c4countdown

Abidirzak Hirsi has caused a lot of discussion on here, but one thing that can't be doubted is that he's up to 5 wins. Is a 6th coming? Won't be easy, because we have the man known on apterous as Mark James competing today (though I believe his real last name is not James). It'll also be interesting because we're in a streak of people with pseduonyms/incomplete names competing in a recent period (Fiona H, Mark James, and upcoming Sean D and Horace Horlicks).

Join Jack for the recap later.

I looked up the 4L round on a solver. It's doable, but I wouldn't expect it to be gotten by any but the 4L elite...

Could've stuck the R in PARTIES to make PARTIERS

Well, that was quite a barn burner wasn't it, very well done Mark, you beat a tough opponent. I think as much as Abdi has caused some controversy, he brought a lot of genuine skill to the table too, and joins the club of those who have averaged over 100 but not been an octochamp. We'll see if it's enough for Abdi, but it won't be easy for him.

Great game, well done to Mark for a very strong debut performance to defeat a tricky opponent. That's only the fourth double century in a heat and the first for about four years, I believe.

Excellent game, well played chaps.

Great game. Congratulations to Mark.

What is Horace's real last name?

Well done Mark, great performance.

Zarte Siempre wrote:Could've stuck the R in PARTIES to make PARTIERS

Had it but wasn't risking it at that stage when Abdi only declared 7. I have to say, that was the last game of the day to be filmed and he was visibly shattered before we even started playing. It was a huge advantage for me.

IMPANEL in round 5, ROSETTES in round 8.

Quite interesting that in round 5, if C was the last consonant, POLICEMAN would've come out then

Very well done Mark. Can't have been good for the nerves knowing that you had such a strong opponent first up, but you held it together superbly.

And congrats also to Abdi on a very impressive run. It's a shame, but also a testament to the sheer quality of this series so far, that he probably won't make the finals.

Well played, Mark. Great performance.

How has Nick never heard of Tetris? It's been around for over 20 years.

Abdi played well too - that's the highest combined score in a preliminary for four years.

Also, 119 is the highest ever debut score for someone who didn't get the conundrum. (Thanks Marcus!)

Got to be up there as highest losing score in heats?

Dave Preece wrote:Got to be up there as highest losing score in heats?

Ah yes, of course it is. Joint highest with Terry Rattle.

Graeme Cole wrote:Also, 119 is the highest ever debut score for someone who didn't get the conundrum. (Thanks Marcus!)

What's the highest debut score for someone who didn't score in round 3?

Congratulations Mark, brilliant performance. My hero.

Awesome Mark!

I really like Abdi

Excellent game Mark. Well played.

Mark reminded me of myself when I watched that game! I don't know how in the world I beat Abdi in our first game together but I did it! And so did Mark! I hope Mark doesn't have a heart attack right now!

Gavin Chipper wrote:

Graeme Cole wrote:Also, 119 is the highest ever debut score for someone who didn't get the conundrum. (Thanks Marcus!)

What's the highest debut score for someone who didn't score in round 3?

Good one!

Jason Larsen wrote:Mark reminded me of myself when I watched that game! I don't know how in the world I beat Abdi in our first game together but I did it! And so did Mark! I hope Mark doesn't have a heart attack right now!

I hope so too!

Jason Larsen wrote:I really like Abdi

Is it... Is it... I didn't

Excellent performance from Mark there, well done. It took me about six rounds into the show to realise that it was Mark James from Apterous. Sorry!

Very difficult 4L selection for the 3rd numbers round. I got to 831 using the same method as Mark and spent a fair amount of time after viewing the show trying to get 832 and still couldn't get it.

Mark is apparently fine. He sent me a message on Apterous and said "Cheers."

Martin Long wrote:Very difficult 4L selection for the 3rd numbers round. I got to 831 using the same method as Mark and spent a fair amount of time after viewing the show trying to get 832 and still couldn't get it.

Hint: The final step in the solution is to divide by 25.

John Garcia wrote:

Martin Long wrote:Very difficult 4L selection for the 3rd numbers round. I got to 831 using the same method as Mark and spent a fair amount of time after viewing the show trying to get 832 and still couldn't get it.

Hint: The final step in the solution is to divide by 25.

Kidding?

If you know the 146/154 rule and know how to multiply them up and what you can do when you get there, it's gettable. Having said that, it took me about 10 minutes. I'd say that if somebody got this in 30 seconds it would be the best 4L of all time.

Dave Preece wrote: Kidding?

No straight up. That's all I remember of the (unique) solution - divide by 25 at the end.

Dave Preece wrote:

John Garcia wrote:

Martin Long wrote:Very difficult 4L selection for the 3rd numbers round. I got to 831 using the same method as Mark and spent a fair amount of time after viewing the show trying to get 832 and still couldn't get it.

Hint: The final step in the solution is to divide by 25.

Kidding?

You said in another thread that you were an expert on numbers!

Cheers for the tip, although it makes it a bit easy when you can just put your hand over the 25 and instead look for 20,800.

Hint: The final step in the solution is to divide by 25. [/quote]

Kidding?[/quote]
You said in another thread that you were an expert on numbers![/quote]

Not that much of an expert!