$CRABBLEBIZ

The Ekowe & Nange-Ama Monthly Scrabble Competition, held on Saturday 18 October 2025 at UAC Ekowe Community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, produced a remarkable performance from Ebi Akintola, who swept through the event undefeated with a 9-0 record and a +1097 spread. Game Summary Round | Opponent | Score | Opp. Score | Spread | Cumulative 1 Inioemi Agazi 610 223 +387 +387 2 Reynold Wolo 413 354 +59 +446 3 Joshua Willie 469 465 +4 +450 4 Wotaritimi Tonbie 491 233 +258 +708 5 Philip Kigigha 421 359 +62 +770 6 Saviour Tonbie 413 265 +148 +918 7 Reynold Wolo (Rematch) 386 357 +29 +947 8 Reynold Wolo (Rematch 2) 436 391 +45 +992 9 Wotaritimi Tonbie (Rematch) 386 281 +105 +1097 🔸 Wins: 9 🔸 Losses: 0 🔸 Total Spread: +1097 🔸 Venue: UAC Ekowe Community Ebi Akintola’s performance stands out as one of the most dominant runs in recent Bayelsa scrabble competitions a clear statement of form heading into future tournaments.

The global Scrabble spotlight is currently shining brightly on Bangkok, Thailand, as the Bangkok International Crossword Game Championship 2025 (also known as the Thailand International/King’s Cup) officially kicks off. This prestigious tournament, running from October 11 - 13, 2025, is taking place at Paradise Park in Bangkok, and it is one of the largest Scrabble events in the world attracting elite players and millions of enthusiasts from across the globe. This is a Tournament with Royal Prestige.  The Bangkok International Championship is Thailand’s flagship Scrabble event, historically supported by the Thai monarchy. The winner of the top division traditionally receives a royal trophy, a symbol of honor and excellence in the Scrabble world. First launched decades ago as the Brand’s Crossword Game King’s Cup, the event has grown into an international mind-sport spectacle and a platform for language learning and youth development. This year’s edition features top international p...

The countdown is on for the 2025 National Scrabble Championship (NSC), one of the biggest and most prestigious tournaments on the UK Scrabble calendar. Top players from across the United Kingdom will gather in London this October to battle it out for national glory. Dates: Saturday 25 - Monday 27 October 2025 Venue: Westminster Academy, Sir Naim Dangoor Centre, 255 Harrow Road, London W2 5EZ Rounds: 23 games Organizer: Wayne Kelly (Tel: 07773 027274) Sanction: ABSP & WESPA rated This event continues the proud tradition of the NSC, first held in 1971 (winner - Stephen Haskell ) and now recognized as one of the major tournaments in the UK circuit alongside the UK Open, Matchplay, and UK Masters.  Check in past winners:  Paul Gallen 2024 Champion   You can also read the upcoming event in Bangkok 2026

Lekki Scrabble Classic 2025 Full Recap Jimoh Abdulmimim, Lekki Scrabble Classics Champ 2025 The Lekki Scrabble Classic (LSC) 2025 has officially concluded, delivering two days of elite Scrabble action in Lagos on September 27–28, 2025. With a combined prize pool of ₦4,750,000, this year’s edition cemented the LSC as one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and competitive tournaments. Last year (2024), the Lekki Scrabble Classic was won by Charles Tachie-Menson from Ghana.  Abdulmumin Jimoh wins the Lekki Scrabble Classics 2025 and took home ₦1,000,000 + the LSC trophy.  Premier Division Eligibility: Players rated 1300–2000 Prize Pool: ₦2,620,000 + ₦550,000 in Intermediate awards Top Prize: ₦1,000,000 Championship Division Eligibility: Nigeria Scrabble Federation-licensed players rated 0–1299 Prize Pool: ₦1,580,000 Top Prize: ₦400,000 There were also extra prizes given to prospective (u17) players, Veterans and female top players  The Premier division featured highest-rated pl...

  Scrabble is more than a classic board game. It is a surprisingly powerful tool for boosting mental well-being. Whether you are playing casually with family or competitively at tournaments, scrabble provides a mental workout that benefits your brain and your mood. 1. Strengthens Cognitive Function Playing Scrabble involves recalling words, counting scores, and thinking strategically. This keeps your brain active, sharpens memory, and strengthens vocabulary. Research shows that such mentally stimulating games may delay cognitive decline as we age.  2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety Scrabble allows players to focus fully on the board and tiles, temporarily taking their minds off daily worries. This mindful engagement promotes calmness and reduces feelings of anxiety.  3. Encourages Social Interaction Sharing a Scrabble board brings people together. Whether it’s with friends, family, or fellow club members, these moments of connection boost mood and combat loneliness. 4. Builds...

