18th Annual Albany New Year’s Scrabble Tournament
Main Event: NWL & CSW
23 games | Dec 29-Jan 1
$135 USD ($200 CDN)
CSW also WESPA rated
Early Bird 1: NWL & CSW
7 games | Dec 28
$25 USD ($40 CDN)
Early Bird 2: NWL & CSW
5 games | Dec 29
$25 USD ($40 CDN)
Scroll to bottom of page for schedule
Scrabble Tournament
23 Game Main Event
7 Game Early Bird 1
5 Game Early Bird 2
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
Deadline to book is Dec 18, 2023. After that date, book the room at whatever rate is available and contact Kieran with confirmation number to get rate adjusted to Scrabble rate.
Room rate $103/night + taxes USD.
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)
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
Tournament Schedule
Thursday Dec 28
11:30 AM - 3:15 PM Early Bird 1 Rounds 1-4, then 30 minute snack break
3:45 PM - 6:45 PM Early Bird 1 Rounds 5-7
Friday Dec 29
11:30 AM - 4:30 PM Early Bird 2 Rounds 1-5. Five games, no break.
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Main Event Rounds 1-3
Saturday Dec 30
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 4-7
2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 8-11
9:15 PM - 10:30 PM Team Trivia in game room. Participation is free. Prizes to top 2 winning teams (up to 5 players/team)
Sunday Dec 31
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 12-15
2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 16-19
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.
Monday Jan 1
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 20-23 (no lunch break), prize ceremony follows
1:30 PM - 12:00 AM Game room available for after hours play