Scrabble: 16th Brand Crossword Game King's Cup 2001

Paul Cleary from Australia, Runner-up behind Nigel Richards of New Zealand had a brief message about his performance at the at the 23rd Brand Crossword Game King's Cup 2001:

Hello to All!

Thanks for all your messages regarding the recently concluded King's Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. Congratulations firstly to Nigel Richards on his performance, he is a magnificent player.

I was perhaps a tad lucky only to have played Nigel once in the tournament and missing Mark Nyman and Jakkrit completely. Nevertheless, these types of tournaments have a good way of sorting out the players due to the sheer volume of games played.

Following is an abbreviated report on my games:
Highest word score: 104, YOICKSED
Highest game score: 534

Best move: Playing the otherwise unplayable LATRINE (etc.) around separated C and S to make the 9-letter bingo CISTERNAL.

Selection of lower probability bingos I played: ENGOBES TIPPIEST GOLFIANA APHIDES VENATIC FIXEDLY CISTERNAL LECANORA VIGILANT GHARRIES YAUTIAS PITHEAD RACECARD GODHEADS YOICKSED SHEENIE TEENDING SLAVERER RACEGOER EVEJARS CAESURA LIVIERS

Perhaps the reason for my success was not losing heart after losing 5 games straight early in the competition. I had a seven-game winning streak later in the tournament to make up for it!

Thanks to the organisers for such a wonderful event.

-Paul Cleary

Finals between Nigel Richards and Paul Cleary at King's Cup 2001
(Photo courtesy of Cheah Siu Hean)