Crossword Tournament Program

Scoring is based on accuracy and speed. Score as follows:

1. 10 points for every correct word you entered across and down
2. A bonus of 25 points for each full minute you finished ahead of the suggested solution time — BUT reduced by 25 points for each missing or incorrect letter (but not beyond the point the bonus returns to zero)
3. A bonus of 150 points for each completely correct solution

For the purpose of scoring, a "word" consists of any series of letters written between black squares in the grid, or between a black square and the border of the grid, whether it is a single word, a phrase, or otherwise.

Complete rules will be explained prior to competition.

The Brooklyn Marriott (see next) provides special low guest room rates, available for contestants Friday and Saturday nights.

You are responsible for making your own room reservations. There are three choices:

1. By mail: Click here and we'll send you a room reservation request card, which you will send directly to the Marriott.
2. By phone: Phone call in your reservation to the Marriott in Brooklyn at 718-246-7000
3. Online: Click here and in the right column fill in the dates you want (February 27-March 1, 2009), and use the "group code" PZCPZCA

Be prepared with the following information:

1. Group name: American Crossword Puzzle Tournament
2. Dates: February 27-March 1, 2009
3. Number of people and choice of 1) single; 2) double w/1 bed; 3) double w/2 beds
4. Your name, (firm), address, and who you are sharing with. Note: to avoid duplication, submit one reservation for room shared by two or more people
5. Arrival date (Friday, February 27, or Saturday, February 28)
6. Departure date (Sunday March 1)
7. Credit card info (number and expiration date)

The rates are $177/night PER ROOM regardless of your choice. This rate is guaranteed through February 21, 2009 (rates afterward subject to room availability)

Note that reservations will be held until 6pm unless guaranteed for late arrival by a check for the first night's room deposit, company guarantee of payment, Club Marquis membership, or by one of the following credit cards: MasterCard • Visa • American Express • Diner's Club • Carte Blanche • Club Marquis

Check-in time is 3pm. Check-out time is noon.

After 30 years, the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament left Stamford in 2008 for a larger venue: the Brooklyn Marriott.

• New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
• Brooklyn Area Guide Directory [pdf] from the Brooklyn Marriott
• Brooklyn Area Guide [pdf] Prepared by Stella Daily, Ken Stern, and Francis Heaney, including recommendations for restaurants, book stores, etc., as well as the following travel notes.
• Getting to Brooklyn: The most convenient airport to fly into is LaGuardia. A cab ride, not rush hour, should take about 20 minutes and cost around $25. JFK has more traffic and will cost you up to $40 in cab fare. However, for those on a budget and who have extra time, you can take the A train from JFK all the way to the Jay Street/Borough Hall stop, which costs $7 and will probably take at least an hour and a half. Note that on the return trip, you must take an A train bound for Far Rockaway or Rockaway Parkway to get to the Howard Beach/JFK station. You cannot get to JFK with a Lefferts Boulevard-bound train.
• 
  Getting around: The Brooklyn Marriott is extremely well-connected with public transportation. You can catch the A, C, and F trains at the Jay Street/Borough Hall stop, one block east of the hotel. (A/C will get you to the west side of Manhattan; F train runs along 6th Avenue in Manhattan.) You can also get the 2,3,4,5, and R trains (there's also an M train but it only runs during weekday rush hours) at the Borough Hall/Court Street stop, one block west of the hotel. 2/3 trains run along 7th Avenue, 4/5 will get you to the east side (Lexington Avenue), and R runs along Broadway. Check www.mta.info for any service changes — weekend service tends to be messy, so it's a good idea to look at the service advisories beforehand and decide whether another train might get you where you need to go faster.
• Parking: The best thing to do is to leave the car at home and take the subway. But if you must drive, park using the hotel rate. Street parking is unnecessarily complicated in this area.

View Larger Map

All crosswords have been specially created and edited for the tournament.

Sample Puzzles:

• Puzzle from 1993
• What's in a Name? (pdf)

The judges and referees include leading names in crossword puzzling.

Now you can take part in the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament — and find out how you'd score — from your own home!

1. On Your Computer: Solve the puzzles online on the weekend of the tournament, or at anytime throughout the year. Standings of online competitors are constantly updated. Click here for details.
   
   
2. By Mail: Receive this year's puzzles (upon completion of the tournament) by mail, solve them and return your solutions to us with your times. We'll judge your puzzles, send you your scores, and tell you your ranking in every event in which you were eligible. To Register, click here.