Michael Baker [#6] at 2005 National SCRABBLE® Championship

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On this page, you will find information about Michael Baker, who is a contestant in Division 1 at the 2005 National SCRABBLE® Championship, held August 20th – 24th in Reno, NV. This page is updated at least hourly between 09:00 A.M. and midnight PDT. Baker currently has a record of 13-15, -315, and is ranked #60 in Division 1.

Lower on this page, you can find brief self-reported biographical details of the player, statistics on the player’s past several years of rated tournament play in North America, a graphic showing the player’s ups and downs at this tournament, and a round-by-round report on the player’s opponents and games.

Background Information
	Given name(s): Michael Surname(s): Baker Home: Portland, OR, United States Age: 45 Awards: Winner Phoenix 2004, Portland 2003, Las Vegas 1997, Div 2 NSC 1994. Hobbies: Pool, Poker Occupation: Engineering Technician

Career History

6-year record against other players at this event	169.5-231.5 (0.423)
Past 1-12 months	43.5-45.5 (0.489)	L W LLLL W L WW LLL WWW L W LLL W L WWWWWW LLL WW LLLL WWWW L WW L WWWW LLL WWW LL W L W LLL W L W LL WW LLL WW LL WWWW LLTW LLL
Past 13-24 months	30.5-29.5 (0.508)	WWWW L W LLLLL WWW LL WWWWWWW L WW L W LL W LL W LLLL W LLL WW L W L W L W LLL W LLTWWW
Past 25-36 months	22.5-26.5 (0.459)	L W L W L W LLL W LL WW LTL W LLL WW LLL W LL WWWWWW LLLLL WW L W L W L WW
Past 37-48 months	20-46 (0.303)	L W L W LLL W LLLLLLL W LL W L W LLLLLL W L W L WW LLL W L W L W L W LLLL W LLL W LLLLLLLL W LL WWW
Past 49-60 months	27-37 (0.422)	LLLLLL W L W LL WWWW L W LL WWW LL W L W LLL W LL WWWW LLL W L WWWW LLL WW LLLL W LLL W LLL W
Past 61-72 months	26-47 (0.356)	LLL W L WW LLLLL W L W LLLL W L W LLL WWW LL W LLL WW LL WWWW L W LLLL W LL W LLL W LLLLLLLL W LLL WWWW L

