Live, interactive, irreverent pub trivia since 2009
This month, Beat the Geek Trivia is celebrating 15 years of fun, irreverent, and challenging pop-culture trivia and games in the Pacific Northwest and around the world on Beat the Geek Trivia WIRED.
Thank you to all our players and patrons for supporting us since 2009. We look forward to serving you for many more years to come.
Beat the Geek Trivia would like to partner with local web developers who possess the following competencies:
Contact Mark if you would like to work with us on some fun projects.
Breakfast Cereals
The Great Depression
Pictures - Fan Art - Movie Portraits
Music - Hard Rock and Metal Covers of Pop Songs
and Palindromes
BONUS - What does the H and M of the H&M clothing company stand for? - 3 pts.
Movie Quotes
Famous Sidekicks
Pictures - Food Brand Logos
Music - Bluegrass Covers
and Am I Bullshitting?
BONUS - What dinosaur derives its name from the Greek words for Thunder Lizard? - 3 pts.
D-List Celebrities
Friends
Pictures - Rebuses
Music - Songs About Alcohol
and Potpourri
BONUS - Vincent Van Gough cut off part of which ear - left or right? - 3 pts.
Breakfast Cereals
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Pictures - Characters in Lego
Music - Songs of 1969
and Rhyme Time
BONUS - What year was Lex Luthor elected President of the United States? - 3 pts.
Car Ad Slogans
Do You Know Jack?
Pictures - International Flags
Music - 2000s One-Hit Wonders
and Disney Movie Quotes
BONUS - Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty are the two main characters in what novel? - 3 pts.
Ad Slogans
7th Grade Math
Pictures - Seattle Logos
Music - Postmodern Jukebox
and Rhyme Time
BONUS - What are the first names of Mr. Harley and Mr. Davidson? - 3 pts.
Black and White Movies
Harry Potter
Pictures - Rebuses
Music - Early 90s Dance
and Potpourri
BONUS - When, exactly, was Saleem Sinai born? - 3 pts.
Directors
Actors and Musicians in Politics
Pictures - Tech Logos
Music - Country Music
and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
BONUS - Who was the first Green Lantern (1940)? - 3 pts.
Famous Couples in Cinema
Culinary Arts
Pictures - Rebuses
Music - 80s Mashups
and Before and After
BONUS - Who married Dinah Mattingly in 1989, and has two adopted children, Connor and Mariah? - 3 pts.
Stuff Only Guys Know
7th Grade Biology
Pictures - Rebuses
Music - Mashups
and Three-Word Rhymes
BONUS - What is the highest point in Florida? - 3 pts.
Game Shows
20th Century American History
Pictures - Pop Culture Fan Art
Music - Vitamin String Quartet
and Homophones
BONUS - Did George R.R. Martin ever work with J.R.R. Tolkien? - 3 pts.
Ad Slogans
WWII
Pictures - Watercolor Cinema
Music - Late 90s Dance
and In Other Words - Literary Titles
BONUS - What actress played Darth Vader's mommy? - 3 pts.
Famous Fivesomes
Red, White, and Blue
Pictures - Dog Breeds
Music - Postmodern Jukebox
and Potpourri
BONUS - What NBA team retired Michael Jordan's #23 despite the fact that he never played on that team? - 3 pts.
C Foods
Geography - Bodies of Water
Pictures - Celeb Shots - 90s Icons
Music - 70s Pop and Rock
and Three-Word Rhymes
BONUS - What is the name of the Editor at The Daily Planet? - 3 pts.
Ad Slogans
World Geography
Pictures - Rebuses
Music - Classic Rock
and Potpourri
BONUS - Tattoos! (real or fake) 1 pt. each, max 3 pts.
College Sports Team Names
Toys and Games
Pictures - Celeb Shots - Mononymous Musicians
Music - Fire Songs
and Three-Word Rhymes
BONUS - Origami! - 3 pts.
U.S. Government
7th Grade Biology
Pictures - Rebuses
Music - Country Music
and Before And After
BONUS - Chris Hardwick and Jenny McCarthy co-hosted what show on MTV? - 3 pts.
C Foods
Famous Ricks
Pictures - Food Brand Logos
Music - Postmodern Jukebox
and Potpourri
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Famous Foursomes
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Pictures - Celeb Shots - Famous Birds
Music - Disney Music Covers
and Analogies
BONUS - What iconic horror actor was known as The King of the Grand Guignol? - 3 pts.
