c4countdown

Tim Down

I've never really understood why the "group" format (often used with Bristol-style, but in principle could be used with Edinburgh-style too) has endured. You play three games, and that decides what section of the table you're going to finish in. If you're 9th after three games, you go into group B ...

Tim Down

I've already given a system that I think would work. Basically, in a one-person event, they'd get 50; for two it would be 66.7, 33.3; for three it would be 75, 50, 25 etc. There's a formula out there somewhere but I can't be bothered to find/work it out again right now. I think it's the fairest lin...

Tim Down

I get the issues people have with the current system, and I get that it's not perfect. But I felt that it was the right one at the time, and I'm yet to see one that eradicates enough issues to make it worth changing it when it's guaranteed to lose much of the simplicity and self-calculation. Ultima...

Tim Down

I’d like to propose a new scoring system for FOCAL standings from 2019 onwards. The current system works fine when there are similar attendances at each event. However, a particularly large event such as CO:LON, which has roughly double the number of players of an average event, carries so many poin...

Tim Down

I did an analysis on which words would be most useful to learn for each of 3, 4, and 5 vowel picks in standard letters rounds. You can find the results here: http://bit.ly/2KXffJw Download the file as an Excel spreadsheet (don't try and open it as a Google Sheet) and feel free to play around - you ...

Tim Down

Ciaran McCarthy wrote: ↑
Tue Jun 19, 2018 8:15 am
3rd number round:-

10 x 6 x (7+5) - (3+1)

Indeed. Not that complicated, so I was quite surprised Rachel missed it in 30 seconds and then very surprised she didn't get it over the ad break, unless it was cut.

Tim Down

I would vouch for this but it would be a large hassle to make I'd imagine. It definitely would. What would be more feasible would applying a responsive design to the existing web version, by which I mean a design that adapts the layout to the screen size of the device. Still not a small job but mas...

Tim Down

Will there be post-tourney boozing? Likely. The co:event will finish at 5:30pm and the post-event quiz at around 6:30pm so there will probably be some people in the pub by 6ish and many by 7ish. The pub of choice last year was The Bridgewater Arms in Cardigan Fields, and I suspect it will be so aga...

Tim Down

Will there be post-tourney boozing?

Tim Down

Zarte's awesome obviously, but has anyone else ever scored with a three letter word declaration? If so, I suspect it wouldn't be someone with a near-perfect record of century game scores! I did (eh eh, nudge nudge), although I was not in anything like Zarte's league, as is apparent from that link.

Tim Down

Elliott Mellor wrote: ↑
Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:48 pm
Got 404 too, surprised she missed it. Though she is only human I guess.

Same. It's still significantly more frequent that she gets one I've missed than vice versa though.

Tim Down

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:36 pm
I'm probably going to do the Linkin parkrun before COLIN. Rumours suggest Giles and Zubair may also be doing it. Anyone else?

Ego and the usual stinkage problems prevent it for me.

Tim Down

Surprised Susie didn't extend Mary's NOTATE to ANNOTATE in R1. Bad miss! I was doubting as to whether I was seeing a phantom letter there :D I doubt she missed it - she likely just didn't want to embarrass Mary and so withheld it. If she did miss it though then meh, it's much easier to do sat at ho...

Tim Down

Cheers Ray & Samir! If he had declared 814, it would have been a 14 point swing, would have won by 8. It was tense in the studio watching it! Quite right, if all the other rounds had gone the same. So it was quite fortunate for me! Maybe it made up for the awkwardness of some of the letters rounds....

Tim Down

Yep, I like this.

Game 1: LOWER
Game 2: HIGHER
Game 3: HIGHER
Game 4: HIGHER
Game 5: LOWER
Game 6: HIGHER
Game 7: HIGHER

Tim Down

Yay, prediction time. I shall studiously avoid reading previous predictions in this thread for the next few minutes. Quarters Tom Chafer-Cook vs. Graeme Staples 1 vs. 8 is usually and obviously the easy prediction and this is no exception. Tom to win by 40. Bradley Horrocks vs. James Kennedy Bradley...

Tim Down

OPALESCED was brilliant, one of the best I’ve seen on the show.

I was pleased with ESPALIERS but OPALESCED seems better to me.

Tim Down

I was surprised (read "cackled gleefully at the screen") when Rachel missed the first numbers. It's a testament to her excellence that it's always a surprise when she misses one.

(100 * 2 - 10) * 2 + 9, since you ask.

Tim Down

I dunno, it does provide for some entertainment. The team where the guy spectacularly failed on the planets game, for example, while his mates jeered him on. :D I know it's cruel but I laughed my head off at that one. Possibly my favourite moment of the series. I love Adam Buxton. I miss his BBC 6 ...

Tim Down

I'm more optimistic than I was a few months ago about being able to run enough to improve my 5K PB and I've given up on all the marathon nonsense so I'm eyeing up second place. I think Oliver's time is out of reach for me. That's also really good. I had actually thought from stuff that had been sai...

