MUSINGS ON WORD STUDY SOFTWARE
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January, 1996


There exist a small number of word study software packages designed to help 
serious Scrabble (tm) players improve their competitiveness. They take a 
number of different approaches ranging from generating custom word lists, use 
of "flash cards" and mnemonic devices to increase the player's knowledge 
base, and even practice word construction games and exercises. Some players
swear by the program they use, while others totally disdain any study system 
at all.

I will put forth the thesis that beginning to near-expert players can to an 
extent benefit from a software word study system. It can help hone pattern 
recognition skills and greatly augment the working "game vocabulary" with 
regular use, not to mention increase confidence. At a certain level of 
skill, though, a point of diminishing returns may be reached. If word study 
becomes an obsession to the extent of limiting enjoyment of playing the game 
itself, then its utility must be questioned. 

An expert level player might be advised to limit the time spent on word 
study systems, or any word study at all, and instead divert some energy to 
relaxation activities. A hot, calming bath and a good night's sleep before 
the tournament might well be much more effective than an intense word study 
session. Yoga or meditation exercises may help. 

In competition, consistency is at least as important as skill level. In any 
given tournament, the least skillful participant playing at his best can 
defeat the most skillful one playing at her worst. A migraine headache, 
indigestion, a hangover, sleep deficit, or even just distraction from noise 
or glaring lights... these are the great equalizers. Any factor that tends to 
break the *concentration* is much more significant than skill. The human part 
of the equation would thus seem to outweigh all other considerations.

Having minimized the importance of word study software for *expert* 
competitors, let me mention that I am the author of the WORDY and WAK 
software packages described in the files WORDY.AD and WAK.AD elsewhere in 
this archive. A number of other word study packages are reviewed in Steven 
Alexander's excellent Scrabble (tm) FAQ (see the file, INFO.TXT). 

It will be interesting to see whether computer word study aids raise the 
overall level of competition and put at a disadvantage those players not 
using them. In the chess world, almost all serious competitors use computer 
databases to improve their game. Can Scrabble (tm) lag behind? 

Your comments and feedback on this topic are welcome.

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                  M\Cooper
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