Joel Sherman [#68] at USSO 2006

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On this page, you will find information about Joel Sherman, who is a contestant at the 2006 U.S. SCRABBLE® Open. This page was updated at least hourly between 09:00 A.M. and midnight local time. Sherman currently has a record of 14.5-13.5, +445, and is ranked #32 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

[player photo]

Given name(s): Joel
Surname(s): Sherman
Home: Bronx, NY, United States
Awards: 1997 World, 2002 National Scrabble Champion, featured character in Fatsis' "Word Freak" and Chaikin's "Word Wars"
Hobbies: piano, singing, movies
Occupation: Scrabble player
NSC 1989 Division: 1
NSC 1989 Rank: 65/149, 14-12 +160
NSC 1990 Division: 1
NSC 1990 Rank: 67/176, 14-13 +494
NSC 1992 Division: 1
NSC 1992 Rank: 34/176, 16-11 +266
NSC 1994 Division: 1
NSC 1994 Rank: 12/134, 16-10 +728
NSC 1996 Division: 1
NSC 1996 Rank: 29/108, 15-12 +750
NSC 1998 Division: 1
NSC 1998 Rank: 11/126, 19-12 +898
NSC 2000 Division: 1
NSC 2000 Rank: 14/98, 19-12 +722
NSC 2002 Division: 1
NSC 2002 Rank: 1/132, 25-6 +2020
NSC 2004 Division: 1
NSC 2004 Rank: 81/172, 15-15 +258
NSC 2005 Division: 1
NSC 2005 Rank: 26/87, 15.5-12.5 +780
WSC 1993 Rank: 10
WSC 1995 Rank: 2
WSC 1997 Rank: 1
WSC 1999 Rank: 15
WSC 2001 Rank: 51

Career History

7-year record against other players at this event	278-226 (0.552)
Past 1-12 months	50-39 (0.562)	WWWW LLLL WW L WW LLL WWW L W LL W L WWWWW L W LL WW L WWWW L W L WWW LLL W LLL WWW LLL WW LL WWWWW LLL W L W L WW LLL WWWW LL WW
Past 13-24 months	56.5-53.5 (0.514)	W LL WW LLL W L W LL WW L WW LL WWWW L W L W LLLLLL WWWWW LL W LLL W LL WWWW L WWWW L WWW L WW LL WWW LL W L WW LLLLL W L W L WW L W L W LL W L WWW L W L W LL W LLTW L W
Past 25-36 months	41-30 (0.577)	WWW L W L W LL WW LL WW L W L W L WWW L WW L WW L W L WWWWWW LLL WW L W L WWWWW LL W LLL WW LLL W L W LL WW L W
Past 37-48 months	40.5-35.5 (0.533)	L W L W L W LL WWTWWWWW L W L WWWW L WWWWW L W L W LLL WWWW L W LL W LLLLL WW LLL W LL WW LL WW LL WW LLL W LL WW
Past 49-60 months	54-29 (0.651)	L W L WWWWWW L WWWW L WW LL WWWW LL W LL W L WWWWW L WWWWW L W LL W LLL WW LLLL WWW L WW LL W L WWW LL WWWWWWWWWW L WW
Past 61-72 months	36-39 (0.480)	L W L WW L W L WW L W LLL W LL W L WW LLLL W LLL WW LL WW L W L W LLL W LLLLL WWWW L W LL WW L WW LL WWWWWWW LLL W
Past 73-84 months	no games

