Poems can be on any subject and style.

 
Poems must be the original work of the author.
 
No Props, Musical Instruments or Costumes.

Sampling: It is acceptable for a poet to incorporate, imitate, or otherwise "signify" on the words, lyrics, or tune of someone else (commonly called "sampling" in his own work. If he/she is only riffing off another's words, he should expect only healthy controversy; if he/she is ripping off their words, he should expect scornful contumely.

The Three-Minute Rule: No performance should last longer than three minutes. The time begins when the performance begins, which may well be before the first utterance is made. A poet is certainly allowed several full seconds to adjust the microphone and get settled & ready, but as soon as s/he makes a connection with the audience, the timekeeper can start the clock. After three minutes, there is a 10-second grace period (up to and including 3:10.00). Starting at 3:10.01, a penalty is automatically deducted from each poet's overall score. 1 point for every ten seconds.

Judging: All efforts shall be made to select five judges who will be fair. Once chosen, the judges will have a private, verbal crash course by the emcee or house manager on the do's and don'ts of poetry slam judging (where they can ask questions).

Scoring: The judges will give each poem a score from 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest or "perfect" score. They will be encouraged to use one decimal place in order to preclude the likelihood of a tie. Each poem will get five scores. The high and the low scores will be dropped and the remaining three scores will be added together.

Sacrificial Poet: Because no poet wants to go first in the slam, and because some judges, score keepers and time keepers need practice, each slam begins with a "sacrificial poet". This poet performs a piece and is scored as if they were competing in the slam.

Emcee: Will require that all judges hold their scores up at the same time and that no judge changes his/her score after it is up. Since they must be completely impartial, genuine enthusiasm has to be carefully directed. The safest thing to do is encourage the audience to express their own opinions.