In the world of Scrabble, every word counts.
It's a fierce competition where wits and brainpower collide, and this weekend, the nation's finest wordsmiths have gathered in the capital for the ultimate challenge.
The 44th National Scrabble Championship has drawn players from across the country and generations, with competitors dedicating countless hours to training and late nights poring over word lists. As the games unfold, each contestant yearns for victory, their determination evident in every carefully placed tile.
"It's deadly quiet once they're all playing," said Liz Fagerlund of Scrabble NZ.
"They're not friends anymore but once they're finished, they're all good mates again. It's a great way to get to know people."
From young enthusiasts to seasoned players, the competition captivates participants of all ages.
Maheu T-Pole, 11, travelled from Auckland to take part.
“I look up letters every five days a week. I’m enjoying the competition a lot," T-Pole said.
"I like it so much because there’s different age groups all meeting."
Amidst the intense concentration, the only sound emanating from the competition hall is the jingling of letter tiles as players strategise and calculate their next moves. The Scrabble board transforms into a battlefield of intellect, each participant vying for the ultimate triple word score and, of course, the win.
It’s a game New Zealand punches well above our weight.
Fagerlund praised the depth and quality of the talent taking part.
"We have some really good Scrabblers. We always have a few that qualify for world champs," she said.
"The best Scrabble player in the world is a New Zealander but he lives in Malaysia, so it's a bit of a loss for us. But we all follow him and always watch what he does. We have very, very good players."
As the competition progresses, every choice becomes crucial. Dylan Early, the country's current second-ranked Scrabble player, recalls the moment his opponent played "zeolite" for a staggering 102 points, leaving him struggling to catch up.
"It only takes one move and you can be on the back foot," he said.
Top player Alexander Gander said learning how to leverage high-value tiles like the J, Q, X, and Z; mastering two-letter words; and maximising point-scoring opportunities is key.
With each game lasting 25 minutes and contestants expected to play a total of 22 games by the weekend's end, exhaustion sets in for some.
"I'm not going home," remarked one participant. "I live in Auckland, so I won't be driving home on Monday. It's that exhausting."
Tomorrow, the winners will be crowned, with many expected to gain enough points to qualify for the world championships later this year.
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