Tim Down

As promised, here is the updated list with Jonathan Rawlinson in 2nd place. Could he chip away a bit more and challenge Oliver Garner? Or maybe he'll be threatened from behind by the great Gevin Chapwell before long. I'm more optimistic than I was a few months ago about being able to run enough to ...

Tim Down

Some top four-larging from Noel today. Getting Noel's method in R3 in 30 seconds is very impressive, and would have been even more so had there not been a couple of simpler methods. I had R9 Noel's way as well and was slightly surprised by Rachel's hesitance at getting to 197, given that she's used ...

Tim Down

Ah, I enjoyed FAPS. Saw it early on and then realised with rising anticipation that there wasn't much else hence a great chance someone would declare it. Lo and behold, Noel obliged, and with a straight face. Well done, Noel. I thought Rachel might have still had a bit of a smirk going on at the sta...

Tim Down

Elliott Mellor wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 03, 2017 8:49 pm
He seems a bit sure of himself, which doesn't make for great viewing.

I disagree too, I find him likeable. Confident but not cocky. He was quality today.

Tim Down

Dunno who you're apologising to, Tim. Hopefully not to the dude who hasn't watched the shows in question. ;) I'm apologising for making insinuations on here that John sometimes buzzed in without having solved the conundrum at the point at which he buzzed because I don't think it's constructive to d...

Tim Down

Fair enough. I thought I should probably have kept my half-formed, speculative opinions on this particular player's conundrums to myself and I wish I had done now. Sorry everyone.

Tim Down

Elliott Mellor wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 28, 2017 5:58 pm
Good to see he's not dirty playing the cons now.

Have you watched today's game?

Tim Down

John made a right pig's ear of the third numbers, don't know why he didn't see the rather easier 9 x 5 x 10 + 8 + 7 - 1. Rachel appears to be wearing an ice lolly today. I disagree. The target was fairly obviously a multiple of 8 and of 16, so that seems a natural first strategy to try, especially ...

Tim Down

He got a couple of excellent ones early on in his run so I think he has the ability but it's very easy to blank the odd numbers round under pressure.

[EDIT: I've removed my other comment. No good could come of it.]

Tim Down

Excellent game today. Moose's letters ability is superb. I still think his numbers will prevent him winning the series but the sheer consistency of his letters spots will often make up for the odd Apterousy word (such as MAROODIS today) he lacks and I think will be enough to beat Jeff in the semis. ...

Tim Down

I like making predictions. It's difficult to see much chance of Stephen not winning the series. Here goes: QFs Stephen Read (1) v James Slater (8) - Stephen by 40-50 Jeff Clayton (2) v Lawrie Collingwood (7) - Jeff by 20 Moose Rosser (3) v Wesley Jardine (6) - If mid-run Moose turns up then he wins....

Tim Down

#1. Fill an application. - December 1997 #2. Get an audition date. - January 1998 #3. Do the audition. - March 1998 #4. Find out if you passed. - April 1998. Did not pass. #1. Fill an application. - 25 May 2015 #2. Get an audition date. - 10 August 2015 #3. Do the audition. - 12 August 2015 #4. Find...

Tim Down

Really well played, Martin, you were the best player of the series, played solidly through the finals and held your nerve well in the final against a very dangerous opponent.

Tim Down

Johnny Canuck wrote:What do you get if you win a special, anyway? Just bragging rights?

Guess so. I don't think I've seen any. I wasn't entirely serious about the special anyway, although I was about the rest.

Tim Down

It's a real shame Annie couldn't make it but my view is that if you can't make the recording of your series final then it should just be tough bananas because it's not fair on contestants on the next series to accommodate you. It'd be better to invite her back for some kind of special. Maybe against...

Tim Down

What happens to the 8th seed of the next series?

Tim Down

I'm going to go for some predictions. Quarters: Martin Hurst (1) vs Tom Stephens (8) - Martin to win by 30 Andrew Fenton (5) vs John Shaw (4) - Difficult, but I'll go for John to win on a crucial Andrew Macleod (3) vs Rik Anstee (6) - Andrew to win by 40 Stephen Fuller (7) vs Jamie Washington (2) - ...

Tim Down

I've been injured since May so there's no prospect of me getting anywhere near my best time this year.

Tim Down

Jonny Peppiatt is three wins into a run that has already included three crucial conundrums (including one tie-breaker). He still has a chance to take Tony Lock’s place in the finals or possibly carry on his run in series 75. Can he keep it going against Ollie Heath? C1: Champion Jonny Peppiatt (3 wi...

Tim Down

The wiki page for Tuesday's show (9 August) has a small error in round 14: RR: 436 = 100 x 7 x 10 ÷ (7 + 1) should read RR: 875 = 100 x 7 x 10 ÷ (7 + 1)

Tim Down

I believe the audience conundrum solver was Hazel Drury, contestant from series 73 and now an Apterite.

