Grizzbowl
Single Elimination Rules and Regulations
(Revised 2000)

1. GRIZZBOWL is a question-and-answer game played between two high school teams of four players each in the single elimination rounds. The alternate fifth player may be substituted for one of the original four at half-time.

2. Points are scored by giving correct answers to questions asked by the Moderator.

3. There are two types of questions: Toss-up questions worth ten (10) points each and multi-part Bonus questions, each worth twenty (20) points, in varying combinations.

1. Each game is played in one twenty-four question round, with a half-time break after the twelfth question. The round includes both toss-up and bonus questions.

1. Students may use pencil and scratch paper on any question. However, on toss-ups, looking at a teammate's scratch paper will be considered consultation, and any answer given will be ruled incorrect, with the question then being turned over to the other team, as specified in Rule 8. The college will provide scratch paper, but students must provide their own pencils.

1. On a toss-up question, the player is given three (3) seconds from the time the Moderator stops reading to the player's signal, and then the player must answer as soon as recognized. The first player to signal must give the answer and must do so without consultation.

8. If a player answers a toss-up question incorrectly, the question is turned over to the other team, (if it has not yet answered), which will then have three (3) seconds to signal, for a possible ten (10) points. On the turnover, a player still must signal and be recognized before answering. Again, no consultation is allowed.

9. If a toss-up answer comes after time has been called, the answer does not count, and the question will be turned over to the other team as specified in Rule 8.

10. If a player confers with a teammate on a toss-up question, the answer does not count, and the question will be turned over to the other team as specified in Rule 8.

11. If a player answers a toss-up question without being recognized by the Judge, the answer does not count, and the question will be turned over to the other team as specified in Rule 8.

12. On a toss-up question, the first response given is the one that counts.

13. If a player answers a toss-up question correctly, the team receives ten (10) points and is given a chance at a bonus question.

14. If a player believes he/she knows the answer to a toss-up question before it has been completed, he/she may interrupt the Moderator by signaling. If the answer is correct, the team scores ten (10) points. If the answer is incorrect, the team is penalized five (5) points and the entire question is repeated for the other team.

15. If the Moderator inadvertently gives an answer to a toss-up question without giving either team a chance to respond, or without turning the question over, he/she reads a replacement question instead.

16. Each time a player answers a toss-up question correctly, his/her team, and only that team, gets a chance at the bonus question.

17. If the Judge hears or sees someone in the audience signal an answer to a toss-up question or to a bonus question, the Judge instructs the Moderator to throw out the question, and the Moderator reads a replacement question instead.

18. Team members may confer on bonus answers. Although all team members are encouraged to participate as much as possible, if there are conflicting answers, the Judge will ask the team's captain for the team's official answer.

19. The team is given five (5) seconds to confer and to begin its answer to a bonus question.

20. If a bonus answer comes after the five-second (5) time has been called, the answer does not count.

21. If a bonus question has several parts that are to be asked separately, the Timer will allow five (5) seconds per part for the team to confer and answer.

22. If a bonus question calls for two or more answers within a one-part question, the Timer will allow only the initial five (5) seconds for the team to begin its answer. Once beginning, the captain or designated team member must answer continuously, or the time will be called.

23. There is an intermission of no more than five minutes (5) after the twelfth question.

24. The team that is ahead at the end of the game is the winner. If the score is tied, tie-breaker toss-up questions will be asked until the tie is broken.

25. If for any reason a technical malfunction should occur, the contest may be stopped at the discretion of the Judge until the malfunction is corrected.

1. If either team believes it has reason to protest an answer or the score, the team captain of the protesting team shall file the protest with the official Judge within three (3) minutes after each round. Any protest submitted after the three-minute (3) period will be automatically disallowed. In the case of a protest, the decision of the official Judge is final and binding on both teams.

1. The first eight games, or preliminaries, will be played simultaneously as Round 1, using identical questions in separate rooms, as will the next four games, or quarter-finals, as Round 2. In those rounds, the moderator will perform all functions of the judge. The semi-finals (Rounds 3 and 4) and finals (Round 5) will be played in the auditorium.

1. First and second place will be determined by the final game. Third and fourth place will be determined by score totals. The team with the highest total score from Rounds 1-4 will receive a third place plaque. The other team will receive the fourth place plaque. If the two teams tie, place will be determined by margin of victory/defeat in Rounds 1-4.

Game Officials

1. The Moderator introduces the teams and coaches, explains the rules of the game, and reads the questions. In rounds 1 and 2, the Moderator also performs all functions of the Judge.

2. The Judge must be able to see and hear all of the action of the game--Moderator, players, scoreboard, and clock.

The Judge will identify the player who has signaled and is eligible to respond to toss-up questions.

The Judge will disallow an answer to a toss-up question if there is a conference between the team members.

The Judge will disallow the answer to any question if there is prompting from the audience.

The Judge is thoroughly familiar with the questions and answers and is ready to rule, upon the request of the Moderator, on the acceptability of an answer.

The Judge controls the game. He/she is ready to assist the Moderator in ruling on any game procedures, and the Judge has the final word.

1. The Timer enforces the three-second rule on toss-up questions and the five-second rule on bonus questions. When a player or team takes too long to answer, the Timer signals that time is up.

The Timer will also discard and replace the scratch paper between rounds in Rounds 1-2.

1. The Official Scorekeeper keeps the official team scores throughout the game, making sure the official scores are accurately transferred to the scoreboard.

The Official Scorekeeper will also fill out the information at the top of the score sheet, making sure the required signatures are obtained at the end of each round.

A Backup Scorekeeper tallies the scores on a specially prepared score sheet, or in Rounds 1-2, on a chalk or marker board.

The Backup Scorekeeper in Rounds 1-2 will also deliver the score sheets to the Head Scorekeeper at the conclusion of each round.