What to expect from a Scrabble club?
First of all you need to know that everyone is welcome.Stop worrying about fitting in with others or not being a good enough Scrabble player.
You should expect a fun time.
You should expect to meet new interesting people.
You should expect to learn something new.
Scrabble clubs want more members. Each new person is a new challenger to play against. Existing members are likely welcoming. You share the same passion as they do.
You will find players of all levels. Which is great. Playing against other good players is the fastest way to improve.
If you like to play Scrabble and want to challenge yourself then join a Scrabble club!
Frequently asked questions about Scrabble clubs
Is playing Scrabble at clubs somehow different than what I'm used to at home?
Clubs are a lot of fun. The basic game is the same. The differences begin in how it is played. You only play one on one against each other. Both players keep score. Timers are used. Each player gets 25 minutes per game. Newcomers are usually allowed to use a cheat sheet. The cheat sheet usually contains short words such as
2 letter words and
3 letter words. More experienced players can not use any help like dictionaries or word lists.
How many games are played each evening?
The standard is to play 3 games in an evening. Sometimes it can also be 4 games(experienced players are likely to play four games). If you wish to play less games then that is also fine.
How much does joining a Scrabble club cost?
Playing Scrabble at a club is one of the cheapest past times you can have! Yes, there usually is a cost to play. However it tends to be small(from one to ten dollars). Scrabble clubs are not for profit organizations. The cost will be small, but it will differ depending on the club. Best to ask.
Are the games timed?
Yes! Special clocks regulate playing time and ensures that all games have the same beginning and finish. It can take some getting used to playing this way, but after a while you won't want to play any other way. Each player gets twenty-five minutes per game. The timers work like chess clocks. When it is your turn, your time starts running up. Using a timer will turn you into a better player.
How is it determined who plays each other?
Most Scrabble clubs have a wide range of skilled players. They will ask what your average score is. Players with similar levels are usually paired up.
How old are members in Scrabble clubs?
Age range varies. You might find kids or grandparents. There is no need to worry about being out of place. People gather at Scrabble clubs because of their passion for the game. If you share the same passion you will have a good time. You can also always ask you local club about their average age.
Do I need to bring anything?
Scrabble clubs usually have enough playing equipment. You can bring your own board if it is a deluxe version. Score sheets are provided by the club. Just bring something to write with. Food is likely not allowed. A sealed drinking container should be fine.
How good of a Scrabble player do I have to be before joining a club?
Knowing basic
Scrabble rules makes you good enough. Joining a club is a great way to start improving your play. Playing against better opponents is the fastest way to improvement.
Do you need to know the definition of a word to play it?
No you do not need to know the meanings of words. There are no such rules. Not being able to put the word in a sentence is also no problem. Knowing word meanings is useful because then you can pluralize or conjugate them.
What about the validity of a words?
If an opponent plays a word you believe is not real, you can challenge it. But be careful. Wrongly challenging a word will earn you a penalty. Newcomers might be surprised by the obscure words being played by seasoned players. An example of a popular word you will surely encounter in Scrabble clubs is 'QI'.
Clubs use Scrabble dictionaries. Depending on the club the dictionary can be different(
Collins dictionary or
TWL dictionary).
