WESPA Youth Cup 2020

WESPA Youth Committee have delegated the Pakistani (mainly) youth Scrabble players, to run a virtual event for us this year, in lieu of WESPA Youth Cup. Currently they are in the process of comparing Woogles and ISC as the two possible platforms. At this stage, it looks like the final will be played early in January 2021 (but still called WYC2020). The organisers are currently working out the format/ qualifying criteria etc. This will be the best-possible virtual event for us (including protocols to prevent cheating). It is also a great opportunity to include countries which have not been able to compete in the past, due to visa or financial difficulties (eg Sierra Leone), and also to welcome back those who rarely compete, like Canada. Watch this space, for more details (once the organisers have finalised their decisions) In the meantime, work with your local youth players, to ensure you have a method of selecting your best players, once the qualifying criteria is announced.


On Line Scrabble

PlayScrab.com

PlayScrab.com to play friendly games, or tournament (leagues). We are now taking names of players aged under 18, who want to play either friendly games or league games against other youngsters, worldwide Parents will be contacted, to ensure they have permission to use this site. We also need proof of age (For any who played in recent WYC events, I have already sighted their passports/ID cards, so those players have no need to prove their age.) Whilst it is also possible for the young players to have a game with adults, they are not able to chat with adults. They *can* chat with each other. "Chat" is public, so we are able to monitor it, if anyone has any concerns, eg about bullying - I sincerely hope that all our youngsters are too smart for that, however! The initial leagues will be sorted based on WESPA ratings, where available. After that, the top 3 players in each group will jump up a group for the next round. It works on all platforms, through their browser (eg Chrome). This is free for young players, at least for the first year. Apply here, for youth membership: https://playscrab.com/youth.shtml

ISC - Internet Scrabble Club

An introduction to ISC is here on this link.







WESPA Youth Cup 2019 - Main Event

Cup Division - Prize List and Final Standings
Cup Division - Full Results

Youth Plate (2 day event)

WYC 2019 Plate Division - Prize List and Standings
WYC 2019 Plate Division - Full Results

Side Events - Any Age

Side A - Full Results
Side B - Open - Final Standings
Side B - Open - Full Results
Side B - Intermediate - Final Standings
Side B - Intermediate - Full Results

WESPA Youth Cup 2019 Champion is

Tarin Pairor from Thailand

Top 10 Place Getters


[photo credit: Beverley Hon]

World English-language Scrabble Players Association

WESPA Youth Cup

(formerly World Youth Scrabble Championship)

This fantastic event takes place every year in a different part of the world.
In 2019 it was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December 2019.

The WYC is open to players under the age of 18 at the end of the year. It not only gives players the opportunity to show their Scrabble skills but it is a great way of making friends with others from varied cultures.

History

Youth Committee report for 2019 BGM



The WESPA Youth Cup (formerly the World Youth Scrabble Championship) has been contested every year since 2006. Previous WESPA Youth Cup and World Youth Scrabble Champions are listed below. However, there are many more prizes awarded, which you can see when you click the links to see the event coverage from the past.

Year

Location

Champion

Runner Up

WYC 2019Kuala Lumpur (MYS)Tarin Pairor (THA)Janul De Silva (LKA)
WYC 2018Dubai (UAE)Syed Imaad Ali (PAK)Janul De Silva (LKA)
WYC 2017Kuala Lumpur (MYS) Aabid Ismail (LKA)Janul De Silva (LKA)
WYSC 2016 Lille (FRA) Sanchit Kapoor (UAE)Thavalakshman Yoganathan (LKA)
WYSC 2015Perth (AUS) Nicholas Hong (SGP) Abdullah Abbasi (PAK)
WYSC 2014Colombo (LKA) Jack Durand (UK) Yong Jian Rong (SGP)
WYSC 2013Dubai (UAE)Moizullah Baig (PAK)Javeria Arshad Mirza (PAK)
WYSC 2012Birmingham (UK) Michael McKenna (AUS)Cheong Yi Wei (MYS)
WYSC 2011Johor Bahru (MYS)Anand Bharadwaj (AUS)Victor Gwee (SGP)
WYSC 2010Manila (PHI) Ker Jen Ho (MYS)Preedee Khongthanarat (THA)
WYSC 2009Johor Bahru (MYS)Ong Suanne (MYS)Alastair Richards (AUS)
WYSC 2008Penang (MYS)Charnrit Khongthanarat (THA)Khoo Beng Way (MYS)
WYSC 2007Johor Bahru (MYS)Toh Weibin (SGP)Sean Chung (MYS)
WYSC 2006Wollongong (AUS)David Eldar (AUS)Austin Shin (UK)

Events

Upcoming Youth Scrabble Events Scrabble tournaments rated by the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA)are listed on the Tournament Calendar section of the WESPA website.

Tutorials

Resources

    Collins Dictionary Website

    There are lots of useful resources at the Scrabble Tools section of the Collins Dictionary website

    National Scrabble Associations

  • See the WESPA website for contact details for National Scrabble Associations.

    • Scrabble Starter Packs

    Scrabble Starter Packs for new players (developed by Trevor Hovelmeier).

    Scrabble Games to Help Learning

    If Only is a wonderful game for brushing up on bonus words.

    Scrabble Apps For Mobiles and Tablets

    Scrabble Playing Apps for playing against your phone or tablet

  • Scrabble Go (Android and Apple) - FREE. An online, colourful and vibey Scrabble playing app with additional mini word games. Play against friends, random players or your phone for super addictive fun! Uses a small amount of data. (NOTE: this app may not work on all brands of mobile phone, e.g. Huawei.)

