Spoilers for Thursday 23rd April 2020 (Series 82, Prelim 81)

[Toby McDonald]

R3 Alt.: ((100-7)*(8/2))-5
R6 Alt.: ((10*3)+50+1)*6

[James Robinson]

1st Numbers Alts.: ((100 + (2 x 10)) x (8 - 5)) + 7 & ((100 - (2 x 10) - 8) x 5) + 7 = 367
4th Numbers Alts.: (75 x 5) - 100 - (7 x 10) & ((50 - 7) x 5) - 10 = 205

[Gavin Chipper]

Rachel at the coaching again today. Would it have left a sour taste if a contestant won because Rachel had helped them specifically? Wasn't far off happening today.

[Tom S]

Rachel at the coaching again today. Would it have left a sour taste if a contestant won because Rachel had helped them specifically? Wasn't far off happening today.

I think it's a perfectly legitimate thing to do- it wasn't as if Rachel was saying "PICK 6 SMALL IF YOU WANT A CHANCE OF GETTING A CRUCIAL!".

[Gavin Chipper]

Rachel at the coaching again today. Would it have left a sour taste if a contestant won because Rachel had helped them specifically? Wasn't far off happening today.

I think it's a perfectly legitimate thing to do- it wasn't as if Rachel was saying "PICK 6 SMALL IF YOU WANT A CHANCE OF GETTING A CRUCIAL!".

I used not to think anything of it but when Ian pointed it out I decided it's probably a little bit off. Think of it from the other player's point of view. You're, say, 19 points up, your opponent picks 1 large and you're just an easy numbers game away from the win. But then Rachel pipes up and starts recommending tactics to your opponent and everything changes!

[Tom S]

Rachel at the coaching again today. Would it have left a sour taste if a contestant won because Rachel had helped them specifically? Wasn't far off happening today.

I think it's a perfectly legitimate thing to do- it wasn't as if Rachel was saying "PICK 6 SMALL IF YOU WANT A CHANCE OF GETTING A CRUCIAL!".

I used not to think anything of it but when Ian pointed it out I decided it's probably a little bit off. Think of it ftom the other player's point of view. You're, say, 19 points up, your opponent picks 1 large and you're just an easy numbers game away from the win. But then Rachel pipes up and starts recommending tactics to your opponent and everything changes!

It is a fair point, no doubt about it- I can imagine that is especially annoying if you are numerically not that strong. I think C1 knows that it is not done out of bias as Rachel always apologises to the champ afterwards.

[Howie Myers]

r1 alt - WADDERS
r10 alt - CAMPIEST
r11 alt - SEMANTIC
r13 alt - ABERRATE

[Ian Fitzpatrick]

I agree with Gavin, Rachel doesn't "have to do it2 as she suggests.

Also crampiest in r10 which probably isn't valid as very few of my nines seem to be!!

[Philip Wilson]

Unspoilt in one of the early rounds. Oed seems to default to unspoiled but then it says British Unspoilt. I'm saying yes

[Philip Wilson]

Rachel at the coaching again today. Would it have left a sour taste if a contestant won because Rachel had helped them specifically? Wasn't far off happening today.

I think it's a perfectly legitimate thing to do- it wasn't as if Rachel was saying "PICK 6 SMALL IF YOU WANT A CHANCE OF GETTING A CRUCIAL!".

I'm usually ok with Rachel pointing out the situation in these cases, but to be fair to both, the contestant should do the choosing I'd say.

[Gavin Chipper]

She could say something before they make their selection. Materially it might not make much difference but I think it just looks worse if she tries to change their mind.

[Philip Wilson]

She could say something before they make their selection. Materially it might not make much difference but I think it just looks worse if she tries to change their mind.

Right, but that would mean Rachel jumping in between Nick inviting the contestant to choose and them doing so. Perhaps it would be better coming from Nick in that case?

[Ian Fitzpatrick]

She could say something before they make their selection. Materially it might not make much difference but I think it just looks worse if she tries to change their mind.

Right, but that would mean Rachel jumping in between Nick inviting the contestant to choose and them doing so. Perhaps it would be better coming from Nick in that case?

Ha ha, that would mean Nick had some idea of what was going on!