Tim Down

Matthew MacCabe won the first game after Robin McKay’s impressive octorun ended and now faces Alasdair Haines. C1: Champion Matthew MacCabe (1 win, 61 points.) A volunteer at a local advice centre in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland. A choir singer and a first dan black belt in jujutsu. C2: Challenger ...

Tim Down

Apterite Robin McKay is midway through a possible octorun and has performed very strongly so far. He plays Struan Charters today. C1: Champion Robin McKay (4 wins, 449 points.) An Apterite from Basingstoke. C2: Challenger Struan Charters. DC: Susie Dent and Michael Buerk. RR: Rachel Riley. OT: Other...

Tim Down

I had RAIDABLE and RIDABLE written down in round 13. Having decided RAIDABLE was too dodgy I should have declared RIDABLE (I didn't because I wasn't sure if it needed an E after the D); the 6 points from RIBALD were no use to me at all at that point.

Tim Down

Got 853 on third numbers with (100+75-7+4)*5-7 but missed 241 in the first numbers.

Tim Down

Been an odd series for me this, mainly because the recaps have nowhere near caught up yet. Pleasant surprise to see who the finalists are. Sorry. I'm the most behind but I'm intending to get Tuesdays up to date pretty soon. In my defence, there was a backlog when I started and Tuesday is rarely a C...

Tim Down

Last time I wrote a recap champion Tony Lock was earning his second win. Since then Tony has amassed just one more win because horses. C1: Champion Tony Lock (3 wins, 261 points.) A retired bank worker from Chalfont St Peter. A fisherman and Spurs fan. C2: Challenger Ian Newman. A retired millinery ...

Tim Down

I don't know if I fell asleep (which I doubt because this was a game to keep you awake), but did Phil Hammond have a slot today? It's normally after the second numbers isn't it? Anyway, great game - maybe somewhat spoilt by someone saying beforehand that they thought it was the best quarter final e...

Tim Down

Great game and a really high standard. Conrad did brilliantly to keep up with Paul's phenomenal level. I would've gone 4-large at the end there too but that's not really a surprise.

Alternative 203-based solution to last numbers: ((100 + 5) x 50 + 75) / 25

Tim Down

Femidom Chunderthrust wrote: I think that quote has literally been attributed to the wrong person.

Oops. Sorry. Fixed now.

Tim Down

sean d wrote:I see the OED has bowed to the stupidity of the general public by including a non-literal definition of literally....
1.1 (informal) Used for emphasis while not being literally true

Nice circular definition there. I'd say defining a word by using the word itself is a bad idea.

Tim Down

Secondly, No.6 Seed Tim "The Leamington Spa Lancer" Down - 8 Wins, 717 Points. (Average: 89.63) I initially misread this as "The Leamington Lap Dancer". Also, not Tim "The Count" Down?? Conundrum Points/Max/%: 20/80 (25%) I've tried to let this go and I'll probably wish I hadn't posted this but... ...

Tim Down

I don't know if I fell asleep (which I doubt because this was a game to keep you awake), but did Phil Hammond have a slot today? It's normally after the second numbers isn't it? Anyway, great game - maybe somewhat spoilt by someone saying beforehand that they thought it was the best quarter final e...

Tim Down

C1: Champion Tony Lock (1 win, 90 points). A retired bank worker from Chalfont St Peter. A fisherman and Spurs fan. C2: Challenger Lee Williams. An outreach worker at the University of Sheffield. Plays football and is a Disney film fanatic. DC: Susie Dent and Greg Rusedski. RR: Rachel Riley. OT: Oth...

Tim Down

I wouldn't have seen GOUTINESS as its not a word that has come up enough for me to remember it. As a non-apterite I find that fascinating. You're actually saying that you've had this exact combination of letters on more than one occasion? Having spent about 25 seconds re-cycling -ING, OUT-, -EST, -...

Tim Down

I'm still curious as to what they're going to do about David Edgar, who failed to qualify for the finals solely on the basis of having OUTRANG disallowed when it was really OK. He would still be at the studios for the finals as the "reserve" #9 contestant if there is one, but as Tim has mentioned (...

Tim Down

Oh, and to use a Robbo-ism, WAHEY! The finals lineup is now determined. (Again, I'm assuming that someone in one of the spoilers threads would have warned us long ago if one of the expected finalists wasn't going to turn up.) Best of luck as ever to Paul, Robin, Ann, Conrad, Dave, Tim, Sean and Ton...

Tim Down

Screw it, you've swayed me. I'm re-adding THEORIKAS. Made the decision after I looked up one of the other inflected "also" forms that were discussed in Aptomail ("ALTERATE, also ALTERATED") and discovered that ALTERATEDED had in fact been added to aptodic. I had previously thought the decision had ...

Tim Down

It's Dave Costello's last game and he'll be hoping to finish as an octochamp. C1: Champion Dave Costello (7 wins, 621 points.) A pensions actuary from Bath. Enjoys riding his motorbike, running and badminton. C2: Challenger Thomas Wade, a student from Blackwood in Caerphilly. An avid gamer and cuber...

Tim Down

BUMHOLE also on Gogglebox yesterday.

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