Re: [pbmserv-dev] Blanks in scramble

[Cameron Browne <cameronb@optusnet.com.au>]

> I agree, this should be changed to a standard "-" before the 
> blank.  Clearwater
> now knows that Billthom did not have an "M" in their hand.  Yet, 
> Clearwater may
> be saving their "R" for later play.  (Still, Billthom could have picked an "M"
> after playing FOAmY.)  Does someone wish to change this?  Should this be
> changed?  I'll change it if there is a concensus.

Yes I agree that this should be changed so that all blanks must be preceded 
by '-'.

The current "intelligent" substitution of blanks can be dangerous if people 
do unintelligent things, like in one game when I accidentally typed in the 
word I was joining rather than the word I intended to place. By coincidence 
I had the letters to do this using both of my blanks - the server made the 
turn, I lost my blanks, scored about 40 pts less than I should have, and 
went on to lose the game.

Cameron