c4countdown

Zarte Siempre vs Philip Aston

We have a rematch in the final, Zarte came out on top previously - will he make it 2/2, or will Philip get his own back?

Zarte dressed up for the snooker. Reminds me of Wesley Jardine - was that his name?

Great game so far, BENZOATE and COWGIRLS being great spots by both.

Very good final. Congratulations to both etc.

Congratulations, Zarte. Commiserations to Philip. Well done to you both. Fantastic game.

Well done Zarte you are absolutely amazing! As are you Philip! Nuff said

Congrats Zarte and unlucky Philip! Incredible game by both! Some of those spots even stumped me when playing in the audience (TITANIC, BENZOATE, COWGIRLS, and 672). It was a pleasure to watch it live from the audience. One of the best finals I've ever watched!

I think it was the best final I've ever watched. Superb standard by both. Huge congrats to Zarte, but it could have gone either way. To come from 6 wins to a finalist is fan Philip- you did yourself very proud.

In the end it wasn't Zarte or Philip that suffered most from them having to face each other in the heats - it was Toby McDonald! Because Philip ended up as the number 7 seed, Toby got knocked out in the quarter finals, whereas he probably would have got to at least the semi-finals otherwise.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:05 pm In the end it wasn't Zarte or Philip that suffered most from them having to face each other in the heats - it was Toby McDonald! Because Philip ended up as the number 7 seed, Toby got knocked out in the quarter finals, whereas he probably would have got to at least the semi-finals otherwise.

Cheers Gavin! But it wasn't all bad. We wouldn't have had such a good GF if I won my QF.

#TobyforCoC

Great final guys! Superking was a fun try, too, loved the audience being so loud as well

Well I'm late again but as you can tell, I was doing up the recap on behalf of Johnny as he is busy today + my usual habit of getting the photographs. I swear I had to cut the video on my PC several times to get the perfect shot on the Wiki!

Simpler Alternative to R14: (6 x 10 x 10) + (8 x 9)

Letters: I should so well done on nearly getting all the Maxes that are possible! From both playres, BENZOATE and COWGIRLS were the high points in R5 and R7. For Zarte, REPUSHED in R4 was a good spot and for Philip, MOVEABLES in R1 was good as well, not to mention you finding the form of PERUSE multiple times today.

Numbers: This is probably the EASIEST Numbers Rounds I have seen for a Finals Match...Really? What on Earth is CECIL thinking when the targets are generated? Someone really has to fix the machine up for Series 79. Both Players got all 40 Points from today's game so excellent!

Conundrum: Well...my streak of not solving a GF Conundrum continues sadly... Being a guy that loves Chemistry one would've expected me to get this but I'm afraid I have not come across or in part, heard of this substance before...but well done to Zarte for not only breaking the tie, but also winning the game to become the Grand Champion of Series 78!!!

If anyone asks me to describe today's game, I'll sum up in the following phrases: BROKEN SEVERAL RECORDS, THE BEST GAME I'VE WATCHED SINCE THE 30th BIRTHDAY CHAMPIONSHIP! This game is now the 4th Joint Highest Scoring Game in History and Philip's losing score of 118 is now the new second-highest record! An exhilarating game to the very end!

Literally, both Zarte and Philip had us on the edges of our seats, fighting neck and neck apart from REPUSHED which gave Zarte the lead (Philip admitted in the Daily Chat he had this word but did not risk it! ) and SUPERKING being disallowed which meant the score was tied to the very end. And Zarte USED his LOGIC to the best of his ability to produce GLUCOSIDE, which sealed the game and his new status as "Grand Champion of Series 78"! With that, he has entered the Xicount Table and guess what, at the very top with 1331 Points, a full 30 Points ahead of the previous Xicount!

Commiserations to Philip, who unfortunately yet again, lost to Zarte. But hey, like I said when he lost on 1st March, I'm sure he has been an inspiration for not just me, but also to the larger Countdown community as a whole and I'm sure everyone is proud of your performance! You may have lost again but it's not as painful as the last. You gave your all to the very end, putting up a stronger and braver fight against him. You too should be proud to have the title "Runner-Up of Series 78" added to your name as well! Getting 118 Points would've made you secure a win but sadly that's not the case today. Nevertheless, getting a title of "Second Highest Loser" should sound good on you. (Apart from the "Loser" word...) At least your loss was not as painful as the last time round and you leave Happy instead of on the verge of bursting into tears some 113 Days ago on 1st March.

