Facebook Countdown

[Mikey Lear]

Does everyone who cares know that there is a Facebook Countdown application? Well there is. It isn't precisely like the TV show, so most of you won't like it, but if you're keen to challenge someone who's not enough of a nerd to play an online game in the traditional manner (like me) but enough of a nerd to spend loads of time on Facebook, you can.

[Michael Wallace]

I was not aware - how is it different?

I never understood how people wasted so much time on facebook, maybe I'll learn how if this is any good...

[Joseph Bolas]

Does everyone who cares know that there is a Facebook Countdown application? Well there is. It isn't precisely like the TV show, so most of you won't like it, but if you're keen to challenge someone who's not enough of a nerd to play an online game in the traditional manner (like me) but enough of a nerd to spend loads of time on Facebook, you can.

It's nice that someone has finally done a Countdown application for Facebook, but after playing a few games, I don't think it's that good.

The conundrum and numbers are okay, but the application doesn't use the ODE 2nd revised dictionary so words like KABOOM and UNTONED for example, were not accepted.

I still think the best way to practice is with a set of Countdown cards (well at least for the word rounds).

[Charlie Reams]

I still think the best way to practice is with a set of Countdown cards (well at least for the word rounds).

Except you never find out words you missed, and the distribution is absolute shit compared to what you actually get on the program. The best practice aid is CountGen for words and the Corral Challenge for conundrums. Maybe I'm just pimping my own programs but there are no alternatives that even use the right dictionary (except Corby's game which is also good I've heard.)

[Kirk Bevins]

Also the scoring on the facebook application is poor. You get points for whatever word you get (i.e. if I get a 7 and my opponent gets an 8, I get 7 points, he/she gets 8). Conundrum is timed but no matter who gets it first, both players get the 10 points if they get it. Oh, and you can go on their facebook page and scroll down to the Countdown application thing and it will tell you what the conundrum is. How poo.

[Joseph Bolas]

I still think the best way to practice is with a set of Countdown cards (well at least for the word rounds).

Except you never find out words you missed, and the distribution is absolute shit compared to what you actually get on the program. The best practice aid is CountGen for words and the Corral Challenge for conundrums. Maybe I'm just pimping my own programs but there are no alternatives that even use the right dictionary (except Corby's game which is also good I've heard.)

True, but if you think about it, when you play at COLIN, you are using a set of shuffled cards, so if I practice with cards, then I am pretty much going to get selections that are at least similar to what you get in COLIN games.

Now COBRIS' rounds are more like the gameshow as there's fewer repetitions so I could see the Countgen program coming in useful for practicing for COBRIS at least.

To be honest, I actually don't practice conundrums. On the day I either get it or I don't .

[Charlie Reams]

True, but if you think about it, when you play at COLIN, you are using a set of shuffled cards, so if I practice with cards, then I am pretty much going to get selections that are at least similar to what you get in COLIN games.

I guess if you're practising just for COLIN then it's different, but I imagine most people are practising for the programme itself, either to appear or just to be armchair heroes.

[Joseph Bolas]

True, but if you think about it, when you play at COLIN, you are using a set of shuffled cards, so if I practice with cards, then I am pretty much going to get selections that are at least similar to what you get in COLIN games.

I guess if you're practising just for COLIN then it's different, but I imagine most people are practising for the programme itself, either to appear or just to be armchair heroes.

I know most people like to compete against the champion and challenger and work out what scores they would've got if they were playing either one in the studio etc, but I don't do that. If I'm lucky to beat (or even equalise) the champion or challenger in a word round, I just post my words in the spoiler threads, I don't keep track of scores.

I actually don't see the point of playing against the champion and challenger like that, unless of course they come to a CO-event and you actually get to play them in person. If I hadn't already had my debut game on Countdown though, then I would probably play that way.

[David O'Donnell]

I know most people like to compete against the champion and challenger and work out what scores they would've got if they were playing either one in the studio etc

Conor told me that he compares his score with DC and CV

[Joseph Bolas]

I know most people like to compete against the champion and challenger and work out what scores they would've got if they were playing either one in the studio etc

Conor told me that he compares his score with DC and CV

I wouldn't mind a game of Countdown against Carol Vorderman or Susie Dent .

[Michael Wallace]

I wouldn't mind a game of Countdown against Carol Vorderman or Susie Dent .

A game of Countdown, or a game of 'Countdown'? (nudge nudge wink wink etc.)

[Joseph Bolas]

I wouldn't mind a game of Countdown against Carol Vorderman or Susie Dent .

A game of Countdown, or a game of 'Countdown'? (nudge nudge wink wink etc.)

Just a game of Countdown will do me .

[Kirk Bevins]

I wouldn't mind a game of Countdown against Carol Vorderman or Susie Dent .

A game of Countdown, or a game of 'Countdown'? (nudge nudge wink wink etc.)

Just a game of Countdown will do me .

That's where you're going wrong, Joseph!