    • Scrabble Playing Apps for playing against other people

  • Scrabble Go (Android and Apple) - FREE. An online, colourful and vibey Scrabble playing app with additional mini word games. Play against friends, random players or your phone for super addictive fun! Uses a small amount of data. (NOTE: this app may not work on all brands of mobile phone, e.g. Huawei.)
  • Classic Words Free (Android and Apple)- this has a pass-and-play mode for playing with someone who is with you - FREE, but there is also a paid version with more features.

    • Scrabble Word Lookup Apps

  • Scrabble Expert (Android) - FREE, can do build, anagram and pattern searches.
  • ULU (Apple) - FREE, (stands for Ultimate Lookup Utility), and also does word checks.
  • Word App (Android) - FREE! Can do build, anagram and pattern searches
  • Wali Timer (Android) - FREE, A phone or tablet based game timer that also does in-game challenge adjudication, and can be used to look up words.
  • Anagram Quizzer (Android and Apple) - FREE, and can be used to study words. There is a paid version with more features.
  • Hoot - Word Study Tool

    • Scrabble Word Checkers used to adjudicate challenges when playing

    NOTE: The only adjudication tools approved by WESPA and Collins, are Collins Zyzzyva, ULU, and WaliTimer. Those are the only ones that should be used during a WESPA rated tournament
  • Scrabble Word Checker (Android) - FREE, and also gives word definitions if you choose, so it can also be used as a dictionary. It may use a tiny amount of data to get word definitions.
  • ULU and Wali Timer (above) also have this function.
  • Scrabble Checker - FREE, for adjudication during games

    • Scrabble Word Study Apps

  • Anagram Quizzer (Android and Apple) - FREE. There is a paid version with more features.
  • Cram flashcard app (Android and Apple) - FREE - you have to make or download your own flashcards to study.
  • Quizlet flashcard app (Android and Apple) - FREE - you have to make or download your own flashcards to study.
  • Flashcards Deluxe (Android) - FREE - you have to make or download your own flashcards to study.
  • Anagram Quizzer (Android and Apple) - FREE, and can be used to study words. There is a paid version with more features.
  • Hoot - Word Study Tool

    • Scrabble Game Timer Apps

  • Wali Timer (Android) - FREE,A phone or tablet based game timer that also does in-game challenge adjudication, and can be used to look up words. (Always keep a fully charged power bank handy if you'll be using it for long periods)
  • Many chess clock apps can also be used.

    • Scrabble Programs for your Laptop or Desktop Computer

    Playing Scrabble on the Internet against other people

  • Internet Scrabble Club - FREE, but requires a small download to be able to run on your computer. Can be downloaded at www.isc.ro
  • FSL - Friendly Scrabble League - www.playscrab.com - Can play friendly games or play in a league. (Small cost involved)

    • Playing Scrabble against your computer

  • Quackle - FREE to download at www.quackle.org. Warning, it only plays on expert level, so rather start off with Battle of the Tiles or Classic Words Free if you're a beginner.

    • Studying and Looking Up Words on your Computer

  • Zyzzyva - FREE to download from Scrabble Tools section of the Collins Dictionary website
    Suggested Zyzzyva Cardbox Order for adding words by Alastair Richards
    Demonstration of How to Set Up Cardbox by Elliott Richards
  • Hoot - Word Study Tool

    • Learning Words in a study game on the Internet

  • Aerolith - FREE at www.aerolith.org. See how many anagrams you can solve in 5 minutes games.
  • Xerafin - Word Study

    • Websites, Books, and other Online Resources

    Websites

  • The WESPA website has information about international English language Scrabble including ratings.
  • The Australian Youth Scrabble site has news about Youth Scrabble in Australia and overseas.
  • Kenji Matsumoto has a website www.breakingthegame.net with information on books and strategy tips.

    • Facebook

    NOTE: Facebook is restricted to those aged over 13.
    There are interest groups such as Scrabble Snippetz with posts of interest to Scrabble players.

    National Scrabble Associations

  • See the WESPA website for contact details for National Scrabble Associations.

    • Free On Line Books and Coaching

  • Koala's Coaching Clinic - Basic Strategy
  • The Scrabble Player's Handbook - Advanced Strategy

    • Books for Purchase online

  • Word! by Kenji Matsumoto

    Click here - FREE BOOK OFFER for Youth Scrabble Players

    For players in Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Malaysia, and many other Asian countries, pick up a copy here!
    For players from the UK or Europe, click here!

    • Computer programs

  • The Scrabble Tools section of the Collins Dictionary website has several useful programs including Collins Zyzzyva and Collins Wordlist for LeXpert
    Suggested Zyzzyva Cardbox Order for adding words by Alastair Richards
    Demonstration of How to Set Up Cardbox by Elliott Richards

Words & Quizzes

From 1 July 2019, the official word list for Scrabble tournaments throughout the realm of the World English-Language Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) is Collins Official Scrabble Words 2019. [Hardcover - ISBN 978-0-00-832012-6]


Word Lists

Quizzes

Print the following tests out to see how many you know, then check the answers to see what you missed.

Mind Mapping

Mind Mapping is a technique whereby you create a document which links like concepts (words, in this case). Using colour helps to aid recall. This mind map created by Chris Hawkins will give you the structure - make your own, there is even more learning if you do that!

Study Aid for Vowel heavy short words developed by Chris Hawkins (UK) [Print in Landscape Mode] [Excel version of file]

An exercise for students - start with the word AA, then expand into all 3 and 4 letter words with 2 x A's. Then expand further, adding in an extra A; so, 5 and 6 letter words with 3 A's; then expand to 6 and 7 letter words with 4 A's (optional, extend to 8 letter words with 4 A's!)

Map for 3 to 7 letter vowel heavy words [ Excel version of file ]


Printable Study Lists to Download

Click here for word stems and probability lists to download and learn