Search found 265 matches

by Bob De Caux
Mon Jul 28, 2014 2:43 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: You Are The Ref
Replies: 345
Views: 147327

Re: You Are The Ref

6. C1 and C2 are seated with the game about to start. C1 writes the 75 times table, from memory, on one of the provided sheets of paper. C2 spots this and complains to you, saying C1 isn't allowed to use a times table list. Should C1 be allowed to keep the list?) This actually happened in my game a...
by Bob De Caux
Wed Jul 16, 2014 9:04 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Code puzzle
Replies: 8
Views: 3985

Re: Code puzzle

Nice, could see it had something to do with Hamiltonian paths and presumed there must be a neat mathematical approach. Surprised I've never come across it before, actually.
by Bob De Caux
Wed Jul 16, 2014 2:04 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Code puzzle
Replies: 8
Views: 3985

Re: Code puzzle

Graeme, I interpreted it to mean no repeated digits anywhere within the three (the repeated digits case would be substantially easier, I think). Hopefully that is the case, as I found quite a neat way to do this. The sequence below is a minimum solution (i.e. solves all 60 codes using 62 digits), bu...
by Bob De Caux
Tue Jul 08, 2014 1:47 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: Countdowners On Other Quizzes
Replies: 253
Views: 165399

Re: Countdowners On Other Quizzes

Just caught up with this - awesome work from Messrs Binnie and Carson. Generally a pretty fair and balanced reflection of what goes on I think, considering the potential they had to just do a massive hatchet job on everyone. Got to agree with Michael though, Innis - Darjeeling, smoking a pipe, perva...
by Bob De Caux
Thu Mar 13, 2014 12:07 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

2-4-6-8 Motorway was a pretty sneaky way to start the bonus set, as we weren't expecting anything tricksy like numbers not in the main refrain. And yes Matt, for the It's Immaterial song, Richard assured me that he had heard an extra one. I quite liked the round as a concept, but the main question d...
by Bob De Caux
Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:22 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

I don't know - I guessed dimension, but was still surprised when it was right. Maths questions are often necessarily convoluted that I reckon they're much harder than, say, a tough history question. I suppose from another point of view, it wouldn't be that unusual to sit and browse a text on the Se...
by Bob De Caux
Mon Mar 10, 2014 9:59 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Haha, I did actually count the letters Matt! By that stage, it was definitely a case of fuck it, worth a pop. Thanks for the comments though, guys. Shame it ended on a bit of a meh, but we had a good run with a couple of awesome wins, and the questions just didn't really fall for us tonight. I don't...
by Bob De Caux
Mon Mar 10, 2014 3:59 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Back on tonight v Manchester for a place in the semi finals...
by Bob De Caux
Wed Feb 26, 2014 6:39 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Yeah, you've sussed it out, Thomas! It IS Manchester up next, btw.
by Bob De Caux
Tue Feb 25, 2014 11:25 am
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Thanks guys. We knew it was going to be a really tough game as we were aware of the Vermeer/Beer tandem, and once you get off to a bad start (especially when you know all the answers but are just a fraction too slow), it's very hard to claw your way back into it. So, one more chance....
by Bob De Caux
Wed Feb 05, 2014 12:35 am
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Thanks Michael. I think the last round taught us that if we had a solid hunch, it was probably right, so we were much more confident. I think only Australia and Guggenheim were educated guesses for me (I did actually know Dostoevsky, even though I unnecessarily Hansforded it), and there were a lot o...
by Bob De Caux
Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:54 am
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Thanks Adam. Yes, we were much more relaxed for this game and really enjoyed it
by Bob De Caux
Mon Feb 03, 2014 11:03 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Thanks Thomas. Yes, Somerville next in three weeks time
by Bob De Caux
Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:29 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Cool Things You Did
Replies: 74
Views: 18676

Re: Cool Things You Did

Gavin Chipper wrote:I completed Auf Wiedersehen Monty on my Amstrad emulator today. Never managed it when I originally used to play it, so I'm pretty pleased with that.
Genuinely impressed. Don't think I ever managed to complete that on the Speccy, although it did teach me a hell of a lot about European geography!
by Bob De Caux
Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:04 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Note to Mr Monaghan. Southampton v QUB on Uni Challenge this Monday.
by Bob De Caux
Mon Jan 27, 2014 5:04 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Music Conundrums
Replies: 7
Views: 3642

Re: Music Conundrums

Peter - this is absolutely superb! Really enjoyed doing that. There are just a couple of minor points (below) that you might want to change. Thanks though, I always love finding interesting quizzes on here. The anagrams for MILKSHAKE and SURRENDER don't work - I guessed that was probably where you w...
by Bob De Caux
Fri Jan 10, 2014 12:23 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Linkwords
Replies: 25
Views: 7031

Re: Linkwords

Just had a look at this. The four words are:

SET, DIAL, RISE and SHINE

and the connection is sun. Nice puzzle, Bradley - don't think you explained that each letter is used only once though, or it took me a minute to realise that anyway.

EDIT: Sorry, hidden the answers
by Bob De Caux
Sun Dec 01, 2013 3:59 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Thanks for the comments, guys. The quick buzzing was certainly working well, aided by a lot of science questions!

