Scrabble Tournament Rules

This will be a single-elimination timed tournament using standard Scrabble rules unless otherwise noted below: Official Scrabble Rules (PDF)

• Each game will be played between two players with a random bracket draw.
• Players may not consult their smartphones during a game but may use the provided paper copy of "The Cheat Sheet": Download Cheat Sheet (PDF)
• Each game will have an arbiter who records scoring, manages the timer, and resolves any word challenges via their smartphone: Scrabble Word Finder
• A chess timer will be used for each game that allows a maximum of 20 minutes per player per game. This will motivate players to keep the pace moving and will help the tourney continue efficiently.
• If a player runs out of time, their score cannot increase further and their opponent can continue playing (if needed to try to get ahead on score).
• The timer continues running until a player plays their tiles, tallies the score audibly, and announces it to the arbiter to be written down. Then the arbiter toggles the timer to the other player.
• If the arbiter or opponent believes the word(s) played is(are) invalid, they must announce such immediately. The arbiter then pauses the timer and makes a determination. If the play is valid, the score is recorded and the timer is toggled to the other player. If the play is invalid, the tiles are returned to the player, they lose their turn, and the timer is toggled to the other player.
• We will have 3 timers and 3 Scrabble sets, so 3 games will run concurrently during the tournament. Active players should remain nearby so new games can be started efficiently. Spectators are encouraged to watch silently.