I was chatting with a trivia player online yesterday, and I made the comment, “(pub trivia) really has become a cranial meat market, hasn’t it?”

For the upcoming My Trivia Live tournaments, I decided to put up a “help wanted” post on my trivia team’s Facebook page just to see if I got any hits. I got a hit, tried the player out in a qualifying Sporcle Live game last week, and he’s essentially on board to join us on Aug. 18 and Aug. 25 in semifinal and final games later this month.

Turns out I have another potential “suitor” waiting in the wings! I guess it’s nice to be in the position of being able to turn away players, isn’t it? I told him that we should be all set barring any of my players bailing out on the games. I don’t think he should have too much trouble finding another trivia table at which to sit if he puts his mind to it! If he wants a “referral,” I’d be happy to provide one for him. He played with my team during a finals game in July, 2017 when we won first place! That’s a pretty strong endorsement (though truth be told, we had a question set that was strongly in our team’s “wheelhouse,” and the TV addresses halftime round was pretty much all me).

This player is one of a few who have fallen into my team’s lap, if you will. Honestly, I don’t know what the appeal is for other players to come to me asking for a chance to play with my crazy crew. But I’m happy to oblige, especially if they have something great to bring to the table! It’s pretty likely I’ll have a fourth spot open for most MTL tournament games. I don’t like using the same lineup every time, I think it’s good to mix it up a bit. I do have a fourth player on my own team named Dave, but MTL is not really his game. He is much stronger in the Sporcle Live format, so I try to use him exclusively in those games. Brad, on the other hand, is stronger in MTL, and I have been trying to use him exclusively in MTL games (though he does play in Sporcle games, too).  My husband Mike also plays in both leagues, though he prefers MTL. My team is pretty much down to just four “regulars” now, though occasionally Joel is able to come help us out when his pilot schedule allows. I do have quite a few other players on “speed dial” when the need arises, and I do have a few “loaners” from other teams who have helped my team out.

The only sticking point is this “suitor” can’t commit to playing just yet, because he doesn’t know if his team will bring in a “ringer from Vegas.” Now really. How much more of a “meat market” could this game be? Importing players from out of state? Uh, I mean WAY out of state (Ohio doesn’t really count when you live within an hour of the Michigan/Ohio border). This is serious business! Hopping on a plane to come to a little ‘ol trivia tournament in metro Detroit with sights set on a slice of the prize pie? This is some intense stuff! Does this player hope to at least be reimbursed for his plane ticket if his team wins enough money? Hey, if you’ve got the cash to throw around and can take the time to jet off to trivia tournaments out of state, more power to ya!

Adding to the dynamic with the MTL league is the four-player limit. That makes things pretty darn competitive! I’m sure that with some of the more “elite” teams out there, there is jockeying for position! Doing whatever it takes to make sure you don’t get “cut.” I’m cool with being on the receiving end of this “jockeying” rather than the other end! I wouldn’t want to have to beg for a seat at a tournament table. Though if my team didn’t qualify for finals…

Truth be told, I’m happy I seem to have a pretty solid lineup this far in advance with people committed to play on the dates I need them. I don’t like having to scramble last minute to find people (though I’m no stranger to having to do just that)!

Before I worry about these two tournament games, I have a tournament to prepare for on Sunday! Now pardon me while I look at box office grosses for 2018 films (LOL) 🙂