Latest revision as of 10:53, 22 September 2023

Live Streaming 2023 SPC Details 2023 WESPAC Details

This webpage is subject to change and will be updated regularly as the plans are finalized.

Important Dates

• February 28, 2023 - End of free T-shirt with registration
• May 31, 2023 - End of regular registration (base entry fee increases $50)
• June 26, 2023 - End of Qualification Rating period for Scrabble Players Championship
• June 30, 2023 - Close of registration (no refunds granted after this date)
• July 7, 2023 - Room block closes - extension from June 30

Cutoffs effective 11:59pm Eastern time

Schedule at a Glance

This table provides a high-level summary of the key events that comprise the NASPA Double Down in Las Vegas. You can find further details on the SPC and WESPAC pages.

Registration

Online registration is open now.

Lists of SPC and WESPAC registrants are available on this website and on cross-tables.com.

The rest of this section describes the general terms and conditions of registration for both championships.

Entry Fees

The base entry fees for the championships are:

• $250 - SPC
• $300 - WESPAC

One- and two-day events, such as Early Birds, have a separate entry fee.

Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after July 15, 2023, pay 1/2 of the base entry fee for each championship.

The above fees will be increased by $50 after May 31, 2023. For example, a non-youth player signing up for the SPC on June 1, 2023, would pay $300, while a youth would pay $175.

Players accepted after the close of registration on June 30, 2023 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a non-youth player signing up for the SPC on July 5, 2023, would pay $375, while a youth would pay $250. Acceptance of registrants after June 30, 2023 is not guaranteed and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven.

Fees payable are computed based on when (Eastern Time) funds are received in full. If you are not paying right away online at the moment when you register, please be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach us.

Commuter / Facility Fee

Players not booked IN THE ROOM BLOCK at the host hotel for the duration of multiday events - the SPC Main Event, WESPAC Main Event, and the WESPAC Diamonds Challenge - must also pay a commuter / facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum per event).

• Players booked at the host hotel but outside of the room block will be subject to the commuter fee.
• The commuter fee does not apply to those local to the Las Vegas (metropolitan statistical) area.

Verification of status as a hotel guest will be performed at registration/check-in and throughout the event. Players staying at the host hotel for only part of a championship must pay the full commuter fee and may then apply for a refund of $20 per day stayed at the host hotel after the conclusion of the championship, by providing the Championship Committee with hotel confirmation number and dates of stay.

Registration Form Tips

• Before you click Review, make sure that all section headings are green.
• If any section headings are pink, you still need to answer 1 or more questions in that section. The answer spaces for those question will be red.
• Click the question mark next to a prompt for more information.
• If you will be staying in the event hotel but have not yet booked a reservation, enter UNKNOWN as your confirmation code.
• If you will not be attending both championships, choose Not attending event to the Can attend in-person check-in prompt for the championship that you will not be attending.
• For each championship that you will be attending, choose Not attending event if you do not plan to play that event - for example, you may not play the SPC Late Bird.
• For WESPAC, some events are mutually exclusive - for example:
  • You cannot register for both the Hearts Challenge and Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ). Both events are on Friday, July 21st.
  • If you register for the WESPAC Main Event, you cannot register for the LCQ and vice versa. If not yet qualified for WESPAC, you should register for the WESPAC challenges. If you then qualify via the LCQ, we will move your registration to the WESPAC Main Event.
• Once you click Review, you will see the option to pay now via credit card or to pay later. Your payment must be received by May 31st to avoid additional fees.
• If you need to change your registration, contact the Championship Committee. Do not register again.

Payment Options

You can pay at the time you register via credit card (Visa or MasterCard - US funds).

Paying After You Register

If you choose to pay later, the following options are available:

• Make an online payment to NASPA - Use our Miscellaneous Payment Tool to pay via credit card. We recommend that you notify the Championship Committee so that we can mark you as paid.
• Mail a check or money order (US funds) to NASPA at 48 Flamehill Road, Levittown, PA 19056
• Use Interac e-Transfer to pay in Canadian funds - Contact us for current exchange rates and recipient information.
• Transfer the funds via wire transfer - Contact the Championship Committee for instructions and recipient information.

Click here for more information about payment options.

Registration Changes

Registration changes are subject to the following conditions:

• Scrabble Players Championship
  • Division changes are subject to a $25 fee. Fee will be waived if request is sent within 24 hours of initial registration.
  • After registration closes on June 30, 2023, if your request would increase the number of players who may have byes (i.e., if you would make two divisions odd or would make a smaller division odd), you will be wait listed until this is not the case.
  • If your rating rises above the limit for the SPC division in which you registered, you will automatically be moved to the lowest division for which you qualify.
• WESPA Championship
  • If you register for the WESPA Championship but do not qualify, you will automatically be moved to the CSW division of the events being held in parallel with the WESPA Championship.
  • If you register for the WESPAC Challenge events but qualify for the WESPA Championship via the Last Chance Qualifier, you will automatically be moved to the WESPA Championship.
  • If you registered for the lower division of a WESPAC Challenge event and your rating rises above the limit for that division, you will automatically be moved to the higher division.

