Frequently
Asked Questions About SCRABBLE® Clubs
Q. - Don't you have to know the definition of a
word if you play it?
A. - It is useful to know the meaning of words, so
that you can know if a word can be pluralized or conjugated.
There is no rule that states that a player must know the meaning or
pronunciation of a word.
Q. - Are words from other languages
allowed?
A.- Usually you can only play english-language words in SCRABBLE®.
However if foreign words have no direct translation in english they can
usually be played. For example, you can play the words PESO,
DINAR, XU and RUPEE, because they all refer to a specific form of
foreign currency. For a guide to what words can and cannot be
played, players should refer to the Official
SCRABBLE®
Players Dictionary, published by Merriam Webster, or the Official
Tournament and Club Word List (available to National Scrabble
Association members only).
Q. - Chess clocks? What are those
doing in a SCRABBLE® game?
A. - Many of our members play with a clock. Some use a chess clock and
some use a digital model. The clock regulates play time and ensures
that games have the same start and finish. The standard time allotment
in club play is twenty-five minutes for each player. Newcomers to the
club are not obligated to play with a clock, but we welcome you to give
it a try. It is easier than it looks! Don't wait for your first
tournament before using a clock!
Q. - How will I know if I am ready to
play in a SCRABBLE® Tournament?
A. Don't think about it too much...just do it! As a novice
player, you will be placed in a tournament division against other
novice players. We reccomend that you play in a local SCRABBLE®
club a few times to get familiar with the rules, then sign up for a
one-day tournament. The Triangle SCRABBLE® club
usually hosts two short tournaments a year, as well as a longer,
three-day tournament. There are other tournaments all over the US
and Canada, you can find a list of these tournaments on cross-tables.com