Human vs. Computer Scrabble Showdown
Toronto Scrabble Open
Originally uploaded by Word Freak. The first Toronto SCRABBLE® Open and Human vs. Computer Showdown takes place on November 17-19, 2006 at the Earl Bales Community Centre at Bathurst and Sheppard.
About a hundred players from across North America will compete in an 18-round open match for the right to play a computer opponent in the Showdown.
During those 18 rounds, each human player will play 16 other human players and (if they wish) two computer opponents. The computer opponent with the best record against human opponents earns the right to contest the human champion in the Showdown.
This Web site will be updated during the event with standings during the first 18 rounds, after which it will feature live coverage of the Human vs. Computer Showdown.
I'm playing in the main event and have offered to take photos of the other human (and computer) players. Because it's one open division, there's a chance that I will play any of the top players, which include:
Adam Logan (current Canadian and World Scrabble Champion)
Joel Wapnick (former Canadian and two-time World Scrabble Champion)
Joel Sherman (former US and World Scrabble Champion)
Trey Wright (former US National Champion)
David Boys (former Canadian and World Scrabble Champion)
Other expert Scrabble players, Jason Katz-Brown and John O'Laughlin, will compete as well. The two of them collaborated on Quackle, one of the two computer opponents featured in the event.
It should be an exciting weekend. Wish me lots of blanks and bingos.
- Word!