Bruce Willis Movies
Human Anatomy
Pictures - TV Logos
Music - Disney Covers
and Palindromes
BONUS - Starbucks got its name from a character in what book? - 3 pts.
Movie Quotes
Ancient History
Pictures - Watercolor Cinema
Music - Bluegrass Covers
and Anagrams
BONUS - Where was actress Nicole Kidman born? - 3 pts.
Taxes
Famous People from Seattle
Pictures - Watercolor Cinema
Music - 90s Hits that Were Covers
and Potpourri
BONUS - What was the name of Sabrina the Teenage Witch's cat? - 3 pts.
College Sports Team Names
Pixar Films
Pictures - Lockpicker
Music - Riffs and Solos
and Homophones
BONUS - Bruce Jenner won an Olympic Gold Medal in what event? - 3 pts.
Three on TV - The 2010s
Crimes and Criminals
Pictures - U.S. State Flags
Music - Baby Songs
and In Other Words - Literary Titles
BONUS - How much did Phileas Fogg wager and win? - 3 pts.
TV Characters Catchphrases
Blue Stuff
Pictures - Watercolor Cinema
Music - Songs of 1979
and Anagrams
BONUS - Who played bass for Nirvana? - 3 pts.
Clear Stuff
Musical Instruments
Pictures - Lockpicker
Music - Sun Songs
and Family Matters - Movie Titles
BONUS - Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky are also known as...? - 3 pts.
Three on Screen - Parody Movies
Silver Stuff
Pictures - Logos
Music - Mashups
and Forget About It
BONUS - What is Das Deutschlandlied - 3 pts.
Indiana Jones
The Grammy Awards
Pictures - Beer Logos
Music - Songs About Alcohol
and Family Matters
BONUS - Who was Lady Godiva married to? - 3 pts.
Where There's a Will...
Indiana Jones
Pictures - Watercolor Cinema
Music - Mashups
and I-O
BONUS - What is Paris Hilton's birth year minus the number of Olympic Gold Medals won by Greg Louganis? - 3 pts.
Who's My Daddy
American History
Pictures - Disney Attractions
Music - Songs About Clothing
and Acronyms & Initialisms
BONUS - What's at 2401 Utah Avenue South, Seattle, Washington? - 3 pts.
Famous Ricks
Peanuts
Pictures - Video Game Sidekicks
Music - Color Bands
and In Other Words - Proverbs
BONUS - Which NKOTB album was nominated for a Grammy Award? - 3 pts.
Three on Screen - Parody Movies
Grand Stuff
Pictures - Celeb Shots - 90s Hot Chicks
Music - Days of the Week Songs
and Lose One Letter
BONUS - What year was clothing company The Gap founded? - 3 pts.
Movie Quotes
U.S. Presidents
Pictures - Movie Posters
Music - Mashups
and Potpourri
BONUS - What bank housed Coca-Cola's secret formula for 86 years? - 3 pts.
Green Stuff
Toys and Games
Pictures - Fan Art - Movie Portraits
Music - Postmodern Jukebox
and Potpourri
BONUS - Frances Ethel Gumm is better known as...? - 3 pts.
Famous Ricks
Back to the Future Part I
Pictures - Car Logos
Music - Mashups
and In Other Words - Literary Titles
BONUS - What is the 3rd largest island (by area) in the world? - 3 pts.
80s Movie Quotes
Science!
Pictures - Logos
Music - Vitamin String Quartet
and I-O
BONUS - Who was the first person to EGOT? - 3 pts.
Are you interested in a private trivia party or event for your group or organization? Beat the Geek Trivia does:
and more!
Beat the Geek Trivia is a great way to entertain your customers and keep them coming back week after week. If you’d like to learn more about regular Beat the Geek Trivia shows at your bar or restaurant, Contact Mark for details.