Rank Diagram

[rank diagram]
See legend

Round-by-Round
High score: 508 Average for: 385 Average against: 396
Round 1		Baker played #75 Lester Schonbrun (Oakland, CA) and lost 389 to 481 (a spread of -92) . The last time these two played was 2005-01 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Schonbrun in the 6 years leading up to this event: 1-9 (0.100). Past 1-12 months: L. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: LLL. Past 37-48 months: WL. Past 49-60 months: LLL. Past 61-72 months: L. Current ranking: #73. Current record: 0-1, -92. Baker is mentioned in this round’s commentary (1 hit). Baker is mentioned in this round’s photo captions (1 hit).
Round 2		Baker played #3 Scott Appel (Trenton, NJ) and won 391 to 381 (a spread of 10) . The last time these two played was 2000-08 at: NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP Baker’s record vs. Appel in the 6 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: W. Current ranking: #57. Current record: 1-1, -82.
Round 3		Baker played #20 Joe Edley (Coram, NY) and lost 409 to 430 (a spread of -21) . The last time these two played was 2003-07 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Edley in the 6 years leading up to this event: 0-2 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: L. Current ranking: #65. Current record: 1-2, -103. Baker is mentioned in this round’s photo captions (1 hit).
Round 4		Baker played #56 Jim Nanavati (Burlington ON) and lost 242 to 470 (a spread of -228) . Before this event, Baker had not played Nanavati in at least 6 years. Current ranking: #77. Current record: 1-3, -331.
Round 5		Baker played #53 Nick Meyer (Berkeley, CA) and lost 270 to 397 (a spread of -127) . The last time these two played was 2004-07 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Meyer in the 6 years leading up to this event: 0-1 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Current ranking: #85. Current record: 1-4, -458.
Round 6		Baker played #62 Iffy Onyeonwu (Austin, TX) and won 373 to 359 (a spread of 14) . The last time these two played was 2004-08 at: NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Baker’s record vs. Onyeonwu in the 6 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Current ranking: #75. Current record: 2-4, -444.
Round 7		Baker played #74 Dean Saldanha (Richmond BC) and won 407 to 290 (a spread of 117) . The last time these two played was 2005-05 at: SEATTLE, WA Baker’s record vs. Saldanha in the 6 years leading up to this event: 6-8 (0.429). Past 1-12 months: LLW. Past 13-24 months: WL. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: LLWLWLLWW. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Current ranking: #64. Current record: 3-4, -327.
Round 8		Baker played #58 John OLaughlin (Hartland, WI) and won 450 to 349 (a spread of 101) . The last time these two played was 2002-03 at: GATLINBURG, TN Baker’s record vs. O'Laughlin in the 6 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Current ranking: #53. Current record: 4-4, -226.
Round 9		Baker played #23 Jeremy Frank (New York, NY) and won 385 to 325 (a spread of 60) . The last time these two played was 2000-08 at: NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP Baker’s record vs. Frank in the 6 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: W. Current ranking: #45. Current record: 5-4, -166.
Round 10		Baker played #71 Steve Polatnick (Miami, FL) and lost 339 to 353 (a spread of -14) . The last time these two played was 2004-07 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Polatnick in the 6 years leading up to this event: 0-4 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: LL. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: L. Current ranking: #51. Current record: 5-5, -180.
Round 11		Baker played #10 Evan Berofsky (Thornhill ON) and won 420 to 362 (a spread of 58) . The last time these two played was 2004-08 at: NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Baker’s record vs. Berofsky in the 6 years leading up to this event: 2-1 (0.667). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: WW. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Current ranking: #45. Current record: 6-5, -122.
Round 12		Baker played #57 Pakorn Nemitrmansuk (Thailand) and won 433 to 375 (a spread of 58) . Before this event, Baker had not played Nemitrmansuk in at least 6 years. Current ranking: #32. Current record: 7-5, -64. Baker is mentioned in this round’s photo captions (1 hit).
Round 13		Baker played #68 Mark Pistolese (Hilo, HI) and won 401 to 326 (a spread of 75) . Before this event, Baker had not played Pistolese in at least 6 years. Current ranking: #28. Current record: 8-5, +11.
Round 14		Baker played #89 Trey Wright (Van Nuys, CA) and lost 383 to 420 (a spread of -37) . The last time these two played was 2003-04 at: SANTA ANA, CA Baker’s record vs. Wright in the 6 years leading up to this event: 0-2 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: L. Current ranking: #30. Current record: 8-6, -26.
