Necessary Supplies

Never Leave Home Without

Before the beginning, there's you at your house.
Here are the key things you need (not including your keys):

The Trivia Questions

Questions are linked in an email sent by 3pm on your trivia day.* Read them over and make sure you know how to pronounce everything.
*Exceptions: Block Z is sent to everyone on Tuesdays; Weekend questions are sent on Fridays. 

• The questions formatted into a Sheet and a Doc (both in Google Drive) linked in the email - and they're in the app, of course.

• When you read a question into the microphone, it should never be the first time you’ve read the question. Many hosts still print out the questions. Check out this handy pronunciation guide of commonly mispronounced words we frequently use in our questions!

• Be sure to download or at least test playing the Sound Round (if your location uses it; if it doesn’t, you’ll have a second image round instead), and make sure that it plays properly from your device. This MP3 file lives in Dropbox. It is linked in the email as well as within the app or at triviamafia.com/soundround.*

• Note that we use different blocks of content throughout the week!
  A Block = Tuesday, B Block = Wednesday, C Block = Thursday/Friday, D Block = Saturday/Sunday/Monday
  Z Block runs all week (Tuesday to Monday) and is sent out Tuesdays to everyone using that set. (Z Block is curated to be a bit more accessible to more casual players; check with the Powers That Be if you think you should switch to using a different block.)
  *Note: Z Block's Sound Round does not live at triviamafia.com/soundround — it is only linked in the email and in the app. 

Host Kit Contents

Many hosts prep a bag that always has their essentials: app cards, backup pens and answer sheets, a dongle/adapter, a phone charger. You know if you will want any extra cords, breath mints, lip balm, maybe some stickers or candy to give away; just plan ahead. (Some locations will have space for you to store supplies onsite; most don't.)

<- Here is an example of the key elements to put together and bring to every host gig - App Cards, Answer Sheets and pens, adapter(s) for your device(s), and a bag to hold it all. Stickers and hand sanitizer optional!

The Host Kit includes a stack of cards for the app, paper answer sheets, pens, a Sharpie, and a laminated app info page to reuse. The answer sheets are necessary if you’re using pen-and-paper and helpful to provide as scratch paper for players; if you’re running on the app, then the app cards can be key for getting everyone started. BYO dry-erase marker for the laminated page!

Tell us when you’re running low on supplies - or need replacements - via Host Feedback, and we’ll send you more. Please allow for up to 10 days (two shifts!) for delivery.

App Cards

This small, business-card sized resource has a QR code to help players easily get to play.triviamafia.com and join your game. There is a spot to jot down the four-digit game code, and brief instructions for players on how to get set up. Give one to each team when you walk around recruiting participants! If you want to download and print a quarter-sheet version, you can find that here.

We will replenish your stack of cards as often as needed! Use the Host Feedback Form to send the requests. Feedback notes with those requests are reviewed weekly on Mondays; mailings are usually sent the following Wednesday, so please allow 10 days (two shifts!) for delivery.

Laminated Page

The laminated page has similar info to the app cards for you to re-use each week: a QR code pointing players to play.triviamafia.com, how to join, and space for the game code at the bottom. It also includes some reminders for navigation and play: 

• Hit “Submit” after every answer. 
• Swipe left and right to view questions.
• You can edit any answer as long as the round is unlocked.
• Round 4 (the Image Round) is open throughout the first half. Complete it by the end of Round 3. 
• The Mega Round is in play during the second half. If you don't know what that means, ask your host!

Be sure to bring along a dry erase marker to write on your lamination! (If you forget and use a Sharpie, nail polish remover will take it off later.) If it gets too grungy or damaged, you can always request a new one in your Host Feedback.

Answer Sheets

Answer sheets are 5.5x8.5", double-sided. Each pad has 100 sheets. We recommend bringing a pad with you every time you host, just in case the WiFi goes down or there’s a server snafu on our end. This can also be given out as scratch paper if you’re using the app! Helpful for those players who just like a tactile keepsake for the game.

There is no Image Round on the answer sheet. All Image Rounds are found online!
Jump to this page for instructions on hosting with Pen and Paper.

Adapters

Trivia Mafia asks hosts to bring and use their own device(s) for operating the online app, playing music, and possibly running a slideshow. We work with the location to ensure that you have a sound system available, but you may need an adapter (or dongle, if you will) to connect to your phone, tablet, or laptop. Many systems will have Bluetooth capabilities, but even if they do, it's always a good idea to have a hardware backup. We recommend having an aux adapter like this, and possibly an HDMI-to-USB-c adapter as well. We will happily split the cost with you if you have to purchase something like this in order to successfully run your event (just clear it with Brenna first).

If you discover that you need other cables, extension cords, or specific gear to run your event, work with the AV Expert to source those - we may already have some available we can deliver for use.

Playlist

At most locations, hosts also get to DJ during the game. From the time you take over the sound, you should have music queued up to play, and there should be enough music to overlap the end of the game (since you're talking a notable amount of time, about 2.5 hours of music is more than plenty). Prep a playlist before you head out for the night. It should match the vibe of your location — or skew kinda middle-of-the-road until you know the vibe (i.e., no swears or super sad bastards until it's clear that's cool). 

Lots of hosts will share ideas on the #playlists channel in Slack - some people even create a fresh list every week, based on the questions that day! Many hosts will curate one big playlist that's many hours long to play from every week; others will pick a theme from Spotify or take requests from players and let it grow organically. Whatever you do, keep reading the room (do they hate The Eagles? are the elders giving you side-eye for playing "WAP" uncensored?), and default to the safe side (literally everyone likes "Mr Brightside" amirite). 

You might be a dope DJ ready to fill up a dance floor, but while you're wearing your Trivia Host hat, make sure music is a complement to the event and not a distraction.

Prizes

Prizes are provided by our customers. All (official) prizes are given at the end of the game, though a few sites will give out a small prize at the halfway point. You should be able to receive them when you arrive onsite. 

Trivia Mafia stipulates the value but not the type of prizes that the customer venue provides; in most cases, it’s gift cards. But maybe you’ll have merch or other items to give away! 

First Place gets a $30-value prize, Second Place gets a $20-value prize; a third $10-value prize can be given out at your discretion. Reward Third Place, or “Best Team Name,” or “Most Improved,” or “Third Worst,” or “Best Wrong Answer.” It’s up to you, is what we’re saying, just be consistent, fair, and make sure to announce the prize value and distribution plan to players well before you're awarding them.

 

Next: Timeline of Trivia Hosting