With that, Series 78 has officially come to a close and hopefully, a happy ending and resolution to both players today. Tune in from Monday, 25 June 2018 at 1410 BST for Episode 001 of Series 79 with Diane Cordery!!

Progress:
QF1 (14 June): Zarte Siempre vs Jan Pask (124 - 19)
QF2 (15 June): Toby McDonald vs Philip Aston (97 - 104)
QF3 (18 June): Chris Thorn vs Dougie Mackay (68 - 97)
QF4 (19 June): Phil Davies vs Paul Harper (81 - 69)
SF1 (20 June): Zarte Siempre vs Phil Davies (112 - 88)
SF2 (21 June): Philip Aston vs Dougie Mackay (98 - 76)
GF (22 June): Zarte Siempre vs Philip Aston (128 - 118)

Ryan Lam wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:37 pm With that, he has entered the Xicount Table and guess what, at the very top with 1331 Points, a full 30 Points ahead of the previous Xicount!

Interestingly, he has beaten Julian Fell's record of 1307 from the old 15-round format - the first player to do so in the new format! (Dylan Taylor also scored more with 1319, but lost in the final so isn't a xicount.)

I wondered why nobody else was wondering about the last series to have been won on a crucial, but I see now that the game in question is pretty well-kent.

What. A. Final. That's without doubt the best game of countdown I have ever watched - the standard there was crazy (COWGIRLS is probably my favourite spot - that completely beat me hands down and to spot stuff like that under pressure is phenomenal. Very, very well done to you both!!

So many records broken today, and also very very nearly the first max game on screen since 2013 - SUPERKING was very unlucky to be disallowed. In fact, almost a DOUBLE MAX GAME! 13 maxes each going into the conundrum.

On top of that, it was good to see some nice sportsmanship by both and not an ounce of bitterniss. In spite of the competitiveness it was very friendly and I've no doubt you both went and had a drink or something after, maybe we'll see another rematch in COC?

Congratulations, both of you. Great final. Highest scoring final ever, and the fourth-highest-scoring of any type, the top three coming in CoCs and the 30th Birthday Championship (this one, this one and this one).

EORTHMAN in R8?

Graeme Cole wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:52 pm Congratulations, both of you. Great final. Highest scoring final ever, and the fourth-highest-scoring of any type, the top three coming in CoCs and the 30th Birthday Championship (this one, this one and this one).

EORTHMAN in R8?

How could we forget?

Thanks everyone!

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 1:15 pm Zarte dressed up for the snooker. Reminds me of Wesley Jardine - was that his name?

Wes is thrilled that someone wearing a waistcoat won a series. My waistcoat is awesome, we'll have none of this snooker nonsense...

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:05 pm In the end it wasn't Zarte or Philip that suffered most from them having to face each other in the heats - it was Toby McDonald! Because Philip ended up as the number 7 seed, Toby got knocked out in the quarter finals, whereas he probably would have got to at least the semi-finals otherwise.

Agree with this entirely. That match should have been a semi and not a quarter. Toby did enough to prove that he's both a lovely guy and a great player. (I would have said "said enough", but I don't think we got more than about a dozen words out of him )

George Pryn wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:32 pm Great final guys! Superking was a fun try, too, loved the audience being so loud as well

+1 for loud audiences. None of this polite handclapping.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 4:37 pm

Ryan Lam wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:37 pm With that, he has entered the Xicount Table and guess what, at the very top with 1331 Points, a full 30 Points ahead of the previous Xicount!

Interestingly, he has beaten Julian Fell's record of 1307 from the old 15-round format - the first player to do so in the new format! (Dylan Taylor also scored more with 1319, but lost in the final so isn't a xicount.)

I'VE FINALLY GOT A GOOD, AND MEANINGFUL RECORD. I'm happier about this than I thought I would be.

Elliott Mellor wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:48 pm On top of that, it was good to see some nice sportsmanship by both and not an ounce of bitterniss. In spite of the competitiveness it was very friendly and I've no doubt you both went and had a drink or something after, maybe we'll see another rematch in COC?

We didn't have a drink as Philip had to leave as it's a long drive, but we got a photo together after the game, and you're right that there's a good vibe. He's a top guy. Please though, no more matches between the two of us, my heart can't take it :')

Zarte you'll make the coc right?

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 1:17 am Zarte you'll make the coc right?

I would assume so, but it could be that I managed to offend the nation with my waistcoat and will be persona non grata come next week. I'm waiting for an official invite before confirming.

