: ABOMASI
: AGNIZED
: ASCARIDS
: ABIOSES
: ALIDADES
: ANOPSIA
: BIGAROONS
: BIOTRON
: CONNIVENT
: CORRIVAL
: DIOECISM
: EMPLANED
: EDIFIERS
: ECUMENIC
: ENNEADS
: FUSILIER
: FOOTMEN
: FETATION
: GOATHER
: GASIFIES
: HOPLITE
: HERETIC
: INTARSIA
: ISCHIAL
: MURAENID
: MONETIZE
: NETSUKE
: NEGATON
: NEBULIZE
: OLEASTER
: OPTIONEE
: PARANOIC
: PINWALES
: PENUCHI
: PECTATES
: RHIZOME
: RONDEAUX
: SEMOLINA
: SAUTOIRE
: SOFTHEAD
: TONETICS
: TRITHING
: THYMINE
: VISCOSE
: WICOPIES

For those contemplating joining the NSA, you may want to think it over. The person responsible for every one of the words listed above has played in 5 NSA sanctioned tourneys since January 01. In that time, their ratings have catapulted from 1197 to 1238.
This player has amassed a 31 win 21 loss and 1 tie record over the course of those 5 tournaments. This player has played exactly 3 opponents rated over 1400 (1409, 1411 and 1428). This players' opponents have had an average rating of 1136.
Taken into consideration this players lofty status here...68% wins against a field I'm sure whose collective average would be somewhat higher than 1136, makes you wonder what the expert level NSA players would be doing to us.

• Re: addendum View
    by graytst on June 6, 2002 at 20:21:09 PDT
  
  

  : For those contemplating joining the NSA, you may want to think it over. The person responsible for every one of the words listed above has played in 5 NSA sanctioned tourneys since January 01. In that time, their ratings have catapulted from 1197 to 1238.
  : This player has amassed a 31 win 21 loss and 1 tie record over the course of those 5 tournaments. This player has played exactly 3 opponents rated over 1400 (1409, 1411 and 1428). This players' opponents have had an average rating of 1136.
  : Taken into consideration this players lofty status here...68% wins against a field I'm sure whose collective average would be somewhat higher than 1136, makes you wonder what the expert level NSA players would be doing to us.

  :
  : You don't have to wonder because the low-level expert NSA players (1600 - 1799) on the ladder have almost exactly the same win percentage as your player. Unless you are a whiz kid in this game like Cappelleto was or like Kenji probably is, then you won't be encountering anyone that exhibits any better word knowledge than you find in the top players on the zone. You will be up against players with much better board play and rack management and game playing skills, but those are just some things you will improve on as you play in NSA clubs and tourneys.

  : If you think some players get their word knowledge by cheating - you are probably right. But so what. There is no proof that any particular player is cheating, but all players who actually open the OSPD and study words or word lists are accused of cheating here. All we can say is that some cheating goes on in the Zone, and the best way to handle it is to learn as much as you can. For myself, I have learned so many new words from playing the zone I've lost count long ago.

  : There is one beef I have against playing here - you can't make use of the challenge feature. Because there is cheating, you have to adopt the strategy of never challenging unless you're playing someone you know and trust. And even then, you must be extremely reluctant to challenge, because almost all players have adopted the policy of never playing phonies. It's too bad we can't improve our play by learning how to better use and protect against phonies. But cheating has definitely made that feature unusable.

  : Bottom line is: you can have fun and improve your scrabble game playing on the zone, but to learn to play the whole game you have to join the NSA and play in tournaments - so don't think it over - go ahead and join. ... ... ... Graytst

  
  

• Re: addendum View
    by parteegirl on June 6, 2002 at 08:22:27 PDT
  
  : : For those that do this sort of thing...I present you a list of bingos played by one of our top players. How useful you find it may vary amongst the the different levels of players here, nonetheless...in no particular order:

