The Biggest Pub Quiz Mistakes as a Host

Hosting a pub quiz isn’t easy, especially if it is your first time. However, at Quiz on Demand, we make hosting quizzes easy. Our quizzes are quick and easy to download, allowing you to focus on more important matters such as prepping your pub and promoting your quiz night. 

 

Is it hard to host a pub quiz?

Depending on your experience, it can be difficult to host a pub quiz, especially if you aren’t the most confident with organising questions or deciding on topics. It can be tricky knowing how to appeal to a wide audience, which is why it’s a good idea to get the right help where possible. 

 

At Quiz on Demand, we make hosting pub quizzes easy. We’ll do all the work for you, meaning all you need to do is ensure your pub is quiz ready. We have a wide variety of different quizzes for you to choose from, all you need to do is download your chosen quiz and print the answer sheets out ready for the quiz teams.

 

What not to do when planning a pub quiz

There are a few things you should avoid when you’re planning a pub quiz. We’ve listed our top tips on what to avoid below. 

 

Don’t make the questions too hard 

Try not to make all of the questions head scratchers. This is one way you will lose the attention of your participants and discourage them from returning. Instead, try to go for a mix of different questions with ranging difficulty. 

 

Thankfully at Quiz on Demand, we always include a mix of questions all ranging in difficulty to help make for a fair quiz night. 

 

Don’t make the quiz too long 

You should keep your quiz a reasonable length to maintain everyone’s interest and prevent participants from being bored. Ideally, you should have around 5-6 rounds made up of 10 questions each. 

 

Make sure you plan in when you’re going to have a break – this way you can get your staff ready for the influx of people visiting the bar for more drinks and snacks. 

 

Don’t forget to test the quiz beforehand 

Before hosting your quiz, you should try to test the questions and format beforehand to ensure everything runs smoothly. This will help you to identify any issues or confusing questions that need to be revised. Testing the event will also help to give you a better idea of the overall difficulty and pacing of the night.

 

Our quizzes are carefully made and reviewed before we upload them, meaning there is no risk of your quiz being confusing or too difficult. 

 

Don’t forget to prep yourself

The quiz host plays a vital role in setting the tone of the night and keeping participants engaged throughout the night. 

 

If you aren’t going to host it yourself, make sure you choose someone who is enthusiastic, entertaining and able to present the quiz effectively. A good host can make or break the overall quiz night experience. 

What not to do when hosting a pub quiz

While there are many factors you should consider while you’re planning the quiz, there are also many you should consider when you’re actually hosting the quiz. 

 

Don’t rush through the quiz 

Make sure to set aside some time to explain the general rules of the quiz, providing clear and concise instructions at the very beginning. 

 

Skipping over important details and rushing through the questions can lead to confusion and misunderstandings among participants. 

 

Don’t forget to interact with the teams 

Hosting a pub quiz isn’t just about asking questions, but also about creating a fun and enjoyable experience for the participants. 

 

You should be engaging with the teams, making jokes, checking on how they’re doing and encouraging a bit of friendly competition to keep the energy high and the participants entertained. 

 

Don’t forget to keep track of the scores 

Make sure you have a reliable system in place to keep track of the scores and award points. Try to avoid overlooking correct answers as this can undermine the credibility and fairness of the quiz. 

 

You should be transparent about the scoring process and address any discrepancies raised by the participants. 

 

Handling cheating in a pub quiz

Cheating at pub quizzes can be a nuisance. It can interrupt the flow of the night and can cause a bit of awkwardness. 

 

If you notice someone cheating, it’s a good idea to address them individually rather than embarrass them in front of everyone. If they are a repeat offender of cheating, then if you deem it necessary, you could call them out publicly. 

For more advice, we have a full guide on how to stop cheating which is full of useful tips and tricks.