Preparing the Geeks Who Drink Quiz

Step 1: Download the Quiz Materials
Step 2: Read the Quiz & Pronunciation Guide
Step 2b: Bookmark the GWD Host Cheat Sheet
Step 3: Set Up the Round 2 Playlist/Other Audio Clips
Step 4: Find Some Background Music
Step 5: Print and Laminate the Player Code Sheet

Step 1: Load the Quiz in Risio a.k.a. Digital Answer System (DAS)
Step 2: Display the Quiz Player Code
Step 3: Start Playing Music
Step 4: Pick Up Prizes and Order Food
Step 5: Load the Slideshow (video-enabled venues ONLY!)

Before you get to the venue:

Step 1: Download the Quiz Materials (and copy/prep the slides if you're using them!)

Quiz Materials will be available around 24-48 hours before the quiz, but will not be visible in Risio until the day of. Make your way to obeyyourquizmaster.com and log in using either the Google sign-in method or your username and password. Once you've logged in, you'll be taken to the BlogWatch Home page, where you'll click on the day of the week that you're hosting quiz.

This link will take you to Google Drive, where you'll double-click on the Geeks Who Drink folder and then download the .zip folder contained within.

If you're on a Windows computer, be sure to right-click the .zip folder and select Extract All before proceeding to the next steps. If you're on a Mac, double-clicking the .zip folder should automatically extract the files.

If you are hosting at a venue that uses the slides, go ahead and make a copy - it will save in your personal drive.

If you use the slides AND you want to use the videos, check out this tutorial on how to embed videos in your slideshow for a more seamless transition between slides and video.

Step 2: Read the Quiz & Pronunciation Guide

In the downloaded quiz folder, you'll see two PDF files. One contains all of the quiz content (named GWD-DDMMYY-Day-QUIZPDF), and the other contains pronunciations for words we think people might need help with (named GWD-DDMMYY-Pronunciations).

Always read the entire quiz before you arrive at the venue! The last thing you want is to get taken by surprise at the quiz content in the middle of hosting and make a fool of yourself in front of your audience. They'll probably boo you and throw old banana peels! The horror!

In addition to reading the entire quiz, you'll want to make note of a few things:

The instructions for Round 2, so you know if you'll be playing covers/remixes during the quiz
The information for Round 5, so you know what type of visual content you'll be presenting players (pictures or video clips)
- [INLINE] means that the players will see 8 static images embedded in DAS during round 5
- [INLINE VIDEO] means that the players will see 8 video clips embedded in DAS during round 5. There will also be a .zip file of the video clips for round 5 if you are hosting somewhere that has player-facings screens and want to project these video clips during round 5.
- [FLAT] or [VIDEO] means that you will need to provide players with a link to access an all-in-one visual round (rather than 8 separate items). That link will appear in the Host Notes section of Round 5 in DAS/Risio. You will paste the link into the Visual Round URL field and press Set Link to give players access.

The instructions for Round 6, because these can get funky. Make sure you understand how it works, so if your players are confused you can rephrase if necessary.
The number of 16-point rounds in the quiz. Normally, there are three of these (R2, R6, R7), but points are subject to change at any time. You'll need to know in order to introduce your quiz correctly each night.

Be sure to check the pronunciation guide to avoid the aforementioned banana peels, and look up any other words you're unsure about. Remember, do this AT HOME, before you even leave for quiz.

Step 2b: Bookmark the GWD Host Cheat Sheet

Bookmark this cheat sheet. Keep it open in a separate tab next to your Risio. Refer to it throughout quiz for introductions, transitions, and to give the quizzers extra information about how to play R2 and R5, for example, or how the bonus questions work.

There's a handy dynamic table of contents that allows you to jump to where you need to be during the quiz.

Step 3: Set up the Round 2 Playlist/Other Audio Clips

There are 2 options for presenting Round 2 in a venue without video capability - the SUPERCUT or a Custom Playlist. Using the SUPERCUT is the easiest way, but if you'd prefer a more personalized playlist, you can follow the directions to Creating a Custom Playlist below.

If you're hosting at a venue with video capability, you also have the option of skipping a playlist and projecting the .mp4 video files for your players.

Using the SUPERCUT

To use the SUPERCUT, simply create a playlist in the media player of your choice (Apple Music/iTunes, Windows Media Player, Media Player, VLC) and upload the SUPERCUT file. In addition to the SUPERCUT, you'll need the individual song files to play while going over the answers at the end of Round 2. You can throw those in a separate playlist called "Answers" - or really, whatever you want to call it.

Sometimes, within the "Individual Audio Files" folder there will be another folder called "ANSWERS". If that folder exists, take the individual files from there, and not the first folder.

