How do mallakhamb judges score?
I · Intermediate · Judging and officials · 4 of 4A chief judge and four judges score each set out of 10, the chief judge first. The highest and lowest of the four are dropped and the middle two averaged. That average must be within a tolerance of the chief judge's score, 0.10 near the top. Deductions then give the final score.
How it works
- Panel: chief judge and four.
- Slips: within 20 seconds.
- Chief judge: scores first.
- Dropped: highest and lowest.
- Average: middle two.
- Tolerance, 9 to 10: 0.10.
- Tolerance, below 5: 1.00.
- Final score: average minus deductions.
The glossary has the judging panel, the average score, the tolerance, the base score, the chief judge and the set writer.
Tricky cases
The judges cannot agree within two minutes. Result?
The chief judge may use the base score: the middle average and the chief judge's score, averaged.
Only three judges are available. How is the average found?
The chief judge counts as the fourth judge.
Judges disagree on what happened. Whose notes decide?
The set writer's.
When is the final score announced?
Before the next set starts.
Why the rule exists
Dropping the extremes stops one generous or harsh judge from deciding a result.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Four judges | Middle two | L E 1.4 |
| Three judges | Chief judge counts | L E 1.6 |
| Deadlock | Base score | L E 2 |
From the rule book
SGFI, Rules & Regulations: Mallakhamb, with the MFI Code of Points (2008 edition), rules 8, 11 and 12.2 to 12.5 and evaluation points 1 and 2. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: SGFI Rules & Regulations: Mallakhamb.