How do "Contests" work?

There is one aspect of Quizzing we don't do much in the monthly practice quizzes, and pretty much never allow at the weekly practices. CONTESTS! Contesting is a mechanism built into the rules to allow a quizzer to challenge the ruling of a Quizmaster. If there is a ruling (either correct or incorrect) that you believe was truly in error and cost your team points, here are the things you need to know.

• A contest must be done before the next question is asked, or before a bonus question is asked.
• The contest can only be declared by either (1) the captain of the team, or (2) the quizzer ruled incorrect.
• The first step is to request to "confer". (A quizzer can confer with the captain, a captain can choose any member of the team to confer with.) Conferring lasts 30 seconds.
• Once you have conferred, the contesting person can either present their contest (within 30 seconds) or they may choose to sit down.
• After the contest, the opposing team may confer (quizzer with captain or captain with any quizzer) for 30 seconds.
• They may then choose to present a counter-contest (a rebuttal) or not.
• The quizmaster will then give a ruling. They may uphold the original ruling, reverse it, or declare a do-over on the question.

Remember, you can not contest against your own team. (i.e. If you were ruled right, you can't contest.) And you can not contest the question - only the quizmaster's ruling.

Also, remember that coaches can't present a contest. If you think one is needed, a quizzer needs to speak up.