NYT Xword contest 2017 & 2018
March 24th, 2017 at 5:02:16 AM
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My son, David Plotkin, will be competing in the de facto world championships for crossword puzzle solvers this weekend. The NY Times sponsors it, and it will be held in Stamford, Connecticut. Last year he came in 3rd place earning a $1000 prize. A few members met him when he did the Wizard triathlon, attempting to run 2 miles, do two NYTimes crossword puzzles, and eat 100 McNuggets in an hour, He only made it to 88 McNuggets. As we are a family here (sort of!), i am asking all to wish him luck this weekend. I'll be posting updates on Saturday and Sunday as to his progress.
March 24th, 2017 at 8:37:05 AM
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And for those of you who want...wait, what? Oh, right...for those of us who want to follow along as it happens:
Link to the main tournament page
Link to the current standings page
Details, including the schedule
There is supposed to be "play-by-play commentary" of the final, which is sometime on Sunday (the C division final starts at 12:15 Eastern, followed by the B and then the A finals).
Link to the main tournament page
Link to the current standings page
Details, including the schedule
There is supposed to be "play-by-play commentary" of the final, which is sometime on Sunday (the C division final starts at 12:15 Eastern, followed by the B and then the A finals).
March 24th, 2017 at 9:05:12 AM
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Good luck Soopoo Jr!
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
March 24th, 2017 at 9:11:08 AM
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I love doing crosswords, but probably not at this guy's level.
Good luck!
*should this "triathlon" (run two miles, do two NYT crosswords and eat 100 McNuggets in one hour) be a featured event at a WoVCon?*
Good luck!
*should this "triathlon" (run two miles, do two NYT crosswords and eat 100 McNuggets in one hour) be a featured event at a WoVCon?*
"What, me worry?"
March 24th, 2017 at 10:25:09 AM
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Does spelling count?
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
March 24th, 2017 at 11:06:08 AM
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Quote: MrVI love doing crosswords, but probably not at this guy's level.
Good luck!
*should this "triathlon" (run two miles, do two NYT crosswords and eat 100 McNuggets in one hour) be a featured event at a WoVCon?*
It already was. Mike videoed it. If you search under Wizard Triathlon you will find it.
March 24th, 2017 at 11:14:01 AM
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Quote: ThatDonGuy
There is supposed to be "play-by-play commentary" of the final, which is sometime on Sunday (the C division final starts at 12:15 Eastern, followed by the B and then the A finals).
If you google my son's name and 'crossword' you will find links to his finals appearances. He made it to the C final and finished second, he won a B final, and last year came in 3rd in the A final. He was the junior champion (under 26) maybe 6 times in the last 7 years he was eligible, and now that he lives in "the south" he has been the champion of the south for maybe 7 straight years. He is loaded with trophies.
He is also a trivia expert. He competes with other PhD students and this year his team won their regional event and will be sent to the national finals in Denver. When Mike puts out his WoV con trivia contest, I have David log on to see how he would do, and he tells me his score would usually win each year.
He is a good kid, too.
March 24th, 2017 at 11:28:46 AM
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Good luck David! This is very exciting!
Has he tried out for Jeopardy!?
Has he tried out for Jeopardy!?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
March 25th, 2017 at 11:42:47 AM
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After 2 of 7 puzzles he is tied for 2nd place. Good news!
March 25th, 2017 at 11:44:45 AM
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True, but look who's in first...
March 25th, 2017 at 12:13:43 PM
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Quote: ThatDonGuyTrue, but look who's in first...
Is "I don't know" in third? :-)
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
March 25th, 2017 at 12:16:37 PM
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May the person who can eat the most McNuggets win.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 25th, 2017 at 2:49:36 PM
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What happened? He lost two minutes to the leader on the fifth puzzle and now he's in fifth with two qualifying rounds (one today, one tomorrow) to go.
March 25th, 2017 at 5:57:21 PM
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Quote: ThatDonGuyWhat happened? He lost two minutes to the leader on the fifth puzzle and now he's in fifth with two qualifying rounds (one today, one tomorrow) to go.
