A pub quiz at the Southside Pub is usually divided into several rounds where the team submits answers after each part. Usually the quizmaster reads out questions, you write on paper or answer in a digital form and get the facts as you go so that the score is clear.

Expect a quiz night to often take 60-120 minutes depending on the number of rounds and breaks. Bring a pen if paper answers are used, and have a team name ready for quick registration.

If there are music rounds, the clips may be short, which means you need to decide quickly. In case of a tie, a tie-breaker question is often used, where "closest wins", so it can pay off to write a clear and thoughtful answer even when guessing.

If quiz nights tend to be full, it's best to book a table in advance, otherwise you risk getting standing room or no room at all. Many venues take bookings by phone, social media message or by asking the bar staff when you are there.

If you arrive spontaneously, you can often solve this by arriving early and asking for a table that fits the team size. Be clear that you want to take part in the quiz, so that you end up in a place where you can hear the questions.

If there are more or fewer of you than planned, let the staff know straight away so that the seating arrangements can be adjusted. For large groups, it may be a good idea to split into two teams and sit close together, if the rules allow it.

Pub quizzes are often free, but some evenings may have a small charge per person or per team. Payment is then usually made at the bar before the start or when the team is registered, and sometimes the whole team may be required to pay at the same time.

To avoid stress: ask staff when you arrive if there is a participation fee, how it is paid and if it affects the possibility of winning prizes. If you split the bill, decide as a team if one person will spend and swish afterwards.

Also bear in mind that some places link participation to buying something at the bar, without calling it a fee. Ask what the rules are so that everyone in the team knows the expectations before the first question is read out.

A team size of 2-6 people tends to work best as you can discuss without it getting messy. Many quizzes have a maximum limit to make the competition fair, especially if the questions span many topics.

Larger teams can cover more areas of knowledge, but often take longer to agree on answers, especially in music or time-sensitive rounds. Smaller teams can be faster and more focused, but sometimes need to guess more.

A practical approach is to divide roles: one person writes, one keeps track of time and the rest discuss. If you are more than the maximum limit, you can split into two teams and agree not to co-operate, so that you follow the spirit and rules of the quiz.

Mobile phone rules vary, but it is common for phones not to be used during the round to avoid cheating. In some arrangements, mobile phones can be left out but not used, and in digital quizzes they are required instead of submitting answers.

To avoid misunderstandings, ask the quiz leader or staff before the start what the rules are and follow the same line throughout the team. If someone needs to be available, you can ask for an exception where the mobile phone is used outside the competition, for example at the bar or in the toilet.

A simple trick is to put all phones in a jacket pocket or in a pile on the table during rounds. This reduces the risk of someone accidentally checking the time, a note or something that could be perceived as unauthorised.

Common quiz categories are general knowledge, music, film and TV, sports, and food and drink. The format is often mixed, so the team benefits from having a wide range of knowledge rather than everyone being an expert in the same thing.

Prepare practically by putting together a team with different strengths, for example, someone who knows geography, someone who knows music and someone who likes history. Also decide how to make decisions when you disagree, such as voting or going with the most confident person.

If you want to practise, you can run a couple of old quizzes at home with timekeeping, especially for music rounds where things move quickly. However, the most important thing is to have a clear printer that writes legibly and to double-check the spelling of names and titles.

A pub quiz often takes between 60 and 120 minutes, but time is affected by the number of rounds, breaks and speed of marking. Plan as if it will be two hours, to avoid stress if it drags on a bit.

If you want to eat, it's a good idea to order before the quiz starts or during a longer break, as it can be difficult to listen to questions and manage food orders at the same time. Ask when the kitchen is usually at its quietest, so that you can time your order.

Decide as a team whether you want food that is easy to share or eat quietly, especially if you are sitting near the quiz leader. If anyone has allergies or needs special diets, bring it up early so that the kitchen can help you without affecting the pace of the quiz.

Pub quiz prizes are often gift vouchers, bar or food vouchers or small prizes, and the winner is usually determined by the total score. In the event of a tie, a tie-breaker question is often used, with the team closest to the correct answer winning.

To deal well with cut-off questions: write a clear numerical answer and give the unit if necessary, for example 'km', 'year' or 'number'. If you have to guess, reason out a reasonable range and choose a concrete number rather than leaving it blank.

Before the start, ask how the prize-giving will be organised, for example if the team has to stay at the end or if the prize can be collected later. If someone needs to leave early, you can also agree on who will receive the prize for the team.

Accessibility varies between pubs, so the safest thing to do is to check the entrance, steps and toilets before visiting if someone uses a wheelchair or walker. Ask specifically if there are steps at the entrance, if there is a ramp or alternative entrance and how wide the passageways are between tables.

Also ask for a place where you can sit without blocking aisles, preferably close to the quiz leader so that it is easier to hear. If there is an accessible toilet, ask where it is and if it is unlocked throughout the evening.

If you're coming in a group, you can ask for table seating with extra turning space and the ability to get to the bar. A practical tip is to arrive a little earlier than the start, so that you have time to test the way in and adjust your seat before it gets crowded.

If you are sensitive to sound or have a hearing impairment, you can often get a better experience by choosing the right seat and preparing simple aids. Ask staff to seat you further away from speakers, doors and the bar, but still with a clear view of the quiz leader.

Ask if it is possible to have questions repeated or if the quiz uses written question sheets, which can be extra helpful. During music rounds it can be difficult to make out details, so agree in the team that someone with better hearing is responsible for that part.

If you need better legibility: bring glasses, ask for good lighting at the table and use a pen that is clearly visible on paper. If the room is dimly lit, a small battery-operated lamp on the table can be a simple solution, as long as it does not disturb others.