Rounds
a. Three teams will compete in four (4) rounds simultaneously. Each round has a different format to be described below.
b. Players will sit at a lockout buzzer system throughout a game. The buzzer will be used to indicate desire to respond to a question.
c. The moderator will be responsible for reading questions and awarding points. When an answer is disputed, the moderator with the help of another official, usually the official scorekeeper will make a ruling.
A. Round One Format and Scoring
Overview
In the first round, also known as the "category round"", players will be read twelve (12) questions from a moderator. All 12 questions will be related by a common theme. A player will ring in on the buzzer when the answer is known. Questions are open to all 3 teams.
a. The person who buzzes in first and answers correctly will be awarded 10 points to be added to his or her team's score. The moderator then acknowledges the correct response, awards the points and the next question is read.
b.Only one player per team is permitted to give a reponse per question.
c.Should a player answer incorrectly before the moderator finishes reading the question, the player's team will have 5 points deducted (-5).
d. Should all three teams interrupt and answer incorrectly, each team may have 5 points deducted from their score.
e. There is no penalty for an incorrect answer after the question is read to completion.
f. Players may not collaborate on questions. 5 points will be deducted for collaboration.
g. The theoretical maximum points per team is 120. The theoretical minimum points per team is -60.
B. Round Two Format and Scoring
Overview
In the second round, also known as the "team round", teams are asked six (6) questions individually, that is, the moderator will ask the questions to one team alone and the other two teams may not answer.
a. The order that teams are chosen to be asked their set of 6 is determined by the amount of points scored in the first round. The team with the lowest score after the category round goes first and thus in ascending order. In the event of a tie, the order may be resolved by coin flip or by concensus among competing teams.
b. Each team has 60 seconds to answer their questions. Time will be kept on a piece visible to the team being read questions.
c. Each team will have 6 unique questions
d. After time has expired, if the team was being in the process of being read a question the moderator will stop reading and the team will have the choice to answer or pass.
e. Teams may confer on each question so long as time permits.
f. A correct response from a team is awarded 10 points.
g. An incorrect response results in a 5 point deduction.
h. A team that answers all 6 questions within the time limit is awarded 15 bonus points for a maximum total of 75 points. A team may lose 30 points (-30) for answering all 6 questions incorrectly.
i.Teams may pass a question with no penalty however passed questions are free to the other two teams at 10 point value once the 60 seconds is over. The moderator will reread the question and players from the other may buzz in an attempt to answer. There is still a 5 point deduction for an incorrect interrupt
C. Round Three Format and Scoring
Overview
Round Three or the "tossup/bonus round" will consist of tossups and bonus questions written in the traditional "quiz bowl" style: Tossups with corresponding bonuses.
A. Tossups
1.Tossups will have reverse pyramid format (harder clues first, then easier clues at the end).
2.Tossups will be open to all three playing teams.
3. One player per team may answer only.
4. A correctly answered tossup earns 10 points.
5. An incorrect interruption negates 5 points per team regardless of order.
6. There is no penalty for an incorrect answer after a question is read to completion.
B. Bonuses
1. After a correct tossup, the team who answered correctly is awarded a bonus question of varying
length for an additional 20 points.
2. All players may collaborate together in attempting to answer the bonus question.
3. The round ends once 5 correct tossups are read with corresponding bonus or 8 tossups total are
read - whichever occurs first.
C. The maximum number of points per team for this round is 150 (one team answering all 5 tossups and getting all corresponding bonus points).
D. Round Four Format and Scoring
Overview
In Round Four or the "lightning round" ten (10) relatively short tossup questions are read to all 3 teams.
a. Teams may confer on each question though only one player per team may buzz and answer.
b. A player that answers a question without conferring with his or her team will be awarded 15 points.
c. A player that confers with his team before answering is awarded 10 points.
d. Players that interrupt the moderator and are incorrect have their team's score reduced by 5 points.
e. Only one player per team may be allowed to buzz in.
f. All three teams may have their score reduced by 5 points should all interrupt incorrectly.
g. The theoretical maximum points available to one team is 150 points. The theoretical minimum is
-50.