Saratoga
So, this past weekend, I had my first multi-day tourney win in forever, got Gibsonized for the first and, I'm sure, only time, and also finally went back over 1600, to a new peak of 1637.
I played the 5-game Early Bird, and lost 2d place to Ross by a lousy 18 spread points but still gained 14 rating points. Had dinner at Duo, a Japanese restaurant, where I misadded and managed to over-tip by about 50 bucks.
That night the Main Event started well, with 3 wins, but then I transposed tiles in ANTISERA (among other mistakes) to lose the first game on Saturday. Still ended the day in first though. Lipie wasn't playing, but came to visit just so he could drag us all to Dinosaur BBQ (about 30 minutes away).
Saturday night, I was not able to sleep at all; not one wink, so I was a bit worried when morning came around. At the start of the day on Sunday, with 5 games to play, Dave and I were tied at 9-2, so even though I had a much higher spread, it wouldn't have mattered if I lost. Sam Southard was going to play Dave in the first round so I told her I'd treat for Mexican if she beat him. She did, and then Dave and Dean tied the next round while I lost to Sal. I made a few game-losing mistakes that I don't think I would have had I not been so tired, Still in first, but barely. Then, in Round 14, Dave lost while I got this gift:
It was a game in which I didn't have to think at all, other than playing more conservatively than I would have otherwise. Poor Paul.
Then, Sam and I played, and I won by bingoing late with ESErINE, drawing the last 4 tiles (EOTV). She held EHLOPR?. With about 3 minutes left, she let the clock run down before trying ROLPHEd. EPHORaL - which she said she didn't know - didn't play, and even if it had, it would not have been enough. Sam still got 4th place though she was seeded 15th.
Even in losing the last game to Connie - who emptied the bag but managed to draw the blanks as the very last two tiles - I finished a game and a half and 1220 spread points ahead of Dave Engelhardt.
The surprise in Div. 1 was Larry besting Joel. He played Seth for first while Stefan played Joel for second. When Stefan referred to Joel as "Second-Place Sherman," Joel replied with a loud FUUUUUUUCK you!
As for my bingoes, nothing exciting or particularly stylish:
Mine: (36) TEARIEST, IDOLIZE, RESIDING, HETAIRA, APERIES, THUNDER, OUTEATS, GLOSSAL, URINATES, BARITES, RENDERED, DOCKSIDE, BIMETAL, DOOLEES (challenged), PIMENTO, TATTIES (challenged), BANGLES, NEUROSAL, REWAKING (challenged), STEADIES, FLAUNTED, STREAMS, RETINES, RILIEVOS (not challenged even though it was an out-bingo), CHALONE, LITTERS, RESITING, REVERING, MEDALIST, SNATCHED, OUTLINES, MURIATE, JOTTERS, DERANGES, SUNDIAL, ESERINE.
Theirs: (21) GENOMES, PHONEMES, UNCOILS, COAXERS, FROTTAGE, SURFEIT, VITAMIN, MARLIEST, REALISE, TOADIES, PREPLANT, TAUNTERS, LANTERN, GENTLER, HOTLINE, FORTIES, FAILINGS, BUSTIERS, MANIHOTS, SONNIES, GENTILES.