I have mentioned the new Mastermind Quiz Book on previous occasions but it is certainly worth mentioning again. Released a couple of months ago this book follows the format of the show well with a mixture of GK and SS rounds (all quite wide areas i.e. Olympic Games, Dickens etc). I have had much fun with it and the question writing is of a good standard! Well worth investing in to see you through this dark horrible winter nights!
Monday, 22 October 2012
Mastermind 2012/2013 - Heat 10
Mastermind 2012/2013 - Heat 10
Due to a busy, derby-day related, weekend I have only just got round to writing up my views on this weeks show. I was very interested to see how top-ranked quizzer Chris Quinn fared....
Contendors -
Helen Marshal
Bart Smith
Chris Quinn
Jonathan Gordon
Helen Marshall kicked off proceedings in what turned out to be one the closest run heats of the series. Her 12 on Catherine of Aragon, which I tried on the Wiki challenge and failed miserably, set a good bench mark and indeed with Bart Smith clocking in 9 on Fanny Craddock it looked like a solid score. Chris Quinn had chosen Roddy Doyle novels and as always with this sort of subject it can be tricky. Questions based on events in novels can be so random and lazily set that a round can suffer. Chris managed 8 which would keep him in contention but Jonathan Gordons 13 with no passes gave him the early lead.
Standings after SS round -
Jonathan Gordon - 13
Helen Marshall - 12
Bart Smith - 9
Chris Quinn - 8
Chris Quinn was first out in the GK round and produced perhaps the finest GK round of the series of the series so far. A stunning 19 points put him right in the mix with 27 the score to beat. Despite a great round of 16 himself Bart Smith could only manage to take his total to 25. Both Jonathan Gordon and Helen Marshall managed 16 too in what was easily the highest standard of GK we have seen so far and indeed it ended up being Gordon's extre point in the first round that was a difference. A very high quality episode indeed.
Final Scores -
Jonathan Gordon - 29
Helen Marshall - 28
Chris Quinn - 27
Bart Smith - 25
Congratulations to Jonathan Gordon who moves into the next round with the 3rd highest score so far. Still only two players have breached 30. Helen Marshall has also given herself a fine chance of making the next round and although only 8 of the 40 players so far have scored more than him, Chris Quinn narrowly missed out!
Qualified
Gregory Spiller - 32
Kathryn Palmer - 31
Christine Plume - 29
Jonathan Gordon - 29
Michael Wright - 29
Sian West - 26
Shahab Mossavat - 26
Matthew Bradshaw -26
Aidan Mccquade - 24
John Chadwick - 23
Kathryn Palmer - 31
Christine Plume - 29
Jonathan Gordon - 29
Michael Wright - 29
Sian West - 26
Shahab Mossavat - 26
Matthew Bradshaw -26
Aidan Mccquade - 24
John Chadwick - 23
Highest Scoring Runners Up
Chris Cann – 29
John Wheeler – 29
Helen Marshall - 28
Helen Marshall - 28
Paul Whittaker - 27
Philip Walters - 25
Andrew Granath - 24
Other
Chris Quinn - 27
Nathan Joss – 26
Nathan Joss – 26
Alan Sharp - 26
Bart Smith - 25
Bart Smith - 25
Andrew Hunt - 25
Nina Fetherston - 25
Nina Fetherston - 25
Alan Wharmby - 24
Rosalind Winter - 24
Laurie Handcock – 24
Kevin Baker - 24
Roland Mcfall – 23
Roland Mcfall – 23
Hazel Humprheys - 22
Chris Kirk - 22
Les Wallace - 22
Chris Kirk - 22
Les Wallace - 22
Graeme Marley -22
Ian Copping - 22
Alan Haddick - 21
Sarah Le Fevre - 19
Jackie Phillips - 19
Mathhew Clarke - 18
Nathan Scott – 18
Xavier Woodward - 18
Nick Gunatilleke - 17
Barbara Bell - 15
Nathan Scott – 18
Xavier Woodward - 18
Nick Gunatilleke - 17
Barbara Bell - 15
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Tipping Point: Contestant Call
I gave up on Tipping Point within a few episodes and I would use the term "quiz show" very very lightly when describing this but it looks like it will be returning for another run and ITV have a call out for applicants. The website is HERE with all the details.
