Jim Kramer's Spectacular Tournament Stories

1 - The Third Extension for VOX

The 1995 Sioux Falls tournament turned out to be quite interesting. Going into the last round, Steve Pellinen, Lisa Odom, Tim Adamson and I were all tied at 8-3. Steve had the highest spread by a mile, I was next, Lisa was about 100 behind me, and Tim was way back.

My opening rack against Steve was DOOVX?? and I played VOX 8G for 26. Steve fished off a U for 10 with XU I8. My rack was DOOOO??. I saw VOODOOed immediately, but after seeing that Tim had started his game with a bingo, I decided to play vOx H7, using both my blanks for 2 points.

After Steve's eyes popped back into his head, he passed his beautiful bingo rack in search of the letters to make VOLVOX or SONOVOX. My rack was DOOOOOO. I passed the D and drew a Q. Steve passed six.

On the other board, Lisa bingoed. I decided I might need the Q, so I passed zero. Steve passed six again with a resigned look. He knew that if I passed I would win the game on the "six consecutive scores of zero" rule.

Tim bingoed. Lisa played a triple-triple for about 200 points. Suddenly Lisa looked like the favorite to win the tournament if I didn't make a play.

I played OOOQOOVOXO 8A for 167. Steve did not challenge, since that would end the game with six consecutive scores of zero and cost him any chance at winning the tournament. Anyway, the game got progressively more interesting as it went on, but I don't have time to detail the rest now.