[Joseph Bolas]

Anyway getting back to the topic in hand, has had anyone else had any problems with the application. Almost after evey round I have played so far today, it has brought up the error loading message.

[Matthew Green]

Jesus, this is frighteningly addictive.

But add me if you want a game because my friends have stopped playing with me...

[Joseph Bolas]

Jesus, this is frighteningly addictive.

I know what you mean. I actually find it easier to do the math rounds on this as the sums are automatically worked out . I am also starting to keep track of what my scores are and work out percentages, for example:



So far I have played 25 games with a overall total of 2713 points (my scores range from 85 - 132), thus giving me an avarage score of 108.25 .

[JasonCullen]

How long did that take you to do Joseph?!

[Joseph Bolas]

How long did that take you to do Joseph?!

It only took a few mintues. I recently updated my Microsoft Office to the 2007 version, so just tried it out .

[Benji Hanks]

I've just uploaded it... and been ever so slightly annoyed at it on a couple of occasions (didn't register clicks etc.)

Other than that, nice... and proves my point about being erratic...

112
95
57
95
86
71
87

[Joseph Bolas]

I've just uploaded it... and been ever so slightly annoyed at it on a couple of occasions (didn't register clicks etc.)

Other than that, nice... and proves my point about being erratic...

112
95
57
95
86
71
87

I think if you pick the letters/numbers too quick, it doesn't register all the clicks. Also funnily enough, if you take too long picking the letters, a message comes up and the round is resetted once you click off the message If you add us on Facebook, you can challenge us to those scores you've set .

How many words did you have disallowed on the 57 game? The game use 2 ONLINE dictionaries, according to Andy, none of them the ODE.

[Kirk Bevins]

That pie chart is rubbish, Joseph. It's 3D and although you have two segments the same (24%), one looks larger than the other due to perspective. Stick to a 2D chart.

[Joseph Bolas]

That pie chart is rubbish, Joseph. It's 3D and although you have two segments the same (24%), one looks larger than the other due to perspective. Stick to a 2D chart.

I take it then you don't like 3D charts?

The 24%'s might look different because you can see the edge on the green 24% wedge, plus the angle too I suppose. I was just messing about with Excel 2007 so I may try a different setting, if I did another chart .

[Gavin Chipper]

I take it then you don't like 3D charts?

The golden rule - have no more faff than necessary.

[Jon O'Neill]

Also, the data for the chart has almost no statistical significance.

Oh well.

[Joseph Bolas]

Also, the data for the chart has almost no statistical significance.

Oh well.

Fair point, because it doesn't relate to anything to do with the current series, or any series for that matter in Countdown.

This data though is going by Facebook Countdown games (which this topic is about) so I still thought it was a little subjective. Oh well, guess I was wrong .

[Charlie Reams]

This data though is going by Facebook Countdown games (which this topic is about) so I still thought it was a little subjective.

I don't think that word means what you think it means.

[Jon O'Neill]

Nah it's statistically insignificant because it doesn't mean anything. An invalid could score 150 and Conor could score 75 in two consecutive games without either being spectacularly good or bad. It is especially insignificant given that a word disallowed will usually change what 'band' your score is in, so the game rewards stupidly defensive strategy. Maybe instead try counting how many times you score the maximum in a round each game.

[Joseph Bolas]

Nah it's statistically insignificant because it doesn't mean anything. An invalid could score 150 and Conor could score 75 in two consecutive games without either being spectacularly good or bad. It is especially insignificant given that a word disallowed will usually change what 'band' your score is in, so the game rewards stupidly defensive strategy. Maybe instead try counting how many times you score the maximum in a round each game.

I did forget about the fact that the scores don't include words that have been disallowed , sorry.

I think I will just stick to jotting down the word game selections and finding out the maximums for each round .

[Gavin Chipper]

This data though is going by Facebook Countdown games (which this topic is about) so I still thought it was a little subjective.

I don't think that word means what you think it means.

You quoted a whole post, not just a word. I'm guessing "games". Close?

[Benji Hanks]

AIIYXDUZN

Is this the hardest selection of letters ever given in any game of countdown anywhere ever?

(zany is the 4 letter word i got... apparently there's only one other... anyone else spot it)

[Joseph Bolas]

AIIYXDUZN

Is this the hardest selection of letters ever given in any game of countdown anywhere ever?

(zany is the 4 letter word i got... apparently there's only one other... anyone else spot it)

I know you can pick more than 5 vowels in a selection, so I decided to pick 8 vowels and I could only get the 3 letter word AIR and it was disallowed .

[Dinos Sfyris]

I think thats because it only accepts 4+ letter words. I had one selection (cant remember the exact letters but the only acceptable word was AQUA. I think the other letters were JXVFI or something.

[Jon Corby]

I know you can pick more than 5 vowels in a selection, so I decided to pick 8 vowels and I could only get the 3 letter word AIR and it was disallowed .

This interested me... I reckon the only way that AIR would truly be the maximum was if you had 5 further I's, and then finally a U or an I as the remaining vowel. I may try and check this later..

Fascinating eh?