Good Luck if you are applying!
Looking for a Pub Quiz in London?
Obviously I am stuck up here in the North-East but if any readers are from the London area there is a good article in the London Evening Standard regarding what it feels are the Top 5 quizzes in the Capital.
The Link is HERE
The Link is HERE
Thursday, 18 October 2012
Quiz
A few teasers for you, its been a while since I posted some quiz questions up! Answers in the comment box....
1. Name the former MI5 officer who wrote the international best-selling book Spycatcher an expose on what he felt was the failings of the institution?
2. In which English County is Chesterfield?
3. Which northern Bavarian German town is notable for a music festival at which performances of the Operas of Wagner are presented as well as being home to the Margravial Opera House?
4. Which Architects works include the Pompidou Centre, the Lloyd's Building in London and the Millenium Dome?
5. Which Italian painter is famous for portraits where the heads of the subjects are usually made from fruit, vegetables and flowers amongst other items?
6. Which UK High Straight Chain, named after its founder John, was formed in 1849, has switched between British and American ownership several times and in 2004 sold its Laser Eye Surgery division to Optical Express?
7. Which Dutchman was the coach of the GB Athletics team during the 2012 Olympic Games?
8. Quench released in 1998 was the third chart topping album, and sixth album release, by which British Band?
9. The RIBA Gold Medal is awarded to people in what field?
10. Who won the Man Booker Prize for the second time in four years this week for the novel Bring up the Bodies
1. Name the former MI5 officer who wrote the international best-selling book Spycatcher an expose on what he felt was the failings of the institution?
2. In which English County is Chesterfield?
3. Which northern Bavarian German town is notable for a music festival at which performances of the Operas of Wagner are presented as well as being home to the Margravial Opera House?
4. Which Architects works include the Pompidou Centre, the Lloyd's Building in London and the Millenium Dome?
5. Which Italian painter is famous for portraits where the heads of the subjects are usually made from fruit, vegetables and flowers amongst other items?
6. Which UK High Straight Chain, named after its founder John, was formed in 1849, has switched between British and American ownership several times and in 2004 sold its Laser Eye Surgery division to Optical Express?
7. Which Dutchman was the coach of the GB Athletics team during the 2012 Olympic Games?
8. Quench released in 1998 was the third chart topping album, and sixth album release, by which British Band?
9. The RIBA Gold Medal is awarded to people in what field?
10. Who won the Man Booker Prize for the second time in four years this week for the novel Bring up the Bodies
Book Review: Be a Quiz Winner - David Clark
David Clark has won Mastermind and appeared on a wide variety of gameshows in his years of quizzing. He also runs one of the best and most popular quizzing blogs on the web "Life After Mastermind". This ebook is designed to aid quiz players of whatever level to improve there quizzing ability and as the title suggest, be a quiz winner.
If you have ever read the Life After Mastermind blog you will know David is passionate about quizzes. The blog contains wonderful insights into the world of quizzing from quizzes in his locals, to analysis of the major tv, radio quiz contest and also including comment on the issues all quizzers face up to. Its really worth a look!
So after enjoying the blog for the best part of a year I had no hesitation in paying the small £3.39 price for this ebook reading half of it on my iphone and half on my laptop. Its well wroth the money as David has went into some detail on his subject matter.
As the synopsis on Amazon tells you this book is about how to improve yourself at quizzing. It doesnt give the facts and information, but rather a more useful guide as to what you need to learn. David uses his experience and covers all the main subject boards that come up in quizzes and the basic knowledge you will need. For anyone keen to brush up on general knowledge it provides a perfect study guide about what you should be looking out for.
David also devotes a chapter to other aspects of quizzing such as what to do in an actual pub quiz, what to expect, how to work well as a team as well as giving advice and reflection on playing in leagues and how to get on television.
Its a great short read and for anyone like myself you is young and hungry to improve knowledge, personal advice like this from someone who has been there and done it is invaluable. I enjoyed it and will use it thoroughly after the first read to steer my learning and quiz buffing.
Note: You can download a free app for Pc's and iphones etc that let you use Kindle software.
Also, long time readers will know I have mentioned this book before but it is well worth reposting for any new readers who may not have had chance to read it!
