Nick's NTN Tips

NTN Tips:

Always guess early, if you don't know the answer. If you guess right you will get more points.

You don't have to press enter to register your answer. Just pressing the number is sufficient.

Your first guess is usually the best guess. If you continuously change your mind (and press buttons) before clues show up to confirm your guess, you're losing points.

If you can't decipher the final clue, resist the urge to change your answer.

No's & Not's - Normally the third and final clue tells you the answer in most games. Occasionally, you will see a negative on the last clue. Those words tell you that it isn't the answer. That means you'll have to choose from the two remaining possible choices a la Wipeout. This kills many a player - even experienced ones. Watch out for the contractions - don't, doesn't, isn't, can't, aren't, haven't, hasn't. You can play many games without ever seeing a negative clue. And then boom, everyone in the bar misses a question. I've seen three negative clues in one game, too.

Note: I kind of think that negative clues are often bunched together. After the first negative clue pops up, watch out because often times there will be another soon to follow.

Don't give up - if you're behind, other players will always falter sooner or later.   I've seen people with perfect scores through ten questions, only to fail miserably on the last five questions, and lose. Winning on the last question is sweet. If you're ahead, don't get too cocky - losing on the last question or round sucks.

Know your box - in the time it takes  for you to find the correct number and press it, you lose precious points. I keep my fingers on the keyboard and remove the fingers for wrong answers as the clues show up. This leaves only the correct possibilities at my fingertips. Usually I enjoy a 50-150 point advantage over those who hunt and peck for the answer. Over the course of fifteen question game this can add up to a whopping 2250 point difference against a player with equal trivial knowledge but no technique. This will win you games. 

Look at your box - even if your box is functioning properly, it never hurts to check your answers. Actually, you should make this a habit. Even experienced players press the wrong button, especially when there's alcohol involved. Nothing is more disappointing when you know you nailed an answer for 1000 points, and the screen comes back showing you with 0 or -250 points.

Pressing your buttons - If you're not getting positive feedback from the box when you press a button, pressing it harder and longer does no good. If you press too hard, you can damage the box and make it worse. You'll get better response by quickly pressing the same button a few times in quick succession.

Contributors - (LILJOL/CARTMN advises) when answers are yelled out without soliciting them; try your best to ignore them.  My guesstimate is that 60 - 70% turn out wrong.  Have seen far too many times when others whine at the "contributors", only to then get even more "contributions." ([NICK] I'll add that you'll hate yourself for doubting yourself when your guess was right if you change your answer as a result of a contribution.)

Team Play Tips

(LILJOL/CARTMN advises) It's good to have a mix of players who start reading from the bottom up as well as top to bottom. If possible someone should start reading asnswers in the middle, too. This will increase the likelihood that the team gets the right answer as soon as possible. Thanks LILJOL.

Hand Techniques (old-style playmakers)

There are various hand techniques people use to play NTN. Use whatever is most comfortable. Get good at one and stick with it. You'll make less mistakes, and then you can focus more on the trivia screen.

DITV Playmaker Techniques:

You can play two ways with the new DITV playmakers. 1. Using the small numbers at the top of the standard keyboard, or 2. Using the larger inverted telephone-style number pad

Keyboard -- If your fingers are small enough, you can use the same hand techniques listed below for the old playmakers. However the buttons are so small that that could be difficult. Most people that I've seen play this way have to pay more attention to their hand placement, because the buttons don't readily lend themselves to placement by "feel". And since the buttons are so small, most of the intense players end up using variations of the two-handed technique. Also, if you like to participate in the chatroom function of DITV, then you are forced to use the number pad for answering questions.

Number Pad -- The number pad on these boxes have a telephone pad configuration, 1-2-3 across the top, 4-5-6 in the middle, and 7-8-9 on the third row. If you're good at dialing numbers; no problem.  The number five has a small dimple that lends itself to placement by feel, so that you can focus on the question while positioning your fingers. I now answer questions strictly with my right hand. The index finger is responsible for the one and four. My middle finger is responsible for the two and five. A the ring finger takes care of the three.

The technique of removing the fingers as the clues eliminate answers is somewhat more difficult than with the old playmakers. But it is still possible with practice. Plus, if you're used to playing the left-handed technique with the old playmakers, it is very difficult to get over the urge to move your left hand to answer questions.

Old Playmaker Hand Techniques:

Left Handed -- Pinkie is on the one. Index finger answers for both the four or five. Left hand is on the playmaker while the beer is in your right hand.

Right Handed -- Index finger is on the one. The pinkie is responsible for the four and five. Right hand is on the playmaker while the beer is in your left hand.

Two Handed -- Most commonly, I've seen this technique as a combination of the left hand technique, with the right index finger responsible for the five. This is probably the most effective technique, but you can't drink or munch on stuff while you're waiting for clues.