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L-E-S-T-E-R (6 points)

Posted: Sunday, May 06, 2007 7:39 AM by Robert Ciridon

(From Lester Holt, TODAY Anchor)

Did you know there are several words that begin with the letter "Q" that don't have to be followed with a “U?” Did you know "AE" is a word? I know that because I am an addict. A Scrabble addict.

 

On Sunday's program we featured a story on the National School Scrabble Tournament. (WATCH VIDEO) It's a high pressure competition pitting some amazingly bright kids against each other -- word for word. I am so in to Scrabble I found myself poring over the video of the story trying to memorize some of the unusual words the kids had laid out on the board.

 

When I'm not playing Scrabble with my 17-year-old son, or in my office with my co-workers, I can usually be found playing against the computer on my laptop. Sometimes when I'm playing on the airplane it's fun to see the person seated next to me taking a peek with bated breath, visibly itching to point out a great word.

 

Scrabble turns 60 years old next year. And for Scrabble geeks like myself, that's something to c-e-l-e-b-r-a-t-e. (I think that's worth 12 points!)

 

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Hey Lester, if you put down c-e-l-e-b-r-a-t-e (9 letters) they you would have probably put down all the letters in your rack and had a BINGO! Add 50 points. Nice play!

Chris Fredericks (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 8:42 AM)

Hi Lester, I am a Scrabble addict too! I have played online with people from all over the world and it's so much fun. I recently found a great Scrabble website at Scrabulous.com

Pat Breslin, Clearwater, Fla. (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 8:43 AM)

I don't believe XI is a word, Lester. Prove it.

Mike Scott (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 8:45 AM)

Well, certainly XI is a word, and more importantly QI, KI, and ZA are now words in Scrabble and have been for about a year. Scrabble addicts like Lester and myself have likely read the superb book Word Freak, and maybe have even seen the DVD's on competitive Scrabble (Word Wars and Scrabylon.) Google for National Scrabble Association and learn how to join. There are many active Scrabble clubs that meet frequently across the nation, and tournaments for people of all ages in addition to school age kids. What a great game...and great coverage Lester, thanks!

Bill Snoddy, Asheville NC (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 9:03 AM)

I did not think you could use personal names in scabble (Dan)

Ron Keeney (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 9:04 AM)

Hi Lester, You know what's even better than Scrabble is Scrabble Blast - from Shockwave.com. Try it and you'll be hooked and what's great is the game is as long as you want it to be because you're the only one playing and it gets saved for as long as you want it to be... have fun!!

Janice, Rhode Island (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 9:07 AM)

Lester, I thoroughly your show this morning. I'm not a scrabble fanatic but I do enjoy playing and just watching your segement was fun.

Gayle Armstrong, Waukeganm, IL. (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 9:12 AM)

The best way to play online is using ISC (Internet Scrabble Club). That's where all the top players (and many novice and intermediate players) play online. Go to www.isc.ro and download WordBiz to play. Unlike many Scrabble applications, WordBiz contains the most recent edition of the Scrabble dictionary, so it translates well into offline tournament play.

Rebecca, Stamford, Connecticut (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 9:35 AM)

Great to see a pilot who is also a Scrabble player!

Eva Owen, Rego Park, NY (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 9:59 AM)

Celebrate, with no bonuses, is 13 points. C and B 3 points each, The other seven letters 1 point each. i am also a Scrabble addict. And a certified club and tournamnet director.

Dawn G Minneapolis, MN (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 11:59 AM)

Lester, Loved your Scrabble story. I too am a Scrabble addict. I play with friends a few times a month, read the National Scrabble Association word a day page online and play the computer version many times a week. I also play other Scrabble type games.

Patty Webb, Vienna, VA (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 7:39 PM)

Lester, what are the words that begin with Q and are not followed by a U? I am a Kindergarten teacher and this past week was "Q Week." I've always told my students that Q is followed by a U...forever and ever for the rest of your lives! Uh oh! If they saw your segment this morning, they will call me up on it! (They know the Today Show, as they made an adorable video with me when I applied for the anchor for a day contest.) I enjoy your show very much: it's always a great way to begin the week-end.

Judy Mumma, Paulding, Ohio (Sent Sunday, May 06, 2007 8:40 PM)

Q Words without a U after QINDARKA SHEQELUM BUQSHAS QINDARS QINTARS QIVIUTS QWERTYS BUQSHA FAQIRS QANATS QINDAR QINTAR QIVIUT QWERTY SHEQEL TRANQS UMIAQS FAQIR QAIDS QANAT QOPHS TRANQ UMIAQ QAID QATS QOPH SUQS QAT SUQ

Lyne - Nobelsville IN (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 11:43 AM)

Does anyone know how to view the SCrabble piece on the Today show? I was at the competition they showed but missed the show!

Bruce M. Vatske (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 12:56 PM)

isnt scrabble supposed to be in english in the USA? the Q words i just read are very inidentifible to me.

lola (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 4:19 PM)

sunday is not an acceptable word, dan, xi are OK

ruth edison, NJ (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 4:57 PM)

My mother was a scrabble Freek and used the game as a punishment. It was much worse than being grounded where you could watch tv or play in the yard. As a teen, stuck at the kitchen table with your mother for four hours, every evening, for a week was very effective. I still love the game, however, my brother will not allow a scrabble board in his home.

Melisa Anderson, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Thursday, May 10, 2007 1:25 AM)



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