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The Hong Kong Scrabble Players Association is organising the Hong Kong Scrabble Challenge 2025, an open Scrabble tournament for all local and overseas players.
We will be having a single division Challenge this year. It will be a two-day WESPA-rated event featuring 15 games.
Details
Date: 2 to 3 August 2025 (Saturday and Sunday)
Time: 09:30 - 18:30 (Registration starts at 09:00)
Venue: 5/F, Spark City Cheung Sha Wan, 124-126 Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon
Format: 15 games
Game 1 to 3: Init Fontes*
Game 4 to 13: Australian Swiss Draw (sometimes lagged). There will be a reset in the number of repeat after Round 5 and 10
Game 14 to 15: King-of-the-Hill (KOTH)
*Init Fontes: Players will be categorized into 4 groups by their HKSPA ratings immediately prior to the tournament. Sub-divisions will be formed by selecting one player from each group to form a sub-division of 4 players. These 4 players will play a single Round Robin. If the total number of players is not divisible by 4 (due to players’ absence), there will be a group containing all the remaining players. They will play partial round robin and opponents / bye will be arranged by random. Players without HKSPA ratings will be allocated to a group with reference to their WESPA ratings.
Each players has 25 minutes to play each round. 5 points unsubstantiated challenge penalty, latest version of the Collins Official Scrabble Words and WESPA rules applicable to all divisions. Gibsonisation rules apply where appropriate. There will be a spread cap of 300 points per game. These are subject to changes at the discretion of the organiser.
Eligibility: A player may sign up for the Championship if (s)he fulfils any of the following criteria:
- Have played at least 50 HKSPA-rated games and have a HKSPA rating of 800 or above
- Have a WESPA rating and have played in at least one WESPA-rated tournament outside Hong Kong
Hong Kong residents signing up for the Championship must be HKSPA individual members.
Ineligible players may still sign up online. However, they must state their experiences in Scrabble and demonstrate their competence in playing intensive, competitive Scrabble on the "Remarks" field of the application form. They may also provide the contact information of a referee (optional). Entries will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Prizes:
- Champion – Trophy
- 1st Runner-up – Medal
- 2nd Runner-up – Medal
- 3rd Runner-up – Medal
- Individual Youth Awards:
Best Under-18 Player (born on or after 1/1/2007) – medal
Best Under-16 Player (born on or after 1/1/2009) – medal
Best Under-14 Player (born on or after 1/1/2011) – medal
Best Under-12 Player (born on or after 1/1/2013) – medal
(Applicable if a particular age group has at least two players) - Best Player from a School – medal
(Applicable for school with at least three players) - Team Unity Award#
# For the "Team Unity Award", players will be divided into several groups according to their HKSPA ratings immediately before the tournament. For overseas players, they will be arranged into groups at the organiser's discretion. Each player may then choose their own team of players: one player from each of the other groups, plus themselves. At the end of the tournament, team scores will be computed, combining the individual results of each team's members. The player whose team scores the highest will be the prize winner. The "individual results" refer to the combination of number of wins and cumulative spread.
Entry fees: To cover the cost of running the tournament, including the WESPA Ratings Levy and venue rental, HKSPA will collect entry fees from players joining this tournament.
- Full-time primary and secondary students: $160
- Other players: $200
Players are required to pay an additional HK$50 deposit together with their entry fees. The entry fee does not include lunch.
Players do not need to pay the entry fee when they register for the tournament. The organiser will notify the players to make their payment after the closure of application period. Players should follow the instructions by email to make their payment.
HKSPA Membership: Hong Kong residents playing in the event must hold an active HKSPA individual membership on the date of the event. Players who are not HKSPA members should join HKSPA membership on or before the deadline of enrollment and pay the membership fee together with their entry fee.
HKSPA will be offering the following special membership rates for non-current members:
- Full members: HK$220 for membership till 31 August 2026
- Student members: HK$90 for membership till 31 August 2026
Certificate charges: Certificates of Participation will only be given to participants on request. The certificates will be available to participants free of charge if the request is made during the online application. The request of Certificates of Participation and Certificates of Awards after the tournament will be subject to the Association's prevailing charges, i.e. HK$20 per certificate.
Enrollment: To enroll, please press here. Entries are accepted in accordance with the players' HKSPA ratings or WESPA ratings. The organiser reserves the right to refuse entry. The deadlines for enrollment are:
- Hong Kong residents: 12 July 2025
- Overseas players: 18 July 2025
The list of entrants will be announced on 19 July 2025.
Equipment: Players are encouraged to bring their own rotating boards and tiles for use during the tournament. Please let us know by email (info@hkscrabble.org) or contact any committee members if you are going to bring your own equipment to the venue.
Late enrollment: Applications after the deadline will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. A late charge of $20 should apply in addition to the original entry fee. Late entrants are not allowed to compete in any school award.
Verification policy: Players are required to bring their HKID Card (for local players - birth certificate if they do not have an HKID Card) or Passport (for overseas players) for verification purposes. Students should also bring their Student ID Card (student handbook if they do not have a Student ID Card). Players who fail to bring the required documents may not be allowed to play / being charged HK$50 administrative fee payable on the spot by cash only.