A little bit of trivia -- coming at ya!

"Who holds the record for....most top10 lists on a homepage?"

I'm not sure how I discovered NTN.  Macdaddy likes to claim it was
his idea, which, in turn made me convert Chris L! in March of '97.
The truth of the matter is, though, Tara and I used to hang out at 
Damon's every so often and we also saw NTN on the screen.  Finally,
we got a box and played as a team as TAROB.  But we didn't log in
as a Player's Plus member.  Instead we sat around for a month wondering,
"What the heck is that + by a competitor's name?"  Of course, it didn't
take that long to figure it out...

NTN, of course, is the National Interactive Trivia Network, which is
played mostly at sports bars throughout the United States And Canada.  
To play, just make sure you get a playmaker (a little box where you
get to push buttons).  The actual game varies, but how to play is
basically the same (multiple choice between 5 answers).  

Here's what you need to know if you wanna play! 


NTN

The National Trivia Network


As far as my NTN history goes...  

We finally became members in June of '96, I believe.  As of August '98,
I have around 2,300,000 points.  My original home location was Champs
in State College (through Aug '96) but I never went there after I
graduated so I never knew my point total unless I checked above.  I also
had an account at Damon's in State College, but again, we only went there
during sports events (mostly NFL or Lady Lions basketball games).  Heck, I
still have this account, but I'll have to transfer that soon.  (I think it
has about 60,000 points).  

So, I logged in where Tara and I hung out through the first 4 months
of '96, TGIFriday's in Williamsport, to get to see my point totals
on a regular basis -- as I transfered my points there.  Now, though,
Tara has re-located in Connecticut.  My location is still in Pittsburgh
(while I continue to send out 50 resumes per week for employment!),
That's where I've been since about April '97 (where I started playing
on a regular basis).  In May '98, a bunch of the regulars (XDJ,
C RAY, AHSOUL, CAROLE, SCOTS) started playing as a team from time
to time. 

Here Are My Favorite Games!


Rob's all-time high scores.... 

General trivia: 13,800.  I'm happy if I get over 11,000 in any
given round (usual possible score is 15,000), I'm usually happy.  The
score to beat is almost always between 3,000-9,000 (which gives you 1,000
players plus points if you beat, 500 if you don't).  Sometimes there's a
"Booooooonussss Questioooooon" worth 1,800 points (Cuevro 1800), which can
sometimes help if you're lurking right behind the leader :). 

Playback: 39,147.  If I get around 35,000, I'm usually happy with
that score, although I'm always out to break the elusive 40,000 barrier.
I've gotten in the 35,000 to 37,000 range plenty of times (making the
top20 leaderboard several times.  A lot of #2s, some #3s, many top10s...
but still no #1 overall :( ). 

I'm out to win at Playback every week. (and I do more times than not :))  
Recently (May '98), I've attempted to put a team together -- with
various success.  XDJ (60s/70s music wizard) and I (80s/90s music
wizard) can usually do a lot of damage if we each play 2 boxes.  
Other people that I've gotten to play on my team on a semi-regular
basis: JERIKA, C RAY, AHSOUL.  If you ever see Damon's-Monroeville (PA)
or TGIFriday's-Williamsport (PA) on the board, that's probably my team.
We're also considering a move to Radisson-Monroeville (PA) or 
Uno's-Monroeville (PA).  On top of all that, since my girlfriend
leaves in Connecticut, I'm currently seeking employment there.  So
who the heck knows if or where my team will ever be in future months :)

QB1: unknown.  I usually only play the entire game on Monday
nights.  I'm usually good enough to win a quarter or two (locally), and
if I play the full game, I'm usually in the top3 (I've won a few times).
This game is pretty cool (you gotta predict the plays of the game...
run, up the middle, sweep left, sweep right, or pass, short, long,
left, middle, right, etc etc etc.  Don't forget to use your Gamebreakers,
though, and make sure you get consecutive calls right for BONUS points!)
I'll start keeping track of my high scores this fall when we start
up again.  

Sports Trivia: 17,918.  I've played it a handful of times (plus
a little more) but I'm usually watching "Friends" so I don't make it out
there unless its a repeat or I can find a tape for my VCR.  My preference
of the two sports games lies within...

Sports IQ: 155.3  I have to admit, I ain't great at this game
(the score to beat is always been 70 and 120) because I don't know
much about auto racing, and I certainly don't have depth about golf
or tennis.  I know a little about track and the NBA, but I don't follow
those in depth either.  Baseball I'm 50/50 on since I really don't care
for the game, but I do try to keep up with that stats or I'll jump on
the wagon when the Pirates are doing good.  So unless they went with
hockey or football or college basketball the entire time, I'm often sunk.
If I break 110.0, I'm happy.  

Trivia Pursuit: 34,000.  on rounds 3 and 4, that is (the 1/2 hour
show).  The trick, of course, is to get those 6,000, 5,000, and 4,000
pters on the final round (which ain't easy...sometimes you get none
of 'em right and only end up with 800 pts total or so!).  If you play
that matching round (six questions each when you roll 'em) and are good
at it, more power to you.  I'm potluck on that round.  Which is
why I don't like the rounds 1 & 2 half-hour game or the feature Trivia
Pursuit game (all 4 rounds on Wednesday at 9:00 PM EST).  Which is why you
usually don't see me there that night, especially since I need a break
after playing Showdown on Tuesdays at 9:00pm EST.
  
