Cheating in the Pub Quiz Era: Are Mobile Devices to Blame for Killing Off This Timeless Tradition?
As the nation's favourite pastime continues to thrive, a growing number of pub quizzers are resorting to sleazy tactics - including sneaking phone glances under the table. In recent years, the once-honourable game has been marred by allegations of cheating, with some pubs taking drastic measures to combat the issue.
According to David Hartley, a quizmaster from Staffordshire, who has hosted events in four venues for nearly a decade, the problem is more prevalent than ever before. "It's definitely more common now, especially with smartwatches," he said. "Even if you don't have a phone in your hand, there's still a way to cheat."
The issue has even caught the attention of some pubs, which are introducing high-tech measures to prevent cheating. The SpeedQuizzing app promises to restore what it calls "a once proud British tradition" by giving users only 10 seconds per question to lock in their answers.
However, not all pubs are taking a tech-savvy approach. Some, like the Prince of Wales in Highgate, north London, rely on old-fashioned methods to keep cheating at bay. Marcus Berkmann, who has competed in over 200 quizzes and now writes questions for the venue, said: "We're very harsh on anyone who cheats, so no one does it."
The origins of the pub quiz are shrouded in mystery, but they became popular in the 1970s, boosted by Sharon Burns and Tom Porter's quizzes. Today, quizzing remains a serious business, with 70% of people regularly taking part in pubs quizzes and almost one in ten attending every week.
While some might lament the rise of cheating, others are unapologetic about their past transgressions. Gail Taylor, who admitted to planting bugging devices under pub tables in Sheffield pubs in the 1980s, said: "We didn't have Google then, so we never won anything anyway. I don't feel guilty about it at all."
As the pub quiz scene continues to evolve, one thing is clear - cheating will always be a threat. But with measures in place and a community that values integrity, this timeless tradition is unlikely to die out anytime soon.
As the nation's favourite pastime continues to thrive, a growing number of pub quizzers are resorting to sleazy tactics - including sneaking phone glances under the table. In recent years, the once-honourable game has been marred by allegations of cheating, with some pubs taking drastic measures to combat the issue.
According to David Hartley, a quizmaster from Staffordshire, who has hosted events in four venues for nearly a decade, the problem is more prevalent than ever before. "It's definitely more common now, especially with smartwatches," he said. "Even if you don't have a phone in your hand, there's still a way to cheat."
The issue has even caught the attention of some pubs, which are introducing high-tech measures to prevent cheating. The SpeedQuizzing app promises to restore what it calls "a once proud British tradition" by giving users only 10 seconds per question to lock in their answers.
However, not all pubs are taking a tech-savvy approach. Some, like the Prince of Wales in Highgate, north London, rely on old-fashioned methods to keep cheating at bay. Marcus Berkmann, who has competed in over 200 quizzes and now writes questions for the venue, said: "We're very harsh on anyone who cheats, so no one does it."
The origins of the pub quiz are shrouded in mystery, but they became popular in the 1970s, boosted by Sharon Burns and Tom Porter's quizzes. Today, quizzing remains a serious business, with 70% of people regularly taking part in pubs quizzes and almost one in ten attending every week.
While some might lament the rise of cheating, others are unapologetic about their past transgressions. Gail Taylor, who admitted to planting bugging devices under pub tables in Sheffield pubs in the 1980s, said: "We didn't have Google then, so we never won anything anyway. I don't feel guilty about it at all."
As the pub quiz scene continues to evolve, one thing is clear - cheating will always be a threat. But with measures in place and a community that values integrity, this timeless tradition is unlikely to die out anytime soon.
. I mean, isn't it all about having fun and testing your knowledge? It's like, what's the point if everyone's just looking at their phones under the table? 
But at the same time, I can understand why some people would do it - we've all been in situations where we're stuck on a question and think "just 5 more seconds" 
. 
. It's just that feeling of camaraderie and competition that makes pub quizzes so special. And yeah, maybe some people would cheat if they felt like they had no chance of winning. But honestly, I think most pubs do more to create a fun atmosphere than punish cheaters.
. Like, imagine having an app that helps you learn new things or connect with other quizzers... that'd be awesome! 
like what's the fun in it? pubs should just stick to the old ways and let us all enjoy the banter with our mates 
.
phones r ruining everything 
pubs are tryin 2 keep ppl honest but honestly who needs help 
gotta love a good pub quiz 
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the 80s were wild 
bugging devices under tables 
lol gail taylor's story tho 
. those who play fair should be given more respect than those who try to take shortcuts 
. btw, why not just use phones with a qr code instead of app? that way u can keep ur phone close while still keeping it under the table 
.
. Like, can't we just enjoy the game without looking at our screens? It's not like we need Google or Wikipedia to figure out what Shakespeare wrote 
! But seriously, some pubs are taking this too far, introducing apps that only give you 10 seconds to answer 
️. It's just not natural. Can't we stick to the old ways of scribbling on paper or using a trusty pen? 
! It's like, chill, enjoy the game, and don't cheat, fam 
. Pub quizzing is all about the banter, laughter, and good vibes - cheating just ruins it 
.
. but like, i guess its also part of the evolution of humanity, ppl need new ways 2 interact & compete... and pubs r adaptin w/ tech, cuz thats whats workin 4 them 
. Some pubs are tryin' all sorts of crazy stuff to stop it, like apps and stuff, but others just stick to good ol' fashioned common sense. Either way, I hope the community keeps callin' out cheaters and keepin' it real 
The SpeedQuizzing app sounds like a great idea, though - 10 seconds per question is pretty strict! I've been in quizzes where we've spent way longer deliberating on an answer. Maybe it's time for pubs to start introducing some tech-savvy solutions to combat cheating once and for all 
. People have been sneaking phone glances for years, but now it's "smartwatches" and "SpeedQuizzing apps"? Give me a break. It's just an excuse for pubs to charge more money and try to make the experience feel high-tech 
. And what's with the harsh punishments for cheaters? A few weeks without being able to take part in quizzes is not going to stop people from cheating if they really want to. I think it's time to focus on making the game fair and fun, rather than trying to police everyone's behavior 
.
So like, I've been looking at some stats on pub quizzing and it's crazy how many people are taking part - 70% of the population is into it! 
But at the same time, cheating has become a major problem... 
According to a survey, 1 in 5 quizzers admit to using their phones during the game 
.
From its humble beginnings to the tech-savvy measures being taken today, it's amazing to see how it's adapted to stay relevant 
. And hey, even cheaters like Gail Taylor can't deny the community's spirit and integrity 
!
. But let's also give a shoutout to pubs that keep things old-school, like the Prince of Wales in Highgate