A pub quiz at Söders Hjärta usually consists of several rounds where teams collect points and a quizmaster keeps the pace and rules. You are read questions, write down answers on paper or answer sheets and hand them in after each round, often with short breaks in between. The level of difficulty tends to vary: some questions are purely general knowledge, others may be music, film or sports. Expect clear time limits per round and a simple scoring system, often 1 point per correct answer. In the event of a tie, a knock-out question is common. Mobile rules may apply, so plan to play without searching for answers. Please arrive in good time to get a seat and order before the first question.

The safest bet is to book a table or at least plan to arrive early, as quiz nights often attract more guests than a normal weekday evening. If booking is not offered, you can still increase your chances of getting a good seat by arriving 30-60 minutes before the start. A good seat is where you can hear the quizmaster clearly, see any slides and can write comfortably. If you are a larger group, it might be a good idea to split into two teams and sit close together if the room is full. For spontaneous visits: ask staff directly where quiz participants usually sit and if there are tables reserved for teams.

A team of 2-6 people is usually sufficient for a quick discussion and to cover several areas of knowledge. Many pub quizzes have a maximum team size limit to keep the competition fair, so expect that you may need to split a larger group. A practical rule of thumb is to have at least one person who is strong in general knowledge and one who knows music or film, as the categories are often mixed. If there are only two of you, this works well too, but the pace becomes more important when the response time is short. If you are unsure: ask the quizmaster before the start about team size, whether children are allowed to participate, and whether it is okay to change players between rounds.

Many live quizzes have restrictions on mobile phone use to keep the game fair, so assume that your mobile phone may need to be put away during the rounds. An easy way to avoid misunderstandings is to ask before the start: does the mobile phone ban apply at all times or only when questions are being read out? If you need to use your mobile phone for practical reasons, such as assistive technology, translation or communication, you can ask for a clear agreement from the quiz leader. Even if answer sheets are handed out, please have a pen and paper with you so that you can take quick notes. If someone in the team happens to be checking their mobile phone: be transparent and ask how to proceed without affecting the competition.

You can expect a mix of general knowledge and recognition questions that are short, straightforward and easy to understand even if you are not an expert. Common themes include geography, history and society, but also music (e.g. short intros), film and TV, and sports and food/drink. Often easier questions are interspersed with some trickier ones that differentiate the teams, and there may be '5 quick', picture rounds or bonus questions. A good way to prepare is to have a mix of teams with different interests and to practice making decisions quickly when time is short. If you are unsure about the spelling or year: write a clear alternative and add an explanation.

A pub quiz is often free to enter, but some nights may have a charge per team or per person, so always check the conditions for that particular night. If there is a fee, it can sometimes be linked to a prize pool, gift vouchers or other prizes, but it can also be a pure organisation fee. Prizes vary widely: from symbolic prizes to gift vouchers or bar-related prizes, and sometimes smaller prizes are awarded for elements of the event. To avoid stress when paying: find out if payment is made at the bar, at the table or directly to the quizmaster. If you arrive late, registration may close, so ask if you want to jump in after the first round.

A quiz night often takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours depending on the number of rounds, breaks and the speed of marking. To have time to order, find a good seat and understand the rules, it's a good idea to arrive in good time, preferably 30-60 minutes before the start. If the venue is busy, it may take extra time to get food and drinks, so order before the first round or during an early break. Also, be aware that the noise level may increase as more guests arrive, which may affect how well you hear the questions. If someone in your party needs a quieter place: arrive early and ask the staff for a table further away from the speakers, bar or entrance.

To make sure that your visit will work, check the entrance, level differences and toilet facilities before you leave, as accessibility can vary even in pub-style venues. Ask specifically if there are steps at the entrance, if there is a ramp, and if the aisles and tables are wide enough to get around when it is crowded. Also ask for information about accessible toilets: where they are located, whether they are on the same level and whether the door is wide enough. During quizzes, it is an advantage to have a place where you can sit without having to move frequently when others pass by. If you are a team: ask for a table with a free space so that a wheelchair can stand next to it without blocking walkways.

Sound levels and lighting can vary greatly between quiz nights, so it's best to plan for both a loud environment and dim lighting. If you are sensitive to sound, ask for a seat further away from the speakers, bar and entrance, and ask if the quizmaster uses a microphone so that the questions can be heard without having to turn up the volume. If you are hard of hearing, it may help to sit close to the quiz leader and for the team to nominate a person to repeat the questions calmly. If you have a visual impairment: bring a pen with a clear contrast and ask for extra lighting at the table if possible. If answers are given on paper, write large and clearly, and for picture rounds, ask if it is possible to get closer without disturbing.

If you need an easy-to-read menu or extra clear instructions, it is wise to ask staff for help directly, as menus and quizzes can be presented in different ways. Ask if the menu is in large print, if staff can read out options, or if ingredient information can be provided verbally in case of allergies. For the quiz: ask the quiz leader to clarify how answers should be submitted, how many answers should be written per question and whether spelling must be precise. A practical team approach is to appoint one person to write and one to keep track of question numbers, so that nothing ends up on the wrong line. If you have cognitive difficulties or are stressed by the pace of the game, ask if you can have a short rehearsal of the rules before the first round starts.