UK Open (Scrabble)

The UK OPEN Scrabble Tournament is a British Scrabble tournament that was first organised in 2008. It is one of five major flagship tournaments overseen by the Association of British Scrabble Players (ABSP).

History

The five-day tournament has been held every year since 2008. The prize pool was £13,000 in 2011 and has become the largest Scrabble tournament in Europe.[1]  Players from as far away as Australia, Nigeria, and the United States have participated.

The event consists of an 18-game warm-up event running over two days followed by a separate 30-game main event running over 3-days. The former awards a smaller pool of prize money than the latter. Players may enter one of both of these, but the official title of UK Open Champion is awarded to the winner of the main event.  The tournament has revolutionized Scrabble in the UK.

Founder and organiser Len Moir said:

 "There are people from around the globe. It’s one week, a great prize fund and 48 games –  Coventry was chosen because it’s the centre of England and it has great air links. With Birmingham Airport nearby"[1]

Since 2012, tournament has been held at the Quality Hotel in Allesley.  The tournament had previously been held at The Aston Court Hotel on Holyhead Road. 10-time UK Open champion Nigel Richards, who represents New Zealand at the UK Open, is the most successful player at the tournament. Only three other players have won the title to date: Helen Gipson in 2009, Paul Allan in 2015 and Ed Martin in 2020.

Previous Winners

Grand prize winners of the UK Open Scrabble Tournament

Tournament DateLocationPrize FundWinner
2020Coventry ?Ed Martin[2]
2019 ? ?Nigel Richards (10)[3]
2018 ? ?Nigel Richards (9)[4]
2017Coventry> £8,000Nigel Richards (8)[5]
2016Coventry> £8,000Nigel Richards (7)[6]
2015Coventry> £8,000Paul Allan[7]
2014Coventry> £8,000Nigel Richards (6)[8]
2013Coventry> £8,000Nigel Richards (5)[9]
2012Coventry> £8,000Nigel Richards (4)[10]
2011Coventry> £8,000Nigel Richards (3)[11]
2010Coventry> £8,000Nigel Richards (2)[12]
5–9 January 2009Coventry> £8,000Helen Gipson[13]
7–11 January 2008Coventry> £8,000Nigel Richards (1)[14]

References
  1. "Wordsmiths from all over the world in Allesley for UK Open Scrabble Tournament". Coventry Telegraph.net. Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  2. CentreStar. "2020 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  3. CentreStar. "2019 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  4. CentreStar. "2018 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  5. CentreStar. "2017 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  6. CentreStar. "2016 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  7. CentreStar. "2015 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  8. CentreStar. "2014 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  9. CentreStar. "2013 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  10. CentreStar. "2012 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  11. CentreStar. "2011 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  12. CentreStar. "2010 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  13. CentreStar. "2009 UK Open Website". Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  14. CentreStar. "2008 UK Open Website". Retrieved 6 May 2011.
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