Michael Baker [#4] at USSO 2006

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On this page, you will find information about Michael Baker, who is a contestant at the 2006 U.S. SCRABBLE® Open. This page was updated at least hourly between 09:00 A.M. and midnight local time. Baker currently has a record of 11-17, -511, and is ranked #68 in Division 1.

Lower on this page, you can find brief self-reported biographical details of the player, statistics on the player’s past several years of rated tournament play in North America, a graphic showing the player’s ups and downs at this tournament, and a round-by-round report on the player’s opponents and games.

Background Information

[player photo]

Given name(s): Michael
Surname(s): Baker
Home: Portland, OR, United States
Awards: I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying. [Woody Allen]
Hobbies: Pool, Poker
Occupation: Engineering Technician
NSC 1994 Division: 2
NSC 1994 Rank: 1/90, 20-7 +920
NSC 1996 Division: 2
NSC 1996 Rank: 5/106, 18-9 +747
NSC 1998 Division: 1
NSC 1998 Rank: 88/126, 14-17 -258
NSC 2000 Division: 1
NSC 2000 Rank: 61/98, 15-16 -653
NSC 2002 Division: 1
NSC 2002 Rank: 87/132, 14-17 +625
NSC 2004 Division: 1
NSC 2004 Rank: 74/172, 15.5-14.5 +347
NSC 2005 Division: 1
NSC 2005 Rank: 60/87, 13-15 -315

Career History

7-year record against other players at this event	175.5-223.5 (0.440)
Past 1-12 months	43-54 (0.443)	W LLLL W LL W LLL WWWWWWWW LL W LL W LLLLL WW LLL WW LL WW LLLLL WWW LLLL W L WW L WWW L W L WW LL WW L WW LLL W LL W LLL W LL W L W LLLL WWW
Past 13-24 months	47-50 (0.485)	LL W L WW L W L W LLL WWWWWW L WWW LLLL WW LLLL WWWWW LL WW LL WWW L WW LL W L W LLLL W LLL W LL W L WWW LLLLL W L WWW L WWW LLL W LL WW LL W L
Past 25-36 months	27.5-24.5 (0.529)	W L W L WWWWW LLL WW LLL WWWWWW LLL W LLLL W LLL WW L W L W L W LL W LTWWWW
Past 37-48 months	15-25 (0.375)	L W L W LLL W LL W LLL WW LL WW LLLLL WWWW LLLLL WW LLL W
Past 49-60 months	16-37 (0.302)	LL W LLLLLLL W LL W LL W LLLLL WWWWWW LLLLL WW LLL WW LLL W LL W LLLLLL
Past 61-72 months	27-33 (0.450)	LLLLL W L W LL WWWW L W LL WWW LL WW L W LLL WWWWW LL W L WW L WWWW LLLLL W LLLLLL W L
Past 73-84 months	no games