Ambassador Wines Woodin Creek – Woodinville
Beaumont Cellars Winery – Woodinville
The Bellevue Club – Bellevue
Buzz Inn Steakhouse – Lake Stevens
Churchkey Pub – Edmonds
Crave 80s – Marysville
DeLille Cellars – Woodinville
Daman’s Bar and Grill – Redmond
Fairwood Golf and Country Club – Renton
The Lime – Kirkland
The Lucky 7 – Kirkland
Northwest Spirits – Woodinville
Ounces Taproom and Beer Garden – West Seattle
Page Cellars – Woodinville
The Pizza Coop and Alehouse – Woodinville
The Point – Arlington
Rustic Cork – Lake Stevens
Rustic Cork – Mill Creek
Redmond’s Bar & Grill – Redmond
Rooney’s – Woodinville
Sam’s Tavern – Bellevue
Thrasher’s Corner Pub – Bothell
Tony’s Sports Bar – Kirkland
Who’s on First – Snohomish
Woodin Creek Kitchen and Tap – Woodinville
Gameplay
Beat the Geek Trivia is a live, interactive pub trivia game. You can play by yourself or as a team. Trust us, it’s more fun with friends. If you don’t have any friends, you can probably find some on Amazon.
There are five rounds of trivia – two standard Q&A rounds, a self-paced visual round, a music round, and a final round. Your host will read each question out loud; you write your answer in your answer booklet.
Team Sizes
The maximum team size is eight players (limits may vary per venue). If you have more than the maximum number of players, you should split into smaller teams. You can play with more than the maximum number of players, but your team will be ineligible for a prize.
Prizes
If you and your team score more points than all the other teams, that’s called “winning”. YAY YOU! Winners get a prize – Prizes vary per venue. Regardless, you should call your mom right away and let her know that she raised a winner!
1. "No Googlewebbing on your iBerry"
Do not use your cell phones or other electronic devices to look up answers while playing Beat the Geek Trivia. To avoid the appearance of cheating, put your phones away during the questions segments. It's good trivia etiquette.
Besides, you've looked at your phone enough already today, so why not engage with the people in front of you instead.
2. “Don’t yell out the answers!”
Confer quietly with your teammates and write the answer down in your answer book. Remember, other teams are sitting close by so keep your discussions between yourself and your teammates.
3. “I am the judge, jury, and executioner…”
The trivia host has the final say as to whether an answer is correct or incorrect. We use multiple sources when researching and verifying our facts, so our answers are correct 99.999% of the time. If there is a question or dispute, please consult with your trivia host at an appropriate time (i.e. between rounds or during a break).
And just so you know…
Q. Where do you get your questions?
A. I write my own questions. I stare at a wall for hours until inspiration strikes. I drink a Marktini, do some research on the interwebz, and then carefully script out the questions.
Q. Can I suggest a category for your trivia game?
A. Sure, if it’s a good category and I can write 10 good questions for it. If you have an idea, let me know.
Q. Do you host for private parties and events?
A. Yup! Beat the Geek Trivia does several private parties and custom events all year long. Contact me and we can talk about your event.
Q. What’s up with the AC/DC - Thunderstruck?
A. It’s a great song! That wicked riff and thundering drums always fires me up! I've tried a few times to mix things up and use a different opening song, but you guys didn't like it.
Q. The songs you pick for the music round are... (pick one)
A. I have regular players with ages ranging from 20 to 70. I try to cater to several time periods and genres in popular music. Considering the vast amount of music there has been in the last 50 years, if you only know half of the songs I play you should feel good about yourself. If your team is struggling with the music round, my suggestion is to add a couple of team members who know more music. Or, just feel good about the fact that you are being exposed to something new and different.
Q. What are you drinking?
A. Usually too much. I like Rum & Coke, Jack & Ginger, or a Marktini.
Q. What is a Marktini?
A. This is a Marktini. The more Marktini's you drink, the better they are!
Q. Are you looking for new places to do Beat the Geek Trivia?
A. Sure, contact me.
Q. Are you looking for more trivia hosts?
A. I've always got my eyes open for enthusiastic, interesting, and engaging people. Ask me for an audition. If you're good, we'll move forward. If you suck, I'll let you know. Email me.
Beat the Geek Trivia has switched to using 100% recycled paper for all answer booklets, hand-outs, and internal use. This accounts to 94% of all paper used by Beat the Geek Trivia. Please join us by not only reducing, re-using, and recycling as much as possible, but purchasing products made from recycled materials.
Mark Ricker
Owner, Host, Jedi Master
I started Beat the Geek Trivia in 2009 when I was recently divorced, unemployed, and a little drunk. I had always had a head full of trivial knowledge, but just knowing things like Albert Einstein’s middle name wasn’t getting me very far in life. So I put that useless knowledge to use and started a pub trivia show. Since then, Beat the Geek Trivia has grown beyond my expectations and is now a full time job for me.
