Best opening word ever

[Ben Hunter]

What's the best opening word you can remember from a game of Countdown?

Matthew Green mentioned this stormer from series 42: http://www.countdownwiki.com/Episode_2797, though one of my personal favourites is this bad boy from Paul Howe: http://www.countdownwiki.com/Episode_4109. He probably borrowed the idea of terrifying your opponent with an awesome opening word from this contestant: http://www.countdownwiki.com/Episode_4030

[Paul Howe]

He probably borrowed the idea of terrifying your opponent with an awesome opening word from this contestant: http://www.countdownwiki.com/Episode_4030

Haha, I was really quite fortunate to win that game. For about 25 seconds all I had in that round was paedos, so it was a relief to spot SPARED despite it being a bit rubbish. Otherwise we might have been subjected to the following conversation:

DL: So what's your six then, Paul?
PH: Errrrrrrm... paedos? *sinks ashamedly into chair, a tricky manoeuvre when you're 6"4'*
DL: I see. Better move onto the 9 then.
AC: Desperado?
SD: Brilliant. And just for the record Paul, paedos isn't allowed. And you're banned from Countdown.

MYOGLOBIN is ridiculously brilliant though, especially with the distraction of boomingly^.

[Richard Priest]

I remember being wowed by JAPONICAS from Maria Boyes in the first round of one of her early games.

[Johnny Canuck]

It may not be a 9, but Barry Grossman's opening word here takes the cake.