Challenge (Scrabble)
Encyclopedia
In the game of Scrabble
, a challenge is the act of one player questioning the validity of one or more words formed by another player in the most recent turn. If one or more of the challenged words is not in the previously agreed-upon dictionary, the challenged player loses his or her turn. If the challenged words are acceptable, the challenger loses his or her turn.
In tournament play, a player challenges by calling for an adjudicator
to verify if the word or words are in the agreed dictionary. Depending on the rules in force, there may be different consequences for a challenge. There are three current variations: single challenge, double challenge and penalty challenge.
A suggested flaw of this is that a player can challenge any word at any time, even words he knows to be valid; since tournament games are usually timed, this can be used to unfairly gain additional time to think about his or her own next turn.
A criticism of double challenge is that it is more conducive to bluffing
. A player may play a word he knows is invalid in the hope that his opponent will not risk a challenge.
This is a compromise between single and double challenge, with many of the strengths and weaknesses of the two. Players are unlikely to challenge a word they know just to gain thinking time, as it would cost them some number of points. On the other hand, the potential loss of points of a failed challenge may discourage a player from challenging a word they believe to be invalid, increasing the chances of an invalid word remaining throughout the game.
' Literati, Internet Scrabble Club
and Lexulous offer automatic verification as an option, which will make it impossible to play an invalid word. The Facebook
version of Scrabble makes automatic verification compulsory. This allows players to repeatedly guess at words until the computer verifies one to be acceptable.
On the Internet Scrabble Club, where multiple languages are available, automatic validation allows players to play in their second language or even languages they have no experience with, without the fear of an invalid word ever being played.
Lexulous also has a "strict challenge" option in which a player loses a turn as well as 20 points on a wrong challenge.
Scrabble
Scrabble is a word game in which two to four players score points by forming words from individual lettered tiles on a game board marked with a 15-by-15 grid. The words are formed across and down in crossword fashion and must appear in a standard dictionary. Official reference works provide a list...
, a challenge is the act of one player questioning the validity of one or more words formed by another player in the most recent turn. If one or more of the challenged words is not in the previously agreed-upon dictionary, the challenged player loses his or her turn. If the challenged words are acceptable, the challenger loses his or her turn.
In tournament play, a player challenges by calling for an adjudicator
Adjudicator
An adjudicator is someone who presides, judges and arbitrates during a formal dispute. The term adjudicator essentially means a judge, without invoking the legal term. An ombudsman is a type of adjudicator in local government in the United Kingdom....
to verify if the word or words are in the agreed dictionary. Depending on the rules in force, there may be different consequences for a challenge. There are three current variations: single challenge, double challenge and penalty challenge.
Single challenge
In single challenge, if a player places a word and his or her opponent wishes to challenge, the challenger may do so with no penalty. If the word is valid, it remains on the board. If it is invalid, it is removed from the board, the challenged player gets back exactly the same letters as he had, and the turn is noted as a pass with a score of zero points. The challenger receives no penalty (point deduction or loss of a turn) no matter if the challenged play is valid or invalid.A suggested flaw of this is that a player can challenge any word at any time, even words he knows to be valid; since tournament games are usually timed, this can be used to unfairly gain additional time to think about his or her own next turn.
Double challenge
Double challenge is equivalent to the original Scrabble challenge rules. If a player places a word and his or her opponent challenges, the challenger will lose one turn if the play he has challenged turns out to be valid. However, if the play is invalid, the tiles are taken off the board and the challenger retains his right to make a turn. In other words, whoever loses the challenge loses one turn.A criticism of double challenge is that it is more conducive to bluffing
Deception
Deception, beguilement, deceit, bluff, mystification, bad faith, and subterfuge are acts to propagate beliefs that are not true, or not the whole truth . Deception can involve dissimulation, propaganda, and sleight of hand. It can employ distraction, camouflage or concealment...
. A player may play a word he knows is invalid in the hope that his opponent will not risk a challenge.
Penalty challenge
In penalty challenge, a fixed amount of points for the penalty is agreed on before the game, either by the two players or more often in tournament play, by the organizers. If a player challenges his opponent's turn and it is invalid, the letters are taken back as usual. However if the word is valid, the word remains on the board and the challenger loses 5, 10 or however many points the agreed penalty was. This can either be given to the opponent or subtracted from the challenger's score, depending on the agreed rules.This is a compromise between single and double challenge, with many of the strengths and weaknesses of the two. Players are unlikely to challenge a word they know just to gain thinking time, as it would cost them some number of points. On the other hand, the potential loss of points of a failed challenge may discourage a player from challenging a word they believe to be invalid, increasing the chances of an invalid word remaining throughout the game.
Internet variations
Scrabble and Scrabble-like game sites on the Internet such as Yahoo! GamesYahoo! Games
Yahoo! Games is the section of the Yahoo! website in which Yahoo! users can play games either with other users or by themselves. The games on the website are typically Java applets or quick Flash games, but there are others which require a download. Many of the games that require a download...
' Literati, Internet Scrabble Club
Internet Scrabble Club
The Internet Scrabble Club is an online website which allows players from all around the world to play Scrabble. Players can join the ISC by registering a handle , then downloading WordBiz, a free software that allows the player to view the interface.-Using ISC:Players start games either by...
and Lexulous offer automatic verification as an option, which will make it impossible to play an invalid word. The Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
version of Scrabble makes automatic verification compulsory. This allows players to repeatedly guess at words until the computer verifies one to be acceptable.
On the Internet Scrabble Club, where multiple languages are available, automatic validation allows players to play in their second language or even languages they have no experience with, without the fear of an invalid word ever being played.
Lexulous also has a "strict challenge" option in which a player loses a turn as well as 20 points on a wrong challenge.