c4countdown

At last The horses have retired to their stables for the rest of the year, meaning the more exciting contest to find the Series 63 champion of Countdown can resume.

In the champions' chair for the last time for a while anyway is our very own Tom Rowell, on the verge of becoming the 2nd octochamp of the series.

One interesting fact for the nerds: In each of his 7 games to date, Tom has had a score in the 90's after 14 rounds, meaning that if he got every conundrum, he'd have got 7 centuries. As it is, he's only got 3, but still impressive scoring nonetheless.

Can he make it 8 out of 8 today

In DC this week is yet another newbie, the all-round entertainer Gary Wilmot.

Ryan will be around later with the recap.

I like this Gary guy, he seems enthusiastic about the show and looks like he is really enjoying being there.

SHOCK!

I hope Tom pulls through, I think he will. That 9 seems to have nerved him a little, missing PRALINES. Come on Tom!

AIRLINES as an equaller

COLOGNES as a beater in round 9.

Eoin Monaghan wrote:COLOGNES as a beater in round 9.

*hands over paper*

Don't usually post alternative methods, but sure, there's always a first:

Round 10: (25x2) = 50+(8/4) = 52 x 10 = 520 - 7 = 513

Eoin Monaghan wrote:Don't usually post alternative methods, but sure, there's always a first:

Round 10: (25x2) = 50+(8/4) = 52 x 10 = 520 - 7 = 513

I tend to only post 'difficult' alternatives, or perhaps more elegant ones using fewer numbers.

Oliver Garner wrote:

Eoin Monaghan wrote:COLOGNES as a beater in round 9.

*hands over paper*

*Let me have this one, I'm a series champion, I have to look good.*

This game deserved a crucial. Really annoyed Jean didn't get the numbers, not that it mattered.
Well done Tom, you deserved octochampdom, very consistent.
I'm quite annoyed Jean had to play such a good contestant, she was a good player, who was very capable of winning a few games, and possibly getting the finals.
Well done anyway Tom, and, like I said, I was enjoying Gary being in Dictionary Corner more as the game went on.
Anyone know Tom's total?

Edit: Found out that it's 774, very nice, an average of 96.75. Does this include sautee^ though?

Well done on becoming an octochamp, Tom.

Great to see the legend Gary Wilmot in dictionary corner also.

Eoin Monaghan wrote:

Oliver Garner wrote:

Eoin Monaghan wrote:COLOGNES as a beater in round 9.

*hands over paper*

*Let me have this one, I'm a series champion, I have to look good.*

*And smell good*

Oliver Garner wrote:

Eoin Monaghan wrote: *Let me have this one, I'm a series champion, I have to look good.*

*And smell good*

*Shame I can do neither*

Well done Tom, you and Scott (plus a few others) should make for a good finals.

COLOGNE is a mass noun, I'm not sure it'd be allowed in the plural. Well done, Tom, a great set of 8 games. Was worried for a bit there after you missed the 9.

Lexplorer says it's valid, I was wondering if it was allowed when Dictionary Corner missed it, but checked and apparently it's good.

Eoin Monaghan wrote:Lexplorer says it's valid, I was wondering if it was allowed when Dictionary Corner missed it, but checked and apparently it's good.

It's in Lexplorer, but I still think it'd be disallowed. DIORITES was in Lexplorer but that might get disallowed as it's a mass noun too. There's a few mass nouns that are allowed in Lexplorer as they're rocks but others their plurals aren't there. Generally Susie allows food plurals though but I wouldn't bank on rock ones. Lexplorer isn't 100%.

Thanks for all the compliments chaps, nearly messed it up!! Still can't believe I missed the 9 as I thought it was were but for some reason decided I only had 1 n to use when i had 2! You are right about Jean I sat next to her in the audience for tomorrow's show and she would have won that so it seems we missed out on a decent player.

Mark Kudlowski wrote:

Eoin Monaghan wrote:Don't usually post alternative methods, but sure, there's always a first:

Round 10: (25x2) = 50+(8/4) = 52 x 10 = 520 - 7 = 513

I tend to only post 'difficult' alternatives, or perhaps more elegant ones using fewer numbers.

I tend to only post pointless alternatives to keep the ratio of unimportant numbers drivel quite high on spoilers threads, in order to help numbers alts keep their bad name.

tomrowell wrote:Thanks for all the compliments chaps, nearly messed it up!! Still can't believe I missed the 9 as I thought it was were but for some reason decided I only had 1 n to use when i had 2! You are right about Jean I sat next to her in the audience for tomorrow's show and she would have won that so it seems we missed out on a decent player.

And she's better looking than you. No offence mate. So selfish to deprive viewers the chance of seeing more of her. Also, very well done on becoming an Octochamp.

Eoin Monaghan wrote:Edit: Found out that it's 774, very nice, an average of 96.75. Does this include sautee^ though?

Yes.

Very well done, Tom. Nice to have another Apteforumite reach octochampdom.

COLOGNE isn't a rock, Kirk, wtf are you on about?

Also well done Tom. And you shouldn't even have to think about it, Kimberley FTMFW!!

Jon Corby wrote:COLOGNE isn't a rock, Kirk, wtf are you on about?

I never said it was, I just said rock and food plurals are the main ones to take plurals in my opinion (although some have been deleted from Lexplorer as I reckon Susie would disallow them) and I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

Kirk Bevins wrote:and I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

Are you taking the fucking piss?

Jon Corby wrote:

Kirk Bevins wrote:and I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

Are you taking the fucking piss?

I'm amazed at all these not so uncommon words that Kirk hasn't heard of.

First PANCETTA and now COLOGNE.

By the way, Kirk. Have you smelt yourself today You might want some of this.

Jon Corby wrote:

Kirk Bevins wrote:and I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

Are you taking the fucking piss?

Err no. Why is it a mass noun if you think it's so obviously pluralisable?

James Robinson wrote:
By the way, Kirk. Have you smelt yourself today

Yes thanks, I use anti-perspirant, not toilet water.

James Robinson wrote:

Jon Corby wrote:

Kirk Bevins wrote:and I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

Are you taking the fucking piss?

I'm amazed at all these not so uncommon words that Kirk hasn't heard of.

First PANCETTA and now COLOGNE.

By the way, Kirk. Have you smelt yourself today You might want some of this.

There's nothing wrong with not knowing the meaning of some common words, I'm probably one of the worst for it.

Have to say I'm posting here without access to the dictionary (so I'm possibly setting myself up for a right self-merk) so I dunno what it says under COLOGNE, but in my eyes it's pretty much interchangeable with AFTERSHAVE.

(I rinsed thoroughly with warm water, for those of you that were concerned)

This is worse than that time the raccoon got in the copier!

Kirk Bevins wrote:I can't see how you would pluralise COLOGNE.

The dictionary specifies a plural for the full version, i.e. EAU DE COLOGNE, which ought to settle it. Still doesn't mean Susie would allow it, of course!