27th Annual 4th of July Scrabble Tournament

Featuring the Bob Linn Superstars Division!

Sponsored by Bob Linn and WGPO

Bob Linn Superstars Prize Table

1600+ [qualification notes below]

CSW Lite Prize Table

0-1599 [qualification notes below]

New-to-CSW Sign Up and Prize Incentives

[qualification notes below]

New-to-CSW Sign Up Incentives will be applied against your hotel reservation. If you have questions, please ask.

New-to-CSW Prize Incentives are awarded per rating band to those who qualify as New-to-CSW. Prizes shown are based on a minimum of 3 players in the rating band (otherwise prizes will be adjusted). These are 'non-exclusive' prizes which mean they can be won in addition to any place or class prize. These prizes can be won in either the Bob Linn Superstars division or the CSW Lite division. 

Tournament Venue: Albany Marriott

189 Wolf Rd, Albany NY 12205 USA

Tournament Information

• Commuter fee per person (if not staying at the tournament hotel and within the room block) for main event:  $40 US ($60 CDN)

• Swiss/COP pairings.

• Bob Linn Superstars (CSW 1600+, unlimited play ups).

• CSW Lite (0-1599) - Divisions: TBD

• NWL - Divisions: TBD

• CSW will be streamed each round. Players rated 1600 or above should expect to be streamed.

• In addition to place prizes, performance-based prizes will be given in all divisions

• Prizes paid in $USD. Prize payouts $100 USD and over will be paid electronically or by check

• Directors may alter tournament structure in best interest of the event, including spread Gibsonization

• Reduced price "Grab & Go" lunch menu available.

• Check our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page for other info

• To register or pay your entry fee, go to the "contact and registration page."

Qualification Notes for CSW Divisions

Thank you to Bob Linn for providing generous support to CSW players (minimum of $50,000 if there are 50 registrants in Bob Linn Superstars division, plus 50 registrants in CSW Lite). 

US and Canadian passport holders who win place prizes are eligible for additional prize amounts (see NA Bonus in prize tables). 

• "New to CSW" players

  • There are prizes and incentives for "New to CSW players." You are eligible if you have played in five or fewer CSW tournaments between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2025, regardless of the number of tournaments you have played before or after. Also, any players who qualified as "New to CSW" at Albany New Years and New Orleans will remain qualified. 

  • New-to-CSW Sign Up and Prize Incentives detailed above

• CSW Lite Division

  • Players rated up to 1599. 

  • With a minimum of 50 players, the prize pool will be approximately $15,000 which includes $10,000 donated by Bob Linn.

  • Prize table assumes 50 players. Prizes may be adjusted up or down depending on registrants.

• Bob Linn Superstars Division

  • 1600+ rated. Unlimited play ups are allowed. 

  • Must have played minimum of 15 CSW games since December 28, 2024. 

  • With a minimum of 50 players, the prize pool will be approximately $50,000 which includes $34,000 donated by Bob Linn. 

    • Prize table assumes 50 players. Prizes may be adjusted up or down depending on registrants.

Tournament Schedule

Wednesday July 2

• 11:30 AM - 3:15 PM Early Bird Rounds 1-4, then 30 minute snack break

• 3:45 PM -   6:45 PM  Early Bird Rounds 5-7

Thursday July 3

• 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM  Main Event Rounds 1-4

• 2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 5-8

Friday July 4

• 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM  Main Event Rounds 9-12

• 2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 13-16

Saturday July 5

• 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM  Main Event Rounds 17-20

• 2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 21-24

Sunday July 6

• 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM  Main Event Rounds 25-28

• 2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 29-32