2022 Scrabble Players Championship

The 2022 Scrabble Players Championship (SPC) will take place on July 23-27, 2022, at the Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards at 110 S Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD 21201.

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

SPC Satellite Events

A complimentary 2022 SPC registration will be awarded to one player for every 50 players participating in an SPC Satellite Event.

An SPC Satellite Event must have at least 14 rounds over multiple days and at least 50 players across all divisions in the specific event.

Full details about the program can be found here.

Important Dates

• February 28, 2022 - End of free T-shirt with registration
• May 31, 2022 - End of regular registration (base entry fee increases $50)
• June 30, 2022 - Room block closes
• July 7, 2022 - End of Qualification Rating period
• July 10, 2022 - Close of registration (no refunds granted after this date)

Cutoffs effective 11:59pm EDT

Registration

Online registration is open now.

Players who rolled over their 2021 NASC registration are already registered for the 2022 SPC.

A list of registered players is available on this website and on cross-tables.com.

The rest of this section describes in detail the various terms and conditions of registration, most of which are also discussed on the registration form.

Attendance Cap

Attendance is limited to the first 360 PAID entrants. Should registration reach this cap, a Wait List will be maintained. Those on the Wait List will be contacted as vacancies open and will be given a limited opportunity to claim entry or it will be offered to the next on the list.

The rest of this section describes in detail the various terms and conditions of registration, most of which are also discussed on the registration form.

Eligibility

To play in the SPC, you must (1) be a NASPA member, and (2) have played in an officially sanctioned Scrabble tournament to earn an official tournament rating. If you live in the United States or Canada, that rating should be a NASPA rating; if you live elsewhere, it may be a WESPA rating or other comparable national rating.

Qualification Rating

Placement into respective divisions is determined by your Qualification Rating (QR).

Your QR consists of the highest rating attained at the end of any NASPA NWL or Collins (CSW) rated tournament (or segment of a split-rated tournament) that finished during the period from June 1, 2021 to July 7, 2022 (the resumption of play post moratorium to the originally announced close of registration).

If you have a rating, but do not play during this period, your QR is the higher of your unchanged current NWL or CSW rating.

For players who have ratings in both lexica, the higher peak or current rating will be used. For example, a player whose computed QR is 1810 in CSW and 1600 in NWL will use 1810 as her QR for division placement in either CSW or NWL.

NWL Divisions

If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to play using the NASPA Word List 2020 (NWL), you may do so. Four NWL divisions will be offered, divided by QR, with unlimited play-up available.

• If your QR is 1800 or higher, or if you do not have a NASPA rating, you must play in Division 1.
• If your QR is in the range 1450–1799, you must play in Division 1 or 2.
• If your QR is in the range 1150–1449, you must play in Division 1, 2 or 3.
• If your QR is below 1150, you may play in any of the four divisions.

Collins Divisions

If you meet the eligibility criteria and prefer to play using the international Collins (CSW) lexicon, you may do so.

• If your QR is 1500 or higher, you must play in Division 1.
• If it is 1499 or below, you may play in Division 1 or 2.
• Players who only have a WESPA rating will be permitted to play in Division 1 or 2 if that rating is 1399 or below.

If there are fewer than 20 players registered in either division as of June 23, 2022, the divisions will be automatically combined into a single division. Players wishing to switch to NWL after divisions are combined will be allowed to do so at no charge. There will be one Collins division this year.

The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will be both NASPA and WESPA rated.

If you are thinking about traveling from overseas to play in this event for the first time, please read our 2022 SPC for Overseas Visitors page.

Review of Division Assignments

Player division assignments will be reviewed after July 7, 2022 to ensure that everyone is registered in the correct division. If the division in which you registered is not one in which your QR permits you to play, we will automatically move you up to the lowest permissible division.

Entry Fees

The base entry fee for all divisions is $200.

Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after July 23, 2022, may pay $100 to play in any division.