In It To Win It: Contestants Wanted
By no means a show I am fond of, but National Lottery In It To Win It, has open applications until the 15th November. The link is HERE
The questions are usually quite easy on this one but I can imagine, with the sums of money that can be won, this will take some effort to be a part of. Either way good luck to anyone who applies!
Cleverdicks is no more!
This was announced a few weeks ago but I have only just got round to watching the full series. Cleverdicks was originally shown on the Sky Atlantic Channel, with repeats on Challenge. Due to the repeats clashing with the Olympics I left myself with around 13 episodes to catch up with and just as I was approaching the final few, I read in several papers that the show had been canned!
Such a shame....
Cleverdicks aimed at being a high brow quiz, inviting top UK quizzers to compete and asking the sort of questions, covering the sort of topics, you would not find on your average gameshow. Over the weeks we saw top ranked UK Quizzers, Mastermind champions and known faces from the quizzing circuit. compete.
My initial views remain the same, I really loved this show and it is a shame I now have to talk about it in the past tense. Although there were one or two minor problems, mainly the guessing nature some rounds descended into, I felt this was one of the best, freshest and most enjoyable shows on Tv. Anne Widdecombe turned into quite a good host by the end of the run I thought and it was a good overall package.
From what I can gather Sky were waiting to see Challenges viewing figures to determine whether to go with a second series. Clashing with the summer and the Olympics won't have helped, not to mention the vast amount of soaps the show clashes with between those hours, but one way or another Sky clearly did not get what they wanted out of this and Cleverdicks is no more!
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Mastermind Challenge - Week 10
Getting last weeks episode out of the way as soon as possible this weeks is promising to be interesting. Chris Quinn, who I see as a serious contender for the crown this year, is in the line up with the specialist subjects being -
Roddy Doyle Novels
Catherine of Aragon
French Grand Opera 1823-1900
Fanny Craddock
Wiki Away!
Roddy Doyle Novels
Catherine of Aragon
French Grand Opera 1823-1900
Fanny Craddock
Wiki Away!
Only Connect - Quarter Final 1 Preview
Only Connect 2012/2013 - Quarter Final Preview
Draughtsmen vs Numerists
Draughtsmen vs Numerists
It hardly seems a week since the first episode of this series but already we are at the Quarter Final stage of Only Connect. Given the high standard shown so far this year this is going to be a tough route to the final with tomorrows show putting the Draughtsmen against the Numerists.
The Draughstmen must be considered one of the favourites for the whole series. Stephen Dodding, Andy Tucker and Iwan Thomas are all known quizzers with impressive backgrounds. Iwan is of course a former Brain of Britain winner, Andy has been a Mastermind finalists and Stephen Dodding won a few episodes of Cleverdicks as well as being a regular on the UK Quizzing circuit. As we saw though in their first round match Only Connect is a different kettle of fish altogether. Leading into the final round easily they were almost pipped to the post! It will be interesting to see tomorrow how they perform on the last buzzer round as this could be key!
The Numerists on the other hand were phenomenal on the buzzer in the final round and I would suggest they are strongest team in the final round as as I said at the time if they can stay within touching distance they will take some beating in that final round. James Wilson is certainly one to watch in this round as he racked up a hatful of points last time around.
This is really a tough one to call, in a normal quiz The Draughtsmen would take some beating, but this is Only Connect and its too close to call. If Numerists lead or are only 1-2 behind going into the last round I think they could win it otherwise...
Prediction: Draughtsmen narrowly
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Book Suggestion - Bumper Pub Quiz Book
My recommended book this week is, for a change, a quiz book and this is one of the finest books in my ever growing collection. The Bumper Pub League Quiz Book is chocked full of questions of "quiz league" standard meaning they are tougher than a lot of the usual pub-quiz style question books out there.
Each set of questions contains sets for a Team A and Team B with individual rounds and a "drinks round" so what you get is a unique format. it also gives you some idea, if you are considering entering a league, of the style of questions and formats you may face.
This is a bumper edition so you get great value for money with all the various quizzes within and it will test every corner of your knowledge. There are no old chestnuts, no repetition and no filler, just a range of top quality quiz questions.
Well worth adding to your collection and here is a link to purchase the book on Amazon if you are interested.....
