History
MasterMinds was founded by CYPRAS in 1993. The first season consisted of schools in the Rochester area. MasterMinds later expanded to schools in Buffalo (1995), Albany (1999), and Syracuse (2003).Rules
General
MasterMinds usesLength
Starting in the 2023-24 season, games consist of either two seven-minute timed halves or two eight-question halves; this is decided on a league by league basis. If a tossup question or set of bonuses is in progress at the end of a timed half, that round of questioning will be allowed to finished, and if attempts at stalling are witnessed by the adjudicator the game may be nullified and the stalling team disqualified. Starting in 2020, games consisted of two halves with eight questions each, and no set timer. If there was a tie at the end of the 16 questions, more would be read until one team gains or loses points. In 2023, MasterMinds gave individual leagues the choice between timed and set-question games, decided by consensus from constituent teams.Toss-Up Questions
Toss-Up questions are worth 10 points. They are asked, and any one person from either team can buzz in and give the answer. If they get the question correct, they earn 10 points for their team which then has the opportunity to answer a set of bonus questions. If a player interrupts the question and supplies an incorrect answer, that player's team may not answer the question again. The opposing team may wait until the question finishes to answer. There is a certain point in each tossup question, typically just before an important clue, called the "power mark". If a player rings in on a toss-up before the "power mark" and answers correctly, they earn 15 points instead of 10. If, however, a player answers incorrectly before the question is over, their team is deducted 5 points. Players may not confer with their teammates during toss-up questions by verbal or nonverbal means. After ringing in to answer a question, players must wait for the adjudicator to verbally recognize them by saying their name and school. If a player does not wait to be recognized, it is treated as an incorrect answer, and the normal procedure for incorrect answers applies.Bonus Questions
Following a correct answer to a toss-up question, a team is entitled to a set of three bonus questions centered around a single topic. Each question is worth 10 points, for a total of 30 points. Conferring is allowed and encouraged. Any person from the team may answer a bonus question, however if there are multiple contradicting answers, the adjudicator will ask the captain for a single answer.Format
Regular season
During the Regular Season, the teams in each region are divided up into leagues. Most leagues have six teams, though some have five or up to nine. In the 2018-19 season, Albany had six leagues, Buffalo had five leagues, Rochester had ten, and Syracuse had two. The leagues are run with a double or triple round robin format, depending on the number of teams. All teams play twelve regular season games across six rotations, meaning that teams usually play two games each rotation, though they may play more if they were unable to go to an earlier one. There is generally one rotation each month, and they are held at schools in the league. Individual statistics, such as the number of questions answered correctly, the number answered incorrectly, the number of power marks or penalties earned, the number of games and halves played, and the player's average points per half, are kept. Many participating schools also have Junior Varsity teams, which are ostensibly for students in 10th grade and below. There are generally fewer Junior Varsity teams in each league than Varsity teams, so their tournaments are often quadruple or hextuple round robin. Junior Varsity games are run on the same questions as those for the Varsity division. There are no playoffs for Junior Varsity.Playoffs
The top half of Varsity teams (rounded up) by win–loss record from each league advance to the regional playoffs. The playoffs are run with aState Champions and Regional Winners
The first state tournament occurred in 2006.Participating Schools
In the 2024-2025 season, 94 teams participate at the Varsity level and 81 teams participate at the JV level.References
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