Rank Diagram

[rank diagram]
See legend

Round-by-Round
High score: 583 Average for: 410 Average against: 394
Round 1		Sherman played #76 Ben Withers (Houston, TX) and lost 412 to 424 (a spread of -12). The last time these two played was 2006-05 at: CHICAGOLAND, IL Sherman’s record vs. Withers in the 7 years leading up to this event: 1-4 (0.200). Past 1-12 months: LL. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: WL. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #46. Current record: 0-1, -12.
Round 2		Sherman played #39 Robert Linn (Potomac, MD) and lost 364 to 388 (a spread of -24). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: STAMFORD, CT Sherman’s record vs. Linn in the 7 years leading up to this event: 14-10 (0.583). Past 1-12 months: LWW. Past 13-24 months: WWLW. Past 25-36 months: WWWL. Past 37-48 months: WWLW. Past 49-60 months: WWWLL. Past 61-72 months: LLLL. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #59. Current record: 0-2, -36.
Round 3		Sherman played #56 Trip Payne (Boca Raton, FL) and won 512 to 311 (a spread of 201). The last time these two played was 2004-12 at: KISSIMMEE, FL Sherman’s record vs. Payne in the 7 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. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #38. Current record: 1-2, +165.
Round 4		Sherman played #8 Jean Carol (Cincinnati, OH) and won 583 to 393 (a spread of 190). The last time these two played was 2006-02 at: CHARLOTTE, NC Sherman’s record vs. Carol in the 7 years leading up to this event: 4-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: W. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: W. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #27. Current record: 2-2, +355.
Round 5		Sherman played #17 Robert Ellickson (New Haven, CT) and tied at 406. The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: STAMFORD, CT Sherman’s record vs. Ellickson in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-3 (0.500). Past 1-12 months: LL. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: W. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #39. Current record: 2.5-2.5, +355. Sherman is mentioned in this round’s commentary (1 hit).
Round 6		Sherman played #70 Panupol Sujjayakorn (Thailand) and lost 311 to 396 (a spread of -85). The last time these two played was 2005-08 at: 2005 NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP Sherman’s record vs. Sujjayakorn in the 7 years leading up to this event: 1-1 (0.500). 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: W. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #51. Current record: 2.5-3.5, +270. Sherman is mentioned in this round’s commentary (1 hit).
Round 7		Sherman played #10 Ira Cohen (Los Angeles, CA) and won 359 to 298 (a spread of 61). The last time these two played was 2006-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Sherman’s record vs. Cohen in the 7 years leading up to this event: 4-7 (0.364). Past 1-12 months: W. Past 13-24 months: WLL. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: LL. Past 49-60 months: W. Past 61-72 months: LLWL. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #40. Current record: 3.5-3.5, +331.
Round 8		Sherman played #65 Kenneth Rubin (New York, NY) and won 550 to 404 (a spread of 146). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: STAMFORD, CT Sherman’s record vs. Rubin in the 7 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: W. 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: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #29. Current record: 4.5-3.5, +477.
Round 9		Sherman played #58 Mark Pistolese (Pahoa, HI) and won 435 to 423 (a spread of 12). The last time these two played was 2005-08 at: 2005 NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP Sherman’s record vs. Pistolese in the 7 years leading up to this event: 2-3 (0.400). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: WLL. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: L. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #21. Current record: 5.5-3.5, +489.
Round 10		Sherman played #31 Jeffrey Kastner (Phoenix, AZ) and won 443 to 310 (a spread of 133). The last time these two played was 2002-10 at: GRAND CANYON, AZ Sherman’s record vs. Kastner in the 7 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. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #15. Current record: 6.5-3.5, +622.
Round 11		Sherman played #7 Brian Cappelletto (Chicago, IL) and won 435 to 348 (a spread of 87). The last time these two played was 2006-05 at: CHICAGOLAND, IL Sherman’s record vs. Cappelletto in the 7 years leading up to this event: 7-11 (0.389). Past 1-12 months: LLL. Past 13-24 months: WL. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: LLWL. Past 49-60 months: LWLLLW. Past 61-72 months: WW. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #10. Current record: 7.5-3.5, +709.
Round 12		Sherman played #6 Evan Berofsky (Thornhill ON) and won 532 to 432 (a spread of 100). The last time these two played was 2005-05 at: CAN - AM Sherman’s record vs. Berofsky in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-3 (0.500). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: LL. Past 25-36 months: WWW. Past 37-48 months: L. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #6. Current record: 8.5-3.5, +809.
Round 13		Sherman played #13 Robin Pollock Daniel (Toronto ON) and lost 355 to 408 (a spread of -53). The last time these two played was 2006-04 at: BOSTON AREA TOURNAMENT Sherman’s record vs. Daniel in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-9 (0.250). Past 1-12 months: L. Past 13-24 months: LLLL. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: WWWL. Past 49-60 months: LL. Past 61-72 months: L. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #13. Current record: 8.5-4.5, +756.
Round 14		Sherman played #2 Scott Appel (Trenton, NJ) and lost 340 to 446 (a spread of -106). The last time these two played was 2006-04 at: BOSTON AREA TOURNAMENT Sherman’s record vs. Appel in the 7 years leading up to this event: 8-3 (0.727). Past 1-12 months: W. Past 13-24 months: WLWWW. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: LWWW. Past 49-60 months: L. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #14. Current record: 8.5-5.5, +650.