The leader is Dan Feyer, who is a cut above the rest. The 2nd through 5th place competitors are pretty evenly matched, and depending on the year might rotate the top positions. Tyler Hinman is a five time winner, and is the subject of the film, WordPlay. Last year David was 3rd in the 7 qualifying puzzles. He would need to beat both competitors that are in 3rd and 4th place by a minute in the 7th puzzle tomorrow morning to qualify for the finals which is the top 3. Not likely, but not impossible. he doesn't really have to beat them by a full minute, as they round to the next higher minute. meaning if he does 7:59 and his competitors do 8:01 he would qualify. But if he does 7:02 and they do 7:58 he doesn't.
March 25th, 2017 at 6:05:28 PM
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No matter what happens be proud. It's a great accomplishment to be competitive at this level.Quote: SOOPOOThe leader is Dan Feyer, who is a cut above the rest. The 2nd through 5th place competitors are pretty evenly matched, and depending on the year might rotate the top positions. Tyler Hinman is a five time winner, and is the subject of the film, WordPlay. Last year David was 3rd in the 7 qualifying puzzles. He would need to beat both competitors that are in 3rd and 4th place by a minute in the 7th puzzle tomorrow morning to qualify for the finals which is the top 3. Not likely, but not impossible. he doesn't really have to beat them by a full minute, as they round to the next higher minute. meaning if he does 7:59 and his competitors do 8:01 he would qualify. But if he does 7:02 and they do 7:58 he doesn't.
It's always a good thing when your offspring is 10 times smarter than you. (-;
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
March 25th, 2017 at 6:22:07 PM
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Quote: AxelWolfNo matter what happens be proud. It's a great accomplishment to be competitive at this level.
It's always a good thing when your offspring is 10 times smarter than you. (-;
Personal insult? I'm asking Mike to suspend you (wink), I am proud. He works hard at it year round.
March 25th, 2017 at 6:55:09 PM
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That seems like a really dumb way to keep score. Why do they round like that? I could see it like that if we are talking about hours but not under 10 minutes.
Expect the worst and you will never be disappointed.
I AM NOT PART OF GWAE RADIO SHOW
March 25th, 2017 at 7:03:21 PM
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Suspend me for stating the obvious truth? I love being martyr.Quote: SOOPOOPersonal insult? I'm asking Mike to suspend you (wink), I am proud. He works hard at it year round.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
March 26th, 2017 at 5:37:27 AM
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Quote: GWAEThat seems like a really dumb way to keep score. Why do they round like that? I could see it like that if we are talking about hours but not under 10 minutes.
I think that the way they do it is there is a big digital clock that everyone can see. If you finish at 7:30, for example, you know you have 29 seconds to check your puzzle before you signal by raising your hand that you are done. A human has to go around and pick up all the puzzles from each minute group, and it would be too difficult to make the time smaller. For the top level puzzlers, there are usually only a few that make the absolute top time. Most importantly to be in the top tier is to be 'clean' as my son calls it. Last year's champion mad a single letter error, and he is now in 11th place, essentially out of the running. The way the contest is, my son has probably an 85% chance to finish 5th, 10% chance to finish 4th, and 5% chance to make the top 3 this year. He would need to make an error to drop out of the top 5. Traditionally the only puzzle the top puzzlers might make an error on is puzzle 5, which is intentionally the most difficult one.
March 26th, 2017 at 9:51:04 AM
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He texted me to say he finished 4th. They haven't put the results on line yet. He now has two 4ths and a 3rd. Not bad!
March 26th, 2017 at 11:57:26 AM
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Quote: SOOPOOMost importantly to be in the top tier is to be 'clean' as my son calls it. Last year's champion mad a single letter error, and he is now in 11th place, essentially out of the running. The way the contest is, my son has probably an 85% chance to finish 5th, 10% chance to finish 4th, and 5% chance to make the top 3 this year. He would need to make an error to drop out of the top 5. Traditionally the only puzzle the top puzzlers might make an error on is puzzle 5, which is intentionally the most difficult one.
