A Scrabble Legend Returns

Welcome to Episode 30 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.
Pakorn Nemitrmansuk of Thailand is one of the best players in Scrabble history. But he hasn't competed in international rated competition for almost 10 years. That's why I was stunned and thrilled to see his name on the list of entrants for an upcoming tournament in Bangkok. In this video, I'll try to explain why this news is such a big deal in competitive Scrabble.
Sometime soon, I plan to resume streaming on my Twitch channel:
/ wanderer15
I also have a weekly show on the official Scrabble Twitch channel (Tuesdays 3-5 PM ET):
/ scrabble
Play Scrabble at playscrabble.com!

[@wanderer15]

Hey folks, couple extra notes on this episode! - I'd like to apologize for using the incorrect "Americanized" pronunciation of Pakorn's name. I asked several of my friends in the tournament world for their advice on how to pronounce it and I wasn't able to reach a comfort level with the authentic Thai pronunciation. - As of the release date of this video, Pakorn remains interested in competing in the Bangkok International tournament, but he is not 100% confirmed. I discovered this midway into the editing process. I've wanted to make a video about the Pakorn/Nigel match for a long time anyway, so not that big a deal, but let's hope he's actually able to get out and play! - One important nuance I didn't get into in this video: just as we rightly praise Nigel for becoming French World Champion without speaking the language, we should also marvel at Pakorn for (spoiler) becoming English World Champion despite the fact that it's not his first language. This topic deserves its own video someday, but I didn't forget about it!

[@galoomba5559]

To be fair, speaking a language as a second language and not speaking it at all are very different.

[@bowlofwhiskey]

not enough points 💀💀💀

[@Cats83747]

not enough points is insane 😭😭

[@johndave8017]

especially against nigel

[@AlexDings]

3:18 lol. I wouldn't see that even if I drew it. Nigel sees it before he doesn't draw it

[@Manigo1743]

Why is it that most high level scrabble players have last names that would score 300+ on a scrabble board? :-)

[@jamismiscreant7514]

There a chess grandmaster Benjamin finegold that says the harder the name is to pronounce the stronger the player is. It seems that advice transfers to scrabble

[@jessehammer123]

@@jamismiscreant7514Wesley So would beg to differ. :)

[@Erikuzuma]

Is it just me, or are many of the best Scrabble players in the world from Southeast Asia?

[@RodriOnTheRoad]

Great video of the goat of Scrabble talking about Nigel Richards

[@leredrasscul]

Nigel "Just know all the words" Richards

[@klawiehr]

*pushes up glasses, the glare turning them white* Not enough points…

[@TheRealVenusian]

I’ve heard that there’s a lot of good Scrabble players from Thailand because the king promotes it as a sport and as a way to learn English, is that true? Would love to see a video about it if so! Could have a great title for the algorithm too: “Why Are So Many Great Scrabble Players From Thailand?”

[@AOOA926]

4:40 unlike hiarnets lol

[@ของลิงของลิง]

I love you from thailand

[@thegodofpez]

I had the honor of spending several days with Pakorn as Win Inthara is a great friend of mine, and Pakorn stayed with him for the 2008 National Championship in Orlando. His English was actually pretty impressive! He loves the ladies. 😂 I’m so glad he’s back! Playing him was an honor. 🤟

[@mesavor]

Most thai names have Sanskrit roots kinda like Indian names in specific regions. That's why they're so long and kinda difficult to pronounce for westerners.

[@evanyurko3640]

I’d seen some of those games on crosstables before and always wanted someone to break them down haha! Great video as always Will. Exciting to see both Nigel and Pakorn coming out of the woodworks again and back in competition. Hope Pakorn is able to play in the tournament

[@VictoryNotVengeance]

Will your videos are great! As a casual Scrabble player myself it’s always very educational learning new words, watching some of the best in the world go toe to toe!

[@dentonyoung4314]

What a fabulous match. it would be awesome if Pakorn really does make his return.

[@harrisoncaldwell4541]

Trailblazer for this game man. Keep it up .

[@fall_in_frost6488]

Glad to see the legend from Thailand gets the spotlight!

[@JustKillam]

New Nigel content 😮

[@shr1mpleTV]

The plot thickens

[@leiz8048]

meow

[@Cats83747]

Hello Leiz

[@leiz8048]

hii

[@fesh]

meow

[@bowlofwhiskey]

@@leiz8048 are you leiz real official twow cat real official

[@loust1264]

nyaaaa

[@bowlofwhiskey]

yes

[@SBYAAS]

Love the vids will! Can’t wait to broadcast the championship! Let us know if you are competing anytime soon!

[@fesh]

8:05 the aggressive feesh

[@GarrettHapp]

love ur videos man

[@bearfinn]

Finally our Thai people got the spotlight yayyy! Wish to see you on the Bangkok tournament too!

[@Zoogleas]

4:30 -- I clearly don't understand this gaffe by Nigel here. Why would he play PIG and not JIG in the same spot for well over 50? I doubt the J is going to be that instrumental in a comeback of 200 points, but rather a bingo more so, in which case a leave of CEIP seems better than CEIJ? Then again, it's Nigel, and as one world champ once said, he always has a reason for his plays...

[@Berg8793]

I think it's because in the cases of both PIG and JIG, it makes an overlapping word of IR, which isn't a valid word.

[@rahatsaqib6118]

I am first here

[@Manigo1743]

Wow. You must be very proud of yourself.

[@NoisqueVoaProduction]

1:58 A 4x3 rectangle! How cool! Are there other cool rectangles in Scrabble history??

[@galoomba5559]

Will has made a video on a 7x3 rectangle