Following is tournament information for Summit Open SCRABBLE^® tournaments.  Information for 2-day tournaments can be found immediately below.  For 3-day tournament information, please Click Here.

Holiday Inn, Hudson, Ohio (240 Hines Hill Rd., Rt. 8 & Ohio Turnpike)

Fee: $55 if paid in advance; $60 at door (cash); $70 at door (check)

Number of Rounds: 11 (see below for important details and exception)

Director:
Christopher P. Sheppard
2237 Fairway Blvd.
Hudson, OH 44236

330-656-2476

mshep@core.com

Miscellaneous: Please! NO smoking, pets (assistance animals excepted), or non-players (including infants) in tournament room. Players are requested to turn off cell phones and pagers. The Director may consider requests for non-participants with a bona fide interest in SCRABBLE tournaments to observe play on the first day of this event ONLY.  There is a $5 fee for withdrawing from the tourney after registration and before play begins.

FORMAT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

1. This tournament has no divisions. All players will play 11 rounds except the two Grand Finalists (see below for details).

2. The first day of the tournament is the Preliminary session. All players play seven rounds using modified Swiss pairings.

3. After the Preliminary session has been completed, the players will be divided into three groups based on the standings, as follows:

a. The two players with the best records are the GRAND FINALISTS. They will play a best-of-five match on the second day for the championship.

The match loser will be awarded second place. Because the length of the match may vary, these two players’ total rounds played may vary from 11.

b. The next four best players (i.e., those with the third through sixth best records) are the PETIT FINALISTS. They will play on the second day to determine third through sixth places as follows:

(1) They will be seeded 1 through 4, based on their Preliminary records, and paired 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 in the best-of-two Relegation matches.

(2) The two Relegation match winners will play another best-of-two match for third place, with the loser being awarded fourth place.

(3) The two Relegation match losers will play another best-of-two match for fifth place, with the loser being awarded sixth place.

c. All remaining players constitute the GENERAL POOL, and will play four rounds of conventional tournament play on the second day to decide all remaining places starting with seventh, using modified Swiss pairings, and again avoiding repeat pairings as much as possible. The final standings for these players will be based on their overall tournament record (all 11 rounds).

PROCEDURE FOR BREAKING TIES IN STANDINGS

4. In accordance with the usual NSA rules, players are ranked in the standings firstly by won-lost record and secondly by cumulative point spread. If and when two or more players have identical won-lost records and identical point spreads, the following additional steps will be taken until the tie is broken:

Step 1: Head-to-Head: The player with the best head-to-head won-lost record will receive the highest placement, with the proviso that this step is applicable only if one player has defeated all others in the tied segment at least once. If this step does not apply or if head-to-head record is tied, skip to the next step.

Step 2: Scoring Average: The player with the highest scoring average in games actually played and completed thus far (i.e., disregarding all byes and forfeits) will receive the highest placement.

Step 3: Coin toss.

Note: If three or more players are involved in a tie, and one or more of them are eliminated at any step, leaving at least two still tied, then the procedure reverts to Step 1 for those remaining tied players.

PROCEDURE FOR PLAYING BEST-OF-TWO MATCHES

5. Each best-of-two match proceeds as follows:

a. The players shall play exactly two games. If, after both games, one player leads 2-0 or 1.5-0.5 in games, that player shall be declared the winner. If the game score is 1-1 after both games, the player with the better net point spread (in the two match games only) shall be declared the winner.

Should there be zero net point spread between the players, the player with the better Preliminary session record will be the one to advance.

b. The players must draw to determine who goes first in the first game. The player who lost the draw shall then go first in the second game.

c. In all other respects best-of-two match games will be treated the same as normal tournament games.

PROCEDURE FOR PLAYING BEST-OF-FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

6. The best-of-five Championship match shall proceed as follows:

a. The players shall play until one player has accumulated at least 3.0 wins, and has more wins than the opposing player. Point spread in this match is immaterial to the outcome. This match can inexactly be described as “best-of-five” because it normally will require no more than five games.

However, in the event of a 2.5-2.5 tie in game score after five games, a sixth game would be needed. Again, the game score is the only criterion that will be used to determine the outcome of this match.

b. Prior to the match, the Director will conduct a ceremonial coin toss between the two players. The player winning the toss shall go first in all odd-numbered games of the match, and the other player shall go first in all even-numbered games.

c. The players shall be entitled to a break of not more than 10 minutes after each of the first three match games. Thereafter, breaks shall be limited to 5 minutes. These breaks need not be taken at the same time as those of the other players in the tournament.

d. The players shall record the results on a special match score card designed for that purpose, in lieu of an ordinary tournament score card.

SCHEDULE

Note: These times are necessarily approximate. Players not involved in recounts will be entitled to 10 minutes between rounds.