  : : ABOMASI
  : : AGNIZED
  : : ASCARIDS
  : : ABIOSES
  : : ALIDADES
  : : ANOPSIA
  : : BIGAROONS
  : : BIOTRON
  : : CONNIVENT
  : : CORRIVAL
  : : DIOECISM
  : : EMPLANED
  : : EDIFIERS
  : : ECUMENIC
  : : ENNEADS
  : : FUSILIER
  : : FOOTMEN
  : : FETATION
  : : GOATHER
  : : GASIFIES
  : : HOPLITE
  : : HERETIC
  : : INTARSIA
  : : ISCHIAL
  : : MURAENID
  : : MONETIZE
  : : NETSUKE
  : : NEGATON
  : : NEBULIZE
  : : OLEASTER
  : : OPTIONEE
  : : PARANOIC
  : : PINWALES
  : : PENUCHI
  : : PECTATES
  : : RHIZOME
  : : RONDEAUX
  : : SEMOLINA
  : : SAUTOIRE
  : : SOFTHEAD
  : : TONETICS
  : : TRITHING
  : : THYMINE
  : : VISCOSE
  : : WICOPIES

  : For those contemplating joining the NSA, you may want to think it over. The person responsible for every one of the words listed above has played in 5 NSA sanctioned tourneys since January 01. In that time, their ratings have catapulted from 1197 to 1238.
  : This player has amassed a 31 win 21 loss and 1 tie record over the course of those 5 tournaments. This player has played exactly 3 opponents rated over 1400 (1409, 1411 and 1428). This players' opponents have had an average rating of 1136.
  : Taken into consideration this players lofty status here...68% wins against a field I'm sure whose collective average would be somewhat higher than 1136, makes you wonder what the expert level NSA players would be doing to us.

  If you are going to quote my stats, please do a complete job. You left out a very important tourney, the Nationals in Providence. Instead of starting with Jan. '01, start with Aug. '00, when my rating was 950ish. Then use your catapult, for an increase in rating of over 250 pts., with 56.5 wins and 25.5 losses, which comes to 69%. WHAT A COINCIDENCE! The same as it is here.
  If you are a tournament player, then you know that in order to improve your rating, you either have to win or play up. Since I haven't been winning or playing up, my rating has been stagnant. This summer, I'll be playing up in 3 tourneys. My rating will most likely climb. It doesn't mean I'll be a better player. It just means that I'm working the .
  By the way, I never played NETSUKE. That must've been someone else. I do however remember a forum post a while back about that word, probably from Larrysden. I don't remember the point, nor do I get the point of your post.

  
  

  • Netsuke............the beat goes on View
      by larrysden on June 6, 2002 at 16:43:41 PDT
    
    Hi Connie,

    I sure you're accurate on my mentioning that word. I can even tell you the meaning from memory. It's something to do with a button in clothing. I've played it "several" times. EEKNSTU, I can anagram it almost instantly. Anagramming racks is my favorite pastime, I write every rack to see how many I missed with Lexpert(a great tool). I must say, Mr Case saw and recognized MORE than I did, BUT some were pretty common.

    I ALSO see why I don't play here anymore....accusations of cheating still seems to be prevalant with the usual accusers.

    Keven(Karjen), don't you get tired of this routine? You're right, this Q-Qat and the other ADDY are the same dude. I just don't get the reason for this NAME game! Learnt this in V1...right click the message and "view source" and up on the right side, you'll get the IP from the poster from these "NAME GAME" posters.

    I could give a "rats ass" about ladder standings, but this "ad nauseum" posting about cheating is such a turn-off!

    Hey KEV, try this one ....COMELILY...weird huh? I deliberately didn't play it for fear of the above EVEN thought I knew it was legit.

    The beat goes on!! Don't concern yourself one bit Connie, you are ok and so is Mr Case!

    larrysden, aka..larrysden,...aka..larrysden
    
    

    • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
        by Jheronimus on June 7, 2002 at 06:37:31 PDT
      
      : Hey KEV, try this one ....COMELILY...weird huh? I deliberately didn't play it for fear of the above EVEN thought I knew it was legit.

      Now that's a great find. But making a find like that and then not playing it is whacked.

      
      

      • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
          by larrysden on June 7, 2002 at 17:05:49 PDT
        
        Probably so!.....The only reason I know the stupid word is because someone played COMELY on me in a net game. On looking it up, I saw COMELILY as the adverb. I can't find it in any dictionary anywhere. Even comely didn't sit well with me. I don't recall anyone ever playing it on me, which is why I checked it up.

