Paul Epstein [#41] at 2004 National SCRABBLE® Championship

[ Congratulations to the new National Champion, Trey Wright, who defeated David Gibson in three straight games, 365-328, 355-344 and 429-328. Please tune in to ESPN to watch the final games at 1 P.M. ET on Sunday, October 3rd, 2004. We welcome your e-mailed corrections to our web site. ]

On this page, you will find information about Paul Epstein, who is a contestant in Division 1 at the 2004 National SCRABBLE® Championship, held July 31st - August 5th in New Orleans, LA. This page is updated at least hourly between 09:00 A.M. and midnight CDT. Epstein currently has a record of 14.5-15.5, +473, and is ranked #93 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
	Given name(s): Paul Surname(s): Epstein Home: Ann Arbor, MI, United States Age: 52 Awards: Hobbies: Music, Writing Occupation: Social Worker WSC 1999 Rank: 25

Career History

5-year record against other players at this event	145.5-139.5 (0.511)
Past 1-12 months	13-14 (0.481)	WW LLL W L W LL WWW L W LL WW L WWW LLLL
Past 13-24 months	35-43 (0.449)	WW L W LLLLL WW L W L WWW L W LL WW LLLLLLLL WWW LLLLLLL WWW L W LL WWWW L WW LL WW L W LL W LLLL WW LLL WWWW L
Past 25-36 months	34.5-33.5 (0.507)	LL W LLL WTWWW LL W LLLLLL W LLL W LLLLL WWW LL W L WWW L W L W LL WWWWWWW L WW L WWWW LL W L WWW
Past 37-48 months	40-26 (0.606)	WWW L WWW L W LL WWW L WW L WW LLL WW LLL W L W L WWWWW LL WWWW L WW LL W LLL WWWWW LLLL WWWWW
Past 49-60 months	23-23 (0.500)	W LL W LL WW L WWW LLLL WW L WW LLL W LL W L WWWW L W L WW LLL WWW LL

