2023 Scrabble Players Championship Finals - Josh Sokol vs. Joey Mallick - Game 1

[@humbertocruz6214]

It is great to have the opportunity to view all these top-level from the SPC. Thanks for the terrific commentary. Since spread played a key role in this championship, I’d be interested in what the commentators and other players think about it. In my humble opinion, spread as a tiebreaker should be abolished. Four reasons why I do not like spread. One, it rewards the wrong thing. Edging out an opponent in a difficult endgame takes far more skill than winning by 100 plus points thanks to good draws. Second, it often discourages taking chances when behind to try to come back and play for a win, which I find totally against the spirit of competition. Third, it creates situations that border in the unsportsmanlike when a player who is way ahead takes forever to make a play with the bag already empty just to maximize spread. And fourth, I do not even consider spread to be the best tiebreaker. A playoff is always best but if not possible, then I would prefer head to head results to break ties. Thoughts anyone?

[@julliferjosephtuba2202]

All good points. Unfortunately spread is still the best option since most of the time there is just not enough time to play out every tiebreaker game.

[@humbertocruz6214]

@@julliferjosephtuba2202 Thanks for taking the time to reply. I stilll think particularly for first place that head to head results between tied players is a better and fairer system (it is used in professionl football, for example). If head to head does not apply or does not break the tie, then go to spread.

[@garys5175]

100% agree.

[@TonyTarantula]

08:50 why not QUEME over the I of PATINAED? Maybe not good in the lexicon being used?

[@Zurround]

This is not Collins. Its not a word.

[@julliferjosephtuba2202]

NWL lexicon is being used, so QUEME is not acceptable for this game

[@Zurround]

I have never approved of taking turns for first. Players should draw for first every time just like "living room" players do.