The Sudan mistake was just bizarre - seems odd that they've had that question sitting around for a few years without thinking to update it.
by Bob De Caux
Mon Nov 25, 2013 11:41 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

I'll see what I can do
by Bob De Caux
Mon Nov 25, 2013 10:37 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Well that was ok. Maybe cut down on the smug grin for the next one
by Bob De Caux
Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:41 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Southampton are back on tomorrow vs Bangor
by Bob De Caux
Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:13 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Yes, thank you for reminding me, James! I can't think who else they could have meant though, Eoin.
by Bob De Caux
Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:12 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Yes Eoin, they were in our filming block for the second round, so we saw them at the hotel and had a chat
by Bob De Caux
Fri Nov 01, 2013 7:31 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Code Word puzzles
Replies: 13
Views: 5131

Re: Code Word puzzles

Cheers Jack, I actually enjoy doing these with slightly more obscure words. Think this one was a bit too easy (too much info gained from MADONNA in my opinion - getting the A and the O opens it up completely), but still very enjoyable.
by Bob De Caux
Wed Oct 30, 2013 1:20 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Code Word puzzles
Replies: 13
Views: 5131

Re: Code Word puzzles

Yeah, I've just done it, Jack - nice one. I agree with Innis that a couple of the words are pretty tough, but actually getting started is pretty straightforward if you attack the right part of the puzzle (which I think is the word across on the fourth row from the bottom, with second letter K follow...
by Bob De Caux
Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:40 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Cheers Thomas, definitely learned a lot from that first round game. It's all about the early buzzing!
by Bob De Caux
Tue Oct 29, 2013 4:53 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Thanks Eoin. Seems that even under pressure, I still find poo jokes funny. Which is worrying!
by Bob De Caux
Mon Oct 28, 2013 9:01 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

:) :) :D :D :D :? :shock: :( :( :( :cry:

Ok, BRING IT ON!
by Bob De Caux
Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:37 pm
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Monday 21st October 2013 (Series 69, Prelim 74)
Replies: 19
Views: 3787

Re: Monday 21st October 2013 (Series 69, Prelim 74)

You need to find by what factor Alice over-exaggerates and by what factor Bob under-exaggerates so that their sentences about each other are true. Let's assume that Bob is under by a factor of 3 and see if it works. His statement implies that Alice is over by a factor of 12 (he says she is over by a...
by Bob De Caux
Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:47 am
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Monday 21st October 2013 (Series 69, Prelim 74)
Replies: 19
Views: 3787

Re: Monday 21st October 2013 (Series 69, Prelim 74)

Awesome. But then I suppose I did cheat by being one of the guards.
by Bob De Caux
Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:39 am
Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
Topic: Monday 21st October 2013 (Series 69, Prelim 74)
Replies: 19
Views: 3787

Re: Monday 21st October 2013 (Series 69, Prelim 74)

Nice puzzle, Graeme. I get 480
by Bob De Caux
Wed Oct 16, 2013 8:52 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Haha, cheers Adam. That must have been an interesting sight!
by Bob De Caux
Tue Oct 15, 2013 3:52 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Hey James, thanks for posting this. We were second to film, so we expect that our playoff will be on 28th October - it's against Loughborough...
by Bob De Caux
Mon Aug 19, 2013 9:05 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

Thanks guys! Yeah, unfortunate to come up against such a strong team in the first round, but we've given ourselves a good shot at a highest loser berth
by Bob De Caux
Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:49 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2013/2014
Replies: 74
Views: 29838

Re: University Challenge 2013/2014

I'll be facing Mr Paxman for Southampton on Uni Challenge tonight
by Bob De Caux
Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:04 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Cryptic Clues - Help Please!
Replies: 17
Views: 7186

Re: Cryptic Clues - Help Please!

Might as well have a crack at CYANIDE as well:

"nice day out" OR "nice day to go travelling" if you don't want to use out again

EDIT: Sorry, only just seen Ryan's very similar clue for this
by Bob De Caux
Mon Jul 08, 2013 11:51 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Cryptic Clues - Help Please!
Replies: 17
Views: 7186

Re: Cryptic Clues - Help Please!

And for Clare Balding - losing hair after clear-out
by Bob De Caux
Mon Jul 08, 2013 11:49 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Cryptic Clues - Help Please!
Replies: 17
Views: 7186

Re: Cryptic Clues - Help Please!

