Series 80 Player Analysis and Ongoing Discussion Thread (Spoilers Inside!)

[Tom S]

Hi all, as promised I've started an analysis of those who are in the running to be finalists. I'll start with the 3 octochamps that we have at the moment, and will make additions as the series progresses.

Dinos Sfyris
Current Seed: 1
Wins: 8
Points: 918 (114.75 per game)
Total Max: 81/120 (67.5%)

Letters Maxes: 49/80 (61.3%)
Badged Words:(7+ length maxes not previously submitted as a max by a contestant on Countdown before at time of broadcast):11
Medalled Words: (7+ length maxes not previously submitted as a max by a contestant or DC on CD before at time of broadcast): 4
Badged: Corsages, Disgorge, Pinafores, Treenails, Caponised, Quirted, Pomading, Rotifer, Headshot, Baroness, Absolve
Medalled: Amortises, Shagged, Nowhere, Diapering

Numbers 25/32 (78.1%)
6S: 3/4 (75%)
1L: 20/25 (80%)
2L: 2/3 (67%)
3L: N/A
4L: N/A

Conundrums: 7 /8
7 Won, 0 Lost, 1 Unsolved

Some very impressive stats from Mr Sfyris- especially the amount of 9s spotted. His numbers consistency has also been very well demonstrated too (though it shall be interesting to see his 3L/4L skills are shown in the finals), as was his general lightning fast speed on the conundrums. Very good effort indeed! Well done Dinos- look forward to seeing you in the finals!

[Tom S]

Brendan Whitehurst:
Current Seed: 2
Wins: 8
Points: 821 (102.6 per game)
Total Max: 55/120 (45.8%)

Letters Maxes: 26/80 (32.5%)
Badged Words: 0
Medalled Words: 3
B: N/A
M:Trollied (which his opponent also got too, so a "shared" medal there ), Virtued, Obscured

Numbers: 25/32 (78.1%)
6S: N/A
1L: 13/17 (76%)
2L: 12/14 (85%)
3L: 0/1
4L:

Conundrums: 4/8 (50%)
4 Solved, 2 Lost, 2 Unsolved

Congrats to Brendan on his octochampdom and coming across as a thoroughly nice person. I think the letters stats do him a bit dirty here, as he is capable of some good letters spots, but nevertheless has the odd tendency at times to miss some more gettable words, which would be his main area to work on imo as consistency is key in the finals for success. Nevertheless, his numbers are very strong and he has a good conundrum record, so look forward to seeing him in the finals!

[Tom S]

Maggie Barlow:
Current Seed: 3
Wins: 8
Points: 794 (99.25 per game)
Total Max: 66/120 (55%)

Letters Maxes: 40/80 (50%)
Badged Words: 4
Medalled Words: 6
B: Coarsest, Gullets, Untested, Crazing
M: Milkiest, Assizes, Tandoor, Unthread, Bailouts, Outlain (sorry Toby, going to give it to Maggie as it was declared valid)

Numbers: 19/32 (59.4%)
6S: 1/3 (33%)
1L: 14/17 (82%)
2L: 4/8 (50%)
3L: 0/2
4L: 0/2

Conundrums: 7/8
7 Solved, 0 Lost, 1 Unsolved

Well Maggie's stats throw a bit of a spanner in the works as her overall max count is a good 10 points higher than Brendan's, though he does compensate for that in his numbers stats. Unlike the 2 chaps presently above her in the table, Maggie has experienced all selections and has weathered not too badly on them as a whole- with her speciality lying in 1L. However, other finalists will do what they can to win and will probably employ more trickier selections instead of 1L, which will be what she needs to practise imo. Nevertheless, her other stats are very good- she could even be a dark horse in the finals- but congrats to Maggie nevertheless on being the first female octochamp in 3 years!

[Gavin Chipper]

Well Maggie's stats throw a bit of a spanner in the works as her overall max count is a good 10 points higher than Brendan's

This doesn't surprise me at all actually.

[Tom S]

Well Maggie's stats throw a bit of a spanner in the works as her overall max count is a good 10 points higher than Brendan's

This doesn't surprise me at all actually.

It was just the close debut game between herself and John which brought her score down really. Her letters stats are not actually that much lower than Dinos' to be honest, which considering she is not an Apterite, is a very good feat. Nevertheless, Brendan joined Apterous after his run was broadcasted, so I'd imagine that he's built on his ability during his run.....

[Tom S]

Steven Turnbull:
Current Seed: 4
Wins: 8
Points: 619 (77.38 per game)
Total Max: 42/120 (35%) (exc. TB conundrum)

Letters Maxes: 24 /80 (30%)
Badged Words: 1
Medalled Words: 3
B: Lurgies
M: Happens, Neither, Peroxide.

Numbers Maxes: 16/32 (50%)
6S: 0/1
1L: 10/19 (52.6%)
2L: 4/10 (40%)
3L: 2/2
4L: N/A

Conundrum Maxes: 2/8 (25%) (exc. Tie-Breaker)
2 Solved, 5 Unsolved, 1 Lost.

Although Steven now holds the accolade for the lowest octochamp total, His stats are very similar to those of Dave Ashton from the last series, who got exactly 120 points more in his total, which means that his "octototal" has done him dirty, in my opinion. Think Steven's main area to focus on is his numbers, should he make the finals (which I'm sure he will).Nevertheless, I was still wondering when the last octochamp to win a Tie-Breaker was- feels like a while? So, congratulations on the octochamp status Steven, and thanks for providing us with some edge-of-your-seat games during your run!

