Planning before software
Practical guides for running pub games and entertainment
These resources help pub owners, landlords, venue managers and event staff choose, prepare and run an event. Each guide starts with the operational question, then shows where PubPlay can remove organisation work.
Seven practical resources
Plan the event your venue can run well
Start with a broad venue question, compare tournament formats, or move directly to practical Darts, Pool and Quiz preparation.
Planning a games night
Choose an activity that fits the venue, then prepare a complete and repeatable night.
How to run a pub games night
Plan a pub games night with practical advice on choosing a game and format, registration, rules, scoring, displays, promotion and follow-up.
Read the guide Event ideasPub entertainment ideas for quieter nights
Compare practical pub entertainment ideas for quieter nights, from quizzes and games tournaments to music, tastings and community events.
Read the guideTournament planning
Compare competition structures and prepare a physical Darts or Pool event.
Round robin vs knockout: which format should you choose?
Compare round robin and knockout tournament formats, match counts, time requirements, participation and practical capacity for pub games.
Read the guide Darts planningHow to run a darts tournament at your pub
Organize a pub darts tournament with practical guidance on formats, boards, rules, registration, fixtures, results, displays and the final archive.
Read the guide Pool planningHow to run a pool tournament at your pub
Plan a pub pool tournament with practical guidance on rules, formats, tables, registration, fixtures, results, displays and the final winner.
Read the guidePub quiz
Plan the whole quiz, then decide whether paper or a connected phone workflow suits the room.
How to run a pub quiz
Plan a pub quiz with practical guidance on teams, questions, rounds, rules, equipment, scoring, tie-breaks, phone use and recurring events.
Read the guide Workflow comparisonDigital vs paper pub quiz: choosing the right setup
Compare digital and paper pub quiz workflows, materials, scoring, phones, displays, connectivity and host responsibilities for your venue.
Read the guideFrom idea to a workable night
Useful planning has to fit the venue
Space, equipment, staff involvement, likely participation and the time available all affect the right choice. The guides avoid universal formulas and unsupported promises about footfall or revenue.
Product and venue pathways
When you are ready to organize the digital layer
Explore the games, software workflow or owner overview after the event plan is clear.