Only The GOAT Could Make This Scrabble Challenge

Welcome to Episode 6 of Scrabble History, a series where I break down some of the most incredible plays, epic rivalries, and amazing moments in Scrabble's rich competitive history.
Challenging a Scrabble word in a tournament takes guts with a lost turn at stake. In this video, I break down what I believe is the most impressive Scrabble "challenge" of all time, with a Scrabble Championship hanging in the balance.
For more Scrabble content from me, follow my Twitch channel:
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I also have a weekly show on the official Scrabble Twitch channel (Tuesdays 3-5 PM ET)
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Play Scrabble at playscrabble.com!

[@RobertNowland]

Moment of silence for the guy who drew six vowels in the most crucial moment of the final match

[@tomhejda6450]

While keeping a vowel on the rack, needless to say...

[@Dexaan]

F

[@onzie9]

This story is close to my heart because I was at that tournament. Not only was I there, but I saw Nigel right before this game and just asked casually "So is this your year?" He responded that he didn't think so.

[@wanderer15]

Rare Nigel L

[@tehesprite502]

@@wanderer15 Hardly an L to underestimate yourself.

[@wanderer15]

Yeah, I was being snarky. His humility in the face of his amazing achievements is inspiring as well.

[@ev6558]

@@tehesprite502 Wow I bet you're fun anywhere that recognizing social cues is important.

[@tehesprite502]

@@ev6558 Like you've never done similar.

[@jkonrad]

KZbin has decided that I now want to see Scrabble content, and I must admit, I haven’t been disappointed.

[@nicolasfpauly]

Same brother 👨

[@davidatherton]

Ditto, brothers

[@kamen42]

Same here a week ago. I don't even play Scrabble, but these videos are fascinating.

[@yellowslotcar]

Same here

[@venerable_nelson]

Same here. I've found it interesting that this game changes over time as language changes, most notably with the introduction of the word 'qi'. Also, that Nigel can be the GOAT in other languages without understanding those languages, he just needs to know what the words are in the dictionary and how to spell them.

[@AlexDings]

_I used to call you on my sulphone_

[@letsplayscrabbledotcom]

lol

[@jkqxz2000]

Will, I have a story that highlights another dimension to challenging phony words. I recently had a game where the only way I could guarantee the win was to NOT challenge a bingo that I KNEW was phony. My opponent's phony bingo was worth about 70 points, and, had I not challenged it, he would have emptied the bag, drawing HUVWC. I then could have played an out-bingo of NOTTURNI, for 77. Those 77 points, combined with the 32 points gained from my opponent's unplayed tiles, would have given me the win with a margin of about 10 points. However, I didn't think this through -- so I challenged his phony off and bingoed with NOTTURNI. I drew HVUWC, of course, and I also gave my opponent the chance to play an eight-letter out-bingo through NOTTURNI. I was fortunate that he did not find the eight-letter bingo, and I ended up winning. But after the game was over, I saw what I should have done: let the phony bingo stay on the board, unchallenged.

[@Ramboost007]

I am a chemist, and just watching how chemistry nomenclature keeps coming up in scrabble is so fascinating. I look forward to these videos every week. Also, I think an answer to why sulphitic is an inconsistency probably has to do with IUPAC naming regulations. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is the international referee for the standardization of chemistry, including naming conventions. In 1971, they sided with the Americans and designated "sulfur" as the correct spelling for the element and all the derivative names of sulfur compounds followed suit. This is my theory: We don't use sulfitic/sulphitic a lot in chemistry as it's seen as redundant when sulfite/sulphite can be adjectives to begin with. It's even made more rare with the fact that sulfates/sulphates are the more commonly encountered ion. Therefore when sulfitic/sulphitic is used, and it's rare, it's more likely to follow the 1971 IUPAC spelling of sulfitic. However, the Collins dictionary might be tapping into an older lexicon of British chemistry papers where sulphitic was used, and that's why it's listed there.

[@wanderer15]

What great context!

[@miaowmiaowchowface]

10/10

[@meta04]

It might also be worth pointing out that IUPAC went with the British on "aluminium" and "caesium", though...

[@yoyoyo761]

Loremaster.

