Rarity: the football game where the least known player wins
Most football quizzes reward knowing the stars. Rarity does the opposite: the winner is whoever remembers the least known player. It is inspired by the TV quiz show Pointless, where the best answer is the one fewest people give.
How to play
- There are five rounds. Each one shows a category, for example «played for Valencia and is from Argentina».
- You have to name a player who fits it.
- The most famous player in the category scores 100 points and the least known, 0.
- A wrong answer scores 100 points.
- If you finish the five rounds with 200 points or fewer, you win.
How do we know if a player is well known?
We use an objective measure: the number of articles each footballer has in the different Wikipedias around the world. A global star has an article in dozens of languages; a player who passed through quietly, in very few. That way nobody argues about who is «more famous».
Tips to win
1. Rule out the first name
The first player that comes to mind is usually the most famous, which is exactly the one that scores the most. Look for the second or third.
2. Think of the short-stay players
Players who spent little time at a club, substitutes and those who played many years ago usually score very few points.
3. Do not gamble when in doubt
A miss scores 100, the same as the most famous answer. If you are not sure your player fits, it is better to give a well-known but safe one.
4. Spread the risk
You have a 200-point margin over five rounds. If one round costs you a lot, make up for it by taking a bit more risk in the next.
Who is it for
For real football fans, the ones who remember the backup striker from fifteen years ago. Here knowing obscure things pays off.
Frequently asked questions
Does the player with the most points win in Rarity?
No, the other way round: the player with the fewest wins. With 200 points or fewer at the end of the five rounds, you win.
What happens if I get an answer wrong?
It scores 100 points, the same as the most famous answer.