Nigeria continues to be a powerhouse in the world of Scrabble, and the latest WESPA Nigeria ratings show just how dominant the country remains on the global stage. Updated on September 25, 2025, after the Fortune Town Invitational Tournament, these ratings highlight the very best wordsmiths representing the green and white. Here are Nigeria’s Top 10 Scrabble Players September 2025: Rank Player WESPA Rating 1 Wellington Jighere 2003 2 Eta Karo 1981 3 Dennis Ikekeregor 1980 4 Okiemute Tega 1980 5 Enoch Nwali 1978 6 Ezinore George 1968 7 Jimoh Abdulmumin 1961 8 Doko Oluwatimilehin 1961 9 Samson Okosagah 1958 10 Ayorinde Saidu 1945 Wellington Jighere stays at the top with a commanding 2003 rating.  These ratings reflect Nigeria’s remarkable consistency with several players rated above 1900, a mark that puts them among the world’s elite. You might be wondering why this matter? Nigeria’s dominance at the top level of Scrabble is not just about pride, it shapes the global game. With more ...

Scrabble fans mark your calendars!  The All-Ireland Scrabble Championship returns to Waterford, Ireland this October, promising two days of competitive wordplay and camaraderie. Event Details Dates: Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 October 2025 Venue: Dooley’s Hotel, 30 Merchants Quay, Waterford, Ireland Games: 15 games (7 - 8 per day) Word List: CSW2024 (Collins Scrabble Words) Categories: A and B A For players rated 120+ B For players under 120 (with option to play up) Novice Event: A 4-game mini-tournament on Sunday afternoon (€10 entry) Entry & Prizes Entry Fee: €40 (cash, payable at registration) Prizes: Awards for top finishers in both groups, high game and high word prizes, plus a special award for best novice.  Accommodation Dooley’s Hotel is the official venue with special tournament rates: Single room (2 nights, B&B): €299 Twin room: €339 Triple room: €399 Dinner is available on Saturday evening for €35 per person - a great chance to meet players from Ireland and abroad...

What really separates a good scrabble player from a champion? It is not just word lists. It is not just memory. It is not even luck. Pool House Scrabble Club 1st Quarterly 2025 The difference is pattern recognition. A good player many times may not master patterns but a champion will. Another factor is the ability to spot opportunities before anyone else does.  Seeing What Others Miss . Well, let us look at it from another view below. Top players don’t just play tiles; they read the board like a map.  They t urn a random rack into a 90-point play. They spot bonus squares before the opponent even thinks of them They predict the next two moves like a chess master Train your brain to see patterns. Pattern recognition is a skill you can build. How? Study common letter combinations (ER, ED, RE, IN, ST and so on).  Visualize hooks before placing a word.  Practice parallel plays to squeeze every point The more you practice, the more automatic it becomes - until it feels lik...

  To me, scrabble is not just about playing words, it is about solving puzzles. E very rack is a challenge, every board has a unique problem waiting for a clever solution. That's the way I see scrabble. Let us look at some of the key things herein. Thinking Outside the Box: Sometimes the perfect play is not obvious so you have to be creative. Scrabble trains you to find hooks, parallel plays, and surprise moves that no one else sees. Yesterday I had an elementary rack (ONESSOT) but couldn't find the word to play until after my move I noticed the SOONEST because I didn't shuffle. It is important to shuffle your rack especially when you suspect a premium (bingo).  Strategic Adaptation: The board is always changing, so you must constantly adjust. This builds flexibility - a crucial skill for solving real-world challenges. Think and play fast Rack Management Mastery: Balancing vowels and consonants, setting up for bingos, and blocking your opponent are all mini-problems you sol...

In today’s world, distractions are everywhere like phones always buzzing, every time notifications, constant noise. Scrabble gives you a rare gift like deep, uninterrupted focus. Total Board Awareness: Scrabble teaches you to look at the board, see every possible opening, and stay present in the moment. You are not just playing tiles you are reading the entire game state. A total concentration is needed to achieve this, and that is focus. Blocking Out Distractions: Once you are in a game, the outside world fades away. This practice of “deep work” carries over to studying, working, and problem-solving in everyday life. A symptom of side distraction can cost you a game by losing it. See problem solving... Building Mental Stamina: A Scrabble tournament can last for hours and so can a big project or exam. Training your brain to stay sharp for multiple rounds builds focus endurance. Also see mental strength... Mindful Thinking Scrabble makes you slow down just enough to think carefully abou...