Creating a Custom Playlist

To create a custom playlist, you'll first want to download the counting clips of your choice. Use any of the following links, or create/hunt down your own:

Counting Clips - British DJ

Counting Clips - Standard American

Counting Clips - Resident Egon

Counting Clips - Radio Choir Sings the Numbers

Counting Clips - Hamilton cast sings

Next, you'll need to download the Silence Clips. Be sure to extract the files once you download the .zip folder if you're on a Windows computer! You can ignore the 4-second silence clip - all you need is the 8-second one.

Finally, you'll need the Individual Audio Files. You'll create a playlist where each song is introduced by a counting clip and followed by 8 seconds of silence. Then, you'll do it all again - introduce each song with a counting clip, but leave out the silence on the second play-through. When all is said and done, your playlist will have two halves.

The first half will contain counting clips, songs, and silence
The second half will only contain counting clips and songs.

Please note: If there's an ANSWERS folder within the Individual Audio Files Folder, you'll want to throw those 8 clips in a separate playlist to use while going over the answers. Otherwise, you can just play a few seconds of each song in your main R2 playlist when it's time to reveal answers.

Using the R2 Videos (video-enabled venues ONLY!)

If you have the ability to project video content to players at your venue, great! All you need to do is open the R2 QUESTION video and display it during R2, then display the R2 ANSWERS video when it's time to go over the answers.

If you'd like to embed the videos into your slides (because you use the slides), check out this video to learn how.

Please note: If you would rather create a playlist and project the slides for R2, that's totally fine - the video files do not contain lyrical transcriptions, so your players might prefer seeing the words on the big screen via the slides. DO NOT use the videos in lieu of a playlist - they have extra music and no counting clips, so if your players cannot actually see the video, it will be confusing. If you want to project the slides instead of the video, just use the SUPERCUT.

Step 4: Find some Background Music

One of the perks of being a QM is getting to choose your background music. Keep in mind that you're entertaining an audience, so you might want to try and appeal to the masses. That being said, feel free to mix it up and throw in some of your favorite artists as well!

Please use a music service that is ad-free. If you currently have a premium subscription to programs like Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music, then you can use that. If you do not pay for an ad-free music streaming service, you can use freefy.app. Just create an account using your email address and start building a playlist. It's not ad-free, but the ads are on-screen and silent, so they won't interrupt your flow.

You need at least 2.5 hours of music. You'll start playing as soon as you finish setting up, and run your music in the background pretty much continuously throughout the evening. The more music you have, the less repetitive your quiz nights will be.

Step 5: Print and Laminate the Player Code Sheet

Print two of these, get them laminated, and bring 'em with you everywhere you host. You'll also want a dry-erase or wet-erase marker so that you can write the Player Code down. We'll reimburse you for the printing and laminating costs, just remember to keep your receipts and fill out the reimbursement form.

GWD Player Registration Sheet.pdf

At the venue:

Step 1: Load the Quiz in Risio/DAS

Make your way to host.geekswhodrink.com and search for your venue. Before you click Host, make sure you're not entering someone else's room!

Then you'll load in the correct quiz before presenting the Room Code to your players. Make sure you're selecting a GWD quiz, and make sure that it is for the correct date and day of the week. Quizzes are labeled with the following convention:

[GWD] YYYY.MM.DD DayOfWeek

After selecting your quiz, click Load new game, de-register players, and reset the room. It seems scary, we know! But all this does is makes sure you're starting from a blank slate every time you host.

DOUBLE CHECK that you have the correct brand, date, and day of week after clicking Yes, reset before you move to the LiveGame Controls!

After you've loaded the quiz, click over to the "LiveGame Controls" tab. In order for players to register, the room needs to be in "Pre-Game" mode. Check the box for "Show interstitial" to start a slideshow of ads and fun facts for players to look at while they're waiting for quiz to start.

Step 2: Display Quiz Player Code

Copy the 6-digit code from your quiz room (located in the top right-hand corner) onto your Room Code sheet using a dry erase or wet erase marker, and display them for players to scan. If you're using the slideshow, you'll type this code into the text box on the first slide.

Step 3: Start Playing Music

Tell the manager on duty, or the bartender, or whoever you need to talk to that you're ready to take over the house sound and start playing music for quiz. Once they stop playing their tunes, you can go ahead and start your playlist.

Step 4: Pick up Prizes and Order Food

Order yourself some food (remember, you have a $25 tab!), grab prizes and bonus tokens (if you have them) from the bar, and settle in for a fun night of quiz!

Please make sure to close your tab before leaving the venue. If you exceed the allotted $25, you are responsible for the difference. This $25 does not include gratuity for the server or bartender. Please take care of your servers. We strongly encourage tipping, especially if you want to establish a good rapport with the venues where you're working.