Before Beat the Geek, I worked in IT, sales and business development, and mortgage lending. I shaved my head in 2001 and never looked back. I don’t have any kids or pets, but I’ve kept a houseplant alive for over 10 years (I think I might be ready for a goldfish now). I was born in New York, but I’m a Chargers fan. In my spare time, I invent new ways to insult Ariana Grande and trash the movie Armageddon. My go-to drink is the legendary Marktini.
Mike Faris
Host, Manager, protocol droid fluent in over 6 million forms of communication
I gave the worst performance of my life as an 18-year-old at summer camp while emceeing a talent show. After that night I may have never picked up a microphone again except that later that year my college dorm wanted me to host the school-wide lip-syncing contest. Not bad, but not all that good either. These days I’m pretty comfortable behind the microphone whether it’s as the public address announcer for high school basketball games, the master of ceremonies for more wedding receptions than I recall, or hosting trivia for years now.
Highlights in my life up to this point are riding the bike from the ET movie at Universal Studios, winning the grand prize in a radio station giveaway for a Felix Hernandez signed baseball and discovering I don’t like Waldorf salad. My geek credentials include that I’ve willingly been to a Star Trek convention, I read tech blogs every day, and that my mother-in-law says that I’m “good with the computers”. Next time you’re at trivia, fill me in on some of your geek cred.
David Zazzo
Host, Marksman Stormtrooper
Hi there, I’m David – but most people call me Zazzo.
My best friend and I stumbled across Beat the Geek Trivia in 2016 at one of our guys’ nights and have loved it ever since. After playing for several months, I thought to myself, “it would be really fun to be a trivia host.” I talked to Mark, gave it a shot and auditioned, and here we are!
By day, I work at a local software company doing cloud-y things. By night, though, I indulge my strong passion for technical arts and production – lighting design, audio engineering, video engineering, etc. When I’m not geeking out on that stuff, you can find me at Sounders FC home games cheering on the boys in Rave Green.
I’m excited to be your Beat the Geek Trivia host!
Clint Cheves
Host, C-3P0’s Psychotherapist
Hey!
I’m Clint and I am one of those stupid millennials. I have a fear of change. I still live 15 minutes from where I was born, and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. Pop culture, movies, music, technology, ancient history, and general nerdom have always been a big part of my life; just ask the people that cheated off me in high school.
While the rest of my friends were scoring touchdowns, I spent my nights reading an episode-by-episode synopsis of Scrubs. It took until the seventh grade for me to get out of my pre-pubescent cocoon and, despite my Coke machine-like physique, I started playing sports. I never forgot my first love of knowing things that probably won’t matter, though, but it now included athletics.
I love sports, technology, religion, the Lakers, and [censored]. My other loves are Jameson, a good light beer, and [censored]. I’m super stoked to be doing trivia for you guys. Let’s get drinks and talk pop culture!
Jax Alspaugh
Host, Palpatine’s Cosmetician
I’ve worked in a variety of industries and positions – marketing, customer correspondent for a prostate supplement company, barista, birthday party hostess at a bowling alley, apartment complex manager, CNA, laser hair removal technician, snowboard instructor, and car saleswoman.
At my audition, I bragged about being the MC in 5th grade for my elementary school’s talent show. I love entertaining, having done both stand up comedy and performed with a band playing a mean cowbell. I also currently host karaoke on the weekends.
Besides trivia, I LOVE cheese, wine tasting, breweries, dancing, gaming, brunch, a GOOD bloody Mary, a well crafted/ironic mustache, live music, roller skating, vintage style/thrift store clothes shopping, supporting my community, and time with my family. Seeing my only son graduate from WSU in 2020 with his Bachelor’s in Social Sciences will be my proudest moment.
It should go without saying, but I’ll say it again, GO COUGS!
Courtney Parham
Host, Darth Vader’s CPAP Technician
I’m Princess Courtney, Chairperson of the Galactic Prom Committee and supreme ruler of Planet Sucralose. At age 13, I was designated as the Protector of Galactic Freedom and Designer Fashion by King Zeus. He gave me three magical tools: The Fairy Wings of Gollum, the Emerald Wand of Horcrux, and a gorgeous Louis Vuitton studded black leather handbag with faux fur trim and a pocket for my iPhone.
I promise to protect the freedom of every sentient being in the galaxy and to gently but firmly advise on haute couture, as is my charge, as is my oath.
