ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ YOU CAN’T SAY THAT AGAIN]
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]
PROGRAM: [Java]
PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ YOU CAN’T SAY THAT AGAIN]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]
Slight warning, this might be a bit more on the Easium-side of things. Who knows? Probably not suitable for downs-only solving, unless you know, you’re into that sorta thing. Hell, I hear Crossword Jesus #2 (Mike Shenk) solves Saturday Times puzzles downs-only. Oh, speaking of M.S., the Wall Street Journal has been running variety puzzles on Saturday’s now. I can’t remember if I posted that here or just tweeted it, no matter it’s worth repeating. It looks like they’re going to be free which is good. I’ll pick out two from the last month that were worth doing: a variety cryptic by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon and a Rows Garden from Crossword Jesus #1 (Patrick Berry).
Well, anyway, what’s the over/under that Dan Feyer does today’s puzzle in 2:15? I’ll take the under. Now that I think about it, what the hell are the odds for who’s winning this whole ACPT thing that’s happening next week anyway? Tyler Hinman, the fivepeating returning champ, has to be the favorite, right? Is there a gambling site out there that lists the lines? I couldn’t find any. Fine, let me propose a handful (prop bets only, not individual performances, thank you. And remember, gambling is illegal):
- Number of contestants: 675.5
- Number of contestants named “David”: 15.5
- Constructors with puzzles in the tournament making their ACPT debut: 1.5
- Percentage of people who finish Puzzle #1: 92.5%
- Percentage of people who finish Puzzle #5: 20%
- Percentage of people who want to kill the constructor of Puzzle #5: 85.5%
- The constructor of Puzzle #6 is Maura Jacobson: Even
- Appearances of the word AREA in the eight tournament puzzles: 3.5
- Number of people who solve all the puzzles clean: 50.5
- Number of people liveblogging the ACPT: get a life people, er, I mean 4.5
Share the puzzle. New one on Friday.
Definitely easium today, though can’t quite put my finger on it. Nothing too hard, though I’d never heard of twister 2 or 3. Also never ever heard the phrase UP THE GUT before.
Enjoyable puzzle!! Only got hung up around SIGEP, because of…well, it was SIGEP!!
Getting psyched for the ACPT…can you blog a small beginners’ guide for us rookies? Can you choose pen or pencil? (or Across Lite?) Seating arrangements? Cash bar?
PS Arsenal is going down today!! GO REDS!!
I agree, UPTHEGUT should be clued “Through the middle.” “He ran the ball right up the gut of the Colts defense.” Across midfield? Never.
More Eas- than -ium today. SIGEP meant nothing to me, and Twisters #2 and 3 were unknown but quickly inferred.
I *really* wish I was going to ACPT.
I took a stab at the Patrick Berry Rows Garden puzzle and it was tough, but do-able. Pretty spectacular puzzle making that.
I love the theme in this puzzle. I hope everyone has fun at the tournament! Play nice. Keep it clean. Maybe next year I’ll make it.
Another hand up for misclue on UPTHEGUT. Your example was perfect.
Definitely mesium solving for me, but only because the puzzle gave me so many opportunities to screw up. E.g. 38D EXIT RAMP and 12D CHECK HER! went down like [insert lascivious simile of choice]. Totally forgot about the ECG var. Also misread “Law enforcer who follows his own rules” to mean “follows the rules he enforces”. One of those days.
Have fun at the ACPT, and try not to get arrested doing so.
Was more towards the easy but got left flummoxed with not getting the fill for CH in CHIC, too many variants of EKG or EEG or ECG. I first put in EATS for had a little lamb.
I’ve got big money on Trip coming through this year. I’ve reviewed the tapes and I feel he has the whole package with speed, accuracy, and confidence. He needs to just take an extra 15-20 seconds to review the grid to grab those nasty little mistakes out. I lost money on the Super Bowl, I need to get back to zero. Dan is a dark horse but he hasn’t been to the big stage and that counts for a lot.
I liked the theme but got all messed up in the upper right – I was in a hurry and distracted while eating lunch and x-ing words. All I know is that OLEO on my toast just still sounds nasty to me.
Didn’t know Up the Gut here either. Or Sigep. And I thought it was Lillian Gide. Also I’ve only heard the first tongue twister before (although I heard it as six sick sheep).
Since Dan won the C division two years ago, and the B division last year, I’m betting on him taking it this time. Because the ACPT loves symmetry.
jimmy, if you’re still around, I wrote a description of my first year at http://notesfromatreedweller.blogspot.com/2010/02/american-crossword-puzzle-tournament.html
Sorry, I forgot to answer some Q’s–it’s all done on paper (no AL), but I don’t think anyone cares if you choose pen or pencil. There is a bar in the hotel. You can sit where you want. Everyone gets a paper screen to help discourage wandering eyes. good luck.
Did the Patrick Berry. Had to Google DELTORO but managed to get everything else. Definetly hard but doable.
Your puzzle was easier than fridays, as it should be!
Is it too late to make a comment/ask a question about this one?
32A GHI has me stumped. I get that G-H-I is a trio, but “on a 4?”
D’oh! Just figured it out. (blush).