[@harryvincent2434]

Glad I saw another chemist comment about this 👍

[@TeeTerr]

In 2019, i started getting recommended chess videos out of nowhere, and like many others, I became obsessed! I think Scrabble is next boys!

[@magicmulder]

And the crazy stories are similar. German chess GM allegedly learned Hungarian during 4 hour train ride with just a dictionary (which I assume container some grammar info).

[@3Drew-]

I love your videos. I never realized how much strategy is involved in scrabble

[@Trip_Fontaine]

I remember when I first started playing competitive Scrabble, I thought "I could beat any of these guys if I just memorized the words they've memorized." It was quite a big surprise that my strategy was possibly MORE lacking than my lack of knowledge of ultra-obscure words.

[@randybugger3006]

I rarely get bingos, but I win most of the games I play. I use a strategy to minimize my opponent's scoring, coupled with a decent knowledge of some of the more obscure NASD words as well as a sizable vocabulary generally. I'm not a competitive player, but I enjoy playing against people that can beat me, which means that my enjoyment is limited by my mediocre opponents. If there was a Scrabble club in my area, I'd have more practice, since winning 99% of the time gets boring enough to make me stop playing. Not bragging, just wishing for more skillful opponents.

[@escapedlunatic27]

In some games the gulf between a recreational player and the world elite is obvious e.g. a top tennis player chases down and returns a shot which most people wouldn't have got near. In Scrabble it's less obvious - it needs another top player to explain it. Most casual players will just try to make the best score they can from the tiles they have, regardless of other considerations. Move up a level and players start trying to retain a combination of tiles which gives them a good chance of a bingo next turn, or at least avoid a really terrible rack. Then at the top level they're figuring out what words their opponent will probably be looking to play, based on the tiles left, and making moves specifically intended to block those words. It's a completely different game.

[@cdubsoptional7849]

When I play Monopoly, my goal is to make everyone lose to the worst player. It's so much fun, and it drives people crazy. With Chess, my goal is to get my King to all four corners of the board. It's impossible, but trying to do something dumb like that, is so much more fun than playing it straight. Or pacifist chess, where the goal is to be as peaceful as possible, and you try to maneuver your opponent into drawing first blood. I've never played scrabble, but it looks like the best way to be a troll would be to give your opponent easy layups. Set 'em up for every bingo possible. Try to lose by 600 points.

[@OptimusSubPr1me]

Your storytelling is impeccable. Your pacing, the drama, the explanations are just

[@justin7035]

We are all truly blessed to get a glimpse of epic moments in the Scrabble community. Thank you so much for your effort to immortalize these moments that otherwise might be lost to time!

[@wanderer15]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@noahkagan]

Weirdly loving these videos. Keep them coming :)

[@wanderer15]

Thank you! I admit, they are a little weird ;)

[@elidoesstuff5503]

They are weirdly amazing lol. I think you took editing and made a whole other level with it​@@wanderer15

[@jayamo-addae415]

It's not weird at all

[@yamomwasthebomb7159]

4:13 🎼You used to call me on my sulphone. 🎶

[@ccreecimc]

I was there and saw the board and situation as Brian described to me. Something else to note that, to me, made Brian’s ill-fated find was this: the tiles they were playing with were old Boston Area Tournament (BAT) tiles. These tiles had a bat inscribed on the blank tile. It’s hard enough to visualize a blank letter for what it has been designated, but with a funny looking semi-faded bat on it? Brian’s find was extraordinary. Nigel’s challenge? Beyond extraordinary.

[@stevenwilmes2572]

Have played casual scrabble with the family for years but watching your videos about the competitive scrabble scene are so interesting! Keep it up!

[@rojaneusebio9705]

ive never loved learning about scrabble more… i can sense a wave of scrabble becoming popular like chess?!

[@noahmay7708]

Wouldn't mind that

[@Ascension721]

I hope so one day.

[@wanderer15]

Lots of work to do to get there, but we can dream...

[@MewtwoStruckBack]

I'll believe that Scrabble is going to be equally as popular as (or more popular than) chess when /r/AnarchyScrabble is as popular as /r/AnarchyChess.