Monday, 15 October 2012
Only Connect 2012/2012 - Round 1 Heat 8
Only Connect 2012/2013 - Round 1 Heat 8
Already we have reached the final first round match of this years Only Connect and just like in the University Challenge match that preceded this, we were in for another one sided match.
Accountants
Itzhak Matthai
Thomas Gough
Drew Firth
Itzhak Matthai
Thomas Gough
Drew Firth
Cinephiles
Howard Kelly
Nancy Dickman
Tim Catlin
Nancy Dickman is no stranger to quiz shows of course, being the 2009 Mastermind champion and indeed appeared on an Only Connect special last year competing for a Mastermind Team against the all conquering Crossworders. Immediately that made me view them as favourites tonight but you never know with this show!
It did however start as I expected with a strong early showing from the Cinephiles. The Accountants were playing a tactic, whether consciously or not, of risking early buzzes and maybe it backfired here as a buzz on Sam Smith before a giveaway clue maybe cost them some points. I wonder if "Smith" would have been given for their answer on this question even though is was denied after? Either way it had little bearing on the final score. I was pleased to get the Gladiator music question though which neither team got, a very rare occurrence for me on Only Connect but by the end of round 1 Nancy Dickman was leading the Cinephiles in a 5-0 lead.
The second round continued in the same pattern with the Cinephiles on a roll. It was 14-2 at the end of the round, all but over, thanks to some great answers on Beckhams children (I maybe would have got this one on 5, another rare occurrence) and the Queens grandchildren. They picked up where the Accountants were dropping points and heading into the wall the lead was commanding.
The wall proved a bit much for the Accountants. The Madonna connection sprung up from the off for me but the team failed to get it, even when given the connection, and managed only 2 points. It was a tougher wall than the Cinephiles got, slightly but they lapped it up to gain 10 points and moved into a 24-4 lead. The last round can see massive swings but not that much!
The buzzer round again saw domination from Cinephiles with some very interesting rounds here. Thomas Gough has a nice run mid round but with a final score of 33-8 it was a very one sided match all round!
Well done to the Cinephiles and in the final match of the first round, another contender emerges.
This is going to be a fantastic run in to the final.
Nancy Dickman
Tim Catlin
Nancy Dickman is no stranger to quiz shows of course, being the 2009 Mastermind champion and indeed appeared on an Only Connect special last year competing for a Mastermind Team against the all conquering Crossworders. Immediately that made me view them as favourites tonight but you never know with this show!
It did however start as I expected with a strong early showing from the Cinephiles. The Accountants were playing a tactic, whether consciously or not, of risking early buzzes and maybe it backfired here as a buzz on Sam Smith before a giveaway clue maybe cost them some points. I wonder if "Smith" would have been given for their answer on this question even though is was denied after? Either way it had little bearing on the final score. I was pleased to get the Gladiator music question though which neither team got, a very rare occurrence for me on Only Connect but by the end of round 1 Nancy Dickman was leading the Cinephiles in a 5-0 lead.
The second round continued in the same pattern with the Cinephiles on a roll. It was 14-2 at the end of the round, all but over, thanks to some great answers on Beckhams children (I maybe would have got this one on 5, another rare occurrence) and the Queens grandchildren. They picked up where the Accountants were dropping points and heading into the wall the lead was commanding.
The wall proved a bit much for the Accountants. The Madonna connection sprung up from the off for me but the team failed to get it, even when given the connection, and managed only 2 points. It was a tougher wall than the Cinephiles got, slightly but they lapped it up to gain 10 points and moved into a 24-4 lead. The last round can see massive swings but not that much!
The buzzer round again saw domination from Cinephiles with some very interesting rounds here. Thomas Gough has a nice run mid round but with a final score of 33-8 it was a very one sided match all round!
Well done to the Cinephiles and in the final match of the first round, another contender emerges.
This is going to be a fantastic run in to the final.
University Challenge 2012/2013 - Match 12
University College London vs University of Exeter
Well, last weeks episode brought some interesting comments online and without further a do we are vastly approaching the end of the first round. Tonight saw University College London take on the University of Exeter.