Ryan Zwirner
Host, Tatooine Sand Appraiser
Hey there!
About me: I’m 6’3”, because apparently that matters. I’m from Southern California (don’t judge) -I moved up to Washington 7 years ago and love it so far.
In my free time you’ll usually find me kayaking, telling dad jokes, brewing beer, pretending I like hiking, or being lazy and copy/pasting my Tinder bio when people ask me for “a blurb for the website”.
Lets grab a drink!
PS. Must love dogs.
Ben Brockman
Host, Ordained Ewok Funeral Officiant
I am proud to be known as the first ever inductee to the “Beat the Geek Trivia Host Hall Of Fame,” an honor I bestowed upon myself without the knowledge or approval of anyone else.
When not memorizing release dates and chart/sales performance of every popular movie and album released since the 1970’s, I can be found crashing neighborhood parties throughout the Puget Sound region, where I serenade confused attendees with “Wonderwall,” the most under-performed guy-with-a-guitar song of all time. I avoid being depressed during the wet and dreary months by cheering on our local sports teams live and in person as they inevitably fail in the biggest moments.
I can also beat the original Super Mario Bros on NES in 8 minutes and 30 seconds; it’s not a record time or anything, but I think it’s a pretty decent effort.
Krystie Ritchey
Host, Bassist for Figrin Dan and the Modal Nodes
I’m Krystie Ritchey, and I approve this message.
I’m originally from Detroit, but grew up all over the world while my dad served in the military, and I just can’t help myself but continue moving every so often as an adult. I’ve loved performing ever since I embarrassed my parents in a cafeteria, belting out Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All”, when I was 3 years old. I’ve continued being an absolute ham on stage/behind a microphone ever since, including a stint in community theater, playing bass guitar and singing in a few bands, and now hosting trivia. I was a regular Beat the Geek player–and frequent winner–until I decided to take a Ken Jennings turn and apply to host. Previously, I’ve worked in retail, mortgage sales, customer service, and teaching English as a Second Language.
I’ve always loved music, and my superpower is being able to identify songs and artists within seconds of hearing them. I’m a language geek and I’ve got a linguistics degree to prove it; I’ve studied 6 languages (English, German, Spanish, Latin, Swedish, Icelandic) to lend me additional geek street cred. Also, I’m obsessed with Iceland, and I can tell you anything about RuPaul’s Drag Race, both the US and all international versions. My go-to drinks are vodka pineapple, amaretto sour, and non-IPA beers. Cheers!
Dan Filowitz
Host, Jedi Academy Day Care Center Administrator
Residing in the suburbs of Seattle by way of Chicago and New Jersey with brief stops in Indiana, California, Toronto, and Vancouver. (Scent of a Woman Al Pacino voice) I’ve been around, you know.
Once, when I didn’t have kids, I spent a lot of time on stage, in Chicago, writing and performing. Improv, sketch comedy, theater, that sort of thing. Then I had kids and moved and don’t do all that anymore. So, I’m very excited to be back at it again hosting Beat the Geek Trivia (nothing happened to the kids other than getting older, in case you were worried.)
As mentioned, I have kids. Two. And pets. Four. I work in marketing strategy during the day, which is enjoyable but not particularly funny. I also spend time rooting for the New York Knicks and the New York Jets, which most of the time is neither enjoyable nor funny (to me, it does tend to make other people laugh. At me.) Hosting trivia is enjoyable and generally funny, so I’ve got that going for me now, which is nice.
Kelsey Yost
Host, Rancor Veterinarian
When I started playing Beat The Geek Trivia in early 2021, I thought to myself “I could do that!”, and look at me now! While my trivia team never had much success, we always had a blast and I knew I wanted to be a part of the world of trivia hosts.
When I’m not hosting Beat the Geek Trivia shows, I’m a school psychologist wrangling middle school students. Dealing with rowdy children and endless questions is something I’m very used to, so ask me anything! I have two dogs and a cat whom I will happily show you too many pictures of if you ask (or don’t ask, I show them to everyone).
My nerdom knows no bounds, but I’m particularly fond of anything in book form. I’m always looking for recommendations, so let me know what you’ve recently read that I should add to my ever-growing TBR.
You?
Host
Beat the Geek Trivia is always looking for energetic and funny trivia hosts. If you think you sound good on a microphone, you like talking in front of a crowd, and you’re not a moron, you should audition.
email Mark if you’re interested.