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CNSC 2008 Commentary: Round 4

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Go to: Before the Tournament, Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 14, Round 15, Round 16, Round 17, Round 18, Award Ceremony, Final Round 1, Final Round 2, Final Round 3, Final Round 4, Final Round 5, After the Tournament.


Round 4

A continental breakfast of muffins, croissants, fresh fruit, and coffee was served in the Austin Galley's mezzanine this morning. Players milled around and draped themselves over the assorted tables and chairs while they nibbled and visited all the while bathed in sunlight streaming in from the windows. Carl Madden (Brantford ON) was just on the edge of awake as he sorta spilled out of his chair onto the floor. I see his morning opponents with a distinct advantage over him!

Today is a gorgeous Spring day in Toronto! As has become his norm, John has been starting games a bit before the start times since the obedient players are here and ready to go early again this morning. As has become his norm, Trevor Sealy, forgot to put out the challenge laptops, and we only discovered this several minutes into the round when about eight challenges seemed to come in at once. Half asleep himself, John Chew took each challenge on his laptop. The funny thing about this was, instead of turning his laptop out toward the room, he ran around the 18 feet of table to take each challenge and then ran the answer back to the table from which he took it. He did about a quarter mile's worth of running back and forth before all the challenges were taken. During this time, the ever industrious Mad Palazzo was setting up Trevor's laptops. I see three working adjucation stations now, so I think John's days of being he long distance runner are over.

Hasbro Canada was uanble to hang the new SCRABBLE banners they'd made yesterday because they arrived during game play. So, early this morning they hung them up at either end of the Austin Gallery. A banner is a banner, but these ones are a bit different as they feature the new SCRABBLE logo. New font, new look. Check it out in the photo section of this round!

Lloyd Mills (Georgetown ON) played Shaun Goatcher (Mississauga ON) this round, and won, 475-276. I see DESTAINs, PORTALs, RENTING, CoUVADES, and VETOING on their board. And the fun vowel dump ANURIA.

About the only good news for Dean Saldanha (Richmond BC) in has game against Robin Pollock Daniel (Toronto ON) this round is that he was able to play the natural NATURALS. She won, 584-354. She admits an early challenge by Dean of her PULICIDE pretty much was the turning point.

Adam Logan (Waterloo ON) vs. Steve Ozorio (Mississauga ON). Adam played TRIAgES and SANDABLE (I like this one!) and Steve played CAREENED and CANOEiST. It was Adam's win, 458-351. Toward the end of their matchup, I watched Adam playing upside down. This isn't his normal style, but I think the Hasbro-provided boards are so reluctant to hold the tiles in place, that it is just easier to play upside down and not risk turning the board and having the tiles slide off onto the carpteting.

Jason Krueger (Calgary AB) is a card. A funny, funny guy. He's sporting a Fu Manchu beard and when he talks, he has this sparkle in his eye. He lets me know that he just beat up on his friend Randall Thomas (Calgary AB). Jason explains that he played the word LEU, holding the last D of the game. After "worming" his way into the lead, Randall tried to put down CRWTHS/LEUS*, which Jason challenged off. Knowing he had only a 3/6 chance (or is that just plain ol' 50/50?), to pull an S, R, or an H out of the bag, he lucked out and was able to get down SIGhTED/LEUD for 75 to win, 395-341. He said, "I was sorry to do it to my buddy, but..."