For the last year and change, Austin, TX has pretty much been the epicenter of CoCo action. It all started in spring 2022, with the April multi-day tournament first organized by Becky Dyer and James Curley, and the Austin Scrabble madness has been going strong in 2023, as new Austin resident and CoCo director Jesse Day has been cranking out 1-day tournaments. In just the last few months, we've already seen the "Texas CSW One-Days" series produce a first event and a second one and a third in quick succession.

This weekend brought Texas CSW One-Day number four. And while it may have unfolded a little differently than the three events before it - there was a last-minute change of venue involved - the tournament ultimately went off with only the one minor hitch. Eventually much Scrabble was played and much fun, had.

Let's hear from Jesse:

It was the most Biblical Texas CSW One-Day yet. Due to an episode of pestilence, we took refuge at our neighborhood brewery, Lazarus Brewing, which nourished our nine followers with coffee, tacos, and beer. We played outside under shelter, which went well until a sudden diluvial deluge forced us temporarily to shelter. Amidst the flooding, James Curley inexplicably rose from the dead against Emmanuel King, turning a 150-point deficit into a 10-point win that would later clinch second place. Matt Canik demonstrated the ability to turn beer into more beer, after shattering a near-full mug and promptly being given another by the friendly bar staff. In return, Matt himself promptly donned the vestment of Lazarus. The participants were unanimously enthusiastic about the prospect of a future second coming to Lazarus.

In the final round, James gave me my only loss of the day, leaving both of us at 6-1, but I was able to cut spread with FILATORY for 104 and won the tournament on spread. Becky Dyer took third with massive plays of UNAFRAID as a 158-point triple-triple and a natural BANJOIST for 104. Emmanuel, the reigning national champion of Sierra Leone, beat many of Texas' finest and earned a well-deserved class prize. The theme of the day was Lazarus, and Chris Canik won a free lunch by popular approval with his play of GRAVE.

The next One-Day will in fact be a Two-Day, as we crown the 2023 Texas CSW State Champion next month on Oct. 28-29.

Congrats to all who performed well at the latest Texas CSW One-Day! And thanks as always to Jesse and the whole ATX Scrabble crew for organizing these events. Cheers on your successful tournament, and best wishes for a little bit less pestilence next time.