[@coachmcguirk6297]

😂

[@xhappybunnyx]

You and Jomboy are KZbin saints in your ability to show us something we wouldn't have otherwise watched, pause it at the right moment, and explain in detail why that moment was so cool. I can comfortably click on your vids even if I don't think I'll be interested in the subject--you choose them well enough to always get my attention in the end. Great stuff, thanks for sharing with us!

[@wanderer15]

Really high praise. Have loved Jomboy for years. Thank you very much for the kind words!

[@asdfasdf4924]

I was part of the dictionary committee when we made an attempt to update the Long Word List-- we wasted countless hours for nothing because at the end when we presented the list to M-W for review, they said "no thanks"

[@user-svqmbiv]

These videos are phenomenal! I've been watching many of your other videos too. This channel is a diamond in the rough.

[@adamtweddle2130]

This is the kind of video that some random guy will recommend a big streamer to watch. Great video mate.

[@BrettMKW]

Before I watch I'm going to guess it's Nigel challenging DENIALIST which is a Collins only 9. EDIT: Had the right idea at least.

[@Columbine-en3qc]

Yeah, that was a crazy idea by Jackson Smylie.

[@BrettMKW]

@@Columbine-en3qc I don't think Jackson knew it was a Collins only 9, he probably just hoped it was good. In another game in the same tournament against Alec Sjoholm he tried WEENILY* and also let ZERKING* and BATWINGS* go (BATWING is valid but is an adjective) so I just don't think he had the word knowledge to know about DENIALIST#.

[@Trip_Fontaine]

I believe this channel has done another video on that game.

[@harraz7632]

LMAO I WAS THINKING THE SAME! The DENIALIST play was actually awesome to spot since he was behind but I got shocked when it was a Collins only. And also didn't knew Nigel played NWL too lol

[@sparklelikeaghost]

This is great, love your videos. I regret not getting into scrabble earlier in life. I guarantee your videos will bring more players into the game!!

[@zut8448]

I absolutely love these videos. A topic I have never once been interested in but you make it so cool to watch unfold. Master at storytelling. Well done!

[@formsight5927]

BABE WAKE UP NEW SCRABBLE HISTORY VIDEO!!!

[@Quate32]

you are very good at explaining scrabble strategy in a non-patronizing way. Many "video essayists" are trash, but you are not. Great work

[@AlexDings]

Reminds me of this moment: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5TKnpmXlNF4h80 It's just disgusting that Nigel can keep this stuff apart. When I try to remember exceptions like SULPHITIC, in game, I always end up convincing myself that the _other_ word was the exception...

[@jeffe2267]

They said that he's also the best in French?? What a monster.

[@shaonian]

Sadly Nigel hasn't played since 2019... I guess he has lost interest in the game.

[@AlexDings]

@@shaonian He's still playing in local tournaments - has avoided international ones because of Covid

[@csfan8965]

Only the KZbin GOAT could make videos of this quality!

[@Hunter688]

thank you for doing these videos, they're so interesting! i love hearing about the scrabble tournament scene

[@johnsillings]

This series is incredible, man. Thank you.

[@pennnel]

I haven't played Scrabble since I was a kid, and even then it wasn't serious. Yet I love watching these videos. I don't even know why the algorithm recommended your channel to me, but I'm glad it did.

[@hridaysamtani5797]

Another fantastic story, Will!

[@Ulkomaalainen]

Before watching I am guessing that he challenged a perfectly and obviously valid word for some obscure strategic advantage of missing a move in this one position with precisely these letters left in the bag. After watching I am guessing that I was wrong.

[@themandan9456]

I love scrabble history. I’ve never been into scrabble until I started watching this channel like a month ago. Since then, I’m addicted to bingos.

[@daybraek9710]

remember loving your livestreams a couple years back, glad you're having some success your recent videos have been great good work

[@edho497]

my new fav channel ive never played scrabble and i never knew i was such a fan

[@acr1ter]

I live for these collins/NWL differences

[@anyoldactress4078]

Amazing story, beautifully told. It’s really cool to hear someone as good as you are, Will, be so in awe of Nigel.

[@wanderer15]

Thanks! I'm in awe of lots of other players, too, so I'll be trying to mix it up a bit going forward as well, though it's hard to resist Nigel!