Looks like Erik Agard missed a letter on puzzle 7 (his score was 2485 - 150 for an imperfect solution - 20 for missing two words (one across, one down) - 25 from the time bonus for one incorrect square = 2290), or he qualifies for the final in second instead of finishing seventh.
Meanwhile, somebody recorded the 2016 final
Last edited by: ThatDonGuy on Mar 26, 2017
March 26th, 2017 at 4:03:29 PM
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When my son won the B final a few years back it was recorded. If you google my son's name it can be found. He won by a split second. The screaming voice you hear in the background is his mother, the original SooPoo. Correct on Agard. He was not clean. Tyler Hinman lost this year's final by missing one letter.
March 26th, 2017 at 4:12:59 PM
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Congratulations to David!
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
March 26th, 2017 at 5:00:58 PM
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Congrats Soopoo,very impressive.
I Don't think I could finish the puzzle in a week without Google.
I Don't think I could finish the puzzle in a week without Google.
The mountain is tall but grass grows on top of the mountain.
March 26th, 2017 at 8:16:18 PM
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Congratulations David!
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 26th, 2017 at 9:28:06 PM
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That is plain awesome. He should be proud. Job well done.
March 26th, 2017 at 9:50:24 PM
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Fantastic that he continues to be competitive at that top level. His time will come.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
March 27th, 2017 at 12:53:28 AM
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Too bad no McNugget eating was involved. It might have put him over the top.
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
March 27th, 2017 at 6:43:02 AM
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Quote: rxwineToo bad no McNugget eating was involved. It might have put him over the top.
Sounds like an idea for a cable TV series - Brain Food: The Ultimate Challenge of Brain and Stomach{/i]; do New York Times crossword puzzles while eating Chicken McNuggets.
March 27th, 2017 at 11:43:09 AM
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Thanks all. He is going back into training for next year's contest! I am proud of him. In addition to his crossword prowess, he has been named editor-in-chief of Insecta Mundi, an entomology journal. This before he even finishes his PhD. The bug world is taking notice....
March 27th, 2017 at 12:15:33 PM
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Quote: SOOPOOIn addition to his crossword prowess, he has been named editor-in-chief of Insecta Mundi, an entomology journal.
So, he's into entomology and etymology?
March 27th, 2017 at 4:05:38 PM
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Quote: ThatDonGuySo, he's into entomology and etymology?
That was good. I wonder which expertise impresses the ladies more.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 27th, 2017 at 4:09:59 PM
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Quote: WizardQuote: ThatDonGuySo, he's into entomology and etymology?
That was good. I wonder which expertise impresses the ladies more.
I am going to go with "Etymology"... having a hundred other ways to say, "Want to go to my place and see my etchings?" has got to be more impressive than "Want to see my caterpillar?"
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
March 28th, 2017 at 5:38:11 AM
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Quote: WizardQuote: ThatDonGuySo, he's into entomology and etymology?
That was good. I wonder which expertise impresses the ladies more.
They are equal in appeal, to say, math genius wizardry.....
March 23rd, 2018 at 9:22:42 AM
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Rather than start a new thread saying 2018, I'll just bump this thread. David has successfully made the trip from Florida to Stamford Connecticut for the de facto World Crossword Puzzle Championship. He finished 4th last year, after a 3rd place finish the year before. The previous 5-7 or so years he was the champion in the junior division most years, which includes contestants until they turn 26.
He tells me his preparation has gone well this year, with him holding the unofficial world record of 48 seconds for a specific size on line puzzle. In summary, all of the contestants do 7 hand written puzzles, with the fastest 3 competitors going on stage for a "puzzle off" in front of a live audience. The top three almost always make no mistakes, as a single letter wrong is a penalty of around 4 minutes.
David is also a trivia expert, winning contests in that domain as well.
There is one man, Dan Feyer, who is the odds on favorite, although he did lose two years ago. David believes there are a small cadre of competitors who are close to a tie for second best, and he is one of them. Included in that group is Tyler Hinman, who basically inspired the film "Wordplay".