Round 15		Baker played #45 Chris Lennon (Lake Oswego, OR) and lost 393 to 433 (a spread of -40) . The last time these two played was 2005-07 at: ARCATA, CA Baker’s record vs. Lennon in the 6 years leading up to this event: 3.5-3.5 (0.500). Past 1-12 months: LLWT. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: WW. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Current ranking: #37. Current record: 8-7, -66. Baker is mentioned in this round’s commentary (1 hit). Baker is mentioned in this round’s photo captions (1 hit).
Round 16		Baker played #58 John OLaughlin (Hartland, WI) and won 508 to 302 (a spread of 206) . The last time these two played was 2002-03 at: GATLINBURG, TN Baker’s record vs. O'Laughlin in the 6 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Current ranking: #24. Current record: 9-7, +140.
Round 17		Baker played #31 Randy Hersom (Morganton, NC) and lost 393 to 442 (a spread of -49) . The last time these two played was 2005-04 at: PIGEON FORGE, TN Baker’s record vs. Hersom in the 6 years leading up to this event: 4-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: W. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: W. Past 61-72 months: W. Current ranking: #38. Current record: 9-8, +91.
Round 18		Baker played #50 Joey Mallick (Cape Elizabeth, ME) and lost 354 to 417 (a spread of -63) . The last time these two played was 2005-01 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Mallick in the 6 years leading up to this event: 3-6 (0.333). Past 1-12 months: L. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: LLW. Past 49-60 months: L. Past 61-72 months: WL. Current ranking: #48. Current record: 9-9, +28.
Round 19		Baker played #84 Joel Wapnick (Montréal QC) and won 394 to 392 (a spread of 2) . The last time these two played was 2004-08 at: NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Baker’s record vs. Wapnick in the 6 years leading up to this event: 1-1 (0.500). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: L. Past 61-72 months: no games. Current ranking: #41. Current record: 10-9, +30.
Round 20		Baker played #32 Marlon Hill (Baltimore, MD) and won 492 to 283 (a spread of 209) . The last time these two played was 2005-04 at: PIGEON FORGE, TN Baker’s record vs. Hill in the 6 years leading up to this event: 2-1 (0.667). Past 1-12 months: W. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: W. Current ranking: #33. Current record: 11-9, +239.
Round 21		Baker played #14 Ira Cohen (Los Angeles, CA) and lost 442 to 451 (a spread of -9) . The last time these two played was 2004-11 at: LAS VEGAS, NV Baker’s record vs. Cohen in the 6 years leading up to this event: 8-14 (0.364). Past 1-12 months: LWWLWW. Past 13-24 months: WW. Past 25-36 months: LL. Past 37-48 months: LLL. Past 49-60 months: LLL. Past 61-72 months: LWLLWL. Current ranking: #36. Current record: 11-10, +230. Baker is mentioned in this round’s commentary (1 hit).
Round 22		Baker played #36 Sam Kantimathi (El Dorado Hills, CA) and lost 305 to 465 (a spread of -160) . The last time these two played was 2005-01 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Kantimathi in the 6 years leading up to this event: 10-3 (0.769). Past 1-12 months: WWW. Past 13-24 months: WW. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: LL. Past 49-60 months: WWW. Past 61-72 months: LW. Current ranking: #43. Current record: 11-11, +70.
Round 23		Baker played #40 Mark Kenas (Madison, WI) and lost 309 to 385 (a spread of -76) . The last time these two played was 2005-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Baker’s record vs. Kenas in the 6 years leading up to this event: 2-1 (0.667). Past 1-12 months: WW. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Current ranking: #50. Current record: 11-12, -6.
Round 24		Baker played #38 Jason Katz-Brown (Cambridge, MA) and lost 327 to 539 (a spread of -212) . Before this event, Baker had not played Katz-Brown in at least 6 years. Current ranking: #61. Current record: 11-13, -218. Baker is mentioned in this round’s commentary (1 hit).
Round 25		Baker played #82 Geoff Thevenot (Austin, TX) and lost 338 to 408 (a spread of -70) . Before this event, Baker had not played Thevenot in at least 6 years. Current ranking: #64. Current record: 11-14, -288.
Round 26		Baker played #30 Albert Hahn (Calgary AB) and won 429 to 321 (a spread of 108) . The last time these two played was 2005-04 at: PIGEON FORGE, TN Baker’s record vs. Hahn in the 6 years leading up to this event: 8-7 (0.533). Past 1-12 months: LWWL. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: LWW. Past 61-72 months: LWWWLL. Current ranking: #56. Current record: 12-14, -180.
Round 27		Baker played #62 Iffy Onyeonwu (Austin, TX) and lost 372 to 520 (a spread of -148) . The last time these two played was 2004-08 at: NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Baker’s record vs. Onyeonwu in the 6 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Current ranking: #65. Current record: 12-15, -328.
Round 28		Baker played #88 Gail Wolford (Portland, OR) and won 423 to 410 (a spread of 13) . The last time these two played was 2005-05 at: SEATTLE, WA Baker’s record vs. Wolford in the 6 years leading up to this event: 7-10 (0.412). Past 1-12 months: LLLL. Past 13-24 months: WWWL. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: LWLLW. Past 49-60 months: L. Past 61-72 months: LW. Current ranking: #60. Current record: 13-15, -315.

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