Item! Trivia Scandal at the Old Pequliar

JJ Hunsecker here. Those in the know think the trivia game at The Old Pequliar is starting to smell like yesterday's fish. You can usually find Seattlest there Tuesday nights, but we were unable to go this week. Turns out we missed quite an event.

They had a guest host, a former quizmaster revisiting his glory days. Our friend, who's been their quizmaster for the last few months, attended as a player and emailed us this account:

I played with the other usual suspects tonight; the other guys who often win. We won by 11 points, for a pot of $130. Unfortunately, the "guest host" got really, really drunk and gave the pot to his buddy, who "won" by a fictional 17 points. One of my team members, who'd been keeping his own tally, asked to see the numbers, saw that we had won, and the host (and his "sidekick") said they would take a look at the numbers. So they conferred, whispered with a hand on the mike, then turned off the mike and the lights, and proceeded to walk past us.

On their way out, the guest host ("Word") left our friend with a parting shot: "You know what, buddy? Fuck you. They begged me to host tonight because everybody hates you. This quiz is over, you lost. Fuck you."

We were, of course, curious -- if true, the fill-in quizmaster basically stole $130 for his friend. Which is especially odd given that money usually goes to the second and third place teams, as well.

One of our usual competitors chimed in with a corroborating account:

Word and friend were instantly hostile and aggressive, besides obviously being quite drunk. They spoke to [our friend] as he describes--and he approached them in a very benign manner--and later told another member of our team that they were going to beat him up if he didn't shut up.

He adds:

And there's absolutely no question it was a fraud. Word and partner never claimed otherwise, presented no evidence to the contrary--I have a vague memory of them carefully taking all the score and answer sheets with them-- and clearly decided they would just fight their way out if they had to. We were up by two points at the half, got nothing less than 8 and usually more on the four final rounds, and clearly won the event. I'm sure if they bother to respond the Old Pequliar people will say this is sour grapes from a losing team--but their own Trivia Master was on that team, and that team wins more often than any other regular attendees and has NEVER before claimed foul when it lost.

We are disappointed to hear this. We really liked the Old Pequliar's trivia quiz, even when we were soundly thrashed by the team that apparently should've won last night.

Why are we telling you? Because we've recommended their quiz to you in the past, and feel that you should know why we're unrecommending it now. While we're sure the pub itself was not involved in nefarious dealings -- our friends say this was pulled off under the manager's radar -- we're severely disappointed in their choice of guest quizmasters.

We're open to hearing another version of events from someone who was there. Right now, however, we're not planning on going back -- not even to guest host, as we were going to do again next week.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By James in Arts & Events on June 15, 2006 10:03 AM

Comments [rss]

kford

I was a team member on the team that "won" trivia that infamous night three weeks ago. I would like to defend myself and the O.P. as there have been a lot of allegations made without many inquiries into the facts. Mainly this post is for the previous trivia master and the members of his team, the rightful winners that night.

We went out for trivia that night to support our friend Word and have a good time. The members of the team were a youth minister, his fiancee, the owner of the Ravenna Alehouse and myself, his girlfriend.

We played fairly well, our score was about three points off the lead at halftime. We were drinking and being merry, but trying to compete as well. We averaged about 5-6 points per round after halftime, but we weren't keeping a close watch as the most important thing on our minds was to have a good time.

At the end of the final round we go to close up our tabs thinking that we probably did not win trivia that night. But low and behold our team name, Reverend Ordinand and the Holy Rollers, was called out as the winner. I admit I was surprised, but had Jeff (of the Ravenna Alehouse) go up to verify and collect the winnings. Perhaps we were naive to think we won trivia that night, but 1) we were not in "cahoots" with Word to defraud triva, 2) had a History Major from the University of Washington on our team and 3) would like to think that we could have won as we weren't bombing each round.

We collected our winnings, which as we have always done in the past goes to the first place team and does not get divided up amongst the top three teams. We left the bar, but came back to say "good bye" to Word as he was leaving to go back to California the next day. When we came back to say "good bye" to Word he was visibly upset. We asked him why and he said because the current trivia master was being a jerk (that is the polite version of what he said). I did not question this as 1) I was feeling merry from 5 Mirror Ponds and 2) figured it was a cock fight between trivia hosts.