The above fees will be increased by $50 after May 31, 2022. For example, a non-youth player signing up on June 1, 2022, would pay $250, while a youth would pay $150.

Players accepted after the close of registration on July 10, 2022 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a non-youth player signing up on July 18, 2022, would pay $325, while a youth would pay $225. Acceptance of registrants after July 10, 2022 is not guaranteed and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven.

Players not booked IN THE ROOM BLOCK at the host hotel for the duration of the event must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum).

• 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 Baltimore (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 the event must pay the full commuter fee and may then apply for a refund of $20 per day stayed at the host hotel (to a maximum of $100) after the conclusion of the event, by providing the Championship Committee with hotel confirmation number and dates of stay.

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.

Division Changes

Division changes are subject to the following conditions:

• Division changes are subject to a $25 fee after April 30, 2022.

• Fee will be waived if request is sent within 24 hours of initial registration.

• After registration closes on July 10, 2022, if your division change 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 division in which you registered, you will automatically be moved to the lowest division for which you qualify.

To change divisions 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 your membership address as shown in your member profile.

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 July 10, 2022. No refunds will be issued after this date.

Changes to Rolled Over Registrations

If you rolled over your registration from 2020, you should have received an email with a reminder of your registration details. Contact us via email if you need to modify your registration - any change fees will be waived through the end of February.

Conditions

Rules, Code and Terms/Conditions

By registering for the SPC, you agree to abide by the NASPA Tournament Rules and Code of Conduct, and agree to comply with the 2022 Scrabble Players Championship Terms and Conditions.

In particular, some games at this tournament, probably the highest Division 1 board without a Gibsonized player, will be annotated live. If you refuse to play a designated game with annotation, 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 will be required for all players under age 18 as of July 23, 2022, and may be downloaded and submitted in advance, or executed by a parent or guardian at registration.

Equipment Required

Participants in the 2022 Scrabble Players Championship 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

In accordance with current CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommendations, the following precautions against COVID-19 will be in effect at the Scrabble Players Championship:

• All participants must be fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC – that is, they have completed a government-authorized course of vaccination against COVID-19 and waited the recommended duration for it to take full effect. We recommend, but do not require, that participants are up-to-date with vaccinations – that is, have received all recommended boosters. Participants will need to provide proof of vaccination at registration.

• Masks will be required in the playing room and common areas during play and at the prize ceremony and finals viewing.

• Masks will be optional at social events, such as the Welcome Dinner, Trivia Contest, and the Evening Musicale. We encourage participants to assess their own personal level of risk and wear a mask if desired.

• Any participants showing symptoms may be asked to leave.

We will continue to evaluate the situation and may adjust the policy as conditions warrant.

Changes

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

Format

Players will be paired using tsh, with Gibsonization.

The winners of the top divisions in both NWL and CSW lexicons shall be determined as follows:

• After Round 28, the top two players (as determined by record and spread) will enter a best of five playoff to determine champion and runner-up.

• Finals Round 1 and 2 will take place while all other player complete Rounds 29 through 31 to determine their final standing.

• Finals Round 3 (and Rounds 4-5 if needed) will be streamed at the conclusion of the Prize Ceremony for non-finalists.

Hotel/Travel Information

Hotel Registration

The official event hotel is the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards (110 S Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD 21201).

Tournament entrants are eligible for our group rate of $139 per night (plus applicable taxes) for King or Double accommodations.

The room block closed June 30, 2022.

Hotel Block Full

Our hotel room block at the Marriott Inner Harbor is full - as is the hotel for most nights of the event.

