

Excellent video as always. I’m curious, how often does Nigel use phonys? I’d imagine that he doesn’t need to often, but that if he did it would probably go uncontested more often than not.

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

I have a couple great video ideas addressing this exact topic...

@Huwpuw

11 ай бұрын

Looking forward to seeing them.

Did Nigel retire? Another great video, thank you Will! I second someone else’s comment about wanting to see a video on phonies played by Nigel. Shoutout to Mack Meller’s channel as well for also having a few great videos on phonies played by top experts.

HOT to set up PHOT/PENATES is so bonkers that it almost deserves a video of its own

man I love your videos, I don't even like scrabble, they're just great stories

When you specified tournament play I realized I must've been using a house rule all my life

Brian: plays sulphitic me not even knowing there were Scrabble dictionaries: "HAHA YOU FOOL. You fell victim to one of the classic blunders." Not sure why this ended up on my algorithm but I'm still glad it did. Always down for interesting niche content

This is INSANE!

This came up on my recommended feed. I don't play Scrabble competitively, nor have I learned much more than being able to dig my way out of a hole with "Qi", but these guys here casually scoring games close to 500 points whereas I'm exstatic if I can finish a game with 200 points!

@wanderer15

11 ай бұрын

The level of play I'm showcasing here is at the absolute high end of what's possible. Most of us can only sit back in awe...but Scrabble is fun to play no matter what your level!

@diggitus

11 ай бұрын

Hi Indi, I'm going to have to challenge "exstatic" sorry! :P

Thanks so much, Will. These videos are so well-made.

*_"AAAAEIUU!!_* - Brian Cappelletto as Nigel RIchards sentences him to death by Scrabble

Damn, Nigel, you’re a legend!

this video inspired me to play a game of online scrabble instead of booking plane tickets.

Go Will!