So, here was the other team's opportunity to discuss what happened with us, but they sped off in the car apparently under duress. I feel saddened that the integrity of the Old Pequliar was sullied by Word. I am also upset that this put into question my integrity as well as my team members. Once we got wind of what happened we promptly gave the money back to Carl Rogers, owner of the Old Pequliar.

I apologize that so many people were upset by what happened that night; however, I feel that the outcome was appropriate and fair. I just wanted to let the other team know that we are not fraudulent people, but decent people who were trying to have fun that night and got caught up in the middle of this maelstorm.

Just0ne

June 20th, stopped in at the Old P. around 7:30pm. Looked like it was set up for trivia, with a table and microphone setup.

By 7:45pm the microphone was removed and our bartender came to our table and informed us that Trivia had been cancelled for the night. No specific reason was given.

I guess it might be a while before trivia resurfaces at the Old P. ?? But I will keep checking back. It was too late to get to Murphy's or anywhere else, but maybe next time.

lissener

To the OP defender: you might need to read the original article again; the OP management was specifically held blameless for everything except allowing Word to host.

baguba01

does anyone mind if the old pequliar has a chance to defend itself? word was a great host while he was here. he moved away about a year ago, this was his first visit back, and my clear recollection is of HIM BEGGING US to host for a night. his behavior was appalling and inexcusable, but do you honestly think that they build business there by ripping people off? its slanderous and absurd to suggest so. the o.p. isn't for everyone, but i know these people and they would NEVER rig a trivia night, thats just stupid.

KJ

You might want to try Chanages also. Money and beer each round and the questions are fun but challenging. No neverious dealing there.

Frank Bruno

I've had similar experiences at the Old P. The trivia there is random and haphazard, and points seem to be awarded for no rhyme more reason. Sounds like it was the same guy.

The host "miscounted" the tally, and so he and gave our prize money to someone else. He apologized for the goof and bought us a round, which was nice, but it was still kind of annoying that we had won and someone else got the cash. I think we got tapes from his porno collection as a second prize... yeesh.

I understand it's all in good fun, but if you're goint to take my money, have the courtesy to take it at least a little seriously. :)

I will have to try Norm's and The Jones. Thanks for the tips!

Steve M

Word as host way back when was one reason why I stopped going to trivia at the Old P. He often had ambiguous questions with arbitrary decisions on what would be allowed as an answer and what wouldn't be. He also often had a music round that involved a lot of 60s and 70s hard rock, with nothing else thrown into the mix.

If I'd been in there and seen that he was the guest host, I would have walked out immediately.

Dan

Any word on how popular the George and Dragon evening World Cup replays have been?

James Callan

Evan: Our friend the new quizmaster confirmed that he will no longer be hosting at the Old Pequliar. Return without fear.

Everyone else: Thanks for the venue recommendations -- we'll be looking around for a new regular gig, though I suspect we'll dip our toe back into the George & Dragon next week, at least.

jason

my friends and i have been having much fun at kozak's trivia night the last couple of months. the current quizmaster is in germany taking in the world cup, but his replacement has done well so far.

http://kozakstrivia.blogspot.com/

Todd

And thus began the Seattle Trivia Mafia ...

Suz

The Alex Trebek Project has started playing at Norm's in Fremont...the questions at the Old Peculiar were just too tough, here we're competitive. Also, the owner runs the trivia (I've heard his wife searches for questions each week) and I've never heard of any backroom trivia deals.

Who knew Seattle had such a seedy trivia underground!

Fred

As the trivia writer and host at "The Jones" (best fries in Seattle!), "Finn MacCool's" (drunk college kids!), and "Redhook Brewery" (outdoor trivia!), I'd like to say that this kinda stuff really pisses me off. I'm always hardcore about our rules (team size, cell phone use, making sure I don't loiter around my friends, etc) - once you've blown the integrity of a trivia night, then everyone stops having fun. There are many other great trivia nights around Seattle: The Old Peculiar is dead to me!

Evan Doddleham

Does that mean the current quizmaster isn't going to be hosting anymore? I've stopped attending since he's been doing the quizes due to his terrible questions and condescending attitude. Maybe it's time to come back!