Rules and Guidelines

GENERAL

We will start promptly at 6:45 PM; we will introduce the evening around 6:30 PM and hand out score sheets, pencils, etc. The goal is to have the evening done by 9:00 PM

HOSTING AND PICKING QUESTIONS

If hosting with your own questions, the following items are very important:
- The point is to unwind from the week. Have fun with it, do not brutalize people with bizzare and off the wall questions.
- A good rule of thumb is that the '10' should be rare, 8's and 9's tough and 6 - 7 good scores.
- We belong to teams because we share interests with our teammates, when doing questions keep that in mind.
- You know your own strengths and your team's interests, bring questions from a variety of subjects that do not suit your team—strong showing by your own team only leads to resentment and frustration by others.
Rule Number One: Your answer is final. You did the work, you looked up the questions. When you're wrong you're still right.
Your answer is final, unless. . .

every team

Rule No. 1.

Have a variety of subjects: Teams represent different levels of age, education, interests and knowledge. Questions should be tailored to address each one.
The trifecta, three of the same subject in a row, is not required, 10 subjects are easier to look up, than 30.
Vary the subjects, and make them broad. e.g. Three questions about a single movie, book or a particularly small event—A single movie such as Casablanca, a specific World Series—is not fair to a team who has not seen the movie, that's three and out.
Use a variety of media, but when possible go directly to the source when possible

e.g.: If asking about aspirin, Bayer.com would probably be a better resource then a blog.

Try and stick to the format of 10 questions for three rounds. 10 Music questions.
If you need to see how the score sheet is setup, click the Score Sheet link on the Homepage. Although variety is the spice of life, any deviations should be done within reason and with clearly defined rules--be prepared for snickering.
Complete rounds with one specific subject are not allowed as one of the three questions rounds. "Single subject" rounds are OK if they are scored as "stand-alone", i.e. the high score gets a tee-shirt or a pitcher of beer, but the round does not count toward the evening's total score.
The host of the evening has the option of small format changes
If the tie-breaker is not required to determine a round's winner, then a point can be given out to the team closest to the tie-breaker—although this is not necessary. That should be the total bonus points for the evening.

Questions with numbers should be reserved for the 'Tie-Breaker' at the end of each round.

Exceptions: some numbers such as the number of Supreme Court Justices, the year of ratification of the U.S. Constitution should just be known by EVERYONE and are fair to use.

Sometimes, Lewie's does not have free giveaways. That's the way business works. Make no apologies, nor criticisms, and play the rounds.

HOLLERIN' QUESTION

BONUS POINTS

Limit them to 1/2 or 1.0 points for knowing something unique about a question. Limit them per round.

Note: If a particular night has an exorbitant amount of scoring, e.g. 55pts, the scores will be normalized to 45 points--a maximum 10 for each round and 5 for the traditional 'hollerin' question.

However, if points are excessive limit them to the Nightly Score, and not the overall Tournament Score

TIE BREAKERS

They should be of a 'number' answer variety. Any topic, any number of digits. If your answer requires specific units then make sure to request them.

THE MUSIC ROUND

If hosting with your own music, the following items are very important:
- Refer to the Hosting and Picking Questions section.
- Remember the age range of the teams, that vintage LP or Cassette collection might have rocked, but may not anymore.
- We belong to teams because we share interests with our teammates, when choosing music, keep that in mind.
- You know your team's musical interests, don't be afraid to choose music that is outside your comfort zone.
Generally 10 songs requiring 'Title' and 'Artist'
The score sheet is designed for two answers for each questions/song in the third round. There is no hard and fast rule that those two pieces of information are required for each song.
Can be done on CD, Tape, or an MP3 Player.
Year and Genre are expected, but not required.
If you offer a pitcher of beer for a specific song, YOU BUY.
Music should be of reasonable length, with the exception of 'snippets'.
A 'Where From' song / theme is not required.
For help with doing music, contact Tony or Mike.

ANNOUNCING HINTS

Hosts should take their time, enunciate clearly and allow time between questions so the teams can discuss their answers.
Speak Clearly
Read your question as it is written
Announce regularly "Thank your servers, they're working; you're not."
Go slowly between questions
Take time between exchanges
Take requests for repeats after the last question
Try and not get flustered. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
Finally, the point is for us to unwind from the week. Have fun with it, do not brutalize people with bizarre and off the wall questions. A good rule of thumb is that the '10' should be rare, 8's and 9's tough and 6 & 7's good scores.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

If you sign up for a round as the host, and cannot make it, please inform Tony or Mike as soon as possible. In the event an emergency occurs (and they do) Tony or Mike will have some questions available so the evening can continue, albeit, they may be old, already-asked questions.
If you would like to do questions but are nervous in front of others, don't be afraid to ask someone else to read them for you.

FINALLY

Excessive abuse of the rules and guidelines set forth will result in a suspension of hosting privileges. Final determination will be made by Mike, Tony and Lewie.