Pub Quizzes And Mobile Phones

[JTRS]

I've got a regular weekly quiz night at a local pub, for the last year it's been going really well, regular teams and well attended so the pub is happy.

Lately a couple of teams have resorted to using mobile phones to gggle the answers, which as you can imagine is annoying the other teams that don't cheat.

I've tried asking at the start of the quiz for mobile phones to be put away, I've tried shaming the offenders, and I've tried a couple of other things but nothing seems to be working.

The problem is that I don't want to upset either camp too much and drive them out, the pub obviously wants the maximum it can get in bar/food sales so if I get too heavy handed and they stop coming in then it will be noticeable, both in numbers and in bar takings.

Has anyone else who runs a quiz come across a good way of stopping quizzers from using mobiles, please don't suggest picture rounds bcause we tried that and it wasn't well received, the format is 20 general knowledge questions and 10 music questions (usually clips).

Thanks in advance

JTRS

[deltic]

make the rounds shorter and more quick fire.

don't think you will stop it even if they don't do it inside in full view they will still go outside and do it.

[Megamix]

The only way I can think of is either strict 10 second time limit so they don't have time - or a question that is not easily answered with a search engine - but that really affects you - it's the cheats that needs stopping, and I imagine it's frustrating

Mobile phone jammer!!

[Silver]

One method - Get teams to put phones in a clear bag on the table.

I split the prizes, so once a team has one one prize, say runner up of main quiz it cannot then win the music or picture round. This spreads the loot, keeps more teams in the hunt and puts off phoning (Is it then worth it!?)

You are going to have to be strong and lay down the law, somebody is going to be upset. It will depend how much they value going to your quiz.

I print it on my sheets and let people know they WILL be thrown out of the quiz if they are seen using a phone for any reason!

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

I've got a regular weekly quiz night at a local pub, for the last year it's been going really well, regular teams and well attended so the pub is happy.

Lately a couple of teams have resorted to using mobile phones to gggle the answers, which as you can imagine is annoying the other teams that don't cheat.

I've tried asking at the start of the quiz for mobile phones to be put away, I've tried shaming the offenders, and I've tried a couple of other things but nothing seems to be working.

The problem is that I don't want to upset either camp too much and drive them out, the pub obviously wants the maximum it can get in bar/food sales so if I get too heavy handed and they stop coming in then it will be noticeable, both in numbers and in bar takings.

Has anyone else who runs a quiz come across a good way of stopping quizzers from using mobiles, please don't suggest picture rounds bcause we tried that and it wasn't well received, the format is 20 general knowledge questions and 10 music questions (usually clips).

Thanks in advance

JTRS

Hiya JTRS!
I had the same problem as im Quizzing at Rothwell on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
i changed the Format to
10 pics
10 gen Knowledge
10 Music (facts useually)
it seems to have sorted out the sad puppies googling in the toilets!
as yr local if you want some pictures masters
pm me as ive a pile of old ones

CHEERS

[Dynamic Entertainment]

We have floor staff (or waiters) in one of my venues. If a team member in the quis is caught with a mobile in hand then the whole team is disqualified. The floorstaff just take the sheets off them.

It doesnt stop the die hard cheats, but does go some way to working.

[Alex]

We have floor staff (or waiters) in one of my venues. If a team member in the quis is caught with a mobile in hand then the whole team is disqualified. The floorstaff just take the sheets off them.

It doesnt stop the die hard cheats, but does go some way to working.

I like this idea....
However the problem is do you ban mobiles during the whole evening or just during the quiz rounds?


I also find I have the problem of people saying "Yeah, I wasn't online... I was txting my mate"....!! Which you can't prove either way.

I tried an all out mobile ban and it didn't work!
I introduced a 5 point deduction EVERY time they are caught using their mobile, and now I am thinking that I will introduce your thing! 2 time they are caught, they are disqualified from that quiz!

Thanks for that little tip :D When I get back from Benidorm, the boys and girls of my local wont know whats hit them! hahahahaha!

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Yeah, it doesnt stop the ones who use the loos, or the ones who go for a cigarette and do it but it works to an extent.

I usually start by saying something like...

"Please be aware that if the floor staff catch you using your phone, be it cheating or not, it will mean your whole team gets disqualified."

Like i say, it does work to an extent as the average score before hand was 70 odd out of 90, and generally its dropped to the 50ish mark. :)

[Gary (GDK)]

Yep same problem here, and tie breaker is always made up name anyway so no one can google that result!

[Kernow]

What about that weary old chestnut "Please turn off all mobile phones as they interfere with our equipment" ?
Although you get that a lot in theatres......... and still see people using phones to video performances, which is also in breach of the rules. :confused:

Maybe relabel the "Quiz" as "Brain-Training"..... No prizes ! but improve your knowledge as we stimulate you to find the answers !!;) .

[BeerFunk]

People like to sit and text, and play on their phones, and you do get people who just tag along at a pub quiz - banning mobile phones isn't going to work.

Making the answers a bit harder to google or making the rounds 'quick fire' are the only two ways to go, IMO.

[Excalibur]

Can't you get those things that jam every mobile in the area? :confused:

[BeerFunk]

Can't you get those things that jam every mobile in the area? :confused:Not only would it set you back a few grand, it is also illegal to do so in the UK :)

[Excalibur]

Not only would it set you back a few grand, it is also illegal to do so in the UK :)

Oh! :( :( Plan B?

[Digital Jack]

You could always invest in a Faraday cage to encompass the venue.

[womble]

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=mobile+phone+jammer&_sacat=See-All-Categories

?

[Corabar Entertainment]

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=mobile+phone+jammer&_sacat=See-All-Categories

?


Not only would it set you back a few grand, it is also illegal to do so in the UK :):whistle:

[JTRS]

Not only is using a phone jammer illegal, it would jam the phones of people who were not taking part in the quiz.

I have a friend who is waiting for an organ transplant, he has been given a mobile phone by the hospital so they can contact him if a sutable organ becomes available, I guess he isn't the only person in the world to have a phone for that reason. Can you imagine how you would feel if you jammed someone's phone and there was an emergency?

JTRS