Getting Started

The best way to get started is to read this whole handbook. But if you're looking for a "quick-start guide" of sorts, here you go!

Step 1: Set up your account on Obey Your Quizmaster (OYQ)

Search your inbox (spam and trash, too!) for an email from motherbrain@geekswhodrink.com with instructions to create your account. If you have a Google email, use the Sign in with Google option. Otherwise, create a username and password.

Once your account is created, navigate to the Bio & Avatar tab. Add a picture (doesn't need to be of you) and a nickname. This is what will display on our website when you publish an event report. Below you can see what happens if you don't have a picture or nickname, and what it looks like when you do.

Troubleshooting your OYQ Login

Login issues on OYQ are almost certainly due to your browser's security settings (or a firewall) blocking a cookie OYQ places so you can login. The good news is that the fix is easy!

Option 1: We suggest logging in with Google Chrome. All you have to do is allow a site exception for cookies. Please note that if you're logging in at work or school, you might not be able to change these settings. For more help, contact your administrator.

On your computer, open Chrome
At the top right, click More (the 3 vertical dots) > Settings
Click Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Next to "Sites that can always use cookies", "Always clear cookies when windows are closed," or "Sites that never use cookies," click Add
Enter the web address www.obeyyourquizmaster.com
Select Add

Option 2: If you prefer Firefox, you can do the same thing following these instructions:

After navigating to www.obeyyourquizmaster.com, click on the 'i' in a circle, next to the padlock at the left side of the URL bar.
Click on the little black arrow on the dropdown (next to 'Connection') and then on More Information, which will take you to Page Info.
Click on the Permission tab and scroll down to Set Cookies. Uncheck Use Default and check Allow.
Close and restart Firefox.

Option 3: If you prefer Safari, don't.

Step 2 [for QMs]: Set up your account on Risio (DAS)

Search your inbox (spam and trash, too!) for an email from help@gorisio.com with a temporary password. The first time you log in, you'll be prompted to change your password. This temporary password/link will expire 24 hours after it was sent, so if you need another temporary password please email recruiting@geekswhodrink.com.

Step 2 [for BCs]: Set up your account on Singo

You will receive an invite from updates@playsingo.com titled “Singo: Final Step.” This is to set up your account on our Digital Bingo System. Check your Promotions and Spam folders if you don’t receive that email within 24 hours. If you don’t receive an email to set up your Singo account within the next 24 hours, please reach out to recruiting@geekswhodrink.com. For more instructions on setting up your account, click here.

Step 3 [QMs]: Practice hosting a quiz in DAS using an empty room

Follow the steps in "Preparing the Quiz" (GWD/SBT/DNB) but instead of searching for a venue and clicking Host in that room, jump to the last page in Risio using the >> key. You'll see a bunch of rooms that haven't been assigned to venues. Click Host on any one of those, and then load the quiz and host as normal! Please note: there is not a "Practice" or "Test" game, you'll just load a regular GWD/SBT/DNB quiz depending on what you're training on. You can practice as many times as you want, with or without friends.

To log in as a player, go to play.geekswhodrink.com in another tab (or on your phone) and use the Player Code in the top right-hand corner of the host screen to sign up.

Step 3 [BCs]: Practice hosting a bingo game in Singo

Follow the steps in Preparing for a Boombox Bingo Event, but instead of loading the current weekly playlist, you'll load the training playlists. Make sure you're in the "Training Lab" venue, not the Boombox Bingo venue. These playlists will not use credits so you can practice as much as you like!

Step 4 (optional): Request access to our Facebook group

This is our official message board. If you're not on Facebook, don't worry about it - we send out important information and updates in a monthly newsletter. Just remember to read the newsletter!!

Step 5 (recommended): Go enjoy a quiz night as a player!

To find quizzes near you, check our website. If there aren't any quizzes near you, you can participate in our weekly virtual quiz! Every Monday at 9pm Eastern on our Twitch channel.

FAQ

I just got hired. Now what?

The next step is training you to be a quizmaster (QM) or bingo caller (BC). The Recruiting and Training team will schedule your training. If you have specific questions about your training, reach out to them at recruiting@geekswhodrink.com.

How long is training?

For Quizmasters:

New QM training is generally two nights of training at our live quizzes, or a combination of training at a live quiz and virtual training with the Recruiting and Training team. It depends on the availability of training resources in the area where you were hired.

We generally prefer to send new QMs to live venues for training because it gives us a chance to see them in front of an audience, allows them to train on actual AV equipment, and lets us get feedback from our QMs on new QMs. It also gives new QMs a chance to meet some of their fellow QMs.

For Bingo Callers:

Bingo Callers will complete one night of co-hosting/training at a live Boombox Bingo event. If there isn't an existing event locally, the recruiting and training team will set up a paid training session online.

We generally prefer to send new BCs to live venues for training because it gives us a chance to see them in front of an audience, allows them to train on actual AV equipment, and lets us get feedback from our BCs on new BCs. It also gives new BCs a chance to meet some of their fellow BCs.

I was hired as a "substitute." What does that mean?

Most QMs and BCs are hired as substitutes. We love to be able to offer new QMs and BCs a job and a weekly venue at the same time, but that's frequently not possible. Being hired as a substitute does not mean that you are "on call." It simply means that you are available and trained to sub quizzes in your area. If someone requests a sub and you're available, accept the gig. (see the Substitution Section of the The Handbook for more information). If you're not available on the night someone requests a substitute, you do not have to accept it. It's as simple as that. The support team may call you at the last minute and ask if you can cover a gig. It is okay to say "No," and we won't count it against you.

What sound or AV equipment do I have to provide?

Quizmasters need their laptop to run the quiz on DAS and play interstitial music between questions and during your audio round. Make sure your laptop is sufficiently charged to get through the entire quiz. Always bring your laptop's charger.

A laptop or tablet is sufficient to run a Boombox Bingo event on Singo. Always download your playlists before you leave for your Boombox Bingo event. BCs also need to have a charged phone with them in order to scan winners of the bingo games. A laptop will not work as a scanning device for bingo.

Finally, you need a camera or standard smart phone to take team/player photos during your events (for trivia events and bingo). Make sure your phone/camera has enough battery life/memory to take 3-25 photos.

The rest of the audio equipment (e.g. microphone, mixers, speakers, cables, etc.) will be provided by Geeks Who Drink or the venue, and will be stored at the venue 99% of the time. If you have questions about audio equipment, please email qmsupport@geekswhodrink.com.

How do I get to know other QMs/BCs near me, or not near me at all?

We have an official Geeks Who Drink Quizmaster forum on Facebook. Search Facebook for "Geeks Who Drink Official Message Board (GWDOMB)" and request to be added. Additionally, there are unofficial QM/BC groups on Facebook, too. Ask your trainer(s) about those. Some are local/area and some are nationwide. For more information, email qmsupport@geekswhodrink.com and we should be able to point you in the right direction.

Any other Geeks Who Drink water cooler forums on Facebook, Discord, etc. are not official Geeks Who Drink social groups. We do not moderate nor are we responsible for the content in those groups. If you engage in unofficial Geeks Who Drink social groups, please conduct yourself professionally according to the standards of conduct outlined in this Handbook. Any unprofessional behavior reported to us will be treated the same as it would in any other situation.