        : : Hey KEV, try this one ....COMELILY...weird huh? I deliberately didn't play it for fear of the above EVEN thought I knew it was legit.

        : Now that's a great find. But making a find like that and then not playing it is whacked.

        
        

      • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
          by graytst on June 7, 2002 at 12:16:10 PDT
        
        : : Hey KEV, try this one ....COMELILY...weird huh? I deliberately didn't play it for fear of the above EVEN thought I knew it was legit.

        : Now that's a great find. But making a find like that and then not playing it is whacked.

        :
        : and... very un-MANLILY.....:

        
        

        • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
            by larrysden on June 7, 2002 at 17:21:35 PDT
          
          : : and... very un-MANLILY.....:

          Hi Graytst,

          See what I mean!....How does OSPD come up with this crap. Can't find that one either anywhere:-)

          
          

    • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
        by karjen_24 on June 6, 2002 at 23:38:12 PDT
      
      

      : Hey KEV, try this one ....COMELILY...weird huh? I deliberately didn't play it for fear of the above EVEN thought I knew it was legit.

      : The beat goes on!! Don't concern yourself one bit Connie, you are ok and so is Mr Case!

      : larrysden, aka..larrysden,...aka..larrysden

      Thank you Dr. Larry for once again sharing your wisdom and insight with us.
      Let me get this straight...you didn't play a bingo for fear of being called a cheater? Are you serious? Excuse my while I pick myself back up off the floor. Let me think of an analogy for this scenario...ok, how about Barry Bonds bunting for the rest of the year for fear of being accused of using steroids.
      I don't know Larry, sometimes when I think it can't get any goofier, you find a way to prove me wrong.

      
      

      • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
          by larrysden on June 7, 2002 at 17:38:49 PDT
        
        

        >>Dr Larry?

        >> I don't know Larry, sometimes when I think it can't get any goofier, you find a way to prove me wrong.

        Defensive much?....Why the sarcasm? I'm simply expressing an opinion.

        Crappy analogy, by the way!

        >>Let me get this straight...you didn't play a bingo for fear of being called a cheater? Are you serious?

        Yes, not necessarily being called one but people believing it. That particular play wasn't needed to win the game, so I passed on it. Guess I'm wacklily.
        
        

    • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
        by QrazyQat on June 6, 2002 at 22:28:04 PDT
      