A nice cricketing clue:

Batters grind better
by Bob De Caux
Fri Apr 26, 2013 12:11 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Countdown puzzles
Replies: 38
Views: 11066

Re: Countdown puzzles

Right, after testing a few cases using the answer above, I think the answer to Andy's question is:

100,75,50,25,3,3 Target: 996

You have to go up to 99,600 to solve it (unique solution) and no rearrangement is possible.
by Bob De Caux
Fri Apr 26, 2013 11:49 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Countdown puzzles
Replies: 38
Views: 11066

Re: Countdown puzzles

Haha nice, always wanted my own rule. However I still it's the same as the Gev rule. Can you show me an example where you can go higher and the multiplication/division can't be rearranged?
by Bob De Caux
Wed Apr 24, 2013 12:15 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Countdown puzzles
Replies: 38
Views: 11066

Re: Countdown puzzles

Applying the Gev rule, I'm pretty sure the best you can do is 99,900 as follows:

(((50+3)*25+7)*75)/100 = 999

Anything higher can be rearranged, I think. Of course, there are other ways to get 999 from those numbers though...
by Bob De Caux
Tue Apr 16, 2013 12:00 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: University Challenge 2012/2013
Replies: 28
Views: 9664

Re: University Challenge 2012/2013

Unlucky Tom, but very well played - you've have been one of the top players of the series, without a doubt. Anyone else think that the late-ish maths question was a tad ambiguous? When I first heard it, I misinterpreted the square of x plus y as x^2+y, rather than the correct (x+y)^2. It's quite har...
by Bob De Caux
Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:51 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Birthday Championship Spoilers For Monday January 21st 2013
Replies: 34
Views: 5874

Re: Birthday Championship Spoilers For Monday January 21st 2

MORELLO in R3, CAVENDISH for a nine in R9
by Bob De Caux
Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:45 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz
Replies: 64
Views: 13933

Re: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz

Er, yeah of course that's what I meant :oops: I thought about Music Man earlier as the Meredith link, but someone completely missed that song! Nice one.
by Bob De Caux
Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:38 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz
Replies: 64
Views: 13933

Re: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz

And since I'm picking your brains, can anyone find a closely related pair from the answers to 6? (beyond Paris/France, and Washington/Kingston haven't performed together!) Jack London Angela Brazil Henry Holland Matthew Paris Denzel Washington Neville Shute Norway Alex Kingston Irving Berlin Chriss...
by Bob De Caux
Tue Jan 08, 2013 2:00 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz
Replies: 64
Views: 13933

Re: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz

Just those damn Olympians then... Why the revision? What's next on the Wallace Quiz Show tour? It's an exciting surprise (by which I mean I'd rather wait until at least after the audition to mention it in public, given how jittery production people sometimes seem to get about secrecy). Fair enough,...
by Bob De Caux
Tue Jan 08, 2013 1:47 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz
Replies: 64
Views: 13933

Re: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz

Just those damn Olympians then... Why the revision? What's next on the Wallace Quiz Show tour?
by Bob De Caux
Tue Jan 08, 2013 1:40 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz
Replies: 64
Views: 13933

Re: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz

Ian Volante wrote:Will keep you posted. It's an annoying gap, especially given that I've nailed the other 11 answers, and having the theme should make it relatively easy.
Nevil Shute was only his pen name - I think Shute is his middle name, but his surname is Norway. Which is helpful
by Bob De Caux
Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:47 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz
Replies: 64
Views: 13933

Re: Royal Statistical Society Christmas Quiz

Ah excellent - only just seen this, but thought I would start on the ones you mentioned. Answer to 8a is below... Group A are names used in paintings by people in Group B: Adele by Gustav Klimt, Beata Beatrix by Dante Gabriel Rosetti, Double Elvis by Andy Warhol, Joseph Roulin by Vincent Van Gogh an...
by Bob De Caux
Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:28 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Monday November 19th 2012
Replies: 30
Views: 7134

Re: Spoilers For Monday November 19th 2012

Well played Heather, great stuff
by Bob De Caux
Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:18 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Monday November 19th 2012
Replies: 30
Views: 7134

Re: Spoilers For Monday November 19th 2012

ANATOMIES there for 9 in Round 12
by Bob De Caux
Tue Nov 06, 2012 5:35 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday November 6th 2012 (Series 67 Prelim 66)
Replies: 8
Views: 2027

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday November 6th 2012 (Series 67 Prelim

Tony Atkins wrote:
Bob De Caux wrote:R10: (2*75-6)*(1+1)-25 = 263
Unfortunately the 2 was a 9. It is possible by two ways - both quite hard - one envolving making a 4 digit number.
#
Oops, cheers Tony
by Bob De Caux
Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:25 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday November 6th 2012 (Series 67 Prelim 66)
Replies: 8
Views: 2027

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday November 6th 2012 (Series 67 Prelim

Watching on a slight delay, but FORESAILS was there for 9 in R1
by Bob De Caux
Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:53 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday October 30th 2012 (Series 67 Prelim 61)
Replies: 4
Views: 1530

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday October 30th 2012 (Series 67 Prelim

...and (7*6+1+25)*(7+1) = 544 for Round 14
by Bob De Caux
Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:43 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday October 30th 2012 (Series 67 Prelim 61)
Replies: 4
Views: 1530

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday October 30th 2012 (Series 67 Prelim

((10-7)*25+10)*9-8 = 757 for round 10. Hope everything is still OK over there, Jordan
by Bob De Caux
Mon Oct 22, 2012 8:14 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: COUNTDOWN 30TH CHAMPIONSHIP
Replies: 243
Views: 55886

Re: COUNTDOWN 30TH CHAMPIONSHIP

Yeah, I realised this morning that I was being an idiot. For some reason it hadn't occurred to me that they meant as a guest!