How to Run a Pub Quiz Night

How to Run a Pub Quiz Night

This is a format I've found works really well in the pubs I do them in. It also allows the quiz master to vary the scoring if you like.

Requirements -

  1. Blank answer sheets (I tried with pre-printed ones, but teams said it was too small to enter their answers or write notes)
  2. A tear off strip of paper for the shot round, with the answer sheet
  3. Several print offs of the picture round depending on how many teams you get regularly (I always print off more than needed as some teams will want a spare)
  4. Spotify on your phone or laptop.
  5. Standard rounds are just 10 questions 1 point for each
  6. Music round 1/2 a point for singer and 1/2 point for song!- scan the QR code to your phone, it will find the right play list! If you can hook up Bluetooth to the pubs speakers that's best, if not I use a couple of Tronsmart Bluetooth Groove speakers that dual pair together, but there are others. You may wish to put up the lyrics when playing on Spotify to stop the tune before the answer comes up...some are very short, have a run through at home first .
  7. Picture round - always last and I give about 10-30min on these dependant on the difficulty (Anagrams are the hardest).

Format

  1. Normal question round
  2. Normal question round
  3. Shot Round - the teams have 1 minute after you read the question to write their answer (with teams name) on the tear off strip and get it to you. The team closest to the right answer win a shot each for the team. (nobody has ever got it right in the years I've been doing it). HALF TIME
  4. Music round - Scan the QR code, play each one twice. Ask for any repeats at the end.
  5. Normal question round
  6. Picture Round - dish out the pictures to the teams and leave them too it.

At the end get the teams to swap answers, always work on trust first, you'll soon know if any teams are cheating (phones etc). Remind them it is for fun. I always have a booby prize (its of low value and normally funny).

KEEP your scores and upload them on your home page to keep a track of your teams and a league!

Additional Ideas.

Jackpot Round - At half time in one of the pubs I do this, I sell raffle tickets (£1 a ticket) to the jackpot round, the money is separate to the quiz prize money. I have a box with 50 balls in it and each has a number inside) At the end of the quiz you draw the ticket out. The winner pulls a ball out, the number corresponds to a sheet of 50 hard questions, they win the jackpot if they get it right. If not it rolls over. The biggest one so far I've had is £325! This will get the teams in after a few roll overs.

Take A picture of the winners/losers and post it on socials, always nice to see happy faces in your local!