By Joshua Ayden Lim
Scrabble is more than just a word game—it is a mental battlefield that requires sharp focus,
strategic thinking, and resilience. At a recent training camp for top Malaysian youth players
conducted by the Malaysian Scrabble Association at SMK La Salle PJ, seasoned Scrabble
players shared their insights on how mental strength plays a crucial role in competitive play.
Sreepathy Iyer, who placed 6th in the World Seniors Championship, emphasized the importance
of confidence and preparation. According to him, success in Scrabble, like in any other
competition, begins long before the first move is made. He believes that every player should
aspire to perform slightly better than they did before, rather than chase an unattainable idea of
perfection. His approach to the game is built on self-discipline and routine. Arriving early,
practicing a morning mantra, and maintaining a calm and focused mindset before a game can
make all the difference. Knowing one’s opponents is just as important—researching their past
games, understanding their playing style, and recalling previous encounters can give a strategic
advantage.
Scrabble, according to Sreepathy, is not merely about forming words; it is about solving 20
puzzles in a game, where every point counts. He stressed that players should never let their
guard down, as the ability to bounce back from setbacks is what determines long-term success.
In between games, he suggested taking time to reset—through meditation, walking, or simple
mental preparation—to ensure that focus remains sharp. When facing strong players, it is
crucial to know where they stand and recognize that some may have entirely different
personalities when they play. A well-placed joke or light banter before the game might get an
opponent to relax, creating an opportunity to gain an edge. Against opponents with a strong
vocabulary, caution is key, but when the chance to maximize a score arises, it must be seized
without hesitation.
Beyond individual performance, Sreepathy emphasized the importance of playing regularly
within a group rather than in isolation. A strong community of players helps raise the collective
level of the game. As he put it, “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after
the other.” He also quoted Winston Churchill, reminding players that “Success is not final, failure
is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”
William Kang, a Scrabble player who once finished second-last in a tournament but later
became national champion twice and World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC) runner-up
twice, shared his journey from humble beginnings to national recognition. The key, he
emphasized, is persistence, learning from past games, and refining one’s strategies over time.
Four-time national champion Vannitha Balasingam, currently ranked first in Malaysia, said that
mental strength is a subset of sports psychology that covers many aspects but could be
essentially described as the ability to shut out all distractions, both external and internal (eg
negative emotions), and focus on the job at hand, which could be anything from one’s studies to
one’s hobbies. In Scrabble, this could refer to focusing your attention on each rack and not
being ruffled by the antics of your opponent or perturbed by a depressing start to the day.
When facing intimidating opponents, she advised players to rely on the confidence they have
built through practice and preparation. Rather than worrying about an opponent’s years of
experience, players should focus on their own abilities and trust in the work they have put in. A
strong mental approach also involves managing luck, understanding that external factors are
beyond one’s control, and ensuring that one’s own strategy remains the priority. When asked
how she manages to remain calm with the clock running down to mere seconds, she attributed
it to the mental strength practices and experience gained over her 25 years in the game.
For players looking to strengthen their mindset, Vannitha recommended YouTube videos and
books on competitive psychology, including sports biographies. Excelling at physical sports
requires mental toughness, so the lessons found there are relevant to Scrabble as well. She
gave as an example a little nugget she found in John McEnroe’s autobiography, Serious. The
tennis legend describes discovering that all he needed to do was focus on getting the ball
across the net on every shot, and he would eventually end up winning the game, and the match.
This simple yet powerful concept can be applied to Scrabble — by focusing on playing one
move at a time to the best of their ability, players can prevent feelings of anxiousness about
doing well in the tournament from affecting their game. She also encouraged keeping a
notebook to jot down valuable insights gleaned from their research into mental strength.
Kong Chock Heng, a former National Champion with a staggering 2.5 million points scored on
Woogles.io, stressed the importance of strategic efficiency. He warned against “fishing” for
high-value letters, advocating instead for making every move count by managing tile leaves
wisely and adapting to the board situation. His philosophy is straightforward: the more words a
player studies, the luckier they become. He also emphasized the importance of analyzing past
games before moving on to the next, ensuring that mistakes are learned from rather than
repeated.
Philip Tan, the father of young Scrabble prodigy Nathan Tan, compared Scrabble to a marathon,
explaining that the first phase of a competition is often fueled by adrenaline, but long-term
success depends on heart, resilience, and determination. He urged players to get used to
playing against stronger opponents as repeated exposure to high-level competition is the best
way to grow. “How bad do you want it?”
The key lesson from the panel discussion was clear: Scrabble is a game that tests not just
vocabulary and strategy, but also mental strength, perseverance, and the ability to adapt.
Confidence, preparation, and the right mindset can turn a good player into a great one. Whether a beginner or a seasoned competitor, the most important takeaway is to believe in your abilities, keep learning, and never stop pushing forward—one word at a time.
Below are photos from the Malaysian Youth Scrabble Training Programme (22-23 March 2025)