Rank Diagram

[rank diagram]
See legend

Round-by-Round
High score: 510 Average for: 384 Average against: 402
Round 1		Baker played #15 Michael Early (Fort Worth, TX) and won 480 to 354 (a spread of 126). The last time these two played was 2005-10 at: WESTERN CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP Baker’s record vs. Early in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-1 (0.750). Past 1-12 months: LWW. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #10. Current record: 1-0, +126.
Round 2		Baker played #61 Steve Polatnick (Miami, FL) and won 429 to 418 (a spread of 11). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Polatnick in the 7 years leading up to this event: 0-6 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: LL. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: LL. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #14. Current record: 2-0, +137.
Round 3		Baker played #42 Joey Mallick (Cape Elizabeth, ME) and lost 328 to 436 (a spread of -108). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: SWILNS Baker’s record vs. Mallick in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-6 (0.333). Past 1-12 months: W. Past 13-24 months: LL. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: LLW. Past 61-72 months: L. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #29. Current record: 2-1, +29.
Round 4		Baker played #48 Nick Meyer (Berkeley, CA) and lost 323 to 401 (a spread of -78). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Meyer in the 7 years leading up to this event: 2-4 (0.333). Past 1-12 months: LLWW. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #42. Current record: 2-2, -49.
Round 5		Baker played #13 Robin Pollock Daniel (Toronto ON) and lost 311 to 489 (a spread of -178). The last time these two played was 2004-11 at: LAS VEGAS, NV Baker’s record vs. Daniel in the 7 years leading up to this event: 1-2 (0.333). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: L. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #54. Current record: 2-3, -227.
Round 6		Baker played #9 Wayne Clifford (Calgary AB) and lost 322 to 405 (a spread of -83). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Clifford in the 7 years leading up to this event: 12-6 (0.667). Past 1-12 months: WLLW. Past 13-24 months: WWW. Past 25-36 months: WL. Past 37-48 months: LWLW. Past 49-60 months: WWW. Past 61-72 months: LW. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #61. Current record: 2-4, -310.
Round 7		Baker played #18 Paul Epstein (Keego Harbor, MI) and lost 390 to 500 (a spread of -110). The last time these two played was 2005-04 at: PIGEON FORGE, TN Baker’s record vs. Epstein in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-2 (0.600). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: LWW. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #66. Current record: 2-5, -420.
Round 8		Baker played #74 Jeff Widergren (Morgan Hill, CA) and lost 279 to 474 (a spread of -195). The last time these two played was 2001-01 at: RENO,NV Baker’s record vs. Widergren in the 7 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: W. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #73. Current record: 2-6, -615.
Round 9		Baker played #77 Trey Wright (Van Nuys, CA) and won 360 to 313 (a spread of 47). The last time these two played was 2005-08 at: 2005 NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP Baker’s record vs. Wright in the 7 years leading up to this event: 0-2 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: L. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #64. Current record: 3-6, -568.
Round 10		Baker played #62 Larry Rand (Chandler, AZ) and lost 319 to 365 (a spread of -46). The last time these two played was 2003-07 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Rand in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-2 (0.600). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: WL. Past 49-60 months: L. Past 61-72 months: WW. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #71. Current record: 3-7, -614.
Round 11		Baker played #69 Keith Smith (Austin, TX) and lost 394 to 450 (a spread of -56). The last time these two played was 2005-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Baker’s record vs. Smith in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3.5-2.5 (0.583). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: LW. Past 25-36 months: WLWT. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #74. Current record: 3-8, -670. Baker is mentioned in this round’s photo captions (2 hits).
Round 12		Baker played #40 John Luebkemann (Pineville, NC) and lost 395 to 487 (a spread of -92). Before this event, Baker had not played Luebkemann in at least 7 years. Current ranking: #74. Current record: 3-9, -762.
Round 13		Baker played #78 Winter Zxqkj (Houston, TX) and lost 356 to 434 (a spread of -78). The last time these two played was 2006-01 at: TWIN CITIES, MN Baker’s record vs. Zxqkj in the 7 years leading up to this event: 0-1 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: L. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #74. Current record: 3-10, -840. Baker is mentioned in this round’s photo captions (2 hits).
Round 14		Baker played #76 Ben Withers (Houston, TX) and won 432 to 323 (a spread of 109). The last time these two played was 2004-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Baker’s record vs. Withers in the 7 years leading up to this event: 0-3 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: L. Past 61-72 months: L. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #72. Current record: 4-10, -731.