      OK, the unmasquer's unmasqued, and ironically enough foiled by the very investigative technique that blew my V1 "case" wide open. My decision to hurl my little stone anonymously was driven by pure childishness and cowardice. But it's generally known by anyone who'd care that QrazyQat is Steve Cook, and I had no real desire to get that personally involved in the whole thing. I go to Scrabble tournaments all over the country and am constantly introduced to on-line players, something that's dodgy enough without it being someone you've already made enemies with. And it's frankly a bit embarrassing to have it known that I spend my time browsing through game results of a ladder I haven't even played on in a couple of years. (God, it sounds even more pitiful now that I've put it that way.) So I probably shouldn't have said anything, but that's exactly why the whole Emperor's New Clothes phenonmenon persists on these ladders. In fairness (to me) you'll note I didn't mention any names and made no allegations that weren't a matter of "public record". Why I should really care about any of this is mysterious even to me, but I have a vague idea. OK, here we go... (see how much trouble you've caused me larry? Well karjen really, I guess.) I've played Scrabble as long as I can remember and have been at least reasonably good at it for most of that time. But I didn't start playing "serious" Scrabble until I discovered the on-line version over on the v1 Zone a couple of years ago. (This coincided with my finally getting a real computer.) The idea of actually studying the Scrabble dictionary and memorizing anything beyond the 2's was totally alien to me. I had enough raw skill to hold my own (I played as Psteve back then) but I couldn't hold a candle in terms of basic Scrabble word knowledge to most of the players there. ("SUQ??? Where'd that come from?" I was still using the OSPD first edition then.) I soaked up hundreds of words from my games there, the ones anyone will if they play enough games against semi-serious players along with a number of fairly weird ones like WATERDOG, VISCACHA, etc. that I've never had a chance to play to this day. At the time I didn't know what to make of words like this. I wondered, are there actually people who have words like this loaded into their brains ready to spring in the highly improbable event they'll ever get the opportunity to play them? I didn't know if I was being had, or if I was getting my first glimpse of an alien race of Scrabble playing machines. It turned out it was a bit of both. I soon learned that the NSA was more than the sort of Scrabble fan club I'd imagined from their little cards you'd get with a new Scrabble set. I got "Everything Scrabble" and learned about the tournaments and the ratings, and that 1600 or 1700 was considered an "expert" depending on who you asked, and naturally wondered how my ability compared to that of a certified Scrabble master. Surely these were the people who were playing the VISCACHAs and never phonying. When I started playing over here on v2 I discovered the even more amazing species of players who never phony, never fail to detect a phony, and never mistake a legitimate word for a phony. (In fact this phenonmenon was so nearly universal I made no secret of the fact that I would never challenge a word I wasn't specifically sure was phony, since my hunches were virtually always wrong.) Also at this time I started to become aware of which players were NSA players, and was dying to know what their ratings were, so I'd have something to gauge myself by. I was a bit crestfallen to find that not a single one of the NSA players that beat me on a regular basis was even close to the expert range. Yet deep down I knew something had to be wrong here. Something didn't add up. Every previous opportunity I'd had to gauge my ability at word games and puzzles against the general population had confirmed my smug belief that I had a rare talent in this direction, and I just had a sense that the same had to be true of my Scrabble abilities. Yet my experiences at the two Zone sites seemed to be telling me that no, in fact there were scads of people, most of whom took a very laid-back attitude to the game (not that there's anything wrong with that), never studied a single word list, who were just as good or better than me, and had achieved a mastery of the lexicon I couldn't imagine ever having. (I considered the possibility some of them might not be playing honestly, but I swear to you that back then I was naive enough to believe that it was a very rare adult who would waste their time and compromise their self-respect cheating at an on-line game. And a lot of these people were my "pals" and I couldn't imagine they'd be so brazenly dishonest with someone they liked and respected.) I might have simply said to myself, (and I think I'm finally coming around to the reason this whole issue still burns me up) "I'll never be better than mediocre at this game.", and given up on the idea of going further with it, as I think a great many players here probably have. I would have been justified in imagining that actually venturing out to my local Scrabble club would just bring humiliation, the experts there scoffing and jeering when I challenge SHANTIH and let DENTURED* pass. Well, as you've already guessed, I didn't let these apprehensions hold me back, I went to the club, I went to a tournament, and a couple more, and within 6 months I had a 1700 rating. Two years and more than a little studying later I'm the highest rated player in Ohio (thanks in part to John Luebkemann's decision to leave the state) and 50-somethingth in North America. And yet I still play phonies and make challenging errors every few games. As does nearly every player at every level... in live games. In on-line games of course perfection is still the norm. In live games the bingos at all but the highest expert level are at least 90% pedestrian (by which I mean words that are either common or common in Scrabble the way ERASION is), and among novice and intermediate players (of whom I've played many, at club and in my first few tourneys) nearly all of the bingos are words every expert knows and easily finds. Surely there are a handful of players whose word knowledge far surpasses their playing ability, but I have yet to run across one of these.) In meeting and playing face-to-face with a few of my on-line heroes I've learned that in fact there are grown up people who cheat and cheat hard at meaningless on-line games. Maybe the person I singled out isn't one of them and if she isn't I'm a heel for suggesting it, but to pretend they don't exist, and exist in large numbers, is pure fantasy.

      PS to larry: While we're on the subject... tell me honestly, did you know all those bingos you found on OSPD challenge? If you say yes, I say you lie, since your posts, at least until this one, have shown you to be someone who couldn't spell their way out of a soggy thesaurus. If you say no, no sweat, larry. If that is your real name.
      
