On Countdown, if the player's answer isn't the intended solution but it's valid, the answer is accepted, perhaps after a retake - see episode 7058, for example.
In particular, the other player shouldn't get to have the conundrum scrapped and redone, effectively getting a second chance to win the game, just because it has two solutions neither of which they spotted.
I thought this was pretty well known as the fairest solution all round, but on more than one occasion at co-events - including a recent one in a game which decided who played in the final - the conundrum has ended up being replayed, in the belief that the conundrum is "illegal". This simply isn't fair to the player who solved the conundrum.
I propose that FOCAL makes an official ruling on these, to apply to all FOCAL events from now on and for circulation to organisers to avoid any confusion in the future.
I suggest the following rules:
- A player's conundrum answer is correct if it's a valid word, is an anagram of the scramble, isn't the same as the scramble, and isn't a regular plural*.
- The first correct answer wins the round.
- A conundrum may not be replayed just because it is found to have more than one solution.
- If a player's answer was rejected as incorrect during the round, but after the round it is found to have been correct, the round is re-scored appropriately.
Here are some example scenarios involving our old friends Alice and Bob, which result from applying the above rules...
Example 1
The scramble is IGOCANDLE.
Alice buzzes and says ALGEDONIC. The host says it's wrong. Bob does not buzz. The time runs out. The host reveals the answer is GENOCIDAL.
Then someone points out that ALGEDONIC is valid.
Result: Alice's answer was correct. 10-0 to Alice.
Example 2
The scramble is IGOCANDLE.
Alice buzzes and says ALGEDONIC. The host says it's wrong. Bob buzzes and says GENOCIDAL. The host says it's correct.
Then someone points out that ALGEDONIC is valid.
Result: Alice gave the first correct answer. 10-0 to Alice.
Example 3
The scramble is IGOCANDLE.
Bob buzzes and says GENOCIDAL. The host says it's correct.
Someone points out that the conundrum has two solutions because ALGEDONIC is also valid.
Result: The conundrum stands. 10-0 to Bob.
Example 4
The scramble is IGOCANDLE.
Neither player buzzes, and the time runs out. The host reveals that the answer is GENOCIDAL.
Someone then realises that ALGEDONIC is also valid, and one of the players says the conundrum should be replayed.
Result: The conundrum stands. No points scored.
Example 5
The scramble is USEMARGIN.
Alice buzzes and says GERANIUMS. The host says it's wrong. Bob buzzes and says MEASURING. The host says it's correct.
Alice argues that GERANIUMS should be accepted.
Result: Alice's answer was not a correct conundrum answer because it's a regular plural. 10-0 to Bob.
I think the above rules best describe the game as it should be played at events. Comments, suggestions and pointing out flaws are welcome.
* This may open up a whole other question of what counts as a regular plural (e.g. MONEYBAGS, PENKNIVES...?). That isn't what this topic is about, but "plural ending with S" is a good starting point.