Welcome to the Jerusalem Scrabble Club

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 Director: Elana Simons, 054 220 6238, elanalibby@gmail.com

 THIS WEEK AT THE CLUB

Season 85, Week 01 of 25 – February 17, 2026

The end of Season 84 saw DavidS at the head of Division A. The winner of the League Championship, however, will be decided only after he has played the best of five games against an opponent to emerge from amongst the next four top players – Wendy, Peta, Dahlia and Rena – who battled it out between them on Tuesday with determination and good humor. A second round of them playing each other is yet to come.

Elana’s first play in her game against Jonathan was IDOLATED, which isn’t good, “but then for my next play I put down IDOLATOR [a person who worships idols], which is good.” So, by the way, is the alternatively spelled IDOLATER. In another game, against ElanaS, “I had DOOLIES on my rack but didn’t play it, thinking it was just a ‘70s pop group [actually known as The Dooleys].” Instead, Elana continued, “I played OLDIES, and later in the game I tried to hook a G onto it to make GOLDIES, placing EMBARGO on the triple line. While EMBARGO is good, GOLDIES isn’t, and it was challenged off.” In fact, as Elana pointed out, no valid word can be made by prefixing a letter to OLDIES.

Bob reported being “filled with optimism” at the start of the new season. “But in my first game I pulled six E’s and an R. I dumped five E’s and drew three U’s. Vowels chased me around the whole game like rabid chihuahuas.” On the more relaxed side, “I put down GANJA, which is reggae slang for marijuana – less than two weeks after what would have been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday.”

The sight of three I’s on her rack caused May consternation, which is why she played KIWI. But the move cost her dearly. “It gave Richard access to the triple and might have won him the game – which I lost by two points.” Having two blanks at the same time can cause anxiety, but Brenda notched up a healthy 88 points by playing OUTFISH down the triple, with WADI linking to the S. In case OUTFISH sounds outlandish, Google helpfully defines it as “commonly used in the context of competitive angling.” Good to know.                                 

 Overheard: Q: “How did you do?” A: “My opponents played very well!”

If you missed the opportunity to communicate your hilite in person at the club you can email it to judymo@netvision.net.il or WhatsApp it (054-5552355) up until noon the following day. If you wish to mark an occasion by bringing refreshments to the club, please check with Susan up to a week in advance. 

WWW: DavidS, Rita, Yonatan

WOW: LOESSIC (DavidS), VENDETTA, PERSONAE (Dahlia)

PHOW: IDOLATED (Elana)

High Win, High Loss, High  Triple:

A: 454 (DavidS), 399 (Steve), 1292 (DavidS)

B1: 422 (Shirley), 395 (Judy), 1163 (Richard)

Scores over 500:

100-pt play: POURING 102 (DavidS)

Attendance: 26