Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Head in desk? Easily first discovered in this game (4-3-4)

Game or shake? Shake denied (4-3-4)

Sunray @18.

I must admit I'm not sure about the dos and don'ts re hyphens. Certainly, not indicating their use at all in the answer increases the difficulty as does , to a lesser extent, giving the letter count followed by "hyph." which, personally, I haven't come across, but I'm sure is used by some compilers. I was just following the herd when I used "(4-3-4)" .

Thanks skyewalker.
Since the answer is given, it is not as important.

But without the answer, I think 4-3-4 would be better.
I will now watch closely what the setters do about hyphens.

Get under cover and hunt for game(4-3-4)

I'm sure the setter has to declare hyphens

Hi Sunray,
The way of showing the letter count varies with the grid style. The Azed crossword uses a barred grid, and would show it as (11). If there were no hyphens, it would be (11, 3 words).
In the British style grid I've seen both (4-3-4) and (4,3,4), increasingly the latter.

Thanks mattrom.

The first time I have to choose a word, I pick something that brings in complications I did not think of.
My original choice was 'rinktum ditty' but could not find any good prize on that subject, so changed it to hide-and-seek. No hyphens in rinktum ditty.

Game to take cover with small frightened cry (11)

I prefer (11) as it's less of a giveaway. I think it's OK to have discussion.

Leather with glossy lustre, initially rubbed out, a cover sought after (4,3,4)

Look after leather, it's childsplay (4-3-4)