We are working with the hotel to find rooms for participants who need them. Here's how you can help:

• If you have a hotel reservation that you do not plan to use, please contact the Championship Committee rather than cancel it yourself. Otherwise, the room will be returned to general inventory, and we will not be able to assign it to one of our players.
• If you are planning to stay fewer nights, please contact the Championship Committee rather than request the change yourself. Otherwise, the room nights will be returned to general inventory, and we will not be able to assign them to one of our players.
• If you have a reserved room that you are willing to share, fill out the SPC Roommate Request Form below.
• If you do not have a room reserved, check out who is offering to share a room below. Fill out the SPC Roommate Request Form to let people know that you are looking for a room.
• If you cannot find a room to share, contact the Championship Committee with the dates you need and your requirements. We will put you on a waiting list and let you know if a room becomes available.

Hotel and Event Parking

Self parking onsite is $25 per day for attendees staying at the hotel.

Attendees who drive to the venue but intend to explore the city by foot may opt to park at BWI for $8/day and utilize Light Rail to reach the hotel.

Sightseeing

Baltimore has much to offer those visiting the area, including the Inner Harbor, Power Plant Live!, Oriole Park at Camden Yards (home of the Baltimore Orioles) and the historic Mt. Vernon area. The Visit Baltimore website showcases the varied options in the area.

• Must-Do Baltimore Experiences for First-Time Visitors
• Baltimore Orioles Tickets

Roommate Wanted

If you need a roommate and would like a listing here, please complete the SPC Roommate Request Form.

Susan Bertoni is seeking a female roommate (nonsmoking) to share a room at the Marriott Inner Harbor from 7/22 to 7/28. Susan has a double room (with complimentary Internet access) reserved. You can reach Susan by email (sbertoni@triad.rr.com) or phone (336-705-9250).

James Flomo is seeking a male roommate (nonsmoking) to share a room at the Marriott Inner Harbor (or another hotel) from 7/23 to 7/27. You can reach James by email (jflomo29@gmail.com) or phone (301-404-2893).

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 SPC Ride Request Form.

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

Airport Transport Information

Baltimore, MD is served by the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). For complete airport information, please visit bwiairport.com.

Airport Transfer

Light Rail service from BWI to the event hotel is available for $2.00 per person. Rail tickets can be purchased near the exit of baggage claim. Take the rail north to the Camden Station stop - about a 30 minute ride. Exit the rail and head north on S. Eutaw Street to the hotel - about a 7 minute walk on mostly flat terrain.

Uber average is $25.

Check-In

To play in the first round on Saturday morning, you must check in between 12:00 noon. and 7:00 P.M. on Friday, July 22, 2022, at the SPC registration desk in the Foyer located outside of the Grand Ballroom.

You may ask a friend to check in for you by proxy if you cannot check in in person.

• If possible, please email us at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org to notify us in advance of proxy arrangements.
• If you check in by proxy, but do not show up to play, then neither you nor your proxy will be permitted to check in by proxy at future events.

If you do not check in before the desk closes at 7:00 P.M., you may join the championship in progress as soon as it is convenient for the pairings staff to add you back in; this may not take place before Sunday morning.

No refund will be issued to latecomers.

When you check in, you will be given an announcement sheet. This is to reduce the number of announcements that have to be made on Saturday morning, so that the event can get underway quickly. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the announcements and tournament schedule.

Schedule

This schedule for the 2022 Scrabble Players Championship may be modified to add new events or possibly to change room locations. Also, until about a month before the event, it should be considered an early draft, with only the times for registration and the main event to be set in stone. Once the event begins, please check the schedule for changes at the beginning of each day.

Friday, July 22, 2022

10:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.

After hours room open (Harbor 1-2)

12:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.

Registration (Foyer)

12:00 P.M.–4:00 P.M.

Early bird tournament (University Ballroom)

4:30 P.M.–5:30 P.M.

Committee meeting for Division Leaders, Division Assistants, Auxiliary Staff (Promenade)

7:00 P.M.–10:00 P.M.

Welcome Dinner, presentation of annual achievement awards (Stadium Ballroom) and guest speaker Peter Sokolowski

Saturday, July 23, 2022

8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.

Set up for play (Grand & University Ballroom)

8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.

