Each year the Treasure Hunt seems to attract some new people, and if you've never done one before, it can seem pretty daunting at first. Assuming this year will follow a similar pattern to most previous Hunts (an assumption that may prove to be dangerously wrong!), long standing veterans, and two-time winners, the Raving Mad Bastards feel suitably qualified to pass on some of their knowledge to perhaps help the day go easier. (Click here for a report on the 2002 event.)

1) Pick a good team name

When you register, you'll be asked for a team name. Many teams don't think this through beforehand and make something up on the spot. We did this, and made the mistake of winning. We are now stuck with our name, so let that be a lesson!

2) Plan your route

Before you leave on your trek, try and have a good idea of the route you want to take. It is always annoying, and extremely time-wasting, to realise you actually walked past one of the pubs and didn't go in it. Take into account pub opening times, too. It's just possible that some of them might not be open all afternoon! It's also worth considering your "visiting strategy" - do you want to do the nearest pubs first, and risk being stuck at the far end of town ten minutes before the deadline, or would you rather start at the farthest point and work your way back home. There is no preferred method, although the first way means you get a drink in quicker.

3) Put in the work first

We've watched teams enter a pub, sit down for a drink, and then eventually start looking at the questions almost as an afterthought. This doesn't work. Get in, blitz the questions, and hopefully you'll then have time for a quiet sit down and some well-earned relaxation before rushing off to the next pub.

4) Look at everything

It's easy to get hung up on old framed prints, but if it has writing on it (and sometimes even when it hasn't!), it could provide an answer. Jugs, signs, mirrors, fruit machines, book spines, jukeboxes, even furniture, can all be relevant, particularly if the setters are feeling devious. Look on ceilings, look in dark corners, look closely at the small print on everything. No one's yet set a question based on the colour of the barman's trousers, but it's only a matter of time...

Read the clues carefully, too. Sometimes they can be cryptic, but blindingly obvious with some lateral thinking.

5) Watch the time

Eight o'clock seems a long way off when you start, but you'll be surprised how fast it comes around. Set yourself a specific time for leaving each pub (even if it's a nice pub and you’re enjoying yourselves). Don't worry if you haven't answered every question when you leave - there may be time at the end to call in again and have another go. Remember, if you find yourself running late, taxis can save valuable walking time.

6) Don't be easily discouraged

At first, you've a lot of questions to plough through and identifying the right questions for the right pub can be tricky. Just because you don't find an answer in the first five minutes doesn't mean that you won't work them out in time. On our first Hunt we were in our third pub before we found a single answer. That did mean, of course, that we had to return to the first two pubs later in the day, but at least we managed to answer all the questions eventually.

Obviously, the question list gets smaller as the day goes on, making it much easier. Even experienced Hunters find it hard to get going at first, so stick with it.

7) Buy in rounds

This is a valuable time saver. When you first go into a pub have only one of you go to the bar. By the time the drinks are ready it's possible that the others may have already answered a clue or two.

8) Don't get too drunk

This sounds obvious, but can't be stressed too much. You could be going in as many as ten pubs during the day (more, if you’re enthusiastic!) and it’s easy to get carried away, especially if you're running a bit late and start drinking too fast. Take note of where you are, and if they sell a brew you're not overly keen on then only have a half, or maybe even a soft drink (always buy something, though, as it's pretty rude to go into someone’s pub and just stare at the walls.) Drink pints only of the beers you really like, but even then, try to avoid the high-gravity stuff.

Try and eat at some point during the day, too. Many of the pubs will have sandwiches or bar snacks available, and the odds are you'll be walking past a chippy or Burger King at some point.

9) Talk to other people

The day is, most of all, a social event, and not as competitive as you might think. You'll probably encounter the same teams in a number of pubs, and an exchange of clues with the ones you've got chatty with ("we’ll tell you which wall 16 is on, if you point us towards 18!") is always a possibility. Landlords and landladies, too, are a valuable source - they've been there all day and seen and heard all the teams that were there before you. A friendly word may buy you a hint!

And watch out for the organisers. They'll usually be around, looking smug, and are usually willing to help with pointers if you're really struggling.

10) Don't be embarrassed

Walking round a pub, looking at the minutiae, can be a little embarrassing at first, but you'll get over it pretty quickly. Just be prepared to explain yourselves a lot, as you disturb people having a quiet drink while you examine the small print on the picture just above their heads. Most people are quite understanding about this, though, and even genuinely interested in what you're doing. Take the opportunity to make new friends!

11) Don't be late back

Lateness penalties will kill your score. And the food'll all be gone!

Back to North Manchester CAMRA's Home Page

Report on a previous year's event

This page was last updated on 21st March 2009

Top of Page | Home | About us | Join us | Branch Diary | Pub News | What's Doing | Beer Festivals | Local Breweries | Virtual Pub Crawl | Links | Contact us | Rupert