Lets all channel the power of the WoV forums to wish David positive variance this weekend.
He tells me his preparation has gone well this year, with him holding the unofficial world record of 48 seconds for a specific size on line puzzle. In summary, all of the contestants do 7 hand written puzzles, with the fastest 3 competitors going on stage for a "puzzle off" in front of a live audience. The top three almost always make no mistakes, as a single letter wrong is a penalty of around 4 minutes.
David is also a trivia expert, winning contests in that domain as well.
There is one man, Dan Feyer, who is the odds on favorite, although he did lose two years ago. David believes there are a small cadre of competitors who are close to a tie for second best, and he is one of them. Included in that group is Tyler Hinman, who basically inspired the film "Wordplay".
Lets all channel the power of the WoV forums to wish David positive variance this weekend.
March 23rd, 2018 at 9:26:17 AM
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Go get'em David!!!!!!!!!! You can get it done.
March 23rd, 2018 at 9:44:43 AM
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I love crossword puzzles and try to do them almost every day, but I’m pretty terrible at them.
My 96 year old grandmother credits crosswords (along with whisky) for keeping her sharp as a tack in her old age.
My 96 year old grandmother credits crosswords (along with whisky) for keeping her sharp as a tack in her old age.
March 23rd, 2018 at 10:32:46 AM
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I'm on it!
Gettem, David!
Woohoo!
Positive thoughts!
Etui =small sewing purse
Ela = Guido's high note
Olio = pastiche
Odeum = old movie theatre
Ulu =inuit knife
Oso = Spanish for bear
Oro = Spanish for gold
Esse = Latin for to be
Ait = waterway
Olla = pot or jug
*My Top Ten list of shit you ONLY see in the NYT crosswords. Short words with lots of vowels.
Bonus: Barnyard Refrain = EIEIO
Not that you don't have all of them in your back pocket - you put me to shame. Just a lucky list of weird words.
Gettem, David!
Woohoo!
Positive thoughts!
Etui =small sewing purse
Ela = Guido's high note
Olio = pastiche
Odeum = old movie theatre
Ulu =inuit knife
Oso = Spanish for bear
Oro = Spanish for gold
Esse = Latin for to be
Ait = waterway
Olla = pot or jug
*My Top Ten list of shit you ONLY see in the NYT crosswords. Short words with lots of vowels.
Bonus: Barnyard Refrain = EIEIO
Not that you don't have all of them in your back pocket - you put me to shame. Just a lucky list of weird words.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
March 23rd, 2018 at 3:43:55 PM
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Best of luck to David. This thread is an interesting read.
I once memorized the list of about one thousand 3-letter words that are in the Scrabble Word list, and am familiar with most of the approx. 4900 4-letter words. And I own software for developing crossword puzzles for publication. But I find the NYT x-word puzzles to be extremely difficult. It is the lengthy phrases that are so difficult, especially when they are altered in some bizarre, punny way. Also, the many references to high culture (literature, ballet, music etc.) I am in awe of all of the contestants who can apparently complete these puzzles without error at such amazing speeds.
I once memorized the list of about one thousand 3-letter words that are in the Scrabble Word list, and am familiar with most of the approx. 4900 4-letter words. And I own software for developing crossword puzzles for publication. But I find the NYT x-word puzzles to be extremely difficult. It is the lengthy phrases that are so difficult, especially when they are altered in some bizarre, punny way. Also, the many references to high culture (literature, ballet, music etc.) I am in awe of all of the contestants who can apparently complete these puzzles without error at such amazing speeds.
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
March 23rd, 2018 at 4:15:24 PM
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May the odds be in your favor, David! The McNuggets are on me if you finish in the top ten.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 24th, 2018 at 10:24:33 AM
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Quote: WizardMay the odds be in your favor, David! The McNuggets are on me if you finish in the top ten.