[@pandurendradjaja8994]

More Scrabble History! Merry Christmas!!

[@rdhulljr]

Been playing Scrabble my whole life but am new to these fantastic videos - great work! : )

[@derekhettinger451]

I loved this video and subscribed Your passion for Scrabble is infectious

[@kinderphool]

Totally agree. I was at this tournament, as well. This has been one of my favourite stories, too. I have told it often. Glad you made it even better.

[@deleuzersig]

Keep em coming. These videos are very well done. Perfectly fits the genious of Nigel Richards. In a perfect world, you'd live comment on the coming world championship.

[@toadybull]

Wow, as a new viewer, I am captivated by your storytelling. Scrabble is so interesting to learn about!

[@jamisonr]

An enjoyable video, love the historic framing!

[@Nalianna]

Richards's knowledge of words.... is amazing. But i'd expect nothing less from someone who won a french scrabble tournament, by memorizing their dictionary

[@the78thHesparian]

Alright my guy Nigel is cracked. Good job Will this story is straight up fire.

[@IS_CBR_2763]

This video made me realize that scrabble is more of a puzzle game than a vocabulary one. It's truly unique.

[@dew7555]

Youre truly a content pioneer this is gold

[@thegodofpez]

You know you’re a nerd when you know the play in question in advance. (: Great stuff, Will, loving the series!

[@mymyscellany]

I love these videos. Hopefully you get more subscribers. I know basically nothing about scrabble but these are really good

[@wanderer15]

Thanks, always inspired to keep making more thanks to comments like this

[@chipikasimanwe9333]

Oh wow what a story, enjoyed every bit of it!

[@PickUps]

Your content is really good. Please keep it up. Take your time though. Dont give yourself a schedule, or feel the need to have to make more. Great stories like this even 2 times a year are worth alot more than 100 junk filler vides. Great telling and pacing as well. Truly love the videos.

[@tranonehalf]

Another great video and Scrabble story. Keep them coming.

[@bradenstewart6270]

It’s super lucky and super skillful at the same time only in scrabble man

[@evindahood]

i cant get enough of your content

[@jongibson4766]

Honestly, I have no idea how your videos came up in my algorithm, but I love it. I don't know *anything* about competitive Scrabble, and haven't played it since I was like 14 with my grandparents. Watching this video, it brought me a little joy to recognize Ben Gibson's name when you flashed their standings at ~ 1:43, and I only recognized that from your other videos. Thanks for your uploads dude, I love nerdy shit like this.

[@wanderer15]

I’m so glad you’re enjoying!

[@RandyDaGamer]

Clicked faster than a bullet when I saw your upload!

[@lucianostizzoli2676]

Excellent content, will! Really good storytelling

[@wanderer15]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alzhang8]

Holy this is so crazy, please keep making these videos 😍

[@brucemoran1063]

This story is so great, thank you

[@Truthmane1]

Great video as usual, will! I'd kind of like to see a scrabble history on school scrabble plays -- the chloe comeback into WHEELING 9x comes to mind.

[@hansel2001]

I don’t play Scrabble and i never will play Scrabble. However, your storytelling in this Scrabble History series is phenomenal. Just the right level of detail, context, explanation, and drama. I hope you extend your youtube videos to other interesting topics.

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

You made this play sound epic, and I think it indeed was!

[@terrykang5000]

Another awesome video! Thanks, Will!

[@samaugust85]

"Bizarre inconsistencies" lol for real. Seriously why...that could be an episode unto itself.

[@HardReset_YT]

Interesting and well made video, all praise the algorithm for placing it in my feed.

[@danield8094]

Love these videos.

[@bassett_green]

I thought the "challenger loses their turn" rule was default tbh. I didn't realize I've been playing under tournament rules my whole life

[@BrentDeJong]

When you specified tournament play I realized I must've been using a house rule all my life

[@johnrushing521]

Another great video!

[@gordohogo8016]

Challenge be damned... if I ever get the tiles, I'm playing "Kwyjibo"

[@Xonatron]

Your channel could very well increase the popularity of Scrabble substantially. I wish you ultimate success!