      

      • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
          by larrysden on June 7, 2002 at 18:27:54 PDT
        
        Hi Steve,

        >>PS to larry: While we're on the subject... tell me honestly, did you know all those bingos you found on OSPD challenge? If you say yes, I say you lie, since your posts, at least until this one, have shown you to be someone who couldn't spell their way out of a soggy thesaurus. If you say no, no sweat, larry. If that is your real name.

        Larry it is!....Honestly?...Yes, I've used Lexpert in OSPD challenge. As far as misspelling in posts, I now make an effort to proofread before hitting enter key. I must admit I still let a few errors get by me(terrible typist) IE "prevalent", and phenomenon(yours). Oh well!!

        By the by, NOT to be sarcastic, you should try to break your post into paragraphs, it would make it much easier to read. Just a suggestion!

        PS...just dried up my thesaurus:)))

        Larry(larrysden)

        
        
        

      • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
          by patricca on June 6, 2002 at 23:45:31 PDT
        
        

        How funny it is to see another post of yours which expresses my feelings exactly-right down to the embarrasment of having spentso much time looking at her stats. They never made sense to me either. For me, the straw that broke the camels back was when I loaded all the games I played with her into a reader program and discovered she never missed a bingo. Since the reader program displays the games on a board, it was plain to see she found every playable bingo she ever had. Amazingly enough, if we take her own defense from her post above when then have to consider she has remained in the novice division since August of 2000. With perfect word knowledge. Astounding. I was out of novice in one tourney and out of internediate in the 2nd tourney. And that was with no experience other than online play. With the word knowledge she displays here it would be impossible to still have such a low rating over so long a time. She should have been up over 1500 in just a few tourneys. I don't care what anyone says about "not knowing for sure". I have said that many a time myself. Problem is, here I do know for sure. It would be foolish to think otherwise. Her defense of her rating in her above post doesn't make sense either. To begin at 950 and then climb 250 points with a 66% win (or whatever it was) still puts you at 1200 rating and only winning a tad above half the games. Since you didn't understand the point of the original post partee, let me clarify. It means nothing that you win 66% against 1200 players. The average 1200 player doesn't even study stems. If you play in real life the way you play here you should be winning 90% against a 1200 player. No matter what tiles they get against you. That was the point.

        My biggest frustration was the arrogance that came along with the "expert" vocabulary. To have to be constantly reminded of her "credentials" because she won the novice division was too much for me to bear. If that is supposed to give one license to play 1800+ level bingos, and never, ever miss a one, then that means that partee doesn't even understand the game well enough to know that the level of play is the novice division is eons away from the higher divisions. Yet she plays those expert words over and over, continues along with her 100% challenge ratio, (how long has it been since you missed one partee? 2 years now?)all the while hiding under the somewhat faded laurels of being #1 out of the beginners-who-can't-really-play-that-well yet. Brava. And to think, 2 years so far and she just may break 1300 soon if she keeps beating half the novices.

        I have no clue why helen or graytst still play here, unless they like the new game better. I can't imagine why players of their caliber would not be as frustrated as you and I seem to have been. Speaking of players of fine caliber, I guessed that your post would begin with a sincere apology for the anonymous stone throw before I even clicked on it. I saw that it did. Always a gentleman, even when doing your "detective" work.
        It's a shame you aren't coming to Nat'ls, would have been great to meet you : )

        Lori
        
        

        • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
            by parteegirl on June 7, 2002 at 15:40:59 PDT
          
          
          : You smug, self-serving hypocrite! Who died and left you in charge! Players at my "intermediate" level play words like, semolina, sautoire and softhead". It's not such a big deal. If you would take your head out of your ass, you would see how absurd you sound. "Only expert players, over 1800 play those words." GET OVER YOURSELF! You have to crawl before you walk, learn as you play, so to speak. Accumulate word knowledge as you go, with every game, club session, tourney, study session.
          If playing in the upper levels means dealing with self-aggrandizing know-it-alls like you, I'll stick to the masses.
          
          
          • Re: Netsuke............the beat goes on View
              by patricca on June 7, 2002 at 16:11:27 PDT
            
            
            : If playing in the upper levels means dealing with self-aggrandizing know-it-alls like you, I'll stick to the masses.

