----- Original Message -----

From: barry

To: [address removed]

Sent: 11/11/[masked]:18:51 PM

Subject: [scrabble-362] Learning Scrabble (coming)

Hi...

 

We've had a good number of people join Scrabble PDX recently. A sincere welcome!

 

If some of you (new or old members) are hesitant to attend an event because you're worried about your skill level, you should know that all skill levels are welcome at all events. Don't feel intimidated if you get outscored... just learn from watching what others do. Hey... you can't expect to know all the 2 letter words unless you've been playing regularly for a while. And many events have cheat sheets for that hanging around. It's even ok if you're not sure of all the rules! The key is to come, play, and make it fun. (if that ever turns out not to be the case for you, please give feedback any organizer so we can try to make it better).

 

Still... if that's part of why you haven't been to one of our events... there's help on the way. Peggy and I are planning a Scrabble 101 class taught by a few of us who've been around the board a few times. For beginners, you'll see your scores increase by 25-50 points right from the start and you'll easily be able to build from there (it's really not that hard once you realize a few things).

Just to give you a small taste... here are a few of the simplest examples that will help for sure if you're not already doing these things (and i've seen many of you not do them)

 

1. Look for common endings in your letters such as S, ING, ED, ER and others. For example, if you have ING, you only have make a word with your other 4 letters to make a bingo (using all 7 letters to get a 50-point bonus). GLNDEAI looks ugly.. but if you rearrange to make ALDE ING... you'll more easily see LEADING or DEALING (or if there's an open P on the board you could make PLEADING).

 

2. Play with the letters in your rack. You'll be amazed at what you'll see as you rearrange them. In the above rack, did you see GAINED, DANGLE or ANGLED (not bingos but still could be decent words in the right places)? By the way... i didn't see em right away either.

 

3. Hold on to your S's and Blanks until you can use them to make a big word. 

There's MUCH more... some things less obvious than others... but nothing that requires math beyond differential equations (just kidding... the only math skill you'll need is counting higher than you did before because you'll be making bigger words)

 

Anyway... i was hoping for November, but i had some serious family issues come up last month that derailed everything. And since December is a hard month to plan stuff, i'm thinking January. 

 

One last thing... thanks to those of you who gave me $5 or $10 to help cover the group's $75 semi-annual dues that I pay to Meetup. I know a few of you wanna give but haven't seen me since i was away most of October. But i'm back around so hopefully i'll see you soon. And no worries... this is totally optional. The group can be completely free if you prefer - whether you come to no events or all of them. 

 

Have a good weekend, and looking forward to seeing (or meeting) you soon...

Barry

 

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