Round 15		Baker played #53 Lisa Odom (St. Louis Park, MN) and won 460 to 274 (a spread of 186). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: SWILNS Baker’s record vs. Odom in the 7 years leading up to this event: 2-9 (0.182). Past 1-12 months: LW. Past 13-24 months: LL. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: LW. Past 49-60 months: L. Past 61-72 months: LLL. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #70. Current record: 5-10, -545.
Round 16		Baker played #48 Nick Meyer (Berkeley, CA) again and lost 310 to 463 (a spread of -153). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Meyer in the 7 years leading up to this event: 2-4 (0.333). Past 1-12 months: LLWW. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #72. Current record: 5-11, -698.
Round 17		Baker played #29 Sam Kantimathi (El Dorado Hills, CA) and won 432 to 309 (a spread of 123). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Kantimathi in the 7 years leading up to this event: 12-6 (0.667). Past 1-12 months: WWWLLL. Past 13-24 months: WWWL. Past 25-36 months: WW. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: LL. Past 61-72 months: WWW. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #69. Current record: 6-11, -575.
Round 18		Baker played #27 Patrick Hodges (Glendale, AZ) and lost 394 to 403 (a spread of -9). The last time these two played was 2006-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Baker’s record vs. Hodges in the 7 years leading up to this event: 0-4 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: L. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: L. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #72. Current record: 6-12, -584.
Round 19		Baker played #76 Ben Withers (Houston, TX) again and lost 384 to 488 (a spread of -104). The last time these two played was 2004-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Baker’s record vs. Withers in the 7 years leading up to this event: 0-3 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: L. Past 61-72 months: L. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #74. Current record: 6-13, -688.
Round 20		Baker played #10 Ira Cohen (Los Angeles, CA) and won 428 to 382 (a spread of 46). The last time these two played was 2006-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Baker’s record vs. Cohen in the 7 years leading up to this event: 8-15 (0.348). Past 1-12 months: LLWWLL. Past 13-24 months: LWWLWWL. Past 25-36 months: WW. Past 37-48 months: LL. Past 49-60 months: LLL. Past 61-72 months: LLL. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #71. Current record: 7-13, -642.
Round 21		Baker played #80 Steve Tier (New York, NY) and won 403 to 356 (a spread of 47). Before this event, Baker had not played Tier in at least 7 years. Current ranking: #70. Current record: 8-13, -595.
Round 22		Baker played #10 Ira Cohen (Los Angeles, CA) again and lost 372 to 417 (a spread of -45). The last time these two played was 2006-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Baker’s record vs. Cohen in the 7 years leading up to this event: 8-15 (0.348). Past 1-12 months: LLWWLL. Past 13-24 months: LWWLWWL. Past 25-36 months: WW. Past 37-48 months: LL. Past 49-60 months: LLL. Past 61-72 months: LLL. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #71. Current record: 8-14, -640.
Round 23		Baker played #15 Michael Early (Fort Worth, TX) again and won 443 to 403 (a spread of 40). The last time these two played was 2005-10 at: WESTERN CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP Baker’s record vs. Early in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-1 (0.750). Past 1-12 months: LWW. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #69. Current record: 9-14, -600.
Round 24		Baker played #29 Sam Kantimathi (El Dorado Hills, CA) again and lost 328 to 451 (a spread of -123). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Kantimathi in the 7 years leading up to this event: 12-6 (0.667). Past 1-12 months: WWWLLL. Past 13-24 months: WWWL. Past 25-36 months: WW. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: LL. Past 61-72 months: WWW. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #71. Current record: 9-15, -723.
Round 25		Baker played #28 Ron Hoekstra (Kentwood, MI) and lost 336 to 425 (a spread of -89). The last time these two played was 2004-08 at: NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Baker’s record vs. Hoekstra in the 7 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #72. Current record: 9-16, -812.
Round 26		Baker played #46 Jesse Matthews (Calgary AB) and won 510 to 286 (a spread of 224). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Matthews in the 7 years leading up to this event: 3-3 (0.500). Past 1-12 months: WLL. Past 13-24 months: WL. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #69. Current record: 10-16, -588.
Round 27		Baker played #48 Nick Meyer (Berkeley, CA) for the third time and lost 358 to 368 (a spread of -10). The last time these two played was 2006-06 at: RENO, NV Baker’s record vs. Meyer in the 7 years leading up to this event: 2-4 (0.333). Past 1-12 months: LLWW. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Past 61-72 months: no games. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #70. Current record: 10-17, -598.
Round 28		Baker played #10 Ira Cohen (Los Angeles, CA) for the third time and won 476 to 389 (a spread of 87). The last time these two played was 2006-02 at: PHOENIX, AZ Baker’s record vs. Cohen in the 7 years leading up to this event: 8-15 (0.348). Past 1-12 months: LLWWLL. Past 13-24 months: LWWLWWL. Past 25-36 months: WW. Past 37-48 months: LL. Past 49-60 months: LLL. Past 61-72 months: LLL. Past 73-84 months: no games. Current ranking: #68. Current record: 11-17, -511.

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