VOTING ARCHIVE RACK 5: Again there was a very clear winner, although no-one seemed to care for it a great deal... Word Play Votes IOS at d12a for 23 leaving AALS 274 ADIOS at i5a for 12 leaving AILS 38 ALSO at m2d for 18 leaving AIS 36 VIOLAS at c9d for 18 leaving AS 19 OIDIA at h5a for 12 leaving ALSS 16 ALSO at b12a for 17 leaving AIS 16 x AIOS for 0 leaving ALS 16 OASIS at m2d for 20 leaving AL 15 As well as simulating the moves that received votes, other moves that were mentioned in passing have also been simulated. Results as follows (25,000 2-ply sims): Word Play Score IOS at d12a for 23 Best VOILA at c9d for 16 - 2.69 OSSIA at e12a for 26 - 2.74 VIOLA at c9d for 16 - 3.71 OIDIA at h5a for 12 - 4.48 ALSO at m12 for 18 - 4.51 ADIOS at i5a for 12 - 4.65 JIAO at e11d for 11 - 4.98 VIOLAS at c9d for 18 - 6.30 ASSOIL at m2d for 24 - 6.69 ALSO at b12a for 17 - 7.46 OASIS at m2d for 20 - 9.69 -AIOS for 0 -16.28 So the mailing list got it right again, but it's interesting to see that second, third and fourth best moves according to the simulation received no votes. Also interesting to see that (with the exception of IOS), it seems best to play both S's, or keep both S's. So much for rack balance! - Phil Appleby Message board Discuss this article on our Scrabble message board.

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