3. Setup
Starting Position
- All tiles go into the bag; each player draws one to decide who plays first, and the player whose tile is nearest the beginning of the alphabet — with the blank preceding "A" — starts (Appendix 1)
- The exposed tiles are returned and the bag shaken to shuffle (Appendix 1)
- Each player then draws seven tiles onto a rack (Appendix 1)
- WESPA specifies its own procedure for determining who starts and for shuffling tiles (2.1, 2.4)
- The timer is started under rule 2.2 (2.2)
Attendance
- Players have a duty to be present for their games (2.3.1)
- Separate rules cover both players absent and one player absent (2.3.2, 2.3.3)
- Lateness can lead to optional or compulsory forfeiture, with defined consequences (2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.3.6)
- Provision is made for special needs and disabilities (2.5)