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#player1 Mack_Meller_ Mack Meller
#player2 Ken Ken
>Mack_Meller_: BRUX H6 BRUX +26 26
>Ken: EIILRRU 6F RU.LI +11 11
>Mack_Meller_: FOP 7G P.OF +28 54
>Ken: ?DEEGIR K7 sEDGIER +75 86
>Mack_Meller_: AFSZ 13I ZA.FS +54 108
>Ken: ?AACILS 14D cICALAS +81 167
#note I had just studied CICALAS/ALCAICS prior to the tournament and saw it immediately. It felt like a strong play. Scores more than any other play and placing the C at D14 is defensive because it prevents a parallel triple play and makes it harder to hit a D-line bingo. This is the type of play that makes me think: I can beat Mack this game.
>Mack_Meller_: AITW L8 WAIT +28 136
>Ken: EEEIPSW M3 WEEPIES +89 256
#note Wasn't 100% sure, but I have to be aggressive to defeat Mack. He held it briefly but ultimately (and correctly) let it go.
>Mack_Meller_: R 8K ...R +7 143
>Ken: AEMNOUV 6L U.O +7 263
#note Here is where things get very interesting! EWER immediately puts me under pressure, but I remember smiling at Mack...because he will be doing everything possible to steal this from me, and I will have to stay calm and play smart to hold on. I figure Mack has the S, and I have to block what could be a 100+ point bingo. UPO L6 is the best blocking play I can find: Mack can still bingo on the O line, but I've made it harder which is all I can do.
>Mack_Meller_: ETY N1 TYE +17 160
>Ken: AEGMNNV O4 VENA +17 280
#note Mack just created a triple-triple line with TYE N1, which I feel like is very smart. I see MAG/ZAG G15 for 41 points, but I feel it is likely that spot will be open on the next turn because there is only 1 G in the bag, and without the G there is nothing special about that spot, and it doesn't open anything--which I imagine Mack would ideally want to do down 100. From a risk management perspective, what really worries me here is a triple triple or EWERS bingo. I want to block one of those spots...while keeping alive my ZAG play on the next turn. In hindsight, a better play may be VAN L2 for 22 points because it scores 5 more than VENA O4 and blocks the triple-triple which is the more concerning opening. A minor factor I also consider in favor of VENA is that I know I'll need to draw an A,I, or O to hit G15 MAG/MIG/MOG, and turning over 1 extra tile with VENA (compared to VAN) slightly increases that possibility.
>Mack_Meller_: ELMOSTY L2 TOM +24 184
#note Interestingly I would have played the same word at the same location if Mack hadn't played here. Although the triple triple is still open because an A can be placed at L1, I'm definitely less worried now.
>Ken: GIMNORT 15G MOG +41 321
#note Yup
>Mack_Meller_: EEL K3 LEE +18 202
>Ken: EHINRTT M3 .......T +17 338
#note There isn't anything in the bag I'm looking to draw. I'm leading by 119 points and not interested in opening the board further. I liked WEEPIEST M3 because it score points and leaves really nice letters. If Mack opens it up, I'll be positioned to respond.
>Mack_Meller_: ELU 9F LU.E +13 215
>Ken: EHINNRT D8 INTREN.H +80 418
#note This kinda puts it away. I think Mack senses the same, based on the body language of his response.
>Mack_Meller_: ACDEINS 5A INCASED +78 293
>Ken: BINOOOT A4 B.ONT +30 448
#note Obviously have to block the triple triple lane. BIOTIN A4 is clearly superior. I just didn't see it.
>Mack_Meller_: ADK B3 DA.K +39 332
>Ken: AIJOOQR 8C Q. +11 459
#note This was tricky. I see RIOJA G1, but I can't play it because I may get stuck with the Q. I consider QI/QI on C8, but I'm thinking I'll try for RIOJA on the following turn. Also, while QI 8C leaves 15 points on the table, it doesn't empty the bag which maybe has some benefit here?
>Mack_Meller_: AV 2J VA. +18 350
>Ken: AIIJOOR 11D .IOJA +24 483
>Mack_Meller_: DGHNOY 12F HOY +36 386
>Ken: IOR 13A IRO. +8 491
>Ken: (DGN) +10 501
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