Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Thanks to Everyman for a fun way to spend 10 minutes and 50 seconds!!

Yes, I kid you not - it must be at the easy end of the scale because I usually get the seemingly mandatory 280, but this week I scored a genuine 340 which, I have to say, amazed me.

I hope this doesn't mean I'm going to start becoming obsessed with times. That is a road I do not want to go down.

16 minutes for me. Very enjoyable. Still only scored 280 but taking just one minute longer than the allotted time is a great result for me. Some lovely clues. Have a good Sunday everyone.

Hi Bowergirl,

280 had been my score every week since Everyman moved to the Observer, which is why I was so shocked tonight 😱

Likewise, I only got my typical 280 score despite taking 15 minutes (a good result having regard to my far from expert standards). Has there been an explanation anywhere as to the scoring system? I never used to worry about such silly things until a clock suddenly appeared on the top left corner of the screen.

A nice break after a week with a very UKGK-specific Paul, Enigmatist's typically tortuous contribution, and a hard Prize yesterday.

Someone (jono?) broke down the scoring system in last week's Everyman thread iirc. Maybe prior to that, but I forget.
This is the first Observer Everyman I haven't done while eating, which may be why it's my highest score.
Agree with Brendan that I don't want to go down the timing rabbit hole.

Why the inverted commas in 20?

I outlined the scoring system in the Everyman thread a few weeks ago. Basically, use this:-

You get 10 points for each correct answer. There are 28 clue, hence 280 points.

There is a target time of 15 minutes and for every complete minute you are under that time you get 15 bonus points. So, for example, if you finish in 10 minutes you get 280 + 75 (5 x 15) bonus points. But, if you finished in 10 minutes and 1 second you'd only get 60 bonus points because its only 4 complete minutes.

Lastly, there are no points deductions for going over the 15 minute target time so, assuming you're entry is correct, you'd get 280 points whether you finish in 15 minute or 15 hours.

Thanks Brendan for the (re-)explanation.

Hi Rafflesthegt,

20a, - I took the inverted commas as an indication that 'dealt with' was being used as a euphemism for a more drastic and permanent solution to Rose's rodent problem:-)

Hi Bren - ah, a bit like Tom in Fr Ted taking care of the rabbits😁