Jim Kramer
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Jim Kramer (1958-) won the 2006 United States Scrabble Open in Phoenix, Arizona. Kramer has competed in fourteen U.S. championship Scrabble tournaments, and has represented the United States at the World Scrabble Championships three times. Prior to winning the 2006 USSO, he had top ten finishes in the national championships three times: in 1998, 2000, and 2005. His fifth-place finish at the 2003 World Championship (WSC) was the highest finish by any North American player that year. He finished third in 2001.
The soft-spoken and humble resident of Roseville, Minnesota, Kramer is nicknamed "Gentleman Jim" in Scrabble circles, and is recognized as one of the most respected and consistent players in the game. Since his career began in 1983, he has competed in at least 2,200 tournament games, winning about 63% of the time. While his total earnings are unknown, he has won a minimum of $48,848 in prize money.
On November 17, 2006, Jim Kramer was invited to compete against "Genius", a computer Scrabble opponent running the newest version of RealNetworks' Scrabble. In a three-round "Man v. Machine" match that took place at the Westlake Mall in Seattle, Genius took the lead, winning the first game 466 to 419. Jim came back to win the second game 417 to 406. The deciding, third game came down to the last play. Kramer won 442 to 441, taking home $10,000.