Saturday Noon to 12:30 – Registration
Saturday 12:30 to 4:30 – Preliminary session (Rounds #1-4)
Saturday 4:30 to 6:15 – Dinner break
Saturday 6:15 to 9:15 – Preliminary session (Rounds #5-7)
Sunday 12:15 to 2:15 – Relegation matches (best-of-two) 
                                   General Pool session (Rounds #8-9)
Sunday 2:15 to 4:15 – Third Place and Fifth Place matches (best-of-two) 
                                 General Pool session (Rounds #10-11)
Sunday 12:15 to completion – Championship match (best-of-five) Players involved should allow for 5 to 6 hours in case the match should run long; the director may allow a dinner break should circumstances warrant it.

PRIZE INFORMATION

After all costs have been deducted (ballroom rental, pay for directors and word judges, supplies, etc.) the remaining fee money constitutes the available prize pool, and will be divided into 32 equal shares to be awarded as follows (Note: trophy and ribbon prizes are tentative and subject to change):

1st place = 9 shares + trophy
2nd place = 7 shares + smaller trophy
3rd place = 5 shares + white ribbon
4th place = 4 shares + yellow ribbon
5th place = 3 shares + green ribbon
6th place = 2 shares + pink ribbon
7th place = 2 shares + violet ribbon
8th place = orange ribbon only 
 

Holiday Inn, Hudson, Ohio

Fee: $75 if paid in advance; $80 at door (cash); $90 at door (check)

Number of Rounds: 18 (see below for important details and exceptions)

Director:
Christopher P. Sheppard
2237 Fairway Blvd.
Hudson, OH 44236

330-656-2476

mshep@core.com

Miscellaneous: Please! NO smoking, pets (assistance animals excepted), or non-players (including infants) in tournament room. Players are requested to turn off cell phones and pagers. The Director may consider requests for non-participants with a bona fide interest in SCRABBLE tournaments to observe play on the first day of this event ONLY.  There is a $5 fee for withdrawing from the tourney after registration and before play begins.

FORMAT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

1. This tournament has no divisions. All players will play 18 rounds, except Semifinalists and/or Finalists, whose number of rounds may vary slightly, as provided below.

2. The first day, and the first 3 rounds of the second day, of the tournament constitute the preliminary session. All players play 10 rounds using modified Swiss pairings, avoiding repeat pairings as much as possible.

3. After the Preliminary session has been completed, the top eight players will advance to the Quarterfinal matches. All remaining players enter the General Pool. Quarterfinal matches will run on a best-of-two games basis (see Rule #8 below for procedure). The Quarterfinalists shall be seeded 1 to 8 based on their Preliminary session records, and paired 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, and 4 vs. 5.

4. After the Quarterfinal matches have been completed, the four Quarterfinal winners will advance to the Semifinal matches, and the four Quarterfinal losers will join the General Pool.

Semifinal matches will run on a best-of-three games basis (see Rule #9 below for procedure).

The Semifinalists shall be paired as follows: The winner of the “1 vs. 8” Quarterfinal match shall play the winner of the “4 vs. 5” Quarterfinal match, and the winner of the “2 vs. 7” Quarterfinal match shall play the winner of the “3 vs. 6” Quarterfinal match.

5. After the Semifinal matches have been completed, the two Semifinal winners will advance to the Championship match, and the two Semifinal losers will join the General Pool. The Championship match will run of a best-of-five games basis (see rule #10 below for procedure). The loser of the Championship match will be awarded second place.

6. Players in the General Pool will be paired against each other using modified Swiss pairings, again avoiding repeat pairings as much as possible. They will play (a) 2 rounds while Quarterfinal matches are in progress, (b) 2 rounds while Semifinal matches are in progress, and (c) 4 rounds while the Championship match is in progress (even if match ends sooner). Their final standings will be based on their overall tournament records (including games that are part of Quarterfinal and Semifinal matches in which they may have participated prior to joining the General Pool), and will decide places THREE AND UP. In the case of losing Semifinalists having played one more game than other General Pool players, the primary standings criterion shall be percentage of games won (see Rule#7 below).

PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING STANDINGS

7. In accordance with the usual NSA procedures, players are ranked in the Preliminary session and General Pool standings firstly by won-lost record and secondly by cumulative point spread. If and when two or more players have identical won-lost records AND identical point spreads, the following additional steps will be taken until the tie is broken:

Step 1: Head-to-Head: The player with the best head-to-head won-lost record will receive the highest placement, with the proviso that this step is applicable only if one player has defeated all others in the tied segment at least once. If this step does not apply or if head-to-head record is tied, skip to the next step.

Step 2: Scoring Average: The player with the highest scoring average in games actually played and completed thus far (i.e., disregarding all byes and forfeits) will receive the highest placement.