Group Photos - School Scrabble/Youth Players (Grand & University Ballroom)

8:55 A.M.–9:10 A.M.

Announcements (Grand & University Ballroom)

9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.

Rounds 1–4 (Grand & University Ballroom)

1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.

Committee lunch meetings (Chesapeake)

2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.

Set up for play (Grand & University Ballroom)

2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.

Announcements (Grand & University Ballroom)

3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.

Rounds 5–7 (Grand & University Ballroom)

9:00 A.M.–11:30 P.M.

After hours room open (Harbor 1-2)

8:00 P.M.–11:00 P.M.

Trivia Contest hosted by Frank Tangredi (Promenade)

8:00 P.M.–10:00 P.M.

Hannah Lieberman performs standup comedy at Saturday Night Showcase: A Comedy Variety Show: tickets and info

Sunday, July 24, 2022

SWAG SUNDAY! Wear your Scrabble Championship or Scrabble-related swag!

8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.

Set up for play (Grand & University Ballroom)

8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.

Group Photos - Past Champions/Division Winners (Grand Ballroom)

8:55 A.M.–9:05 A.M.

Announcements (Grand & University Ballroom)

9:05 A.M.–1:15 P.M.

Rounds 8–11 (Grand & University Ballroom)

1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.

Committee lunch meetings (Chesapeake)

2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.

Set up for play (Grand & University Ballroom)

2:55 P.M.–3:00 P.M.

Announcements (Grand & University Ballroom)

3:00 P.M.–6:15 P.M.

Rounds 12–14 (Grand & University Ballroom)

7:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M.

After hours room open (Harbor 1-2)

8:30 P.M.–11:30 P.M.

Evening Musicale hosted by Josh Sokol (Promenade)

Monday, July 25, 2022

8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.

Set up for play (Grand & University Ballroom)

8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.

Group Photo - NASC Staff (Grand Ballroom)

8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.

Group Photo - Maryland/D.C. residents and natives (Grand Ballroom)

9:00 A.M.–9:10 A.M.

Announcements (Grand & University Ballroom)

9:10 A.M.–1:15 P.M.

Rounds 15–18 (Grand & University Ballroom)

1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.

Committee lunch meetings (Chesapeake)

2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.

Set up for play (Grand & University Ballroom)

2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.

Announcements (Grand & University Ballroom)

3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.

Rounds 19–21 (Grand & University Ballroom)

7:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M.

After hours room open (Harbor 1-2) - Board Games Night

8:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.

Town Hall meeting (Promenade)

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

8:30 A.M.–8:50 A.M.

Set up for play (Grand & University Ballroom)

8:50 A.M.–8:55 A.M.

Group Photo - International Players (Grand & University Ballroom)

Group Photo - Family Members together at NASC (Grand Ballroom)

8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.

Announcements (Grand & University Ballroom)

9:00 A.M.–1:15 P.M.

Rounds 22–25 (Grand & University Ballroom)

1:15 P.M.–2:30 P.M.

Committee lunch meetings (Chesapeake)

Directors meeting hosted by Ted Gest (Harbor 1-2)

2:45 P.M.–2:55 P.M.

Set up for play (Grand & University Ballroom)

2:55 P.M.–3:05 P.M.

Announcements (Grand & University Ballroom)

3:05 P.M.–6:15 P.M.

Rounds 26–28 (Grand & University Ballroom)

6:30 P.M.–10:00 P.M.

Advisory Board Dinner Meeting (TBD)

7:00 P.M.–11:30 P.M.

After hours room open (Harbor 1-2)

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

8:30 A.M.–8:55 A.M.

Set up for play (Grand & University Ballroom)

8:55 A.M.–9:00 A.M.

Announcements (Grand & University Ballroom)

9:00 A.M.–1:00 P.M.

Rounds 29–31 - Non-Finalists (Grand & University Ballroom)

10:15 A.M.

Finals - Game 1

11:15 A.M.

