Etiquette

Okay, some basic Scrabble Tournament etiquette:

1. Cell Phones: unless you are an on-call doctor, your wife's due date is nigh, or there are medical issues in you immediate family, you do not need to have your cell phone on during a tournament, not even on vibrate. Face it, YOU ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT. The world continues to spin even if you can't be reached for a couple of hours.

2. Beverages/Food: You do not need a 44oz Big Gulp or egg rolls from Jack-In-The-Box on the table during a tournament. No matter how many times I've heard a Director say "No open containers on the tables" my first-round opponent has an open container on the table. ENOUGH ALREADY. If you need a beverage, a water bottle with a cap should be placed on the floor in your general area. PEOPLE, THIS IS SIMPLE STUFF.

3. The phrase "You got all the good tiles" is NOT game commentary. It adds nothing to the analysis of a game. If you win, you have the OPTION of saying "Well, I got the good stuff" as a consoling phrase to your opponent. If you lose, take your knocks and keep your mouth shut regarding your perception of who got the good tiles.

4. Coffeehousing. Totally unnecessary.

5. Shake your opponent's hand before your game. It's good sportsmanship. You don't have to say "Good Luck" because you probably don't mean it, but you can say something like "Let's have a good game."

6. The sinks in the bathrooms work -- USE THEM.