How to Turn Bar Trivia into a Team-Building Exercise The leader's guide to winning bar happy-hour trivia contests.

I am a bar trivia expert. Over the last three years I've hosted more than 300 trivia nights in and around Portland, Ore. I know (without resorting to Google) the first U.S. president to die in office (Harrison) and the atomic number of chlorine (17). On the way to quiz mastery, I've also learned strategies, dos and don'ts for playing the game. Here are six tips to help your team score big, both socially and professionally--and to put an end to those mindless happy hour get-togethers.

1. Mix it up. Draft teammates from the front office and the back warehouse for more varied brainpower. You know that office admin who won't stop talking about The Amazing Race? She just rocketed up the quiz depth chart.

2. Don't be a know-it-all. If there's one thing brainiacs usually don't know, it's how to interact with people. You may be sure of an answer, but letting everybody contribute creates team (and workplace) goodwill. Overruled on an answer you're sure is correct? Lean back and enjoy a sip of your beverage. It's only a game.