He has only finished outside the top 10 once in the past many years. McNuggets? Go a 5lb lobster like he had two nights ago at the Palm and I'll send him to Vegas to collect. He is currently tied for second with a whole cadre of competitors, maybe 12 or so, after the first puzzle. As usually happens, the 5th puzzle is the one that separates the wheat from the chaff. I'll keep the forum updated.
March 24th, 2018 at 4:42:23 PM
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Looks like after the first six rounds, David is tied for third with Tyler Hinman, behind Erik Agard and Dan Feyer. David is listed as third and Tyler as fourth, but it doesn't say anywhere on the website what the tiebreaker is if they end up tied for third in points.
There is one more "preliminary round" tomorrow at 9 AM Eastern, with the top three advancing to the final puzzle sometime after noon (the other two divisions' final puzzles are held first).
There is one more "preliminary round" tomorrow at 9 AM Eastern, with the top three advancing to the final puzzle sometime after noon (the other two divisions' final puzzles are held first).
March 24th, 2018 at 5:29:32 PM
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Quote: ThatDonGuyLooks like after the first six rounds, David is tied for third with Tyler Hinman, behind Erik Agard and Dan Feyer. David is listed as third and Tyler as fourth, but it doesn't say anywhere on the website what the tiebreaker is if they end up tied for third in points.
There is one more "preliminary round" tomorrow at 9 AM Eastern, with the top three advancing to the final puzzle sometime after noon (the other two divisions' final puzzles are held first).
David wins a tiebreaker over Tyler Hinman, but would lose a tiebreaker to Joon Pahk if Joon picks up 25 points (1 minute) in puzzle 7. I'd say David has a 60% chance to hold onto 3rd place, which gets him into the 'puzzle off' for the champonship. It is all we could hope for that he has a good chance to make the finals with one puzzle left. The new kid is Erik, who is WAY ahead of all the others. Weather Erik is as good at the live on stage puzzle is to be determined.
March 24th, 2018 at 10:44:58 PM
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Tell us about puzzle #4.
-----
You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
March 25th, 2018 at 6:22:44 AM
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Quote: boymimboTell us about puzzle #4.
Apparently most years for the top dozen or so only puzzle 5 gives them troubles. This year apparently puzzle 4 was difficult as well, with ex champion Howard Barkin making an error, essentially moving him from 3rd to 32nd. David did well on that picking up a minute (25 points) on 5 time ex champion Tyler Hinman.
He is in the final puzzle as I type this. If he ties both Tyler Hinman and Joon Pahk on puzzle 7 he makes the finals. The kid works hard on this all year. I am hopeful....
March 25th, 2018 at 6:45:38 AM
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David just texted me that he thinks he was fast enough to stay in the top 3. His mother and grandmother are there and will be in the audience. Apparently it is also being filmed for some 'sports show'. I'll get details later.
March 25th, 2018 at 8:07:53 AM
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Quote: SOOPOODavid just texted me that he thinks he was fast enough to stay in the top 3. His mother and grandmother are there and will be in the audience. Apparently it is also being filmed for some 'sports show'. I'll get details later.
How does one study for a contest like this?
March 25th, 2018 at 10:04:23 AM
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Quote: gamerfreakHow does one study for a contest like this?
He is in the finals! Starting in a few minutes. It's a single big puzzle done in front of an audience of maybe 1000? The contestants wear headphones with white noise so they can't hear anyone from the audience.
He does on line puzzles all year. As the competition nears, he switches over to handwritten ones, because that is the format the first 7 puzzles are in. This is the only 'major' competition all year, and I don't think he participates in regional 'minor' ones.
March 25th, 2018 at 10:27:41 AM
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Third place. Apparently the 'new kid', Erik Agard, crushed it.
David does win $500 and a trophy. He gets another trophy for winning 'the South', as he now competes out of Florida.
As my friend who is a big "Tour de France" fan says, he gets a podium finish!
David does win $500 and a trophy. He gets another trophy for winning 'the South', as he now competes out of Florida.
As my friend who is a big "Tour de France" fan says, he gets a podium finish!
