Spoilers for Friday March 29th 2013 (Series 68 Prelim 16)

[Jordan F]

After Andy Platt successfully completed his run as an octochamp yesterday, we end the week today with two new contestants. Which one of them will succeed and try to become an octochamp in his or her own right?

Join our newest octochamp, Andy Platt himself, for the recap later.

[Andy Platt]

For anyone that doesn't know or didn't work it out, my octo reserve (you know - they need two new contestants rather than just one) was apterous member and, recently at least, forum regular Peter Fenton, so, you know who to support

Regarding the recap, I've got late shift in work today so I'll try and have it done by about midnight or 1am.

[James Robinson]

Nice alternate 7 in round 1 - PIROGEN

[James Robinson]

That odd laugh in round 2 suggests there might've been a recut......................

[James Robinson]

1st Numbers Alt.: ((10 + 3) x 50) - ((9 - 2) x 3) = 629

[James Robinson]

Round 5: SODALITE/SODALITY

[Andy Platt]

Things just got a little more enthusiastic around here Nice to have you back, James

When you said there was a laugh in round 2, what word did Peter declare?

[James Robinson]

Things just got a little more enthusiastic around here Nice to have you back, James

When you said there was a laugh in round 2, what word did Peter declare?

WANTED

[Andy Platt]

Thought so but I didn't want to ask the other way around in case it was a spoiler

I can confirm he did originally declare WANKED but the production team wanted to change his word to WANTED for some reason

Bit disappointing as I like the cheeky stuff, but I've heard that one of the reasons for removing it this time rather than in previous occasions when WANKER has been allowed to stay in was that they worked out in advance that it would be a school holiday at the time of broadcast and thus more 6-18s will be watching than normal.

[James Robinson]

Round 7: RATOON

[James Robinson]

Round 8: COGITOS/COOTIES

[Giles]

A nice alt to 301: (50-7)*(10-3)

[Giles]

Stephen Coen ‏@StephenCoen1 14m

Just got a 9 letter word watching countdown, college is paying off, lecturer be so proud #winning

Was there a 9? And what did this person think it might have been?

[Jack Worsley]

Cool alt. for the second numbers: (100x50x4-75)/25+5 = 802. Where's Andy when you need him?

[James Robinson]

Stephen Coen ‏@StephenCoen1 14m

Just got a 9 letter word watching countdown, college is paying off, lecturer be so proud #winning

Was there a 9? And what did this person think it might have been?

No 9's so far today.................

[Andy Platt]

Cool alt. for the second numbers: (100x50x4-75)/25+5 = 802. Where's Andy when you need him?

That was the exact method I had from the green room

[James Robinson]

A very good display there, Peter. Some very good spots such as STEADILY and BEANERS.

Hopefully some more wins to come.

[Jack Worsley]

Well done Peter, very good performance. Hopefully more of the same on Monday.

[Andy Platt]

Congrats again Peter.
I think we're all hoping you can set up an all-apto showdown with that Giles kid.

[Peter Fenton]

Thanks for the positive comments. As Andy said, I did indeed declare WANKED in Round 2 but they edited it out and asked me to declare WANTED instead. Andy may have been disappointed but I think my Mum watching in the audience was quite relieved!

[Martin Long]

Well done Peter, a very good performance. Very good method for the first numbers game and some very good word spots as has been said.

[Dave Preece]

Very suprised they didnt get last numbers; 'twas so easy?

Good result Peter, hope you win a few more!

[Andy Platt]

Very suprised they didnt get last numbers; 'twas so easy?

Heh. It's easy to be very quick to say that a particular round here and there was straightforward, I've done it myself. But when you're there it's tougher. Peter scored 34 out of 40 on the numbers - a figure more than about 80 or 90% of contestants take I'd guess (well, 30BC aside, as those guys are more comfortable in the studio environment already), so fair play.

[Peter Fenton]

Very suprised they didnt get last numbers; 'twas so easy?

In our defence, and as Andy said above and has been said on the forum before (here for example - R10), the numbers game is probably more difficult in the studio than watching at home or playing online. Just the simple fact of being in a different environment than you're used to (like playing away from home in football) makes it more challenging, but the numbers round especially so as it tends to require much greater cognitive demands than the letters round does.

Having said all that, you're absolutely right as it was quite an easy one and I was kicking myself for missing it. I tried both going up from 550 and down from 600 but wasn't able to step back a bit and see the more obvious way. (Not even sure it was possible using 11 or 12 as a multiplier).

If nothing else, then at least a good number of viewers at home can feel pleased with themselves for beating both the contestants - doubt it has happened very often in the last two weeks!

[Philip Jarvis]

Quote from 6 March spoiler:

Absolutely right about the numbers - my brain just can't handle the simplest solutions in the studio environment. Even when I had a chance of scoring in the 3rd numbers game, I inexplicably said 5 when I meant to say 7 as a multiplier.

My theory is that the part of the brain that undertakes calculations is too busy trying to cope with all the pressure etc of being in the studio. At the time, I could not understand why I wasn't seeing easy spots.

I now have even more admiration for those who are able to do the numbers on the programme. Those who may not have had this experience should think twice before highlighting so-called "easy" solutions.

Congratulations on your win Peter - a good solid performance.

[Nina Boyd]

Well done, Peter! Huddersfield flies the flag!

[Peter Fenton]

Cheers Nina, Phil and Martin (from earlier post).

I think you're right Phil - there's a lot to cope with. I did a similar thing to what you described in my first numbers where I said something silly like '10x2=50' but was fortunately able to correct myself quickly enough.

Sorry to disappoint you Nina but afraid I'm not from Huddersfield I'm not far though as I'm based in Leeds (although not originally).

[Jon Corby]

Stephen Coen ‏@StephenCoen1 14m

Just got a 9 letter word watching countdown, college is paying off, lecturer be so proud #winning

Was there a 9? And what did this person think it might have been?

Untweaked in round two presumably.