Question Masters

Code of Practice for Question Masters

To be read in conjunction with the rules

1. These Notes are produced for the information of players and officials to assist the smooth conduct of matches. The Question Master (QM who should be someone familiar with the match rules for the Quiz League of London, has charge of the conduct of the match but does not have the ultimate say regarding the accuracy of an answer. The QM must at all times bear in mind the requirements of the players with regard to hearing the questions and answers, and deal with any interruptions which might occur. The QM should always announce the Round Number and any Round Title, and make it clear who is to receive a question - obtaining the players' names is the best way of doing this, and makes for a friendlier match. The QM should always indicate to the scorer how many points are to be awarded and to whom, e.g. "two points to number two". If the answer given is not the one on the sheet the QM should say "incorrect" or "that is not what I have here" or some such clear indication and then state that the question is being passed across. If no correct answer is given by any player, the QM should always read out the answer given on the sheet.

2. Whenever possible the QM should read through the questions immediately prior to the match after:

a Ascertaining that the questions are the correct ones for the match;

b Allowing both captains to check the seals of the envelope.

Should this reading show any anomalies, e.g. missing rounds or missing answers, this should be reported to the captains and agreement reached on how to proceed. Once any such agreement is reached, it becomes binding upon both teams for that match.

3. Players should start to answer their own questions within ten seconds of the completion of the reading of the question. Having begun, a player must be allowed to continue, but must not be allowed to pass it on to his own side. If a player falters in giving an answer or takes an unreasonable time over the answer, the QM has the right to ask the player to conclude. This holds for any question passed across to the other team where the time limit is five seconds from the point at which the QM passes the question over. IF A PLAYER ASKS FOR CLARIFICATION, THE CLOCK SHOULD BE STOPPED AND RE-STARTED AFTER SUCH HAS BEEN GIVEN.

4. If a player gives the correct answer to their own question AFTER the ten seconds but before the fifteen seconds has elapsed, then ONE POINT must be awarded.

5. Under the match rules the QM may award one point to a player whose answer to their own question was sufficiently close to warrant it. THIS IS A RARE OCCASION. This power has been given to a QM to solve problems and not to create them, and must AT NO TIME be used to award inaccuracy. Teams cannot demand this one point discretion as of right, and this discretionary power should only be exercised when a QM feels that passing the question after what has been said would be unfair.

6. If one point is awarded under the circumstances in 4 or 5 above, then that question has been answered and is not passed.

7. A QM should not at any time prompt an answer with a comment such as "a little more" or "go on" as these remarks indicate to the other side that the given answer, although incorrect or incomplete, is quite close. SILENCE on the part of the QM should indicate to the player that the answer should be developed.

8. If a question involves spelling, the QM must allow an incorrect spelling to be completed before passing across, and must make no comment when so doing.

9. Should the wrong player answer a question put to someone on the same side, the question should be treated as though it had been passed in that side, i.e. one point is awarded if correct. Should someone on the wrong side answer, the player on the other side whose question it is must be allowed to answer. If two or more players answer, the QM must allocate a point or otherwise in accordance with the first answer heard. If a QM makes it clear at all times who should receive the question, these problems should not arise, but the QM is not responsible for a lack of discipline or loss of concentration amongst players. It is entirely up to a side if they choose to give away points by giving answers to their opposition.

10. Irrespective of the details of these Notes, occasions will arise when the QM must use their discretion. Wherever possible, the agreement of the two captains should be obtained regarding a decision, but the overriding principle must always be impartiality.