The two main trivia companies operating in my ‘hood will both be offering cash games – or opportunities for winning cash – the weekend of December 7-8. The timing couldn’t be better for me – what a great way to get out to do a couple of the things I love the most after having to work all Thanksgiving 🦃 weekend? 😔

Sporcle Events will be offering “Globe” games in person at spots throughout the U.S. and also virtual games, all with prize pools for eligible players. These games are happening Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8.

The My Trivia Live league is hosting a handful of semifinal games throughout Southeast Michigan on Saturday, December 7. The top teams from those qualifying games will play in a finals tournament Saturday, December 14.

So which one am I getting jiggy wit? If all goes well, both! In 2016, both trivia companies offered events the same weekend – MTL Semifinals and the league championship for Sporcle. Both happened the same day, so I found a team to use our spot in the Sporcle league championship. I offered them 80 percent of any prize money they won (I knew they were good since they kicked our butts regularly at the YpsiAlehouse). Not that a team has to be very good to beat us, but hey, I knew trivia talent when I saw it 🧠 They won second or third, as I recall! We got a little walking around money too, so we didn’t make out too bad! A friend at the time joked that maybe I was a better “trivia manager” than a player. Ouch? 🤔 😂

Unlike in 2016, I don’t have to choose between two lovers – I mean trivia events!

I’ve already reserved a spot in the MTL semis for Saturday, December 7. We’ll have to play at a spot in the “Downriver” area. If you’re not from the Southeast MI area, you likely don’t know where that might be! Here’s a handy map:

Don’t feel bad, I barely have a grasp on that myself! When we had to play in a MTL finals tournament in that area in 2017, I described it to my husband (who didn’t even grow up in Michigan) as:

“It’s kind of near Dearborn, but… south-ish.”

Yeah, I did not grow up in SE Michigan! Thankfully a trivia teammate will be offering her vehicle for carpooling – and she knows the area well since she grew up there!

it will certainly be interesting to not be facing the “usual suspects” in a MTL semifinal. We were added to the semifinal qualifiers last minute since our trivia spot stopped offering trivia very early in the season and we didn’t make the first cut. The host of the game talked to her bosses about making sure that we weren’t forgotten. Honestly, I didn’t expect to be able to get in, and I’m thankful we at least have a shot.

As for the Globe Game, that all depends! I’m pretty sure that we’re in the last RSVP window opening on December 29 so we’ll have last choice of spots. Oops, I’ve gotta work that day 🤦‍♀️ I’ll have to count on my husband to try getting us into a game 😂 He’s not used to any administrative duties of trivia!

So far, I have four players (which is the maximum) for the MTL semis and three players for the Globe game (five player max). But I’m not too worried – I’m just excited to be able to go! Special thanks to my new boss for letting me beg off work during a month where time off requests are on blackout.

I’m not expecting too much. But like a moth to a flame, I just can’t resist good trivia competition!