            You're going to have to because that's where your real-life play will keep you.
            

  • Re: addendum View
      by karjen_24 on June 6, 2002 at 10:30:38 PDT
    
    : nor do I get the point of your post.

    
    Ah, the point. There is no point really. I'm just trying to relate the NSA rating level with the performance level here. I myself am rated exactly one point higher than you in the NSA after my one and only sanctioned tourney, and have a similar winning percentage as you here, yet cannot, nor will I ever be able to match your bingo finding prowess, not to mention your superior 6's and 5's. My tourney experience is limited to one sanctioned and one unsanctioned, and with only 10 months of club play, this doesn't give me the greatest perspective of the overall talent level out there in the NSA. As I said, if you are a true representation of a mid 1200 level NSA player, then I, along with many others shall look forward to wallowing in the nether regions of live play for eternity.
    Version 1's Qrazyqat, ummm, I mean unmasquer opened the door for this debate, I just poked my head in and had a look around. Your stats are readily available here and in the NSA crosstables, so it made researching quite easy. Now that I have a clearer picture of the level of play as per ones' NSA rating...I won't be wasting any time or money travelling to tourneys. If you can't beat 1200 and 1300 level players regularly, what chance in hell have I got?

    
    

    • Re: addendum View
        by RapierDuck on June 9, 2002 at 10:36:09 PDT
      
      If you can't beat 1200 and 1300 level players regularly, what chance in hell have I got?

      Can I have your board, tiles, and clock?
      
      

• Re: addendum - Damn Good Research View
    by Mr_Case on June 5, 2002 at 10:37:48 PDT
  
  4 of those words I did not know but I do now, so watch out.

  That was some Damn good research, Karjen. The FBI, CIA, and the NBA needs you at this time. You have all but called the person by name. Send me the identity in e-mail so I can know who this smart online person is.

  I tell you what; if I ever need a detective I will send for "Karjen On The Case". I was impressed with the facts you listed.

  How many did you know HeavenlyJJ? Just wondering! :) See you soon.

  MR_CASE

  : For those that do this sort of thing...I present you a list of bingos played by one of our top players. How useful you find it may vary amongst the the different levels of players here, nonetheless...in no particular order:

  : : ABOMASI
  : : AGNIZED
  : : ASCARIDS
  : : ABIOSES
  : : ALIDADES
  : : ANOPSIA
  : : BIGAROONS
  : : BIOTRON
  : : CONNIVENT
  : : CORRIVAL
  : : DIOECISM
  : : EMPLANED
  : : EDIFIERS
  : : ECUMENIC
  : : ENNEADS
  : : FUSILIER
  : : FOOTMEN
  : : FETATION
  : : GOATHER
  : : GASIFIES
  : : HOPLITE
  : : HERETIC
  : : INTARSIA
  : : ISCHIAL
  : : MURAENID
  : : MONETIZE
  : : NETSUKE
  : : NEGATON
  : : NEBULIZE
  : : OLEASTER
  : : OPTIONEE
  : : PARANOIC
  : : PINWALES
  : : PENUCHI
  : : PECTATES
  : : RHIZOME
  : : RONDEAUX
  : : SEMOLINA
  : : SAUTOIRE
  : : SOFTHEAD
  : : TONETICS
  : : TRITHING
  : : THYMINE
  : : VISCOSE
  : : WICOPIES

  : For those contemplating joining the NSA, you may want to think it over. The person responsible for every one of the words listed above has played in 5 NSA sanctioned tourneys since January 01. In that time, their ratings have catapulted from 1197 to 1238.
  : This player has amassed a 31 win 21 loss and 1 tie record over the course of those 5 tournaments. This player has played exactly 3 opponents rated over 1400 (1409, 1411 and 1428). This players' opponents have had an average rating of 1136.
  : Taken into consideration this players lofty status here...68% wins against a field I'm sure whose collective average would be somewhat higher than 1136, makes you wonder what the expert level NSA players would be doing to us.

  
  

• Re: beware View
    by karjen_24 on June 4, 2002 at 17:05:43 PDT
  
  : GOATHER is a phony

  Typo on my part...should read GOATHERD