Step 3: Coin toss.

Note: If three or more players are involved in a tie, and one or more of them are eliminated at any step, leaving at least two still tied, then the procedure reverts to Step 1 for those remaining tied players.

PROCEDURE FOR PLAYING BEST-OF-TWO QUARTERFINAL MATCHES

8. Each best-of-two match proceeds as follows:

a. The players shall play exactly two games. If, after both games, one player leads 2-0 or 1.5-0.5 in games, that player shall be declared the winner. If the game score is 1-1 after both games, the player with the better net point spread (in the two match games ONLY) shall be declared the winner. Should there be zero net point spread between the players, the player with the better Preliminary session record will be the one to advance.

b. The players must draw to determine who goes first in the first game. The player who lost the draw shall then go first in the second game.

c. In all other respects, best-of-two match games shall be treated the same as normal tournament games.

PROCEDURE FOR PLAYING BEST-OF-THREE SEMIFINAL MATCHES

9. Each best-of-three match proceeds as follows:

a. The players shall initially play two games. If, after both games, one player leads 2-0 in games, that player shall be declared the winner and the match is ended. If the game score is either 1-1 or 1.5-0.5 after two games, a third game must be played. If, after the third game, the game score is 2-1 or 2.5-0.5, the leading player shall be declared the winner. If the game score is 1.5-1.5 after three games, the player with the better net point spread (in the three match games ONLY) shall be declared the winner. Should there be zero net point spread between the two players, the player with the better Preliminary session record will be the one to advance.

b. The players must draw to determine who goes first in the first game. The player who lost the draw shall then go first in the second game. If a third game is necessary, the player to go first shall be determined based upon “firsts” and “seconds” in the Preliminary session.

c. The players shall be entitled to breaks of not more than 10 minutes between the first and second match games, and not more than 5 minutes between the second and third match games. These breaks need not coincide with those of any other players in the tourney.

d. In all other respects, best-of-three match games shall be treated the same as normal tournament games.

PROCEDURE FOR PLAYING BEST-OF-FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

10. The best-of-five Championship match shall proceed as follows:

a. The players shall play until one player has accumulated at least 3.0 wins, AND has more wins than the opposing player. Point spread in this match is immaterial to the outcome.

This match can inexactly be described as “best-of-five” because it normally will require no more than five games. However, in the event of a 2.5-2.5 tie in game score after five games, a sixth game would be necessary. Again, the game score is the ONLY criterion that will be used to determine the outcome of this match.

b. Prior to the match, the Director will conduct a ceremonial coin toss between the two players. The player winning the toss shall go first in all odd-numbered games of the match, and the other player shall go first in all even-numbered games.

c. The players shall be entitled to breaks of not more than 10 minutes after each of the first three match games. Thereafter, breaks shall be limited to 5 minutes. These breaks need not coincide with those of any other players in the tourney.

d. The players shall record the results on a special match score card designed for that purpose, in lieu of an ordinary tournament score card.

SCHEDULE

Note: These times in all cases refer to “PM” and are necessarily approximate. Players not involved in recounts shall be entitled to breaks of 10 minutes between rounds.

Saturday 12:15 to 12:45 – Registration
Saturday 12:45 to 4:45 – Preliminary session Rounds 1-4
Saturday 4:45 to 6:15 – Dinner break
Saturday 6:15 to 9:15 – Preliminary session Rounds 5-7
Sunday 12:30 to 3:30 – Preliminary session Rounds 8-10
Sunday 3:30 to 4:30 – Quarterfinal matches Game 1 and General Pool Round 11
Sunday 4:30 to 6:00 – Dinner break
Sunday 6:00 to 7:00 – Quarterfinal matches Game 2 and General Pool Round 12
Sunday 7:00 to 9:00 – Semifinal matches Games 1-2 and General Pool Rounds 13-14
Sunday 9:00 to 10:00 – Semifinal matches Game 3 (if necessary)
Monday 12:30 to 4:30 – General Pool Rounds 15-18
Monday 12:30 to completion – Championship match – Players involved should allow for 5 to 6 hours in case the match should run long; the director may allow a dinner break should circumstances warrant it.

PRIZE INFORMATION

After all costs have been deducted (ballroom rental, pay for directors and word judges, supplies, NSA fee, etc.) the remaining fee money constitutes the available prize pool, and will be divided into 32 equal shares to be awarded as follows (Note: trophy and ribbon prizes are tentative and subject to change):

1st place = 9 shares + trophy
2nd place = 7 shares + smaller trophy
3rd place = 5 shares + white ribbon
4th place = 4 shares + yellow ribbon
5th place = 3 shares + green ribbon
6th place = 2 shares + pink ribbon
7th place = 2 shares + violet ribbon
8th place = orange ribbon only