Rules of the London Scrabble ® League:

Games Rules

These Games Rules are based upon the Rules of Play as issued by J W Spear & Sons with all Scrabble sets. However, some variations have been adopted by the League over the years, to meet the needs of competitive play.

1. It is the duty of the host/hostess to provide the following equipment:
   • Two de luxe Scrabble sets; tournament tiles (ie smooth tiles) should be used if available (see also note 9 of Fixture Rules)
   • Two bags to hold the tiles (box lids are not permitted)
    
   • Current edition of Collins Scrabble Words 2007 (CSW) - from 15th May 2007
    
   • The current Guidance Notes, Fixture Rules and Games Rules

   Note: if the host/hostess cannot provide any of the above, he/she should ensure that one of the players attending the match brings them.

2. No unsolicited comment with regard to the style of play should be made by players during a match.

3. No words lists are to be consulted during play (except as per Rule 10), tile tracking, however, is allowed.

4. When drawing tiles, the bag must be held at or above shoulder height. It is recommended that the tiles should be removed one at a time, and placed face downwards on the table. When changing, follow this procedure and put the unwanted tiles back in the bag before picking the new tiles from the table.

5. If Player A has picked more than the correct number of tiles then Player B can:
   • insist that both Player A's retained tiles and replacement tiles are placed face down together on the table whereupon Palyer B must turn the surplus tile(s) face upwards and return them to the bag.
   • choose simply to return to the bag the surplus tile(s) from those claimed by Player A to be the replacement tiles. Player B is entitled to see the surplus tile(s) if Player A has seen them.

6. When four players share a table, both tile bags should be kept on the 'offside', not at the centre between the two boards.

7. Both players are responsible for ensuring that the tiles are correct before the game starts. No corrections can be made once the game has started. If, during the course of the game, tiles are picked from the wrong bag, the situation should be rectified if the error is discovered soon enough (e.g. if the person who picked the wrong tiles has not played any, and the wrong tiles can be identified). However, if any wrong tiles have been played and play has continued, the tiles must remain as played. (Prevention is better than cure: recommended precautions are to play games on separate tables, to use distinctive bags or tiles marked differently on the reverse.)

8. 1. A player's turn is completed when he/she has placed the tiles on the board and announced the score. The opponent may then challenge the word/s played, provided that he/she has not started to write down that score.

   2. If the opponent challenges before the player has announced his/her score the player may say 'I have not yet announced my score' and proceed to play a fresh word or change or pass. If, however, the player allows the challenge to go ahead the move is deemed to stand: the adjudication must be accepted.

   3. While a player is checking a challenge from the other board his/her opponent will not play until that process is completed.

9. When exchanging tiles a player must announce 'Change' and then state the number of tiles being exchanged; this constitutes the end of the turn, equivalent to announcing the score.

10. Challenged words may not be looked up by either player: adjudication must be made solely by one or both players on the other board. Only CSW may be used. Words longer than 10 letters will be found in a special section at the end of CSW so looking in the Collins Dictionary will be unneccesary.

11. If a player wishes to challenge more than one word, he/she must state at the time of the challenge which words are to be checked. The adjudicator shall then give a collective verdict on the validity of the words challenged so that, for example, if one or more words are invalid the stated verdict is 'invalid'. A player is entitled to ask for a recheck. No new words may be challenged for that turn.

12. Instead of placing tiles on the board or exchanging tiles, a player may PASS, whether or not he/she is able to make a word or words. However, should both players pass twice in succession, the game ends.

13. Unlimited changes are allowed, with the proviso that at least seven tiles are in the bag at the time of the change.

14. Each player is responsible for recording both his/her own and his/her opponent's scores in such a way that they can be readily be checked should there be a discrepancy at the end of the game. Any player who does not keep the scores in this way must accept the score of his/her opponent who has correctly recorded the score.

15. Amendments, additions and deletions of these rules may be sanctioned solely by a postal vote of paid-up and honorary members of the League. All motions shall be proposed and seconded, and submitted in writing to the League Secretary. The motions (with supporting argument if provided) and a ballot slip will be issued with the ensuing season's entry form and renewing members will vote (agree/disagree/abstain) on them.

16. Any member wishing to complain about breaches of the London Scrabble League's Rules or any other matter is asked to WRITE to the Complaints Officer. (The committee is listed here).