‘HQ Trivia’ isn’t on Android yet, but a very similar game called ‘The Q’ is — here’s what it’s like to play

If you're one of the millions of people with an iPhone, chances are you're playing "HQ Trivia," the outrageously popular iPhone game that pairs a live host with a daily trivia show where players can win real money.

But if you're an Android user like me, you're looking on with jealousy from the sidelines. I've got a Google Pixel, and that means I can't play "HQ Trivia"until it arrives on Android on December 25. What's an Android user to do with the weeks between now and then?

The answer is "The Q," a very similar live-trivia game show that's available right now on Android.

After playing a few games of "The Q" last week, I'm here to tell you what it is and what it isn't. 

SEE ALSO: The biggest iPhone game of 2017, HQ Trivia, is coming to Android for Christmas

"The Q" is not "HQ Trivia."

Despite the naming convention, there is no connection between "HQ Trivia" and "The Q." They are otherwise very similar games.

When I first opened the app, it asked that I sign in with my existing Facebook login. I obliged, and it pushed me to the next screen. There, I was able to select my own username so that my Facebook name didn't show up.

Unfortunately, this name was a bit too long.

Since "The Q" has fewer players than "HQ Trivia," I was able to easily secure "bengilbert." 

This past weekend, for instance, "HQ Trivia" hit an all-time high of around 470,000 concurrent players in a single game. "The Q" never topped 1,000 concurrent players in any of the games I played.

The prize payouts are significantly lower than "HQ Trivia," but it's logical given the smaller userbase.

The biggest prize available in a single game of "HQ Trivia," thus far, has been $10,000. That prize was split between 102 players, with each winner actually winning about $98. 

In "The Q," prizes are in the $1,000 range — and often are lower. With only 500 or 600 people tuning in to a game, the prizes are logical. In so many words, there's a much lower chance of lots of people completing the usual round of questions because the overall group of players is far smaller.

That's good news for you: You've got a much better chance of winning the entire payout, statistically speaking.