How to score a poetry slam
Five judges, picked from the audience, hold up a score from 0.0 to 10.0 after each poem. The scorekeeper drops the highest and the lowest and adds the middle three, so a perfect poem scores 30. The timekeeper starts the clock when the poet first speaks to the audience. The common rule, used by NorthBeast, Southern Fried and NFSPS among others, is 3 minutes plus a 10-second grace period, then half a point off for every 10 seconds, or part of 10 seconds, over.
Example: scores of 6.5, 7.2, 7.8, 8.2 and 9.5 on a 3:23 poem
Drop the 6.5 and the 9.5. The middle three add to 23.2. At 3:23 the poem is 13 seconds past the grace period, which is two started 10-second steps, so 1.0 comes off. The poem scores 22.2. This is the worked example in the NorthBeast Regional 2026 rules.
| Time | Points off |
|---|---|
| 3:10 or less | none |
| 3:10.01 to 3:20 | 0.5 |
| 3:20.01 to 3:30 | 1.0 |
| 3:30.01 to 3:40 | 1.5 |
| 3:40.01 to 3:50 | 2.0 |
Rounds, cuts and ties
Round 1 order is a random draw. A calibration (sacrificial) poet reads first so the judges can settle their scale; that score doesn't count. After each round the top poets go through, for example 12, then 8, then 4. Later rounds may go by score, highest first, or by a new draw. Slams differ on totals: some add every round, some start each round from zero. You choose when you start each round.
For a tie, the scorekeeper brings back the dropped highest and lowest scores, then drops only the lowest, then only the highest. Poets still level at a cut both go through. Poets still level for a final place share it or read a tie-break poem; record the result here and the standings follow it.
Questions from slam hosts and scorekeepers
How do you score a poetry slam?
Five judges each give a score from 0.0 to 10.0. The highest and lowest are dropped and the middle three are added, so the best possible poem scores 30. Any time penalty comes off that total. The highest total wins the round.
What is the time penalty in a poetry slam?
The common rule is 3 minutes plus a 10-second grace period. After 3:10, half a point comes off for every 10 seconds or part of 10 seconds, so 3:10.01 costs 0.5 and 3:20.01 costs 1.0. Set your own limit, grace and step under Scoring rules.
What if we only have three judges?
Then every score counts and nothing is dropped, which is what slams like Hullabaloo in Vancouver do when five judges can't be found. Choose 3 judges under Scoring rules.
How are ties broken in a poetry slam?
A common rule brings back the dropped highest and lowest scores, then drops only the lowest, then only the highest. If poets are still level at a cut, both go through. For a final place, the poets share it or read a tie-break poem.
Are poetry slam scores added up across rounds?
It depends on the slam. Some add every round, some start each round from zero, and some start round 2 from zero and add round 3 to it. Choose for each new round when you make the cut.
Where are the scores saved?
In this browser on this device, after every number you type, so a reload or a closed tab loses nothing. Nothing is uploaded and there is no share link. Print the score sheet if someone else needs a copy.
Rules from the NorthBeast Regional 2026 slam rules, the Southern Fried Poetry Slam rules, the NFSPS BlackBerry Peach 2026 slam rules, the Hullabaloo rules and the Spokane County Library District teen slam rules. Every slam sets its own rules, and your host has the final word. Speech contests with judges' ballots: count the ballots here.