Scrabble is not just about knowing words  it is about finding them fast. You can ask Nigel Richards if you doubt this statement.  When the clock is ticking, you train your brain to think sharper, make decisions quicker, and spot plays under pressure. Decision-Making on the Fly Every turn is a mini race against time. You scan the board, check your rack, and choose the best option  all in seconds. This boosts your ability to make smart decisions in real life too. Pattern Recognition According to Nigel, "scrabble is about pattern". Your brain becomes a lightning-fast scanner, picking out playable words, bonuses, and openings in record time. The more you play, the quicker you see opportunities others miss. Staying Cool Under Pressure Blitz games and tournaments teach you to stay calm when the clock is running down. This mental skill helps in exams, meetings, and any situation where quick thinking matters. Mental Agility Your brain gets faster at switching strategies - pivotin...

Over the while I have involved in this business, scrabble is not just about playing words. One of the core primary features of scrabble is about building mental endurance. Every time you sit down at the board, you are giving your brain a workout that sharpens focus, grows vocabulary, and strengthens your ability to handle pressure. Let us talk about Vocabulary Muscle Every new word you learn is like adding another rep to your mental gym routine. Over time, you will notice how quickly you recognize playable words, spot bonuses, and rack up points. How about Focus & Patience Scrabble teaches you to slow down and think deeply - no rushing, no shortcuts. Staying locked in for several rounds builds the mental discipline to stay focused on other areas of life too. See focus... Resilience Not every game goes your way. Sometimes you’ll draw a bad rack or miss a play and that is okay. Scrabble teaches you to stay calm, bounce back, and keep playing stronger than before. Strategic Thinking T...

You must be wondering what I have to say about the topic WHY SCRABBLE IS THE ULTIMATE BRAIN GYM. Well, imagine  reading and studying all through the time just to go for a Scrabble Competition that will put you in another strenuous brain huddle. Scrabble is not just a game it is a full-on workout for your mind. Nigel Richards preparing for a tourney played in Spanish 2025 Here is why Scrabble remains the ultimate brain gym: Mental Strength : Every tile you place is like lifting weights for your vocabulary and memory. I will talk about this more in subsequent posts. Quick Thinking : Timed games train your brain to stay calm and sharp under pressure. Focus Training : No distractions just you, your rack, and the board. Problem Solving : Spotting hooks and parallel plays boosts creativity and logic. Whether you are a casual player or a tournament warrior, Scrabble keeps your brain active and agile, and that is something no fitness app can replace. So, grab your tiles today and give you...

In Scrabble, every tile matters, and sometimes the smallest words carry the biggest impact. Two-letter words are among the most powerful tools in a player’s arsenal. They may look simple, but they can change the course of a game by opening up scoring opportunities, maximizing tile placement, and squeezing value from tricky racks. Why Two-Letter Words Matter Board Control: They allow players to build parallel plays and score from multiple directions at once. Rack Management: They help shed awkward tiles while still earning solid points. High-Scoring Potential: When combined with premium squares, a short word can rack up double or triple scores. Classic Examples Some of the most essential two-letter words include: QI - a lifesaver for using the Q without a U. ZA - slang for pizza, but a Scrabble goldmine. JO - a Scottish word for sweetheart. XI, EX, AX, OX - powerful X plays. AA, OE, AI - vowel-heavy words that bail you out of tough racks. Strategy in Action Imagine playing ZA across a t...

Scrabble may be about words, but it’s the players who make the game unforgettable. Here are some personalities you’ll definitely recognize around the board: 1️⃣ The Dictionary Flipper Always ready to challenge. They don’t care if the game pauses for five minutes if your word looks suspicious, they’re reaching for the word list. I have a scrabble friend Scudder Franklin who doesn't actually mind to observe the validity of a word, keep you on hold as long as it takes.  2️⃣ The Silent Strategist Scrabble players in this category barely speak, barely smile. They just rack up points quietly until boom! they drop a 100-point bingo out of nowhere. I know a Nigel Richards, a Timi Woko and a Wellington Jigereh kind of game play here. Wellington will even keep what he calls a "poker face" that will be extremely difficult for his opponent to read him. 3️⃣ The Trash-Talker Confidence level: 100. Skill level: debatable. Whether they’re winning or losing, their main weapon is banter. I...