Round 15		Sherman played #55 Iffy Onyeonwu (Austin, TX) and lost 358 to 378 (a spread of -20). The last time these two played was 2001-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Sherman’s record vs. Onyeonwu in the 7 years leading up to this event: 0-1 (0.000). 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: L. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #25. Current record: 8.5-6.5, +630.
Round 16		Sherman played #52 John OLaughlin (Sun Prairie, WI) and lost 343 to 409 (a spread of -66). The last time these two played was 2006-05 at: CHICAGOLAND, IL Sherman’s record vs. O'Laughlin in the 7 years leading up to this event: 6-2 (0.750). Past 1-12 months: LWW. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: WW. Past 37-48 months: L. Past 49-60 months: W. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #32. Current record: 8.5-7.5, +564.
Round 17		Sherman played #41 Rod MacNeil (Wilmington, DE) and lost 415 to 475 (a spread of -60). The last time these two played was 2006-04 at: BOSTON AREA TOURNAMENT Sherman’s record vs. MacNeil in the 7 years leading up to this event: 7-2 (0.778). Past 1-12 months: LW. Past 13-24 months: WW. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: WLWWW. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #38. Current record: 8.5-8.5, +504.
Round 18		Sherman played #17 Robert Ellickson (New Haven, CT) again and lost 314 to 450 (a spread of -136). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: STAMFORD, CT Sherman’s record vs. Ellickson in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-3 (0.500). Past 1-12 months: LL. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: W. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #45. Current record: 8.5-9.5, +368.
Round 19		Sherman played #30 Carol Kaplan (San Diego, CA) and won 393 to 383 (a spread of 10). The last time these two played was 2006-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Sherman’s record vs. Kaplan in the 7 years leading up to this event: 1.5-4.5 (0.250). Past 1-12 months: L. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: TL. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: LW. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #37. Current record: 9.5-9.5, +378.
Round 20		Sherman played #5 Mike Baron (Corrales, NM) and lost 407 to 488 (a spread of -81). The last time these two played was 2004-08 at: NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Sherman’s record vs. Baron in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-2 (0.600). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: WW. Past 37-48 months: L. Past 49-60 months: W. Past 61-72 months: L. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #46. Current record: 9.5-10.5, +297.
Round 21		Sherman played #33 Mark Kenas (Madison, WI) and lost 311 to 441 (a spread of -130). The last time these two played was 2006-05 at: CHICAGOLAND, IL Sherman’s record vs. Kenas in the 7 years leading up to this event: 8-3 (0.727). Past 1-12 months: WWWWW. Past 13-24 months: LL. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: L. Past 49-60 months: WW. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #52. Current record: 9.5-11.5, +167.
Round 22		Sherman played #66 Dean Saldanha (Richmond BC) and lost 328 to 409 (a spread of -81). The last time these two played was 2006-05 at: PORTLAND, OR Sherman’s record vs. Saldanha in the 7 years leading up to this event: 2-1 (0.667). Past 1-12 months: WL. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: W. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #59. Current record: 9.5-12.5, +86.
Round 23		Sherman played #78 Winter Zxqkj (Houston, TX) and won 549 to 342 (a spread of 207). The last time these two played was 2005-06 at: STAMFORD, CT Sherman’s record vs. Zxqkj in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: WW. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #50. Current record: 10.5-12.5, +293.
Round 24		Sherman played #43 Dominick Mancine (Louisville, CO) and won 420 to 345 (a spread of 75). The last time these two played was 2004-11 at: LAS VEGAS, NV Sherman’s record vs. Mancine in the 7 years leading up to this event: 2-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #45. Current record: 11.5-12.5, +368.
Round 25		Sherman played #65 Kenneth Rubin (New York, NY) again and lost 379 to 417 (a spread of -38). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: STAMFORD, CT Sherman’s record vs. Rubin in the 7 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: W. 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: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #51. Current record: 11.5-13.5, +330. Sherman is mentioned in this round’s commentary (1 hit).
Round 26		Sherman played #28 Ron Hoekstra (Kentwood, MI) and won 424 to 355 (a spread of 69). The last time these two played was 2006-05 at: CHICAGOLAND, IL Sherman’s record vs. Hoekstra in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-4 (0.429). Past 1-12 months: W. Past 13-24 months: LW. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: L. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: WL. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #44. Current record: 12.5-13.5, +399.
Round 27		Sherman played #59 Amnuay Ploysangngam (Thailand) and won 382 to 351 (a spread of 31). The last time these two played was 2005-08 at: 2005 NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP Sherman’s record vs. Ploysangngam in the 7 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. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #37. Current record: 13.5-13.5, +430.
Round 28		Sherman played #43 Dominick Mancine (Louisville, CO) again and won 422 to 407 (a spread of 15). The last time these two played was 2004-11 at: LAS VEGAS, NV Sherman’s record vs. Mancine in the 7 years leading up to this event: 2-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #32. Current record: 14.5-13.5, +445.
Final Round 1		Sherman is mentioned in this round’s commentary (1 hit). Sherman is mentioned in this round’s photo captions (4 hits).
Final Round 2		Sherman is mentioned in this round’s photo captions (4 hits).
Final Round 3		Sherman is mentioned in this round’s photo captions (4 hits).

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