Finals - Game 2

1:15 P.M.

Prize Ceremony - NWL Divisions 2,3,4 & CSW Division 2 (Stadium Ballroom)

2:15 P.M.

Finals - Game 3 (Streamed in Stadium Ballroom)

3:15 P.M.

Finals - Game 4 (if needed)

4:15 P.M.

Finals - Game 5 (if needed)

Immediately following

Prize Ceremony NWL Division 1 & CSW Division 1

3:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M.

Tear Down (Grand & University Ballroom)

Thursday, July 28, 2022

9:30 A.M.–12:30 P.M.

Late bird tournament (University Ballroom)

9:30 A.M.–2:00 P.M.

Tear Down (Grand & University Ballroom)

The Rose Award

Bob and Andi Schoenman, creators of Protiles, honor Rose Kreiswirth's memory. Rose was an expert Scrabble® player for over 30 years and cherished the game for its educational values. An accomplished player, Rose was as well known for her sense of fairness and her congeniality as she was for her competitiveness. The Rose Award will be awarded each year at the Scrabble Players Championship to a female player who, in the opinion of the judges, best exemplifies the fierce competitiveness and compassion that we remember Rose for. Thank you, Bob and Andi Schoenman!

Donors

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

Thanks to Betty Cornelison and Rachel Gillette for donations.

Arcturus Awards for 80+ Players

Thanks to the generosity of San Diego (CA) player Joe Payne, we will be offering the Arcturus awards to the brightest and oldest (80+) stars of the Scrabble Players Championship this summer.

Six prizes will be awarded to the players with the best records across divisions:

• 1st - $300
• 2nd - $200
• 3rd - $150
• 4th - $150
• 5th - $100
• 6th - $100

To eligible for an Arcturus award, you must have turned 80 on or before the beginning of the tournament - July 23, 2022. In the event of identical records, the older player wins.

Why Arcturus? It is the brightest star that can been from North America.

As a reminder, if you are over 80, you can become a NASPA Life member if your membership is up-to-date.

Not yet 80? We will still be awarding a Senior Trophy to the player over 60 with the best record in each division.

Sponsors

For information about sponsorship opportunities at the championship, please contact John Chew.

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 an SPC vendor, print out, date and sign two (2) copies of the SPC 2022 Vendor Agreement and send both executed copies to Art Moore, P.O. Box 1217, Ocoee, FL 34761, along with the required payment for extra tables, if you wish to exhibit on more than one table.

If you have questions about becoming an SPC vendor, please contact the Championship Committee at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.

Staff

Director

Art Moore

Assistant to the Director

Diane Moore

Master of Ceremonies

Alan Stern

Division Leaders

Division 1: Kieran O'Connor

Division 2: Jason Idalski

Division 3: Sue Tremblay

Division 4: John Merlau

Collins: Kieran O'Connor

Division Assistants

Liam Chew

Heidi Robertson

Webmaster

John Chew

Data Entry

Jason Broersma

Jamie Chew

Shelley Stevens

Annotators

Jeffrey Nelson

Lisa Kessler

Kristen Chew

Bill Cole

Media and Coverage

Media Director: Josh Greenway

Social Media Reporter: Sarah Rosenbaum

Photographer: Roger Cullman

Stream Director: Christian Kay

Volunteers

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

Setup

Thursday, July 21

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing room for the tournament.

Friday, July 22

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the playing room for the tournament.

Registration Desk

Volunteers are needed to help with registration and check-in.

Friday, July 22

11:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M.

1:30 P.M.-3:30 P.M.

3:30 P.M.-5:30 P.M.

5:30 P.M.-7:30 P.M.

Clean and Pack

We need about 15 Clean and Pack volunteers to help collect and box NASPA tournament supplies to be shipped back to the storage facility after the awards ceremony.

Further Information

This page will be updated as the event draws nearer. If you have urgent questions about the event, please email us at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.