Quiz bowl formats |
The M-A Quiz Bowl team plays tournaments in two different
formats: NAQT, and BAAL.
Everyone, not just the varsity students, play NAQT and
BAAL. If there are enough players, we field two teams for NAQT - one more
experienced, and the other team less experienced.
NAQT format
Each match features two teams of four players each. High school matches
typically have 20 questions and there is a short halftime break after the 10th
question. There can be more players on a team, who can rotate in and out
during a match, or between matches. Teams earn points by answering
questions correctly. When a player buzzes in to answer a question, he
CANNOT confer with other team members before answering. If he is right, he
earns 10 points for his team, and his team has the opportunity to answer three
bonus questions for a total of 30 additional points. (The team confers on
the answer to bonuses, and answers are given by the team captain or a person he
designates to answer. The opposing team is NOT allowed to answer bonus
questions.) If a player buzzes and interrupts the question and his answer
is wrong, his team LOSES 5 points, the other members of his team are NOT allowed
to buzz in, and the moderator continues reading the question for the other
team. The other team is NOT allowed to confer before attempting to
"steal" the question. If a player gives a wrong answer after the
question is completely read, there is no penalty for being wrong. The
buzzer is used to answer toss-ups, but is NOT used to answer bonus
questions.
BAAL format
Each match features three teams of four players each. There can be more
players on a team, who can rotate in and out during a match, or between
matches. Play is divided into two rounds. The format is
explained in excruciating detail at http://www.geocities.com/quizbaal/format.html