To modify your registration after you have registered, please email the organizing committee at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.

Refunds

If you paid your tournament fees by credit card, any credit owing to you will be issued to your card; otherwise, we will mail a check to you.

All refunds are subject to a cancellation fee of $25.

If you decide you need to cancel your registration, we will refund your entry fee (and commuter fee, if applicable), if you so request by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 30, 2023. No refunds will be issued after this date.

To cancel your registration after you have registered, please email the organizing committee at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.

Conditions

Rules, Code, and Terms/Conditions

By registering for the NASPA Double Down, you agree to abide by the tournament rules and NASPA Code of Conduct and and to comply with the NASPA Double Down in Las Vegas Terms and Conditions.

The Scrabble Players Championship will use the current NASPA Rules while the WESPA Championship and Challenges (Collins) will use the current WESPA Rules. WESPAC Challenges (NWL) will use the NASPA Rules.

In particular, games at this tournament - probably the highest Division 1 board without a Gibsonized player - will be annotated and/or streamed live. If you refuse to play a designated game with annotation or streaming, you will forfeit it and may at the director’s discretion be assigned a spread penalty of −200 points.

Minor Release

A signed Minor Release and Consent Form is required for all players under age 18 as of July 14, 2023. The form may be downloaded and submitted in advance or executed by a parent or guardian at registration.

Equipment Required

Participants in the NASPA Double Down in Las Vegas are responsible for bringing all equipment necessary to play in the tournament. If neither player in a game has equipment available for their game, a double forfeit may be imposed.

COVID-19 Precautions

The United States has announced it will end its national public health emergency as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic on May 11. As a result, there will be no vaccine or mask requirement at the NASPA Double Down this summer.

Please make your own health decisions, take the precautions you deem necessary, and respect the choices of others when they do not align with your own.

International players arriving by plane will also not need to show proof of vaccination to board flights destined to the United States as of May 12.

Changes

The Championship Committee reserves the right to modify the above to account for unforeseen special circumstances.

Hotel/Travel Information

Hotel Registration

The official event hotel is the Westgate Las Vegas Resorts & Casino (3000 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109).

Tournament entrants are eligible for our group rate (plus applicable taxes and fees) for King or Double accommodations:

• The room rate for single or double occupancy is:
  • $99/night for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights
  • $119/night for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights
• Additional guests (over 2 per room) incur an additional fee of $35 per person per night. Minors (under age of 18) staying with their parents are not subject to this fee.
• Standard guest rooms have a maximum of 4 guests per room.
• A $30 Resort Fee (reduced from $45) will be added to the room rate per room per night. The Resort Fee includes WiFi access for up to 3 devices, Cardio Room access for up to 2 adults, use of the in-room safe, and local and toll-free domestic (800) calls.
• Taxes (currently 13.38%) will be added to the room rate and Resort Fee.

The group rate is applicable for 3 days before and after the event - based on availability - July 10 through July 30, 2023.

You can book rooms:

• Online at this link.
• By phone at 1-800-635-7711 between the hours of 8:00 am and 11:00 pm (Eastern). Mention the Group Name (Scrabble Players Championship & World Scrabble Championship) and Code (SSPC3R).

Hotel bookings at our group rate are subject to availability within our group rate block of rooms and must be booked on or before July 7, 2023. The hotel agreed to extend the block availability from the original end date of June 30, 2023. After that date, rooms may be available at the hotel's prevailing room rates.

The hotel check-in time is 3:00 pm - guests arriving early will be accommodated as rooms become available. Hotel checkout time is 11:00 am.

As noted above, players not booked IN THE ROOM BLOCK at the host hotel for the duration for the duration of multiday events - the SPC Main Event, WESPAC Main Event, and the WESPAC Diamonds Challenge - must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum per event).

Hotel and Event Parking

Self parking is free at the Westgate Resort.

Exploring Las Vegas

Las Vegas has something for everyone. Although it is famous for being one of the most exciting nightlife destinations, Las Vegas is also full of options for people of all ages. From amazing museums, shows, and interactive activities to world-renowned restaurants and hotels, Vegas has it all.

• Family Friendly Vegas Insider Guide
• Free Attractions Vegas Insider Guide
• Sports Town Vegas Insider Guide
• Top Attractions Vegas Insider Guide

Read more about what Las Vegas has to offer here.