Ryan Lam wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:37 pm

Literally, both Zarte and Philip had us on the edges of our seats, fighting neck and neck apart from REPUSHED which gave Zarte the lead (Philip admitted in the Daily Chat he had this word but did not risk it! )

What is this Daily Chat u speak of, Ryan? Is there somewhere I can read this?

Steve Hawdon wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:45 am

Ryan Lam wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:37 pm

Literally, both Zarte and Philip had us on the edges of our seats, fighting neck and neck apart from REPUSHED which gave Zarte the lead (Philip admitted in the Daily Chat he had this word but did not risk it! )

What is this Daily Chat u speak of, Ryan? Is there somewhere I can read this?

Daily Chat is an event that takes place on Apterous where people go into a private chat and watch/play along with the show of that day.

A great final - not quite the greatest for me, I'd give that to Graeme's win - but pretty awesome. Congrats to both for a super show.

Next up Only Connect?

And how the hell did those lemons get there unseen? If the previous day's trick was a bit mundane that one was brilliant.

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 1:17 am Zarte you'll make the coc right?

No he won't - the producer decided he wasn't good enough sadly.

Keith Bennett wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 8:45 am Next up Only Connect?

Nope - unlike Graeme, I am what they call in quiz circles, a bit thick.

Zarte Siempre wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:41 am

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 1:17 am Zarte you'll make the coc right?

I would assume so, but it could be that I managed to offend the nation with my waistcoat and will be persona non grata come next week. I'm waiting for an official invite before confirming.

Fingers crossed

Elliott Mellor wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 8:56 am

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 1:17 am Zarte you'll make the coc right?

No he won't - the producer decided he wasn't good enough sadly.

Oooooookkkkkkkkk??????????!

Elliott Mellor wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:48 pmand also very very nearly the first max game on screen since 2013

What about when Dan crushed me in 2014

Zarte Siempre wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 12:02 am I'VE FINALLY GOT A GOOD, AND MEANINGFUL RECORD. I'm happier about this than I thought I would be.

Well, when the CoC comes around you will have to set your sights on 377, get more than that and you'll have the most points ever (if Conor's 2364 is actually the current highest) so it's not over yet!!

George Pryn wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 12:20 pm

Elliott Mellor wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:48 pmand also very very nearly the first max game on screen since 2013

What about when Dan crushed me in 2014

Ah yes, forgot about that!

Just got around to seeing these games due to the World Cup clashes and catch up tv taking it's sweet time loading up the Thursday semi. Superb final, best game of the series. Very well done Zarte on becoming series champ, magnificent performances throughout, many congrats sir , I only remembered superking not being in because it reminded me of the old Matchbox toy vehicles and tried it on apterous once. Also very well done Philip on becoming series runner-up, superb performance and games played in great spirit. Finally well done all series contestants and the Countdown team on another great series.

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 11:01 am

Elliott Mellor wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 8:56 am

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 1:17 am Zarte you'll make the coc right?

No he won't - the producer decided he wasn't good enough sadly.

Oooooookkkkkkkkk??????????!

The CoC is a higher level. Zarte's decent but with limited spaces, he needed to win the final on a non-crucial.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 3:46 pm

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 11:01 am

Elliott Mellor wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 8:56 am

No he won't - the producer decided he wasn't good enough sadly.

Oooooookkkkkkkkk??????????!

The CoC is a higher level. Zarte's decent but with limited spaces, he needed to win the final on a non-crucial.

Oh. Did not know that. Thanks

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:55 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 3:46 pm

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 11:01 am
Oooooookkkkkkkkk??????????!

The CoC is a higher level. Zarte's decent but with limited spaces, he needed to win the final on a non-crucial.

Oh. Did not know that. Thanks

I can't live with myself. None of this is true.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:01 pm

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:55 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 3:46 pm

The CoC is a higher level. Zarte's decent but with limited spaces, he needed to win the final on a non-crucial.

Oh. Did not know that. Thanks

I can't live with myself. None of this is true.

K

I'd just like to echo what's already been said on here so far.

Absolutely amazing final and an incredible standard played in brilliant spirits.

Just simply one of the best ive seen - Philip in sensational form and Zarte basically being Zarte.

A third encounter in CoC!?! Lets make it happen lads....

Ian Birdman wrote: ↑Sun Jun 24, 2018 5:58 pm I'd just like to echo what's already been said on here so far.

Absolutely amazing final and an incredible standard played in brilliant spirits.

Just simply one of the best ive seen - Philip in sensational form and Zarte basically being Zarte.