Locations that I've played at (1-5 stars: 5-MUST PLAY, 1-forget about it)
  Bull Run Inn in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania (3 stars)
      Comments: A very cozy place with three screens always set to NTN.
       Affordable menu.  Only 10 boards, though, and multi-board play
       is not allowed (which is a 2-star deduction). 

  Champs in State College, Pennsylvania (3 stars)
      Comments: NTN's always on in the bar, but the boards are out of
       reach (and must be handed to you by a member of the staff).  After
       the place burnt down, it was remodeled (which looks really slick
       now), but NTN play was actually better before the place burnt down.
       Decent menu, but now more of a sports bar than an NTN bar. 

  Circle Center Mall in Indianpolis--4th floor (4 stars)
      Comments: This is a huge bar (lots of screens, dance club).  There
       is a cover charge on weekends, but NTN is always on lots of
       screens.  They'll give you as many boards as you request.  A
       decent place.

  Damon's in Chesire, Connecticut (5 stars)
      Comments: Not the biggest Damon's in the world, but one that 
       ALWAYS has at least one screen reserved for NTN.  They have
       a big Showdown league on Tuesday nights.  Highly recommended. 

  Damon's in Cincinnati, Ohio (4 stars)
      Comments: I really like the bar here (but the dining area is nice,
       too).  Played Playback here once, and a dozen people were playing.
       The staff and regulars were friendly.

  Damon's in Indianapolis, Indiana (4 stars)
      Comments: I've played here a few times.  This is a Damon's inside
       a Holiday Inn.  It's very small, but very effective.  The bartender
       with a beard is very down to earth and friendly.  No problem
       getting boards.  This is a fun place to play.  

  Damon's in Monroeville, Pennsylvania (5 stars)
      Comments: Only problem nowadays is the place has gotten too popular
       (it can be sometimes difficult to get a board on Fri/Sat nites --
       and they have 20 of 'em).  Overall, though, a nice place to play.

  Damon's in State College, Pennsylvania (4 stars)
      Comments: Since Damon's switched to DITV, the boards don't function
       as well upstairs (range problem).  And Damon's now cans NTN during
       Saturday nights for football season (which means I might downgrade
       it).  Still, you can usually play NTN in 4 different areas and the
       boards are within reach.  All in all, it's usually pretty good
       (but light on the competition side).

  Damon's 4 in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania (5 stars)
      Comments: Any NTN location that is serious about Showdown is a
       a great place to play.  The place is very spacious (the bar,
       dining booths and clubhouse are all out in the open together)
       with many screens set to NTN.  Highly recommended. 

  Mad Anthony's in King Of Prussia, PA (3.5 stars)
      Comments: Another NTN in a hotel bar type place, but not bad.
       As with any hotel bar, not a lot of competition, but the venue
       itself is very nice.  The owner has a zillion NTN points and 
       will often join into play if he sees a worthy competitor.

  Pizzeria Uno's in Cherry Hill, NJ (5 stars)
      Comments: a must play site.  Plenty of NTN boards, all within
       reach.  A huge bar (25+ stools?) that circles around.  NTN is
       set on several screens, often with many people playing.  If
       you're ever near Philadelphia, hop over to NJ to play here.

  Radisson across from Giants Stadium, NJ (3 stars)
      Comments: Like any hotel bar, not many NTN players.  But not
       a bad place to play.  Like most hotel bars, though, the food
       prices are very expensive.

  Radisson in Monroeville, PA (2 stars)
      Comments: A hotel bar and a dive.  Wasn't bad for solo play, 
       but it wasn't a surprise when the game was yanked. 

  TGIFriday's in Williamsport, PA (2.5 stars)
      Comments: A small bar (but large restaurant).  The boards were
       in horrible shape until they upgraded to DITV in the summer of
       2000.  Friday night happy hour is packed and is difficult to
       play in.  When not crowded, though, it can be a good place for
       solo play.

  TGIFriday's in Monroeville, PA (3 stars)
      Comments: A small bar set up in a square shape.  Would not have
       NTN on if the place was crowded or had "important" sporting
       events on.  Management will say that it's NTN's fault in why
       they pulled the game.  However, the regional NTN rep claimed
       otherwise (and with them refusing to put NTN on at certain
       times, it's hard to disbelieve the NTN regional rep).

  TGIFriday's in Altoona, Pennsylvania (1 star, avoid if possible)
  The Last Cowboy in State College, PA (*** stars, smokey/dim light)
  The Sports Paige in Waterbury, Connecticut (** stars, not that good)
  T.J.'s Clubhouse in Lock Haven, PA (*** 1/2 starts, decent) 

Locations that I've played at that have since axed the game:
  Benjie's in Williamsport, Pennsylvania (** stars, unfriendly workers)
  Uno's in Monroeville, Pennsylvania (3s, small but nice staff)


By the way, this might help...my screen name is POMAN! :)

We've had visitors since April 23, 1997. Thanks!