The JAMmers are challenged to speak for one minute on a given subject without “repetition, hesitation, or deviation“.
“Repetition” means the repetition of any word or phrase, although challenges based upon very common words such as “and” are generally rejected except in extreme cases. Words contained in the given subject are exempt unless repeated many times in quick succession. Skillful players use (sometimes obscure) synonyms in order to avoid repeating themselves. The term “BBC” maybe successfully challenged upon for repetition of “B”.
“Hesitation” is watched very strictly: a momentary pause before resumption of the subject can give rise to a successful challenge, as can tripping over one’s words.
“Deviation” means deviating from the subject, but has also been interpreted as “deviating from the English language as we know it”, “deviation from grammar as we understand it”, deviating from the truth, and sometimes even logic, although often leaps into the surreal are allowed.
A JAMmer scores a point for making a correct challenge against whomever is speaking, while the speaker gets a point if the challenge is deemed incorrect. However, if a witty interjection amuses the audience, even though it is not a correct challenge, both the challenger and speaker may gain a point, at the moderator’s discretion. A player who makes a correct challenge takes over the subject for the remainder of the minute, or, until he or she is correctly challenged. A speaker also scores a point if they are the person speaking when the 60 seconds expires. An extra point is awarded when a speaker speaks for the entire minute without being challenged.
The game rewards those that make entertaining challenges, even if they do not speak for very long. An often rewarding time to challenge is a few seconds before the minute ends. Here, one could get a point for a challenge, not have to speak for very long, and get another point for speaking at the end of the minute.
The game is scored and a winner declared, but the attraction of JAM lies less in the contest than in the humour and banter between participants and the moderator.
Day | Members | Gain | % Gain |
---|---|---|---|
June 25, 2024 | 447 | 0 | 0.0% |
March 20, 2024 | 447 | 0 | 0.0% |
January 30, 2024 | 447 | 0 | 0.0% |
December 16, 2023 | 447 | +1 | +0.3% |
November 06, 2023 | 446 | +1 | +0.3% |
October 06, 2023 | 445 | 0 | 0.0% |
September 07, 2023 | 445 | +1 | +0.3% |
August 09, 2023 | 444 | +1 | +0.3% |
July 08, 2023 | 443 | 0 | 0.0% |
June 15, 2023 | 443 | -2 | -0.5% |
March 15, 2023 | 445 | 0 | 0.0% |
January 23, 2023 | 445 | +1 | +0.3% |
January 19, 2023 | 444 | +1 | +0.3% |
December 24, 2022 | 443 | +2 | +0.5% |
November 11, 2022 | 441 | +1 | +0.3% |
September 11, 2022 | 440 | +1 | +0.3% |
June 16, 2022 | 439 | +2 | +0.5% |
May 07, 2022 | 437 | +1 | +0.3% |
April 30, 2022 | 436 | +3 | +0.7% |
April 16, 2022 | 433 | +2 | +0.5% |
April 09, 2022 | 431 | +1 | +0.3% |
April 02, 2022 | 430 | +1 | +0.3% |
March 18, 2022 | 429 | -2 | -0.5% |
March 11, 2022 | 431 | -2 | -0.5% |
November 22, 2021 | 433 | +4 | +1.0% |
November 17, 2021 | 429 | +4 | +1.0% |
November 09, 2021 | 425 | +3 | +0.8% |
November 01, 2021 | 422 | +64 | +17.9% |
August 23, 2021 | 358 | +6 | +1.8% |