A third encounter in CoC!?! Lets make it happen lads....

Completely honestly, and not making jokes about my heart, I would genuinely rather not have a third match.

What is there to be accomplished? If Philip wins, it's 2-1. It's not like it's a decider. It'd be... solace at best.

If I win, then I stop Philip showing other people what he can do again and I don't *want* to do that/

Frankly, I'm not too bothered what happens with CoC, I'm just going to enjoy it and cause some (respectful) mischief if I can. But the one thing I really hope, for these reasons, is to be as far away as possible from Philip in the draw.

(OK, there are a couple of other things I wish too, but these more pertain to knowing that they're people I probably wouldn't get to banter with, which isn't as big an end of the world)

You're eight points ahead towards the end. Both playing just about faultlessly. Your opponent declares an eight. How likely does your dodgy nine have to be to make it worth risking? Probably all you geniuses know this already, but (making a few assumptions) I was quite surprised at just how worthwhile it is to take the chance even if you really think it's odds against.

David Williams wrote: ↑Sun Jun 24, 2018 10:45 pm You're eight points ahead towards the end. Both playing just about faultlessly. Your opponent declares an eight. How likely does your dodgy nine have to be to make it worth risking? Probably all you geniuses know this already, but (making a few assumptions) I was quite surprised at just how worthwhile it is to take the chance even if you really think it's odds against.

1) I was fairly sure that between the cigarettes, and superkingdom being a word, one of them would be in. I only saw it very late in the round, so I didn't have long to muse on it - you can see me scribbling something as it zooms on the clock.

2) If it were invalid, it made it level, it meant that a conundrum could separate us, and if neither of us spotted it I didn't lose. I was ALREADY in a situation where a conundrum could separate us and if neither of us spotted it I didn't lose - fine brings a tiebreak that I could lose in, but it's a minimal change.

3) If it were in, I'm home and dry.

On all levels, it felt like the sensible play. If you're looking for an actual objective, statistical answer though, I don't have a clue

Zarte Siempre wrote: ↑Mon Jun 25, 2018 8:34 am

David Williams wrote: ↑Sun Jun 24, 2018 10:45 pm You're eight points ahead towards the end. Both playing just about faultlessly. Your opponent declares an eight. How likely does your dodgy nine have to be to make it worth risking? Probably all you geniuses know this already, but (making a few assumptions) I was quite surprised at just how worthwhile it is to take the chance even if you really think it's odds against.

1) I was fairly sure that between the cigarettes, and superkingdom being a word, one of them would be in. I only saw it very late in the round, so I didn't have long to muse on it - you can see me scribbling something as it zooms on the clock.

2) If it were invalid, it made it level, it meant that a conundrum could separate us, and if neither of us spotted it I didn't lose. I was ALREADY in a situation where a conundrum could separate us and if neither of us spotted it I didn't lose - fine brings a tiebreak that I could lose in, but it's a minimal change.

3) If it were in, I'm home and dry.

On all levels, it felt like the sensible play. If you're looking for an actual objective, statistical answer though, I don't have a clue

I suppose it could depend on how likely you think it is that the (first) conundrum will get solved. If you think that one of you will probably get it, then there's not much difference between level and an 8-point gap. So take the gamble!

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:55 amI suppose it could depend on how likely you think it is that the (first) conundrum will get solved. If you think that one of you will probably get it, then there's not much difference between level and an 8-point gap. So take the gamble!

Yeah. To me it seems stupid to go into a conundrum backing yourself to not get it.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:01 pm

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:55 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 3:46 pm

The CoC is a higher level. Zarte's decent but with limited spaces, he needed to win the final on a non-crucial.

Oh. Did not know that. Thanks

I can't live with myself. None of this is true.

Why'd you tell me that it's not true? Were you feeling guilty?

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 6:07 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:01 pm

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:55 pm
Oh. Did not know that. Thanks

I can't live with myself. None of this is true.

Why'd you tell me that it's not true? Were you feeling guilty?

Well you seemed to be believing it. I mean, I don't know if you were just playing along, but I was feeling a bit guilty.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 6:17 pm

Owen Carroll wrote: ↑Wed Jun 27, 2018 6:07 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:01 pm
I can't live with myself. None of this is true.

Why'd you tell me that it's not true? Were you feeling guilty?

Well you seemed to be believing it. I mean, I don't know if you were just playing along, but I was feeling a bit guilty.

Oh I did believe it. It's hard to tell if someone's joking or not through text. Well thanks for telling me. It would be weird if Zarte wasn't in coc