Rank Diagram

[rank diagram]
See legend

Round-by-Round
High score: 594 Average for: 409 Average against: 393
Before the Tournament		Epstein is mentioned in this round's photo captions (1 hit).
Round 1		Epstein played #173 Martin Weisskopf (Huntsville, AL) and won 387 to 357 (a spread of 30) . The last time these two played was 2001-08 at: MASTER'S CHAMPIONSHIP Epstein's record vs. Weisskopf in the 5 years leading up to this event: 3-1 (0.750). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: WLW. Past 49-60 months: W. Current ranking: #69. Current record: 1-0, +30.
Round 2		Epstein played #60 Albert Hahn (Calgary AB) and won 395 to 387 (a spread of 8) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Hahn in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #53. Current record: 2-0, +38.
Round 3		Epstein played #159 Chrisn Thivavarnvongs (Thailand) and won 594 to 261 (a spread of 333) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Thivavarnvongs in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #9. Current record: 3-0, +371.
Round 4		Epstein played #118 Steve Ozorio (Mississauga ON) and lost 380 to 472 (a spread of -92) . The last time these two played was 2003-06 at: LIVONIA, MI Epstein's record vs. Ozorio in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-3 (0.250). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: L. Past 37-48 months: LW. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #24. Current record: 3-1, +279.
Round 5		Epstein played #103 Avi Moss (Missouri City, TX) and won 508 to 396 (a spread of 112) . The last time these two played was 2003-04 at: STAMFORD, CT Epstein's record vs. Moss in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-1 (0.667). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: LW. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: W. Current ranking: #15. Current record: 4-1, +391.
Round 6		Epstein played #146 Joel Sherman (Bronx, NY) and lost 416 to 452 (a spread of -36) . The last time these two played was 2002-05 at: GREATER CHICAGO, IL Epstein's record vs. Sherman in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-2 (0.333). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: W. Past 37-48 months: L. Past 49-60 months: L. Current ranking: #31. Current record: 4-2, +355.
Round 7		Epstein played #97 Marcia McPhee (Centreville, VA) and lost 327 to 385 (a spread of -58) . The last time these two played was 2003-08 at: BIRD-IN-HAND, PA Epstein's record vs. McPhee in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #47. Current record: 4-3, +297.
Round 8		Epstein played #138 Dean Saldanha (Richmond BC) and lost 358 to 421 (a spread of -63) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Saldanha in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #75. Current record: 4-4, +234.
Round 9		Epstein played #170 Joel Wapnick (Montréal QC) and tied at 373 . The last time these two played was 2003-08 at: ALL*STARS CHAMPIONSHIP Epstein's record vs. Wapnick in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-1 (0.500). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #86. Current record: 4.5-4.5, +234.
Round 10		Epstein played #147 Larry Sherman (Bronx, NY) and won 439 to 405 (a spread of 34) . The last time these two played was 2003-08 at: PARSIPPANY, NJ Epstein's record vs. Sherman in the 5 years leading up to this event: 2-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: W. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #59. Current record: 5.5-4.5, +268. Epstein is mentioned in this round's photo captions (1 hit).
Round 11		Epstein played #8 Michael Baker (Portland, OR) and won 442 to 400 (a spread of 42) . The last time these two played was 2003-06 at: LIVONIA, MI Epstein's record vs. Baker in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-2 (0.333). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: WL. Current ranking: #52. Current record: 6.5-4.5, +310.
Round 12		Epstein played #34 Mark DiBattista (Astoria, NY) and won 514 to 324 (a spread of 190) . Before this event, Epstein had not played DiBattista in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #42. Current record: 7.5-4.5, +500.
Round 13		Epstein played #23 Travis Chaney (Van Buren, AR) and lost 401 to 405 (a spread of -4) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Chaney in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #54. Current record: 7.5-5.5, +496.
Round 14		Epstein played #64 Wendell Haynes (Loxahatchee, FL) and lost 362 to 396 (a spread of -34) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Haynes in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #70. Current record: 7.5-6.5, +462.
Round 15		Epstein played #143 Lester Schonbrun (Oakland, CA) and lost 380 to 420 (a spread of -40) . The last time these two played was 2000-08 at: NATIONAL SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP Epstein's record vs. Schonbrun in the 5 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: W. Current ranking: #86. Current record: 7.5-7.5, +422. Epstein is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit).
Round 16		Epstein played #157 Frank Tangredi (West Babylon, NY) and lost 299 to 396 (a spread of -97) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Tangredi in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #99. Current record: 7.5-8.5, +325.
Round 17		Epstein played #91 Rod MacNeil (Londonderry, NH) and lost 280 to 555 (a spread of -275) . Before this event, Epstein had not played MacNeil in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #113. Current record: 7.5-9.5, +50.
Round 18		Epstein played #168 John Viloria (New York, NY) and won 423 to 333 (a spread of 90) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Viloria in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #97. Current record: 8.5-9.5, +140.
Round 19		Epstein played #83 Phil Kretschman (North Wales, PA) and won 455 to 360 (a spread of 95) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Kretschman in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #80. Current record: 9.5-9.5, +235.
Round 20		Epstein played #43 Mark Fidler (Waltham, MA) and won 427 to 339 (a spread of 88) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Fidler in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #68. Current record: 10.5-9.5, +323.
Round 21		Epstein played #46 Ray Francis (Pickering ON) and won 463 to 379 (a spread of 84) . The last time these two played was 2001-09 at: TORONTO, ONT Epstein's record vs. Francis in the 5 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. Current ranking: #58. Current record: 11.5-9.5, +407.
Round 22		Epstein played #96 Jesse Matthews (Calgary AB) and lost 316 to 481 (a spread of -165) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Matthews in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #70. Current record: 11.5-10.5, +242.
Round 23		Epstein played #8 Michael Baker (Portland, OR) and lost 409 to 462 (a spread of -53) . The last time these two played was 2003-06 at: LIVONIA, MI Epstein's record vs. Baker in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-2 (0.333). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: WL. Current ranking: #81. Current record: 11.5-11.5, +189.
Round 24		Epstein played #69 Joel Horn (Reading, MA) and lost 400 to 429 (a spread of -29) . The last time these two played was 2003-08 at: PARSIPPANY, NJ Epstein's record vs. Horn in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-0 (1.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: W. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #99. Current record: 11.5-12.5, +160.
Round 25		Epstein played #172 David Weisberg (Hollywood, FL) and won 478 to 257 (a spread of 221) . The last time these two played was 2001-08 at: MASTER'S CHAMPIONSHIP Epstein's record vs. Weisberg in the 5 years leading up to this event: 0-1 (0.000). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: no games. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: L. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #82. Current record: 12.5-12.5, +381.
Round 26		Epstein played #2 Tim Adamson (Saint Paul, MN) and lost 399 to 407 (a spread of -8) . The last time these two played was 2003-08 at: ALL*STARS CHAMPIONSHIP Epstein's record vs. Adamson in the 5 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: L. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: no games. Current ranking: #97. Current record: 12.5-13.5, +373.
Round 27		Epstein played #33 Darrell Day (Richardson, TX) and won 487 to 395 (a spread of 92) . The last time these two played was 2004-05 at: CHICAGO, IL Epstein's record vs. Day in the 5 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. Current ranking: #87. Current record: 13.5-13.5, +465.
Round 28		Epstein played #96 Jesse Matthews (Calgary AB) and won 410 to 361 (a spread of 49) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Matthews in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #72. Current record: 14.5-13.5, +514.
Round 29		Epstein played #43 Mark Fidler (Waltham, MA) and lost 362 to 380 (a spread of -18) . Before this event, Epstein had not played Fidler in at least 5 years. Current ranking: #87. Current record: 14.5-14.5, +496.
Round 30		Epstein played #8 Michael Baker (Portland, OR) and lost 390 to 413 (a spread of -23) . The last time these two played was 2003-06 at: LIVONIA, MI Epstein's record vs. Baker in the 5 years leading up to this event: 1-2 (0.333). Past 1-12 months: no games. Past 13-24 months: L. Past 25-36 months: no games. Past 37-48 months: no games. Past 49-60 months: WL. Current ranking: #93. Current record: 14.5-15.5, +473. Epstein is mentioned in this round's commentary (1 hit).

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