Spoilers for Wednesday, 27th May

[Phil Reynolds]

Simpler first numbers:

(3+1) x (100+50) + 9

[Matt Morrison]

I'm confused as to what the hell went on in the SOAPING round? As usual I was only paying semi-attention, but it was something like:

Nick: 7
James: 7 also
Nick: SOAPING
James: SOAPING (whilst shrugging and muttering under his breath)
Jeff: Ah, I see, you've misdeclared.

Was a vital line of dialogue cut, or was I merely lacking a vital level of concentration?

[Andy Wilson]

James was looking shaky for a couple of rounds and then he got the Jitters...

calories would have been a handy 8 in sectorial round...

[Andy Wilson]

WOMANISE

[Phil Reynolds]

I'm confused as to what the hell went on in the SOAPING round? As usual I was only paying semi-attention, but it was something like:

Nick: 7
James: 7 also
Nick: SOAPING
James: SOAPING (whilst shrugging and muttering under his breath)
Jeff: Ah, I see, you've misdeclared.

Was a vital line of dialogue cut, or was I merely lacking a vital level of concentration?

The latter. James actually muttered, "SOAPING... no". I'm guessing he forgot to say that he hadn't written it down.

[Phil Reynolds]

James was looking shaky for a couple of rounds and then he got the Jitters...

calories would have been a handy 8 in sectorial round...

Or CLOISTER/CORTILES, a perennial Countdown paired 8.

[Kai Laddiman]

James was looking shaky for a couple of rounds and then he got the Jitters...

calories would have been a handy 8 in sectorial round...

Or CLOISTER/CORTILES, a perennial Countdown paired 8.

Or COSTLIER, if you're Fritzl.

Well (apologies for not watchin live) SCLEROTIA was there too.

[Andy Wilson]

Aye, unlucky there. Looks like he might get away with it due to Nick's brokes and coaters though... anyone got those last numbers? Was cookin dinner and didn't see em...

[John Douglas]

BROKE is definitely a verb in my dictionary (whence broker), but I do not have "the" dictionary.

[Andy Wilson]

Slightly easier numbers... (75 + 1) x 4 + 7

[Matt Morrison]

I'm sometimes surprised when Susie asks someone to spell an odd word to make sure they've got it right (when it seems to me that the word couldn't have any likely alternate spellings).

This time I'm very surprised by Susie NOT asking James to confirm whether he was declaring TRYER or TRIER.

[Andy Wilson]

It must be said, Jeff had a stormer today!

[Phil Reynolds]

I'm sometimes surprised when Susie asks someone to spell an odd word to make sure they've got it right (when it seems to me that the word couldn't have any likely alternate spellings).

This time I'm very surprised by Susie NOT asking James to confirm whether he was declaring TRYER or TRIER.

That's a very good point. TRYER was my best effort, and it's only reading your post that's prompted me to check it and discover it's not allowed.

[Andy Wilson]

I'm very surprised by Susie NOT asking James to confirm whether he was declaring TRYER or TRIER.

I suppose she thought everybody would love it...

[Clive Brooker]

One of those elegant but invalid "solutions" to the first numbers:

(100+75/50)(9-3)

Still waiting for the day when there's one of these but no valid solution.

R9 - pleased with WINSOME for a few seconds!

[Junaid Mubeen]

One of those elegant but invalid "solutions" to the first numbers:

(100*75/50)(9-3)

I assume the * should be a + .

Jeff was on absolute fire and seemed to actually get them himself rather than having them fed through the mic. I may be totally wrong of course. Well done James, another win or two and surely the finals beckon.

[Clive Brooker]

I assume the * should be a + .

Thanks - edited.

[Peter Mabey]

Have just caught end on 4+1: saw HERITOR to beat THEORY -now will go away to watch rest on 4oD.

[Keith Bevins]

just a couple of 7sin R 6 - SHUTTER HIRSUTE
and CLOISTER in R8
Was feeling smug with VALANCE till Susie put a D on the end.

[Dan Vanniasingham]

I thought I had SAUTOIRS somewhere, but as nobody has mentioned it I suspect I imagined it.

The soaping "misdeclaration" came across a bit weird, but I'm glad it didn't prove costly in the end. Forgetting to add "not written down" seems a simple oversight to make, but a tighter ruling is beneficial IMO.

Another win James - well done.

[Kirk Bevins]

I had SAUTOIRS too in round 2 as a beater. I also had HURTIEST as I remember getting HURTIER online against Damian back in the day of MSN countdown and him laughing at what a ridiculous attempt I'd made...only to find it valid.
I was chuffed with ADNEXAL in round 11, then Susie nails me with VALANCED.

[Dave Higgin]

Coaters should have been allowed in "my book" - but obviously not in "the book". A coater is a large machine, typically in or attached to a papermill and is used for coating paper (with clay etc) which gives it a shiny, smooth surface suitable for printing. A cast coater would give an even thicker, shinier & smoother surface for very fine printing (high quality poster, card etc).

It is, therefore, quite common usage to say a papermill has one or two COATERS.

(By the way, another "paper-making term", for those interested - BROKE is a noun, it is waste paper within the paper-making process that gets recycled - it could be off-specification, for example)

[Dinos Sfyris]

...then Susie nails me...

lol In your dreams dude!