Spoilers For Monday December 14th 2009

[James Robinson]

Well, this is the last week of Countdown in this decade, unless you're Andy Thomson, then it's the last week of Countdown in the penultimate year of this decade.

This 3rd quarter-final is between No.3 Seed Innis Carson and No.6 Seed Jeffrey "The Burginator" Burgin.

Here are some stats.

Firstly, Number 3 Seed Innis Carson - 8 Wins, 861 Points
Highest Score: 115 vs. Martyn Brewer (2nd Game) & Danny Marsh (7th Game)
Lowest Score: 94 vs. Mike Moran (6th Game)
9's Achieved: 4
Conundrum Success: 7/8 (Most In Under 1 Second!)

Secondly, Number 6 Seed Jeffrey Burgin - 8 Wins, 695 Points (Including 10 From Conundrum Error)
Highest Score: 95 vs. Martin Edwards (6th Game)
Lowest Score: 73 vs. Richard Moody (8th Game)
9's Achieved: 4
Conundrum Success: 1/8

Despite the gap in points accrued and conundrum success rate, I think this actually might be a close game. Although, if it does go to a crucial, my money would be on Innis, but's that's just my view.

In DC, back for a second go is Rory McGrath, clearly a favourite of quite a lot of forumites, judging by praise from the past. Clearly delighted that he is back in the corner.

[Dinos Sfyris]

Guinness Larsen

[Charlie Reams]

Well, this is the last week of Countdown in this decade, unless you're Andy Thomson, then it's the last week of Countdown in the penultimate year of this decade.

[Howard Somerset]

... unless you're Andy Thomson, then it's the last week of Countdown in the penultimate year of this decade.

Nice to know there's someone else who knows when millennia, centuries and decades finish.

[Mark Kudlowski]

Numbers 2:
((10 x 8 x 4) + 2) x 2

[Marc Meakin]

RAZOO also for 5

[Mark Kudlowski]

ORANGIEST in last letters round ?

[Jojo Apollo]

Well played Innis and commiserations to Jeffrey.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the big showdown on Thursday between Innis and Chris.

[Kai Laddiman]

BIOMETRY

[Marc Meakin]

ORANGIEST in last letters round ?

http://www.apterous.org/lexplorer.php?word=orangiest.
Sorry.

[Marc Meakin]

Well played Innis and commiserations to Jeffrey.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the big showdown on Thursday between Innis and Chris.

That will be too close to call.

[James Robinson]

Wasn't there OBEDIANT in round 2? (or is it OBEDIENT?)

[Chris Davies]

Wasn't there OBEDIANT in round 2? (or is it OBEDIENT?)

It's OBEDIENT

[Ian Dent]

Unlucky Jeff, thought you played jolly well throughout. Good countdown career.

[Ben Hunter]

I like Innis, he's a really gracious player.

[Ralph Gillions]

I am sad to see Jeff depart.
I have enjoyed his performances very much.
Thanks Jeffrey.
Well done Innis.

[Darren Carter]

Well played Jeffrey, you did extremely well considering the lack of practice you had beforehand. Likewise well played Innis, really looking forward to the Carson v Davies quarter final, it's bound to be an epic encounter.

[Kirk Bevins]

really looking forward to the Carson v Davies quarter final, it's bound to be an epic encounter.

I think you mean semi final but yeah, it was the match up everyone wanted and some reckon records could be broken (e.g. highest losing score and so on). Good luck to both.

[Ryan Taylor]

I enjoyed this game, it was funny being with Jeff (and Bob DC) the matches before this one discussing how best to disrupt Innis. I am sat next to Brian Selway in the audience for this one and it was an agonising wait as this show had lots of unexpected problems in it. I think it was nearly midday when me and Brian took to the seats. I felt more at ease though peeking to see how Brian was getting along in this game.

[Jeffrey Burgin]

Cheers chaps, and well done Innis on a great performance. Little bit gutted at missing the second numbers, at missing anything in round 2 (BANDIT/BANDITO/OBTAINED) and missing OILIEST in round whatever. That said, even with those, I still would have lost, so c'est la vie I guess.

I can also confirm Ryan's claim that I tried numerous times to disrupt Innis with a five-vowel opening salvo, a six-consonant starting string, various other jumbled selections and a series of 'risky' words as I tried to force him to gamble. Alas, with these and the added distractions of a big break for no apparent reason after round 2 and CECIL breaking down, I was still soundly beaten, which shows the class of the bloke. Still, left with a 9 and MOTLIEST under my belt and a whole host of great memories, so rounded it off nicely.

[Howard Somerset]

... the added distractions of a big break for no apparent reason after round 2 ...

The problem at the end of round 2 was that one of the cameras had failed. I think it was the one that did the close-ups of you during the 30 second countdowns in each round.

Anyway, well done to both you and Innis. A very good game to watch, in spite of the breaks.

[Ben Hunter]

Still, left with a 9 and MOTLIEST under my belt and a whole host of great memories, so rounded it off nicely.

It was a great quarters and (despite being the worst octochamp in human history™) you looked and performed every bit the finalist.

Cannae wait to see what tomorrow brings.

[Matt Morrison]

Still, left with a 9 and MOTLIEST under my belt and a whole host of great memories, so rounded it off nicely.

It was a great quarters and (despite being the worst octochamp in human history™) you looked and performed every bit the finalist.

Cannae wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Hear here.

[Gavin Chipper]

ORANGIEST in last letters round ?

http://www.apterous.org/lexplorer.php?word=orangiest.
Sorry.

I was thinking when this came up that people often say that when they have a nine they try and act like they haven't so they don't give away that there's a nine in the selection. But when you know from the letters that eight is definitely the max, perhaps you could act all cocky and take a few sips from your drink, especially if the other person is declaring first. Then they'll think you've got a nine so will go for for an invalid one themselves.