Pub quiz

A pub quiz is a social event held in a bar or pub. These events are frequently called quiz nights, trivia nights, or bar trivia. They serve as a modern version of a pub game. Many establishments host these events to attract customers on quieter nights.

The pub quiz has become a major part of British culture. It also became a staple in Irish pub culture. Today, the popularity of these trivia events has spread internationally.

Most pub quizzes follow a structured set of rules and steps. Participants form small teams, often based around a single table. Many pubs set a maximum team size, usually between six and ten people. These teams choose a name, which is often a humorous pun. A person called a quizmaster or quiz host leads the event. The quizmaster reads questions or distributes written sheets. Teams write their answers on paper or use wireless handsets. After a round ends, teams hand in their papers for marking. Sometimes, teams swap papers to grade each other to ensure fairness.

There are several specific ways to play the game. One method is called "infinite bounce" or "infinite rebounds." In this format, a question is addressed to each team in order. If one team cannot answer, the question passes to the next team. Another strategy is called "pounce." In a pounce round, a time limit is introduced. If the first team fails to answer, any other team may "pounce" to offer the answer. Some quizzes also include a "joker" round. Teams can select one round to double their points. This strategy helps teams with specific knowledge increase their scores.

Quizzes are organized into various rounds to maintain interest. A quiz may have between one and six rounds. These rounds can include anywhere from 10 to over 80 questions. Factual rounds often cover general knowledge like history, geography, or science. Music rounds play song excerpts over a public address system. Teams must identify the song, artist, or release year. Picture rounds use printed handouts or televised images. These might show famous people, company logos, or objects from strange angles. Some rounds are even more specialized, such as "Who Am I?" clues. In these rounds, clues are given in descending order of difficulty.

The history of organized pub quizzes shows steady growth. While exact origins are unknown, a quiz night was mentioned in 1946. In the late 1950s, about 4,000 people joined quiz leagues in Merseyside and Lancashire. In 1976, Sharon Burns and Tom Porter organized 32 teams in southern England. They wanted to attract people to pubs on "off" nights. Their weekly events grew rapidly from 30 teams to 10,000 teams. This helped establish the pub quiz as a cultural staple.

Winning teams often receive various types of prizes. Prizes might include alcoholic drinks or a bar tab. If there is an entry fee, the money often forms a cash prize. Some quizzes feature a jackpot that rolls over if no one wins. This jackpot might be won through special questions or even dance-offs. Other prizes include vouchers for food or cinema discounts. Some breweries provide promotional items like t-shirts or glasses. In some cases, novelty prizes like chocolate or toys are given.

Modern technology has changed how these games are managed. Digital pub quizzes use wireless handsets instead of pens. A computer records these answers and exports them to a spreadsheet. This allows for instant results and tiebreaks based on speed. Software companies like NTN Buzztime began providing these systems in 1987. Technology also helps prevent cheating. Mobile phones have made cheating more common through internet searches. Some quizzes now use mobile apps to detect if a user leaves the game. This helps maintain the integrity of the competition.