Former National Champion In Lead For $10,000 Top Prize At 2012 National SCRABBLE® Championship In Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After four days of non-stop SCRABBLE®, over 350 competitors are approaching the home stretch at the 2012 National SCRABBLE® Championship (NSC) being held at the Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, FL.  Former National and SCRABBLE® All Star Champion David Gibson, 61, a math teacher from Spartanburg, SC is in first place after 25 rounds. 

Following Gibson's 19-6 record and +1517 point spread is current National and World SCRABBLE® Champion Nigel Richards, 45, from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Richards currently has a 18-7 record and +1339 point spread.

In third place with a record of 17-8 and +917 point spread is Rafi Stern, 23, a student from Seattle, WA.  Rounding out the top four is Jason Keller, 30, nine-time Jeopardy Champion and a tutor from Highland Park, NJ with a 17-8 record and +498 point spread.

Unusual words played today include: ZADDICK (a virtuous person by Jewish religious standards), ERYTHEMA (a redness of the skin), ORPHIC (mystical) and WAWL (to cry like a cat).

The final 3 rounds will start tomorrow at 9:00am to determine the 2012 National SCRABBLE® Champion. The prize check will be awarded to the new champion at approximately 2:30 PM. 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