Competition Rules

Rules for the 2025/26 season

  1. The league is called Rutland Invitation Quiz League.
  2. The decision of the Committee on any matter for the league is final.
  3. Members are invited to an AGM before the start of the season to confirm arrangements, including subscription costs.

  4. Teams and Players

    1. A Team is a group of Members who participate in the league.
    2. A Team may have an unlimited number of Members.
    3. A Player is a Member of a Team who is playing in a Match for that Team.
    4. Members may play for only one Team after the first three rounds of the season, unless approved by the Committee.
      1. Members may play for more than one Team during the month of September to ensure matches are fulfilled and allow Teams to gain regular Players.
      2. Any Member wishing to transfer from one Team to another after this time must notify the Committee and not play for any Team until the Committee makes its decision.
      3. Any Member who plays for more than one Team without the approval of the Committee will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
      4. Any Team found to have included a Member who has played for another Team during the current season without approval will forfeit any League points gained from Matches in which that Member played, and will forfeit their place in any Cup knockout matches resulting from those Matches.

  5. League Competition Format

    1. Matches are played in a round-robin competition with Teams in the same division playing against each other.
    2. Teams are awarded two League points for a match win and one point for a draw.
    3. Teams are ordered on the League Table by the following criteria in order:
      1. League Points (most to fewest)
      2. Aggregate Match score (highest to lowest)
      3. Alphabetically
    4. At the end of the season, the team at the top of the League Table is declared the League Winner, and the team in second the League Runner-up.
    5. Composition of any divisions will be decided by the Committee.
    6. Withdrawal of a Team
      1. If a team withdraws in the first half of the season, all League points from Matches involving that Team will be void.
      2. If a team withdraws in the second half of the season, League points for Matches involving that Team in the second half only will be void.

  6. Cup Competition

    1. The format of the Cup will be decided by the Committee.
    2. Withdrawal of a Team
      1. If a team withdraws during a league phase, results for Matches involving that Team will be void.
      2. If a team withdraws during a knockout phase, another team may be reinstated in their place at the discretion of the Committee.

  7. Matches

    1. Matches are held on Tuesday evenings starting at 8.00pm. Both teams should be ready to start at 8.15pm latest whenever possible.
    2. A Team comprises a maximum of six Players per Match. One Player per team is nominated as Captain.
    3. Each Match will be under the control of the Question Master. The Question Master's decision on matters arising during the match is final.
    4. In each match, one Team is designated the Home Team and one the Away Team.
    5. The Home Team are responsible for providing a venue for the match, except where a neutral venue is required by the Committee (e.g. a cup final).
    6. The Home Team will provide a Question Master and a Timekeeper (which may be the same person). A member of the public may act in either capacity.

    7. Questions

      1. Questions are supplied by Rob Hannah and delivered to the home team's venue by post.
        1. If questions are not received, the Committee should be made aware as soon as possible.
        2. A spare digital set of questions will be available as a backup through a nominated member of the Committee.
      2. Questions must be asked as supplied and only the answer given as supplied is to be accepted unless agreed by all parties including the Question Master.
        1. In the event of a dispute or error the Question Master may use a spare question as a replacement.
        2. If the answer is revealed before both Teams have attempted it, a spare question should be read.
      3. Spare Questions
        1. Ten spare questions are included with each question set.
        2. If a spare question is required, the Question Master should ask the Captain (or the individual Player) to select a number between 1 and 10.
        3. The corresponding question is asked and play continues as normal.

    8. Match Structure

      1. A match consists of ten numbered rounds with a short interval normally taken after five rounds.
      2. Written Rounds
        1. Round 1 and Round 6 are written rounds with a time limit of five minutes.
        2. The answers to all questions must be written down and given to the Question Master for marking.
        3. In Round 1, questions are printed on paper supplied with the question sets. Each question is worth one point.
        4. Round 6 is called “Starter for 10”: between 2 and 4 questions are read out with a specified number of correct answers for each. If more answers are provided than asked for, the excess score no points, even if correct.
      3. Team Rounds
        1. Rounds 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10 are Team Rounds of ten numbered questions each.
        2. In Rounds 2, 4 and 5, the Home Team is asked the odd-numbered questions and the Away Team the even-numbered questions. The order is reversed in Rounds 7, 9 and 10.
        3. After the Question Master finishes reading the question, the receiving Team has 30 seconds to answer. A correct answer scores two points. An incorrect or no answer gives the opposing Team a further 15 seconds plus any unused time for a bonus point.
        4. Answers must be given by the Captain or a Player nominated by the Captain.
      4. Individual Rounds
        1. Rounds 3 and 8 are Individual Rounds of 12 questions each.
        2. Players must not confer before answering; only the named Player may answer their question or use pen and paper.
        3. Before the match, each Team must provide the Question Master with a list of Players in a chosen order.
        4. Players from each team are paired together. During Round 3 the first Home Team player selects a question number (1–12); during Round 8 the first Away Team player selects first.
        5. The receiving Player has 30 seconds to answer for two points; an incorrect or no answer gives their Opponent a further 15 seconds plus unused time for one bonus point.
        6. If either Team has fewer than 6 Players, the other team nominates an Opponent to answer a second question to complete the round, rotating where possible.
      5. At the end of all 10 rounds, the Team with the most points wins. A tied score is a draw; if a winner is required, the tie-breaking procedure applies.
      6. Tie-breaking procedure
        1. A tie-break question (with a numeric answer) is provided with each question set.
        2. Each Captain confers with their Team, then submits a written answer to the Question Master.
        3. The Team whose answer is closest to the correct answer wins. If equally close, the winner is decided by coin toss.

    9. Scoring

      1. Both Teams must keep score during their match. Scores must be agreed and signed off at the end.
      2. Captains should retain a score sheet for the duration of the season; sheets must be produced to the Committee if requested.
      3. A sample scoresheet can be downloaded below and is included with all sets of Questions.
      4. Results should be sent to the Results Secretary by email by 12 noon on the Wednesday following the fixture. The Home Team captain is responsible for submitting the result.

    10. Forfeiture, Postponement and Cancellation

      1. All Matches should be fulfilled as scheduled.
      2. A Match may only be postponed in the event of unforeseeable extreme circumstances (e.g. extreme bad weather, pandemic) unless otherwise agreed by the Committee in advance.
      3. Postponed matches will be played at the earliest opportunity and may be played after the end of the original season schedule.
      4. If one Team fails to fulfil a Match without notice, that Team forfeits the Match and the other team is declared the winner.
      5. The Committee will determine the outcome of any other Match which cannot be played before the conclusion of the season.

  8. Subscriptions and Funds

    1. The subscription price for 2025/26 is £90 per Team, payable by cash, cheque, or bank transfer.
    2. Cheques should be made payable to Rutland Invitation Quiz League.
    3. Teams can pay by bank transfer using details supplied by the Treasurer.
    4. Teams who do not pay by 8th October 2025 may lose their place in the league and all matches played will be voided, at the discretion of the Committee.
    5. If additional funds are required due to unforeseen circumstances, a meeting of Members from all Teams must be called to request additional funds.
    6. In the event of the league being disbanded, any surplus funds will be donated to a Rutland charity of the Committee's choice.

These rules cancel all others for previous seasons.