Quiz Bowl Rules

1. Points are scored by correct answers to questions asked by the moderator.

2. There are three types of questions: Toss-ups; worth 10 points each; Bonuses, 4-part questions with each part worth 5 points; and "Lightning" round questions worth 10 points each.

3. The game is played in halves, each half beginning with a Toss-Up Question. The first player signaling in will be recognized by the Moderator and give 3 seconds to answer the question, without consulting teammates.

4. After Moderator recognition by school and name, the player should answer with the 3-second interval. The Moderator will allow for a natural pause, but no stalling.

5. If a player answers without being recognized by the Moderator, the answer does not count. It is the same as a wrong answer. (This rule is in effect to prevent players from answering because they "think" that they have signaled first. This is not the same as signaling first, and the right of the player who has really signaled first must be protected.)

6. If a player confers with a teammate, the answer does not count.

7. If a Toss-up answer comes after time has been called, it does not count.

8. On a Toss-up, the first response given is the one that counts. Sometimes a player will attempt to give more than one piece of information in the answer. There are such instances when such a response is acceptable. The Moderator must distinguish whether the player has in fact pinpointed the correct answer or is just rattling off a list of facts on a given subject. (This situation is most likely to occur on an interruption. The Moderator must be alert as this is a judgment call.)

9. If the player answers the Toss-up Question correctly, his/her team scores 10 points and is given a chance at a Bonus Question.

10. If a player answers a Toss-up incorrectly, the question is turned over to the other team for a chance at the 10 points. On the turnover, a player must still signal in and be recognized by the Moderator before answering.

11. The only time a Toss-up is not turned over is if the half or game ends before a player signals-in.

12. If a player believes he or she knows the answer to a Toss-up Question before it has been completed, he or she may interrupt the Moderator by signaling. If the answer is correct, the team scores 10 points and a chance at the Bonus question. If the answer is wrong, the team is penalized 5 points, and the entire question is repeated for the other team. If the second team interrupts a toss-up question on the turnover, and the answer is wrong, they will also receive a five point penalty.

13. If the Moderator inadvertently gives the answer to a Toss-up without giving either team a chance to respond, or without turning the question over, the Moderator will proceed to the next Toss-up Question in the stack and the game goes on and play continues according to the rules of the game as set forth.

14. If someone in the audience shouts out an answer, the Moderator will throw out that question and proceed to the next question in the stack, with all other rules of the game as set forth in effect.

15. Every time a player answers a Toss-up Question correctly, his or her team, and that team only, gets a chance at a Bonus Question.

16. Team members may confer on Bonus Questions answers. The team should be given 5 seconds to confer on its answer. However, if there are conflicting answers, the team captain will be called on to give the team's official answer. Again, the Moderator should allow for natural pauses, but no stalling.

17. If a Bonus answer comes after time has been called, it does not count.

18. If the Bonus Question has several parts to be answered correctly, the Moderator will wait all 5 seconds for the team to confer and answer each part.

19. On all Bonuses one can anticipate some delay in response because of conferences or the pressure of giving multiple answers. Allow the answers to come naturally, but remember, no stalling is permitted.

20. If a half ends after the Moderator is reading a bonus, he/she, stops reading right there, without giving a team the chance to answer.

21. If the half ends after the Moderator has finished reading a Bonus, the team may give its answer. If it is a Bonus with multiple parts, the team gets to answer only the part the moderator has finished reading.

22. During the "Lightning" round, players must still buzz in and be recognized by the Moderator by school.

23. There is no conferring during a "Lightning" round.

24. If a player interrupts the Moderator during the "Lightning" round and answers incorrectly, his/her team is penalized 10 points.

25. If a player does not interrupt the Moderator during the "Lightning" round, but answers incorrectly, his/her team is penalized 5 points.

26. "Lightning" round questions are not turned over to the other team in case of an incorrect answer.

27. If the game ends while the Moderator is reading a "Lightning" Question, he/she stops right there. If the Moderator has finished reading the question AND a player has buzzed in, the team is allowed to answer that question.

28. The team that is ahead when the final buzzer sounds, wins.

29. If the score is tied at the end of the Regulation Game, another Lightning Round will be held. This will be repeated until a winner is decided.