“Do you have what it takes to beat the best?” asks the opening narration on Master Minds! But while the Brooke Burns-hosted game show may be fun — and often challenging — to play at home, it takes smarts and strategy for contestants to match wits with top trivia experts!
For some Insider tips on how to win at Master Minds, I convened a master panel of Game Show Network minds: Vice-President of Current Programming Bryan Scott; Executive Producer and Showrunner Rane Laymance; and Executive Director of Current Programming Michelle Cygan.
Here’s what I learned about this fan favorite, seen daily on Game Show Network!
GAME SHOW INSIDER: What kind of a person makes a successful Master Minds player?
BRYAN SCOTT: People who seek out trivia, read, and have a wide variety of interests.
Do you need to be well-educated to be a contestant?
Master Minds is really all about hardcore trivia, so you don’t need to have multiple degrees. Our questions come from all walks and all categories. If you don’t know something in one category, chances are you’ll know it in another.
Is there an intimidation factor going up against trivia legends like Ken Jennings?
I think there’s a fun intimation factor. Ken Jennings and our other Master Minds have fun being “large and in charge,” but they also have a lot of respect for people who can answer a question they can’t. The competition is always friendly. And Brooke Burns is all about being on the contestants’ side and setting them up to succeed with a sense of humor and a cheerful smile.
What are the differences between the three competitive rounds?
RANE LAYMANCE: We ease the players into the game in Round One with multiple choice questions. In Round Two, we no longer have multiple choice, you have to buzz in to answer, and the player with the lowest score is eliminated. Round Three is a speed round, contestant vs. contestant and Master Mind vs. Master Mind.
In Round Two, points are deducted for incorrect answers. Should this affect strategy?
I don’t think so. Buzz in if you know the answer, don’t buzz in if you don’t! And if you think you know, you might as well try. Because everyone on that stage is very smart and if you don’t get it, someone else will.
What’s a common mistake players make in Round Three?
Players give up on themselves too early. In Round Three, each question is worth 100 more points than the last, starting at 500. If your opponent gets the first three right, that’s 1800 points for them. But if you get the next three right, that’s 2700 points for you. Mathematically, you’re still in the game.
What’s The Ultimate Trivia Challenge? And what’s a tip for this round?
It’s the final round, where Master Mind and contestant face off and the one with the most correct answers wins. My tip: don’t worry about them, just worry about yourself. Focus on the questions and don’t let the aura and presence of the Master Mind affect your confidence.
What happens if there’s a tie in the final round?
MICHELLE CYGAN: If there’s a tie in the Ultimate Trivia Challenge round, we ask a question that is only asked to our contestant. If they get it right, they win the $10,000 and they come back for another episode. If they get it incorrect, they just leave with the $1,000 they’ve already banked.
Ken Jennings said in an interview that the secret to success at Master Minds is to be “interested in everything.” Is that enough?
I’m not going to argue with Ken Jennings! You may be the sports guy on your trivia team, but we’re not just asking sports questions on Master Minds. Knowing a little bit about everything is a good way to succeed!
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My thanks to Bryan, Rane, and Michelle for sharing their strategy tips! Are you a trivia maven? Do you think you have what it takes to be a Master Mind? Why not find out! Just fill out a quick application on our website and you’ll be on your way! Best of luck from Game Show Insider — and keep watching Master Minds!
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