Help for Starting a Scrabble Club
Scrabble New South Wales
Help for Starting a Scrabble Club
Updated 21/10/26
Recommended Steps First Needed
Assistance Available
Recommended Reference Materials
Charges to Attendees
Seating Arrangements
Club Playing Conditions
Affiliation with Scrabble NSW
Benefits of Membership of Scrabble NSW
Public Liability Insurance
Enquiries
Once you have decided you would like to start a club, these steps are recommended:
- Locate a suitable venue, licensed clubs are recommended
- Establish a playing
time
that does not conflict with other local Scrabble clubs
- Establish date for opening session
- Attempt to obtain article in local paper about formation of Club, and ask for free insertion in Community Events section
- Create flyer to place notices in prominent positions in neighbourhood. Click here for template
- Place promotion in Community facebook pages
- Request targeted facebook advertising from State President
- Contact leads obtained from targeted advertising
The following resources are available from Scrabble NSW, by contacting the Scrabble NSW President, Bob Jackman by phone on 0400 226541, or email rjackman@ozemail.com.au.
- Four new scrabble sets. This covers the first 8 members supplied. Additional sets can be obtained for $10.00 upon supplying additional members.
- Six New Member Packages containing Welcome to Scrabble NSW letter, Scrabble card, Scrabble bookmark, list of two and three-letter words allowed and sheet of Scrabble tips
Scrabble NSW will reimburse organisers of clubs wishing to be affiliated up to $100, for expenses incurred in advertising, photocopying, postage and telephone whilst establishing the club. Where possible, expenses should be supported by receipts.
Scrabble NSW requires the Collins Scrabble Dictionary (2024 edition), with definitions, as the complete list of words allowable in club play from two to nine letters in length. This, and several other Scrabble publications are available to members of Scrabble NSW at discount prices - see Resources It is recommeded clubs charge at least $5 for the first visit for non-member, and thereafter a nominal weekly amount to accumulate revenue to cover costs for dictionaries, additional scrabble sets, and possibly staging a tournament or a Christmas party. Players returning after their first visit are expected to be joined into the wider Scrabble community via the Membership card and New Member kits provided to the convenor. It is advisable for the Club Convenor to appoint a treasurer to operate a bank account
Two players per board is recommended with both players keeping scores for themselves and their opponent. This then enables scores to be cross-checked during games and the winner to be properly determined. Separation of players into Social and Serious Play could be considered if numbers allow
It is up to individual club organisers to determine their own procedures for club play, insofar as looking up and challenging go. A good system which enhances skills, and enables games to be played relatively quickly, is one which includes limited access to word lists. It is best for games to be conducted to suit the least experienced player. This could mean that:
- Both players refer to Collins Scrabble Words (CSW), but only when in doubt, or
- Both players refer to a two and three-letter word list, but ony when in doubt.
Most established clubs play to the single challenge rule, meaning no looking up, and the player of an incorrect word misses a turn. In single challenge, there is no penalty for challenging.It is a good idea to limit club games to one hour, so that a good turn-around of games is achieved.
Any club which has at least four paid up members (preferably including the convenor) is deemed to be affiliated with Scrabble NSW. This will effect a club listing on this website as well as in the quarterly magazine Across the Board. NSW Clubs that are affiliated are protected by our insurance policy.
It is a requiremnt of Scrabble NSW that returning players in affiliated clubs are made at least members of Scrabble NSW, using the new member materials provided. Affiliated clubs could subsidise the Scrabble NSW memership fees for their club members by allocating a small portion of their playing fee to Scrabble NSW membership. Club players who become members of Scrabble NSW will then be able to realise the following benefits:- Discounted publications
- Receipt of quarterly magazine "Across the Board"
- Automatic receipt of emails related to Scrbble NSW activities
- Ongoing support on Scrabble matters
Some venue managers will insist on sighting current insurance cover. A copy of the current insurance certificate can be obtained by from the State President (details below).
Enquiries about starting a new club should be directed to the NSW State President, Bob Jackman. He can be contacted by phone 0400 226541 or email rjackman@ozemail.com.au.