Here is our guide to online Jeopardy.
We put this guide together after facilitating thousands of successful online team building game shows and activities.
Playing online Jeopardy virtually with teams involves competing in a quiz-style game where players answer questions across various categories to earn points. This interactive activity fosters teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills as team members collaborate to strategize and select the most advantageous categories. By engaging in friendly competition and sharing knowledge, participants strengthen bonds, boost morale, and cultivate a sense of unity within the team, making it an effective tool for remote team building.
Ideal group size:
4 to 10 players
Activity duration:
60 to 90 minutes
Cost:
Free to $50
This price depends on whether you use a free online platform or invest in additional materials such as customized question sets, virtual buzzers, or interactive game templates.
What you’ll need:
- A video conferencing platform (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet)
- Access to an online Jeopardy game template or software (e.g., JeopardyLabs, Flippity)
- Customized question sets tailored to the interests or objectives of your team
- Optional: Virtual buzzers or interactive features to enhance engagement and simulate the Jeopardy experience
How to play:
Step 1: Set up the Virtual Meeting Space
First, prepare the virtual meeting room on your chosen platform and ensure all participants have joined. You can create a welcoming atmosphere and introduce the game to generate excitement and engagement.
Step 2: Add Variety
Be sure to incorporate a variety of question types and categories to keep the game engaging and challenging. Consider including themed rounds or bonus questions to add excitement and test different skills.
Step 3: Share the Jeopardy Game Interface
Next, share your screen to display the online Jeopardy game template or software you will be using. Be sure all participants can see the categories and point values clearly to facilitate smooth gameplay.
Step 4: Divide Participants into Teams
Before playing, divide participants into teams, ensuring each team has an equal number of members. Team members can collaborate and strategize together throughout the game.
Step 5: Explain the Game Rules
You can start by explaining the rules of Jeopardy to the participants, including how to select categories, answer questions, and earn points. Further, clarify any specific instructions or guidelines to ensure each individual understands how to play.
Step 6: Start the Game
You can begin the game by selecting a team to choose the first category and point value. Teams should discuss and decide on their answers before responding to ensure thoughtful participation.
Step 7: Ask Questions
During the game, read the selected question aloud to the teams and allow them time to confer and provide their answer. Additionally, maintain a fair and inclusive atmosphere, encouraging all team members to contribute their ideas.
Step 8: Award Points
You can award points to teams based on the correctness of their answers and deduct points for incorrect responses. Further, track scores throughout the game to maintain excitement and motivation.
Step 9: Rotate Turns
Be sure to rotate turns between teams, allowing each team to select categories and answer questions in turn. This step ensures equal participation and opportunities for all teams to showcase their knowledge.
Examples of Jeopardy categories
- World Capitals: Capital cities from around the world
- Famous Landmarks: Iconic landmarks and monuments from various countries
- Science and Nature: Topics ranging from biology and chemistry to astronomy and ecology
- Literature: Classic novels, authors, and literary genres
- Movie Quotes: Famous quotes or memorable lines from films
- Music Trivia: Audio clips or descriptions of artists, song titles, or albums
- Historical Events: Significant events and milestones from history
- Sports Legends: Famous athletes, teams, and sports moments from various disciplines
- Pop Culture: The latest trends, celebrities, and viral sensations
- Potpourri: A mixed bag of random trivia questions covering a wide range of topics
Tips:
- Strategize category selection: Encourage teams to prioritize categories where they feel most confident to maximize their chances of earning points.
- Foster communication: Emphasize the importance of teamwork and collaboration, encouraging team members to discuss and deliberate on answers before responding.
- Manage time effectively: Set reasonable time limits for each question to keep the game moving steadily and maintain engagement.
- Stay focused: Remind participants to stay attentive and avoid distractions during gameplay to ensure they take advantage of potential scoring opportunities.
- Encourage participation: Create a supportive environment where all team members feel comfortable contributing their ideas and knowledge, regardless of their expertise level.
- Celebrate successes: Acknowledge and celebrate correct answers and strategic plays to boost team morale and motivation throughout the game.
Final Thoughts
Playing online Jeopardy with teams offers a dynamic and engaging way to strengthen bonds, foster collaboration, and showcase collective knowledge. By participating in this interactive quiz-style game, teams have fun and develop essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. Every round of Jeopardy is an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together as a team.
Want more ideas? Check out our post on virtual trivia games.