[Andy McGurn]

I was still wondering when the last octochamp to win a Tie-Breaker was

Moose

[Tom S]

I was still wondering when the last octochamp to win a Tie-Breaker was

Moose

Ah yes! Thanks for that- was thinking it was even longer....

[Tom S]

After quite some time, I can finally update this thread with a new octochamp!

Fiona Titcombe
Current Seed: 4
Wins: 8
Points: 720 (90 per game)
Total Max: 35 /120 (29.2%)

Letters Maxes: 19/80 (23.75%)
Badged Words: 2
Medalled Words: 1
B: Overused, Moralises
M:Adjoiner

Numbers Maxes: 13/32 (40.7%)
6S: 0/1
1L: 9/21 (43%)
2L: 3/8 (33.3%)
3L: 1/1 (100%)
4L: 0/1

Conundrum Maxes: 3/8 (37.5%)
3 Solved, 2 Unsolved, 3 Lost

Whilst Fiona's stats aren't as high as Steven's, she has definitely proven herself to be a good player, with some nice letters spots and good numbers solves. Good luck to her!

[Tom S]

Elliott Mellor

Current Seed:1
Wins: 8
Points: 1061 (132.6 per game)
Total Max: 102/120 (85%)

Letters Maxes: 63/80 (78.75%)
Badged Words: 6
Medalled Words: 15
B:Nodalizes, Porkier, Mediatory, Carrioles, Judicare, Oxidises
M: Taiapure, Neoterism, Animateur, Infracted, Reusage, Wisteria, Operance, Monodias, Untoward, Andisols, Opalise, Menswear, Reefpoint, Forelimb, Posteriad

Numbers Maxes: 31/32 (97%)
6S: 1/1 (100%
1L: 26 /27 (96.3%)
2L: 1/1 (100%)
3L: 1/1 (100%)
4L: 2/2 (100 %)

Conundrum Maxes: 8/8 (100 %)
8 Solved, 0 Unsolved, 0 Lost

1 word: WOW. As if there were not strong enough players in these finals already, Elliott has just upped the standard significantly. It's been one of the strongest series in years, and Elliott's record breaking skills have only enhanced it.

[Fiona T]

Total Max: 102/120 (85%)

102 maxes is, I think, another record breaker. A formidable opponent indeed!

[Tom S]

Total Max: 102/120 (85%)

102 maxes is, I think, another record breaker. A formidable opponent indeed!

100%!

[Zarte Siempre]

Total Max: 102/120 (85%)

102 maxes is, I think, another record breaker. A formidable opponent indeed!

100%!

No... 85%...

[Tom S]

102 maxes is, I think, another record breaker. A formidable opponent indeed!

100%!

No... 85%...

Pedant

[Jon O'Neill]

Love the badged/medalled stuff.

[Tom S]

Love the badged/medalled stuff.

Thanks but I take no credit for it- credit should go to Martin Hurst who devised the whole format. It is always interesting to have a look and see though!

[Tom S]

Sandra PIlson
Wins: 6
Points: 630
Seed:7
Total Maxes: 43 /105 (41%)

Letters Maxes: 23 /70 (33%)
Badged Words: 1
Medalled Words: N/A
B: Louries
M:

Numbers Maxes: 17/28 (61%)
6S: 1/1 (100%)
1L: 2/4 (50 %)
2L: 11/21 (52%)
3L: N/A
4L: 2/2 (100 %)

Conundrum Maxes: 3/7 (43%)
3 Solved, 5 Unsolved.

For someone who did not become an octochamp, Sandra proved herself to be a good, rounded player, who's overall max % beats the #5 and #6 seeds. She even had a better letters % than the #3 seed, which all attributes to her being quite unfortunate to not get 8 imo- especially after being 1 second too late on her final conundrum against Arran.

She'll face Dinos in her QF, who has been excellent throughout, and whilst I am confident that the win will be his, I think she'll put up a good fight and give a good account of herself as she did in her preliminary run.

[Tom S]

Mark Decouto:
Wins:6
Points:544
Seed:8
Total Max: 28 /105 (27%)

Letters Max: 17/70 (24%)
Badged: N/A
Medalled: 2
B: N/A
M: Funkiest, Certain

Numbers Max: 7/28 (25%)
6S: 0/9
1L: 5/10 (50%)
2L: 2/8 (25%)
3L: N/A
4L: 1/1 (100%)

Conundrum Max: 4/6 (75%)
4 Solved, 1 Lost, 1 Unsolved.

So Mark comes in as the #8 seed and has the unenviable task of facing Elliott in the QF. Whilst his stats on the whole do him a bit dirty, he has had some nice letters spots and is strong on the conundrums- wish him luck in the finals!

[Carl Harrison]

This was a great thread in Series 80! - some really interesting stats. Now that we're up to 6 Octochamps already in Series 81, with a couple of really good new ones in the last few weeks, it would be good to have something similar this time if you're able to do it again Tom...?

[Tom S]

HI Carl- Many thanks for the kind comments, but I think on this occasion I will have to hand the baton over to anyone who wants it, as I am a bit booked up with other events at the moment. But it's always good fun to do for a statto like myself