Venues are required to provide first and second place prizes, plus five bonus prizes. If you're having trouble with prizes or your tab, contact your manager or reach out to qmsupport@geekswhodrink.com

Step 5: Load the Slideshow (video-enabled venues ONLY!)

Firstly, you'll need to connect to whatever display the venue is having you use. Most likely, you'll be using an HDMI cord for this, but you could also be screen casting. Here are some basic instructions on how to connect to another display or project:

Connect to the venue's screen(s) or projector (usually plugging an HDMI cable into your machine). If you need an adaptor to switch to your laptop's input type, contact qmsupport@geekswhodrink.com
On a PC, extend your desktop by hitting the Windows Key + P and choosing Extend.
On a Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Displays, then click Arrangement.
With a Chromecast and signed into the same network as the Chromecast, click the triple dots in the upper right hand corner of your Chrome browser window and choose Cast... Then, choose the Chromecast you wish to use.

If you didn't save the slideshow when you downloaded your quiz, head over to obeyyourquizmaster.com and click on the day of the week you're hosting. Once you've navigated to Google Drive, right-click the Slideshow and save a copy in your own Drive. This step is important! The slideshow will not play nicely in PowerPoint.

Open your personal copy, type in the Player Code on the first slide, and then start the slides in Presenter View. Drag the slideshow to the player-facing display and enter full-screen mode, then split your personal display between Risio and the Control Panel for the slides.

Setting Up Your Display

At this point, you might be thinking "Wow, there sure are a lot of windows that I have to keep track of!" To avoid feeling frazzled, watch this video to see our tips on how to set up your screen for easy navigation.

If you're using the slides, this video can give you an idea of how to set up your display to easily navigate through Risio and the slideshow at the same time.

FAQ

The quiz materials in Google Drive have the wrong date. What do I do?

Quiz materials should be available 24-48 hours in advance. If it's after 2pm ET the day before your quiz, you can email qmsupport@geekswhodrink.com so we can remedy the situation. Otherwise, wait a bit.

What do I do if a word isn't on the pronunciation guide?

Look it up! There are lots of helpful videos on the internet that demonstrate proper pronunciation for pretty much everything.

Do I have to make a playlist? It seems like a lot of work.

If you use the SUPERCUT, then making your playlist will take approximately 15 seconds every time you host. But to answer the question, yes. Please do not attempt to announce the number, play the song, advance the quiz in DAS, and then wait the appropriate amount of time. It's way too much back-and-forth and creates much more of a hassle for you, our esteemed QM.

That being said, if you really like being stressed out and navigating through multiple windows every 8 seconds, then feel free to skip the playlist, I guess.

Can I open the QUESTIONS video to use the audio? I really hate playlists.

NO!!! There's extra music at the beginning of the video, and no audio that indicates when each song is starting. This is just as much work as not creating a playlist, because you'll still have to navigate back and forth, but it has the added bonus of potentially confusing your players when a random song starts playing that isn't part of the audio round. We beg of you, just use the SUPERCUT.

My music is playing, but no sound is coming out of the speaker. How do I fix it?

Check out the AV Troubleshooting Guide for detailed steps.

Someone else is using my venue room in Risio! What do I do??

First, wait a minute and watch the screen. There's a possibility that someone opened your room by mistake and backed out of it, but Risio still thinks they're there. If you're on the Game Loader tab and nothing is happening, then you can proceed.

If, after watching, you realize that someone is actively hosting a quiz in your room instead of theirs, do not take over the room. Back out, jump to the last page of rooms, and click "Host" on a room that is not assigned to a venue. Email qmsupport@geekswhodrink.com to let us know what venue you're in, what room you're using (e.g., GWD246), and quiz as normal.

One of the registered teams has an extremely offensive team name. How do I handle this?

You have two options - option one, go talk to them and ask them politely to change their team name. That's going to be hard if you have a bunch of teams signed up because you won't necessarily know who is who. Plus you might not want to put yourself in that situation.

Option two is to wait until it's time to start the quiz. Once you've moved DAS to "In-Game" mode, teams will no longer be able to change their registration information. At that point, you can click to the "Score & Standings" tab, select the team you wish to adjust, click "Adjust Player", and give them a new team name.

If you have to use that power, just remember to not change their name to something that will piss them off. We're not in the business of offending people, even if they probably deserve it.

Will refreshing Risio mid-quiz reset the game?

Nope! You can refresh as many times as you need, and any weird loading errors should be fixed. The only thing refreshing will reset is your "Review Answers" section. It will bump you back to R0Q0 every time you refresh, so just make sure to navigate to the correct point of quiz next time you end a round.

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