19th Annual Albany New Year’s Scrabble Tournament
Main Event: NWL & CSW
28 games | Dec 29-Jan 1
$150 USD ($215 CDN)
CSW also WESPA rated
Early Bird: NWL & CSW
7 games | Dec 28
$25 USD ($35 CDN)
Scroll to bottom of page for schedule
Scrabble Tournament
28 Game Main Event
7 Game Early Bird
After Hours Gameplay
Join us for Scrabble variants like blitz and team play!
Fun prizes!
Team Trivia
Hosted by Matthew O'Connor
Free to play!
Cash prizes!
Door Prizes
Door prizes every day
Last year: hotel night, board, clock, racks, tiles & more!
Albany Marriott
189 Wolf Rd, Albany NY 12205 USA
Hotel Information
Room rate $106/night + taxes USD.
NOTE: to be considered "in the room block" and avoid the commuter fee, you must book directly through the hotel via the link below or by calling. Any bookings through third party websites or by loyalty points are considered outside the room block.
Book by phone: 800-443-8952 or thru this link
Commuter fee per person (if not staying at the tournament hotel and within the room block) for main event: $30 US ($45 CDN)
Deadline to book is Dec 17, 2024. After that date, book the room at whatever rate is available and contact Kieran with confirmation number to get rate adjusted to Scrabble rate.
Hotel Amenities
Parking is no cost for players
Free WiFi in guest rooms, lobby and playing room
All rooms have mini-fridge, coffee maker. Lobby microwaves.
In-hotel restaurant/bar
You may cancel your room booking, with no penalty, up until 4PM, two days before the first night of your reservation.
EV charging (free) 2 minute walk from hotel. Link
Tournament Information
Commuter fee per person (if not staying at the tournament hotel and within the room block) for main event: $30 US ($45 CDN)
Swiss/COP pairings. NWL—if fewer than 48 people: two divisions cut at 1400. If greater than 48 people: three divisions cut at 1600 and 1200. Unlimited playups. CSW will have two divisions if there are 28 players or more
One game from NWL Division A or CSW will be streamed online each round, at Directors' discretion. Players rated 1800 or above should expect to be streamed.
In addition to place prizes, performance-based prizes will be given in all divisions
Prizes paid in $USD. Prize payouts $100 USD and over will be paid electronically or by check
Directors may alter tournament structure in best interest of the event, including spread Gibsonization
Check our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page for other info
Tournament Schedule
Saturday Dec 28
11:30 AM - 3:15 PM Early Bird Rounds 1-4, then 30 minute snack break
3:45 PM - 6:45 PM Early Bird Rounds 5-7
Sunday Dec 29
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 1-4
2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 5-8
9:15 PM - 10:30 PM After hours hosted game play in game room. Join us for Scrabble variants like blitz, doubles/team play, and more.
Monday Dec 30
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 9-12
2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 13-16
9:15 PM - 10:45 PM Team Trivia in game room. Participation is free. Prizes to top 2 winning teams (up to 5 players/team)
10:45 PM - 12:00 AM After hours hosted game play in game room. Join us for Scrabble variants like blitz, doubles/team play, and more.
Tuesday Dec 31
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 17-20
2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 21-24
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM After hours hosted game play in game room. Join us for Scrabble variants like blitz, doubles/team play, and more.
Wednesday Jan 1
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 25-28 (no lunch break), prize ceremony follows
1:30 PM - 12:00 AM Game room available for after hours play