Trivia is not only fun, but it can be educational as well. In the 2-3 hours average lifespan of a game show, participants are exposed to facts they might otherwise not have been aware of, or make them reassess their perception of facts they thought they knew. Alongside the entertainment factor, participating in trivia games is a great way to exercise your brain, and make it work harder than it does every day.
One of the best ways to get ready for a trivia game is by playing free trivia questions. You can find free trivia questions online and at your local library, but the best source is often right under your nose. Ask someone in your group of friends if they would be willing to let you borrow their favorite trivia game.
If you want to win trivia games, you need to do one thing: get better at general knowledge. Here are some tips to help you along the way.
1. Read lots of different kinds of things. If you want a broad base of information, you need to read broadly. If you only read the same kinds of books or magazines, your knowledge will be narrow and specialized. Do not limit yourself.
2. Play trivia games online. Your local bar might not even have a trivia night, but that is okay because there are loads of websites where you can play trivia for free (and sometimes for money). Take advantage of what is out there and test your skills against other trivia buffs from around the world.
3. Take notes while watching TV shows or reading books. If there’s something in particular you want to remember, write it down in a notebook or on index cards so that you can refer back to it later. Or if you like being high tech, keep notes on your phone or tablet instead of paper.
Just make sure that if something particularly interesting comes up, jot it down right away so that you don’t forget it later when it comes time to look over your notes again.
4. Use all the clues that you get. Sometimes the answer is right in front of you but you are so focused on trying to answer it yourself that you don’t see what’s staring at your face. Listen to all the clues and hints given by the host and then try to come up with an answer.
5. Listen carefully for puns, rhymes and other wordplay. Sometimes the clues are tricky because they are in different languages or have hidden meanings behind them. If a clue has multiple meanings, make sure you find out which one is correct before answering it.
6. Don’t try to be perfect. Your first instinct might be to get a perfect score, but that’s not how it works. You’re only as strong as your weakest link. So if you know the answer to everything but one question, you should know when to pass on something you don’t know.
7. Communicate. In some cases you’ll need to get all hands on deck for the final question. So call everyone over and make sure everyone hears the question and weighs in on the answer before deciding what to say.
Best trivia strategies to improve your performance
Trivia is a fun way to exercise your brain and test your knowledge of the world around you. Whether you’re alone or with friends, trivia can be an excellent way to pass the time.
Because trivia is essentially a game of responding to multiple choice questions, there are some strategies that can help you improve your performance.
- If you’re playing in a team, make sure to assign different areas of expertise for each member so that everyone has something they can contribute.
- If you’re playing alone, make sure to read all the answers before making your choice (and then double-check).
- Make sure to ask for help from teammates or other players if you don’t know the answer. Most trivia games offer hints or clues if you need them.
- Don’t be afraid to guess. If you’re really stumped, try and eliminate the answers that seem wrong and then take a guess among the remaining choices. If nothing else, it’s a 50/50 chance.
- Remember that it’s a game, not a competition. You don’t have to win every time. Just have fun and enjoy it for what it is, a way to pass the time with your friends and learn something new.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The host will usually give you hints if needed (and sometimes even answers), so don’t worry about getting all of them right from the get-go – just keep going until someone wins.
Have fun: It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, just have fun with it.
