Josh Sokol is on top of the North American Scrabble scene right now. The 30-year-old Montrealer is the reigning National Champion, having won NASPA’s biggest honor, the Scrabble Players Championship (SPC) in July 2023. Including that feat, Josh has won seven of the last 11 multi-day events he’s entered, where each and every one featured a field of many top players. Not surprisingly, Josh also currently has the highest NASPA rating in North America. And he’s a full-time Scrabble streamer. So, how did Josh reach this apex? Thankfully, he was willing to walk us through his journey.
What got you into Scrabble?
As a child I lived in Brooklyn, New York, and attended a chess club there. I suspect I’d have gotten more into chess if I had stayed in NY. Games in general just felt like a very important part of the landscape. I was and brought me to a Montreal Scrabble tourney to check it out. The Montreal Scrabble scene is incredible and very well may be the most champion-breeding club in the world. I really got into Scrabble in 2010 when longtime expert Jason Li took me under his wing. I don’t think I ever looked back from wanting to be the best. Best in club, best in Canada, best in North America, best in the world.
