Note: You still must 'friend' contact your new opponent on Facebook as normal if you haven't done so before! If they are already on your Facebook contacts list of friends, you do not need to make special contact as they receive an email from the Ladder informing them of the challenge. The games DO NOT START THEMSELVES - you must start a scrabble game against them and that is another indicator to them of the challenge - acknowledge that it is a 'C' game on 'chat'. 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 !
Sign up to the announcements list here

(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, and players on each side of the globe, please try to keep up the momentum on games so there is still fluidity of movement on the ladder. It will otherwise become very stagnant and frustrating for members to find a person not in a challenge game. CLARIFICATION : If a player challenged (challengee) doesn't respond in 36 hours, the challenger may withdraw the challenge without penalty. (Contact admin. for help with this). 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-ˌl

Three important changes: (1) time for challenges extended to 16 + 2 days 'grace' period - that is 18 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 10 places ahead.

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).

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 commences one. The winner is determined by whoever wins two games outright.

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

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.

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 instigator of a challenge to immediately seek 'friending' contact with the other player and establishing a game. There is only a set time allowance for the challenge and to delay clearly disadvantages the challenged player.

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.