From: "Michael Chitwood" <MChitwood@classic.msn.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 97 02:25:01 UT
Subject: RE: SOWPODS and single challenge
Message-id: <UPMAIL06.199709230228420460@classic.msn.com>

Leah and all cgp-ers:

I have to stick in my two bits worth. While I am growing fond of the idea of an international word source, SOWPODS or MW3NI or whatever, I am still firmly in favor of the double challenge rule. Some say it is an advantage for the higher rated players, some say for the lower rated players and some contend that it will raise Scrabble® to a higher plane.

I am fully in favor of the double challenge rule simply because it keeps the sport in Scrabble®. Look at football, baseball and basketball, where fake plays are pulled off all the time. It keeps the game interesting and gives the underdog a chance to beat the better team. Some of the plays are fully legal within the sport, some push the envelope of legality. For instance in baseball, many violations of the rules are appeal plays (challenges) which are not called by the umpires unless appealed by the opposing team. Missing a base is against the rules. But it is not called by the umpire unless the other team appeals the play. the successful appeal rewards the observant team. So does the successful challenge in Scrabble®.

The double challenge rule forces all of us to pay attention to the game. Besides, many of the "phoneys" are simple misspellings or a word that players think they have seen somewhere. Most of them are not out and out phoneys. But a strategic phoney by a lower rated player can make the difference in the game with a much higher rated player. The same can be said of the higher rated players. It is a bluff, which is a big part of American history and culture. It is also a part of military strategy.

Those who would eliminate the double challenge rule seem to be of the thought that all phoneys are played intentionally. I disagree, obviously. I also believe that when this game becomes simply a game of word knowledge, it will become like chess, where the lower rated player , except a prodigy on his/her way up, has no chance against the higher rated player. Then it will become a dull game and no longer any fun. Let's keep the American rule, where Scrabble® started and penalize the player for not knowing a good word. The phoneys will still come off the board if challenged. So pay attention.

Michael Chitwood