Scrabble GM vs. AI -- the Rematch! Game #36

[@AmaranthRBY]

Patiently waiting for some smart guy to bring the Macondo analysis on that HHX endgame to this comment section

[@jonrumzis-kriznitz3010]

I've watched dozens of these games that you play against BestBot and I feel like I'm getting the best Scrabble education available anywhere. You are awesome and I hope you continue these videos. I played competitively over 20 years ago but quit, but I'm back in the game again because of you. Hope to meet you at the 2025 SPC. I see they announced the dates but do you know if they have mentioned the venue yet?

[@arcieplays9040]

H(ET)H sims best. Still deciding if I should try using the exhaustive solver on the pre-endgame...

[@mackmeller]

Not sure how well that will work (if at all) since HETH and most of the other plays under consideration don't empty the bag, but if you're able to get some info let me know!

[@Fexghadi]

19:00 Had you played HIE, the bot might have been able to - and could, with its tiles - extend it to CHIEF for 39 !

[@craiglarimer1173]

Great game. I thought exile in top right and hope was your best chance. Very tough spot you were in. Seems rhetorical game really turned when the bot hit lusters.

[@mackmeller]

Thanks! The problem with EXILe is that I only take a 2 point lead, and it's the bot's turn -- with me having HH and 3 other tiles, there's almost no chance I'll be able to go out on my next turn. So the bot can go out in 2 and it'll get 2 turns and I'll only get 1, and it'll also get bonus points from whatever I have unplayed. Going into that situation at a basically tied score is very bleak for me

[@Columbine-en3qc]

H(ET)H was an incredible find.

[@mackmeller]

Thanks! Still hard to know for sure it was right, but I feel pretty good about it

[@bro91wn]

Tough loss! I think that you're still getting a bit of streamer tunnel vision, but that is hard to avoid. Notes: I thought H(ET)H was a great play! It definitely hits the most bingoes, but it's a shame it didn't score more. I also liked C12 HEH setting up the blank S, but I'm sure it hits less than H(ET)H, though it is 14 more. I was screaming at you to consider MI(D)DLED, but I ultimately think MIDDE(S)T was better. After either of the MIDDLED placements, Best Bot can obstruct everything with a play through the S that starts with a C. MIDDE(S)T creates a threat that is harder to block. I really like the Bot's play of AR, for the reasons you mentioned, but I'm not sure I would ever find it. It also plays off only 2 tiles minimizing it's access to the terrible bag, and threatens to bingo back after your potential bingo. I was happy that I found WEED(Y), though I became unsure of the T front hook.

[@mackmeller]

Thanks! I think the biggest problem with C12 HEH is it gets rid of the E, and it's the last one. So as you said, especially keeping the X, that makes it super difficult for me to actually draw a bingo or any sort of big play that's going to be enough to win.

[@Vynetic]

What about HI and H(ET) at 12C on that turn? You set up HELiX under it and with an I draw you have EXILe at the top right triple. I'm not sure if that scores enough but it popped into my head

[@mackmeller]

Interesting! I still think the problem is HELiX isn't enough if the bot plays on the top right -- I'm down 42 after HI, let's say the bot scores 30 on the top right, I'm down 72. HELiX is 66, so the bot should still be up a bit and be on turn after my play of HELiX. The key thing is the bot will be on turn, so it can probably score enough (maybe even under the X of HELiX) even if it can't go out.

[@G3N3515DM]

good game to watch

[@mackmeller]

Thanks!

[@Bigbobvb]

1590 rated scrabble player and fellow frolf enthusiast here! Have you ever played the Lake George course ? Was planning a round for next months tournament

[@mackmeller]

Awesome! I haven't played that course before, not sure I'll have time since I'm doing a streamed match on Thursday and the EB on Friday, but please feel free to email me once you figure out when you're playing and if I'm free I'll gladly join :)

[@Bigbobvb]

Will do! I’m in the same boat as wondering if there will even be enough daylight or time between events, other than maybe Sunday afternoon

[@eighthcoda]

I would have done JEDI C12 instead of RAJ. It scores 8 more, unloads the I, and offers good comeback options if BestBot bingos. NAIRU telegraphs more vowels, and I think you're more likely to hit the TWS lane than it is. One problem with JEDI is that there are only 2 Es remaining and BestBot is pretty likely to have at least one of them.

[@mackmeller]

Interesting! Definitely didn't consider it. But I agree the I probably favors me since (as you said) NAIRU likely keeps vowels often including another I, and there are also several more I's unseen. The extra turnover for the blank is also nice. Getting rid of the E is a bit of a shame for sure, but I think given the other factors I do slightly prefer JEDI over RAJ

[@asdfasdf4924]

Sacrificing 16 points to create a lane that isn't that good (after you bingo you have to worry about big plays on the O column) does not seem right to me.

[@joshuadorsam4619]

yeah but the board is horrible after emoted when the s is shut down

[@dentonyoung4314]

On the HHX turn, my first thought was HELIX hitting the upper right TWS.

[@mikechappell5849]

HAR is not a word

[@dentonyoung4314]

@@mikechappell5849 It most certainly is a word. I've seen it used in print in many books. The definition is "a supercilious snort." If the Scrabble dictionary doesn't include it, that is a serious oversight that needs to be rectified at once.

[@jawnypants]

Maybe MID(S)T on turn 18 to keep the E? Or is the turnover and points more valuable?

[@mackmeller]

Yeah, keeping the E would be nice but I think I need the points -- it's super important for me to stay within range so that if I do hit a bingo I'll actually have enough to win