The 20th World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC) currently underway in Malaysia is not only a showcase of young wordsmith talent, but also a reminder of how trusted tournament technology continues to power the Scrabble world. Aupair sample At the heart of this global event lies AuPair DOS, the classic pairing and results software that has managed international Scrabble tournaments for decades. Despite its vintage, AuPair remains a reliable backbone for ensuring that matches are fairly paired, results are swiftly processed, and standings are accurately generated. Why AuPair DOS Still Matters Efficiency : The program runs seamlessly on modern systems through emulators like vDos, ensuring organizers avoid technical hitches during live tournaments. Accuracy : From Swiss draws to spread calculations, AuPair handles the mathematics of Scrabble competition with speed and precision. Tradition : Many top-rated Scrabble events including world championships still rely on AuPair because of its pr...

Sapele will be the hub of Scrabble excitement this Sunday, 31st August 2025, as the city hosts a special Scrabble Retreat dedicated to uniting August celebrants. This isn’t just a social gathering, it is a full Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) rated retreat with competitive play and exciting rewards. Event Details Date: Sunday, 31st August 2025 Time: From 9:30 a.m. Venue: Sapele Scrabble Club, Delta State. Format: 10 Games (NSF Rated) CSW24 Grand Prize Band: ₦100,000 And a trophy 🏆  Celebrate with fellow August celebrants in a unique, community-driven retreat.  Network and bond with Scrabble enthusiasts across Delta and Benin. With 10 challenging games, a ₦100,000 prize band, and NSF rating points at stake, the event is set to attract players eager to celebrate, compete, and connect. 📌 Mark your calendar and be pa rt of this memorable Scrabble celebration!

Scrabble isn’t just a board game, it is a lifestyle. And if you have ever spent hours staring at a rack of random tiles or celebrated playing “QI” like you just solved world hunger, then this one’s for you. 1. The Joy of “QI” and “ZA” Non-Scrabble folks think you’re making up words. Scrabblers know these two-letter bombs are pure gold. Bonus points if you smugly explain, “It’s in the dictionary.” 2. That Awkward Tile Dance The constant shuffle, shuffle, shuffle of tiles in your rack—like somehow rearranging them 50 times will magically reveal a bingo. Spoiler: it sometimes works. 3. Fake Words That Sound Real You confidently slap down “JARTEX” like it’s a medical breakthrough 😀only to get challenged and lose your turn. Brutal move. 4. The ‘S’ Is Sacred That moment when you hold onto your precious S tile for 10 rounds, guarding it like treasure. And when you finally pluralize a 30-point word? Legendary. 5. The Post-Game Dictionary Dive After every heated game, you’ll find Scrabblers fl...

In Scrabble, the shortest words can bring the biggest scores. Two-letter words are not just fillers, they open up premium squares, hook longer words, and can completely change the flow of a game. Every serious player needs to master them. The List AA - rough lava AB - abdominal muscle AD - advertisement AE - one (Scottish) AG - agriculture (informal) AH - expression of surprise AI - a type of sloth AL - a type of East Indian tree AM - present tense of “be” AN - an article AR - the letter R AS - to the same degree AT - location word AW - expression of sympathy or disappointment AX - tool for chopping AY - yes (archaic/poetic) BA - eternal soul (Egyptian belief) BE - to exist BI - bisexual / prefix meaning two BO - slang for friend 🔑 Why They Matter 1. High points in tight spots - e.g., playing QI or ZA for double-digit scores. 2. Hooks for longer words - e.g., turning AX into TAX or MAX. 3. Board control - 2-letter plays can block an opponent’s premium spot. ✅ Final Tip Memorize these ...

Join us today, Thursday, 14 August 2025, at 10 AM, for the eagerly anticipated Ayalla Hotels Customers Scrabble Competition in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Guests and Scrabble enthusiasts are gathering to showcase their wordplay skills and enjoy a spirited morning of friendly competition . Ayalla Hotels, Yenagoa. Event Highlights Overview: A vibrant Customer Day event featuring multiple rounds of Scrabble, structured and tracked by the tsh tournament management software. Live Coverage : The event includes real-time rosters, pairings, ratings, scores, and standings, all accessible via the system's digital interface . Pool House Scrabble Club players Participants: POOL HOUSE SCRABBLE  members in Ayalla Hotels Ltd. Why It Matters This Scrabble competition exemplifies Ayalla Hotels’ dedication to guest engagement and creating memorable experiences for customers where they enjoy a unique, intellectually stimulating activity. There are other number of games featured like SNOOKER, CHESS, DRAFT...