The Westgate Resort is located just off the Las Vegas Strip and includes an onsite Monorail station for easy access to nearby shows, casinos, and attractions.

Barry Manilow will be in residence at the Westgate Resort during the NASPA Double Down - July 13 to 15 and July 20 to 22. Find out more and buy tickets here.

Scrabble Civilians, Unite!

Believe it or not - not everyone coming to the NASPA Double Down will be playing Scrabble all day!

We invite the spouses, friends, and family of players to meet up in the Ballroom Foyer each morning at 10 AM and seek adventure together - hopping the Monorail to visit the other hotels, grabbing lunch, exploring the many attractions, lounging by the pool, or even going to the Grand Canyon.

Las Vegas Monorail

The Las Vegas Monorail provides a quick and reliable transportation alternative for leisure and business travelers on the Las Vegas Strip. Directly connected to several Strip resort hotels as well as the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Monorail is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to get from one end of the Strip to the other in just minutes. Trains arrive every few minutes at seven stations:

• MGM Grand Station
• Horseshoe/Paris Las Vegas Station
• Flamingo/Caesars Palace Station
• Harrah’s/TheLINQ Station
• Boingo Station at Las Vegas Convention Center Station
• Westgate Las Vegas Station
• SAHARA Las Vegas Station

The system is open 7 a.m. to Midnight Monday, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday through Sunday. 

Take Advantage of Monorail Discounts for the NASPA Double Down!

Make sure to purchase your discounted tickets at https://tix.lvmonorail.com/NASPA23 – for the best rates available. Paper tickets purchased at ticket vending machines and customer service desks on Monorail stations are full price.

Skip the line and scan your phone right at the gate. Use the Monorail to travel the Strip without the hassles of traffic and wasted time. In minutes, Monorail riders can travel the Las Vegas Strip in a safe, clean, and climate-controlled environment.

Airport Information

Las Vegas, NV, is served by the Harry Reid International Airport. As of June 2022, the airport has more than 1050 inbound and outbound flights per day and direct service to nearly 150 US and international cities.

The airport is located 3.5 miles from the Westgate Resort - with numerous taxi and shuttle services that are easy to pre-book or catch right outside the terminal.

Lyft and Uber service is also available at the airport - with a typical ride cost of $15 to $20.

Traveling From Outside the United States

Players traveling to the NASPA Double Down from outside the United States may require a visitor visa to enter the United States.

It is your responsibility to determine if you need a visitor visa or other documentation. Contact the Championship Committee if you need an invitation letter to support your application process.

Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries can list the NASPA Double Down director, Art Moore (P.O. Box 1217, Ocoee, FL 34761), as the US Point of Contact on the ESTA application.

Note that as of May 12, 2023, international players arriving by plane will not need to show proof of vaccination to board flights destined to the United States.

Roommate Wanted

If you need a roommate and would like a listing here, please complete the 2023 NASPA Double Down Roommate Request Form.

Tijan (TJ) Jeng is seeking a male roommate to share a room at the Westgate from 7/14 to 7/18. You can reach TJ by email (papelie234@gmail.com) or by phone (443-562-3890).

Charlene White is seeking a female roommate to share a room at the Westgate from 7/14 to 7/19. Charlene has a double room reserved. You can reach Charlene by phone (917-349-7599) or email (cwhite@dot.nyc.gov).

IMPORTANT: When you get your roommate, please contact the committee so we can remove your listing.

Ride Wanted

If you need a ride/rider to or from the tournament, and would like a listing here, please complete the NASPA Double Down Ride Request Form.

IMPORTANT: When you get your ride/rider, please contact the committee so we can remove your request.

Sponsors

• Mark My Words
• Scopely Scrabble GO

For information about sponsorship opportunities at the championship, please contact the Championship Committee.

Donors

Thanks to WESPA for its donation to the WESPA Championship.

If you are interested in donating prizes to events at the NASPA Double Down or otherwise supporting the championship, please email us at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.

Vendors

If you have a product to sell to Scrabble players, this is the place to do it. Hundreds of the most avid fans of the game will be in one place with money ready to spend at your table.

To become a vendor, print out, date and sign two (2) copies of the NASPA 2023 Vendor Agreement and send both executed copies to Art Moore via email or postal mail (P.O. Box 1217, Ocoee, FL 34761) along with the required payment if you want more than a half table of exhibit space.

If you have questions about becoming a vendor, please contact the Championship Committee.

Staff

Director

Art Moore

Assistant to the Director

Diane Moore

Webmaster

John Chew

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to assist with set up, registration, and tear down. Volunteers receive a free event T-shirt. Sign up here.

Further Information

This page will be updated as the event draws nearer. If you have urgent questions about the event, please email the Championship Committee.