Bong Miquiabas plays mind games with two very different quiz nights

Geographical Quiz Evening Fri 18

Quick, what's the deepest lake in the world? No, not Queen's Road Central after a monsoon rain. It's Lake Baikal in Russia. If questions like this interest you, then the Royal Geographical Society's upcoming quiz evening should float your boat.

Hong Kong's chapter of the venerable UK-based RGS provides a regular forum for its members to discuss geography and related subjects such as travel, exploration, and conservation. The quiz evening, held almost every summer since 1998, brings together enthusiasts of geography trivia.

Begun in 1995, the RGS of Hong Kong counts over 1,000 members in its erudite ranks. “We have a wide variety of nationalities represented,” says Hong Kong chapter director Rupert McCowan. “We expect another full house at quiz evening.”

Teams of 12, organised by table, collaborate to answer questions generated in advance by a special RGS committee. As the night goes on, the questions increase in difficulty. “One year, the final question asked about the radius of the earth,” recalls McCowan. “Questions can be taken very seriously, but it's always a fun night.”

The spoils for this year's winners are two bottles of champagne to enjoy immediately upon triumph, while each team member will receive a geography-themed book autographed by its author. Runners-up also receive prizes. The evening includes a buffet dinner with wine. Since seating is limited, priority registration is given to RGS members, but the event is open to all.

RGS of HK, Hong Kong Football Club, 3 Sports Road, Happy Valley, 2583 9700; www.rgshk.org.hk. Fri 18, 6.30pm-11pm; $330 for members, $380 for non-members.

The Globe Quiz Night Tue 22

The Globe, self-billed as “your friendly neighbourhood pub,” holds its own quiz night a few days later. Like the RGS, the Globe began Hong Kong operations in 1995; unlike the RGS, the Globe claims to have the largest selection of beer in town.

“Our questions are not too high-brow,” says Globe general manager Toby Cooper. “We cover general knowledge, such as sport and music.” Four-member teams may, for example, be asked to name song titles based on samples played on the pub jukebox.

Judging by the tracks currently on offer, connoisseurs of Britpop and classic rock can expect to excel. While this year's top prize has yet to be determined, past champs have won a restaurant voucher or tickets to a play.

“Quiz nights tend to be fairly low-key,” Cooper says. Asked, however, for past memorable moments he adds: “There can be lots of arguments.”

Lively contests are a Globe tradition. The pub has a longstanding 'Wall of Shame', listing achievements such as the fastest time for downing a bottle of wine (6.25 minutes), the “most impressive feat up there,” according to Cooper, and worst jukebox selection (titleholder David Simpson, runner-up Will Murray; neither could be reached for comment).

Cooper had “no idea” about the RGS event, and doubts the two quiz nights will overload trivia-minded Hongkongers. “From what I know of our crowd,” he says with a chuckle, “I'm sure we won't have any overlap.”

The Globe, 39 Hollywood Rd, Central, 2543 1941. Tue 22, 8.30pm; free.