Word Cup Day 1: We're underway!

Well, it's about 93 degrees outside in Albuquerque, but the action inside the playing room here at the Sheraton is even more blazing hot. Today we saw 51 players across two CSW divisions do battle over the boards, and the competition was fiery.

We're 7 games in, with 24 still to go. There's a heck of a lot of Scrabble still to be played. But, as things stand so far, here are your top 10 players to beat:

1. Eta Karo (6-1, +654)

2. Wellington Jighere (6-1, +410)

3. Karl Higby (6-1, +365)

4. Joel Wapnick (5-2, +343)

5. Evans Clinchy (5-2, +313)

6. Josh Sokol (5-2, +114)

7. Winter (5-2, +-76)

8. Jesse Day (4-3, +180)

9. David Whitley (4-3, +111)

10. Dave Wiegand (4-3, +75)

Props to the Nigerian contingent on a stellar Day 1, led by Eta and Wellington at the very top of the leaderboard. Meanwhile Karl Higby, a relative newcomer to Collins play, is crushing it at 6-1 as well. Notable fact: As of this writing, our top three players have played one CoCo tournament ever. Combined.

But, again: There's much Scrabble still to go! Starting with another seven games tomorrow.

We'll see you then.