[@BobbieTheFish]

I was expecting the challenge to be something where Nigel wanted to skip a turn, knowing his opponent could only play things that he could end the game off of. This is just as wild as that would have been.

[@xxdboy]

Nigel is the goat of scrabble and I can't imagine anyone will ever come close

[@airagog1016]

These vids are awesome

[@plebcrabslayer]

5:15 I'll never tire of seeing images of David's dictionary. 🏆

[@wanderer15]

An epic Scrabble artifact indeed

[@dpo1168]

I rarely play scrabble or care that much about it but these videos are fascinating so it must be your storytelling. Keep it up

[@hshdydhebhd]

I'm not even sure what scrabble is but these videos hit hard

[@benbenooo]

Idek the rules of scribble and I love these videos man. Great work

[@daledishman7155]

I love Scrabble, I cook my eggs this way every morning 😮

[@combcombo]

another banger another banger by 2017 North American Scrabble Champion Will Anderson

[@matthewkrambeer2480]

I will watch as many videos about Nigel as your are willing to make. In fact, I will watch each of them multiple times.

[@bluerednotpurple]

someone knowing the differences in words in each dictionary kinda reminds me of people knowing the differences in answers and guesses in NYT wordle and hellowordl wordlists cool video! very interesting to see :) (its me from wordle speedrunning!)

[@wanderer15]

Apt comparison...hi there & thanks for stopping by!

[@kenedic7495]

these videos are always absolutely incredible. i have to ask-how do you keep track of all of this scrabble history? you're very knowledgable on all of these things and i'm curious on how you even access all of this or know about all of these different events that you cover in the videos

[@wanderer15]

Thanks! I was at a lot of these events as a competitor myself (well, at least from 2009 onwards, when I started my tournament career), and within the little subculture of tournament players, many of these moments have legendary status. I like the challenge of translating what makes those moments so special to a wider audience.

[@johnnybegood9742]

man I love your videos, I don't even like scrabble, they're just great stories

[@hermeticascetic]

Brian: plays sulphitic me not even knowing there were Scrabble dictionaries: "HAHA YOU FOOL. You fell victim to one of the classic blunders." Not sure why this ended up on my algorithm but I'm still glad it did. Always down for interesting niche content

[@fox_6242]

Hey, Im' 15 right now and i'm watching your videos and they make me want to get into scrabble. I see how the best players are reallly old relativly and it gives me hope that i can be good some day.

[@SilencedButNotForgotten]

This is INSANE!

[@ollie-d]

Excellent video as always. I’m curious, how often does Nigel use phonys? I’d imagine that he doesn’t need to often, but that if he did it would probably go uncontested more often than not.

[@wanderer15]

I have a couple great video ideas addressing this exact topic...

[@Huwpuw]

Looking forward to seeing them.

[@johnwilder4789]

Did Nigel retire? Another great video, thank you Will! I second someone else’s comment about wanting to see a video on phonies played by Nigel. Shoutout to Mack Meller’s channel as well for also having a few great videos on phonies played by top experts.

[@tom7]

This is a great series!

[@wanderer15]

Thank you for watching! I’ve watched a couple videos of yours now and I’ve been utterly amazed each time.

[@tom7]

@@wanderer15 Oh, that's nice of you :) Thanks!

[@ZahraIsMyDog]

TIL I’m playing home games under tournament rules.

[@jwpogue]

What a cool play to focus on! Thx Will

[@HandsomeLongshanks]

I give 0 sh*ts about scrabble but your videos have me hooked because competition and words

[@rumpelRAINS]

Go Will!

[@DrewLevitt]

HOT to set up PHOT/PENATES is so bonkers that it almost deserves a video of its own

[@ferriferoustourmaline]

this video inspired me to play a game of online scrabble instead of booking plane tickets.

[@davidgirard2461]

Damn, Nigel, you’re a legend!

[@chairshoe81]

*_"AAAAEIUU!!_* - Brian Cappelletto as Nigel RIchards sentences him to death by Scrabble

[@SpencerHHO]

After learning that he learnt the entire french scrabble dictionary in 9 weeks before becoming the goat in French scrabble too, this isn't that suprising.

[@Trizzer89]

Pretty damn ballsy. I would at least consider it, but probably wimp out