NTN Trivia: The Basics

So you think you can do better than those who make it into the hotseat on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"? While waiting for Regis to call, you can pit your skills against people both where you live and across the U.S. and Canada by playing the interactive trivia games on NTN (National Trivia Network).

The set-up is simple: search the list at http://www.NTN.com for a restaurant or bar near you that has the game. You will be given a small computer console called a playmaker or box. Sign in using your own name or make up a new trivia handle of 6 letters or less, such as SARGE, CLIPPR, HAPPY or COOGS. Look up at the television screen where the game will appear, and you're ready to play.

The normal game lasts 30 minutes and consists of 15 multiple-choice questions. The maximum number of points you can earn per questions is 1000. After an initial answering period, clues start appearing and the points begin decreasing. At the end of each question, you can see how your score ranks against your friends and others playing at your location. At the end of each game, the top five scores per location are averaged to form a team score, and national rankings are given for both the top 20 locations and the top 20 individuals. This is the point where you can see if you're the best in your town, state, or overall.

People who enjoy NTN regularly usually go ahead and register their trivia names with the system and obtain an identification number. This allows them to be eligible for prizes, given both weekly and in special promotions. In the past, these prizes have ranged from teeshirts and mugs to trips to Germany and California. In addition, many locations offer free drinks and other incentives connected with particular games or nights.

Another benefit of signing up with NTN as a "Player's Plus" is that allows people to accumulate player points for each game that they play, with additional points being given for those who achieve certain minimum scores. The ten individuals with the most Plus Points are listed at each location and appear on the television screen at regular intervals.

Why should you go to the trouble of leaving your home to play NTN rather than trying one of the many trivia games on the Net? First of all, because you're meeting other people face-to-face. Friendships arise easily when you're puzzling over questions together. Moreover, if you're looking to get to know someone from the opposite sex, NTN provides a low-key way to find out someone's interests and personality without your having to make any overtures. (No wonder there are so many NTN couples running around!)

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