If a first time challenger, you may challenge up to 20% of the top of the ladder, other challenges - up to 12 places ahead. Challenged players receive an email from the Ladder informing them of the challenge and you and the other player are marked with a red C, indicating you are under challenge. Other players cannot challenge you whilst you have the 'C' against your name. You must still Facebook befriend your new opponent as normal if you haven't previously! The games DO NOT START THEMSELVES - START a scrabble game with your opponent. This is another indicator to the other ladder player of the challenge; declare it a ladder challenge on the game in the usual greetings. This Ladder is SEPARATE from Facebook. It is an internet squash ladder service we have adapted to our purposes as a scrabble competition /rankings ladder. All the information is valid - just ignore references to 'squash'. Note asterisks *** as relevant to us in Echelon. We may change this message later !
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(This site is running squash ladder PHP - a web / browser based application to automate the process of running a squash ladder). ***Challenges are made online and the challenger and challengee receive emails to notify them of when they need to play the match by. Reminders are sent out if the game is unplayed and if no result is recorded by a certain time the match is forfeited and the challenger wins!

***The SCRABBLE ladder administrator can (and has modified) certain parameters such as the challenge period and the 'grace' period for recording results of overdue games. Furthermore there is a mini content management system so that the ladder administrator can post messages and announcements such as this one here. There is also an information page with customisable SCRABBLE ladder rules. You can even have your club logo added.

This ladder PHP is constantly being updated and requests from administrators of a group/club for enhancements can often be accommodated. You can view the latest (squash) ladder PHP news on this link: squash ladder PHP news

There is also a support forum for the squash ladder program and enhancement requests can be made here: squash ladder enhancement requests

New users - to register please click on the login link above and then click on >>register here. It is essential to read the RULES on Point 4 above and the LADDER basics...There is also information on the Event site set up (about registering) on the Echelon front page under admins names - top right...

Although the time is longer to allow for delays to start with our players spread worldwide, please keep up the momentum on games (Minimum ONE TURN per day) so the ladder is fluid. It otherwise becomes stagnant and frustrating for members to find a person to challenge. IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION : If a player challenged (challengee) doesn't respond within 36 hours, the challenger may withdraw the challenge without penalty. (Contact admin. for help with this if needed). We are pleased that the Ladder has been set up and we can have ongoing challenges and great competition throughout the year, to keep you all on your toes !! From the Mirriam-Webster Online Dictionary - you may be interested in the etymology of Echelon - fascinating that Echelon actually means ' ladder' !! echelon: Pronunciation: \ˈe-shə-ˌlon

RULES CHANGED OR ADDED Some clarification has been necessary, and the 'skip' function is now disallowed . 1 b) If a player challenged (the challengee) doesn't respond in 36 hours (a day and a half) then the challenger may withdraw the challenge without penalty. (Contact administrator please for help with this if needed).

4. You should play your challenge game/s regularly as 'one turn a day'. However, return play as normal, but not less than one turn a day - unless one player notifies the other in advance of eg. non-weekend play or a temporary absence.

a) If a player is overdue on his/her turn, the opponent should first use the option on the game to NUDGE their opponent and if no response is made after another approx. 12 hours, then MESSAGE the player. If there is concern about a delay, contact the Administrator.

b) When both players are online, continual play may proceed.

6. Two games are played - each player commencing one simultaneously. DO NOT wait for one game to finish before the other is started by the challenged player. The winner is determined by whoever wins two games outright. If a tie, see (7).

7a.In the event of a tie - a 3rd 'decider' game may be played with the challenged player commencing. The winner of two games then, is the overall winner. However if a tie re- occurs, the challenge fails.

b. In the event of a tie on ONE of the two games - (ie both players are deemed by Scrabble Worldwide to have won the game), and the other is won outright by one of the players, the winner is that player - winner of the single game, as the result will be 2 games to 1. Another way to put this rule, is that a 3rd game is required only where both players have each won one game outright.

11. If the challenger wishes to cancel the challenge they may do so within the challenge and 'grace' period with no consequences.

12. Conversely, if If the challenged player is unable to complete games for a challenge, they may request the challenge be cancelled (then as above the challenger may cancel the challenge with no consequences). If there is clarification needed, contact the administrator (Maureen).

14. No re-challenges can occur from either player within a 14 day period ie. from first entry of the results (of first set of games) on the ladder by one of the party.

15. The onus is upon the challenger to immediately befriend the other player from the Echelon Admin's friend's list or the membership list and promptly start a game on Scrabble Worldwide. There is a set time allowance for the challenge and to delay clearly disadvantages the challenged player. If you are disadvantaged by slow return play, please contact Echelon Admin.

Three important changes: (1) time for challenges extended to 19 + 2 days 'grace' period - that is 21 days total. (2) player positions now SHUFFLE not swap anymore..a less drastic consequence of losing a challenge. (3) I have adjusted the challenge system so you can now challenge up to 12 places ahead.

You will have noticed a points score appear next to player names on the rankings page (if logged in). This is a trial points rating system based on the classic Elo system. Players will be awarded points for winning and lose points for losing depending on how difficult the system calculates your opponent to be. It will take a few games to settle down the scoring system. Currently the rating is displayed for information purposes only but in future it will be possible to arrange the ladder ranking system around this points score.

This software is provided free of charge. To support further development of the ladder please consider making a donation. Thank you.