9-Time Jeopardy Champion Leads At The 2012 National SCRABBLE® Championship

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Jason Keller, 30, nine-time Jeopardy Champion and a tutor from Highland Park, NJ, is in first place after 18 rounds of intense play over the past three days at the National SCRABBLE^® Championship (NSC).  Over 350 SCRABBLE^® players from 46 states and 5 countries are competing at the Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, FL.

Closely behind Keller's 14-4 record and +675 point spread is Dave Wiegand, 39, former National SCRABBLE^® Champion in 2005 and 2009 and a mortgage underwriter from Portland, OR, with a 13-5 record and a +1163 point spread. Former National and SCRABBLE^® All Star Champion, David Gibson, 61, a math teacher from Spartanburg, SC, is in 3rd with a 13-5 record and a +1024 point spread. 

Unusual words played today include: NAOI (ancient temples), YAHRZEIT (anniversary of death of a family member observed by Jews), ABOMASI (the 4^th stomach of a ruminart), VIRGULES (diagonal printing marks used to separate alternatives), GROK (to understand intuitively).

The NSC competition continues with 7 rounds Tuesday, Aug. 14^th.  The final 3 rounds will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 15^th to determine the 2012 National SCRABBLE^® Champion. The prize check will be awarded to the new champion at approximately 2:30 PM Wednesday. Live Internet coverage and photos are featured on www.scrabbleplayers.org.  SCRABBLE^® is a trademark of Hasbro in the United States and Canada.

About Hasbro:
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company's world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLESST PET SHOP,  NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY.  The Company's Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for markets around the world. Programming in the U.S. is distributed on The Hub TV Network, a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communication. Through the Company's deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." Learn more at www.hasbro.com. © 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE National SCRABBLE Association