UCL
Adam Papaphilippopulous
Tom Tyszuzuk Smith
Simon Dennis
Tom Parton
Tom Tyszuzuk Smith
Simon Dennis
Tom Parton
Exeter
John Ault
Rob Bental
William O Rourke
James Bellamy
Exeter got a nice easy opener with a full house on "straits" but that was about the highlight of their night as masterclass from UCL, Simon Dennis in particular, paved the way to a win and a very convincing one at that!
Paxman was on form tonight bellowing "You Cannot Confer" at Exeter and chuckling at a couple of wrong answers on a letter question but he did show more surprise and smiles than usual at some of the cracking answers UCL conjured up.
As I mentioned tonight was really the Simon Dennis show. His team mates all made contributions but his buzzing was dominating and he has been the first captain of the series so far to really do so. I think UCL will certainly go far in this sort of form! The range of knowledge Dennis showed was vast and early into the game UCL started to move away running away with at least 10 continuous minutes of the show being entirely on them.
Again tonight saw some cracking questions with a great picture round on roads and a very tough but enjoyable music question on songwriters. But it was all about UCL tonight and no team will want to face them in the next round!
260-85 UCL win!
Congratulations to UCL and I expect we will be seeing a lot more of them in the future.
John Ault
Rob Bental
William O Rourke
James Bellamy
Exeter got a nice easy opener with a full house on "straits" but that was about the highlight of their night as masterclass from UCL, Simon Dennis in particular, paved the way to a win and a very convincing one at that!
Paxman was on form tonight bellowing "You Cannot Confer" at Exeter and chuckling at a couple of wrong answers on a letter question but he did show more surprise and smiles than usual at some of the cracking answers UCL conjured up.
As I mentioned tonight was really the Simon Dennis show. His team mates all made contributions but his buzzing was dominating and he has been the first captain of the series so far to really do so. I think UCL will certainly go far in this sort of form! The range of knowledge Dennis showed was vast and early into the game UCL started to move away running away with at least 10 continuous minutes of the show being entirely on them.
Again tonight saw some cracking questions with a great picture round on roads and a very tough but enjoyable music question on songwriters. But it was all about UCL tonight and no team will want to face them in the next round!
260-85 UCL win!
Congratulations to UCL and I expect we will be seeing a lot more of them in the future.
Friday, 12 October 2012
Mastermind 2012/2013 Standings So Far....
I originally thought that the 6 runners up with the highest scores would be making it through to the next round of Mastermind but seemingly it is to be the 6 highest scoring people in second place. Hence the ladder underneath has changed a little and even though a few scores from 3rd and 4th place contenders would have won a heat, they cannot be considered as a highest scoring runner up!
Hence for the current series this is how it stands after tonights' Episode....
Qualified
Gregory Spiller - 32
Kathryn Palmer - 31
Christine Plume - 29
Michael Wright - 29
Sian West - 26
Shahab Mossavat - 26
Matthew Bradshaw -26
Aidan Mccquade - 24
John Chadwick - 23
Kathryn Palmer - 31
Christine Plume - 29
Michael Wright - 29
Sian West - 26
Shahab Mossavat - 26
Matthew Bradshaw -26
Aidan Mccquade - 24
John Chadwick - 23
Highest Scoring Runners Up
Chris Cann – 29
John Wheeler – 29
Paul Whittaker - 27
Philip Walters - 25
Andrew Granath - 24
Roland Mcfall – 23
Other
Nathan Joss – 26
Alan Sharp - 26
Andrew Hunt - 25
Nina Fetherston - 25
Nina Fetherston - 25
Alan Wharmby - 24
Rosalind Winter - 24
Laurie Handcock – 24
Kevin Baker
- 24
Hazel Humprheys - 22
Chris Kirk - 22
Les Wallace - 22
Chris Kirk - 22
Les Wallace - 22
Graeme Marley -22
Ian
Copping - 22
Alan Haddick - 21
Sarah Le Fevre - 19
Jackie Phillips - 19
Mathhew Clarke - 18
Nathan Scott – 18
Xavier Woodward - 18
Nick Gunatilleke - 17
Barbara Bell - 15
Nathan Scott – 18
Xavier Woodward - 18
Nick Gunatilleke - 17
Barbara Bell - 15
Mastermind 2012/2013 - Heat 9
Mastermind 2012/2013 - Heat 9
The next batch of contestants stepped into the black chair tonight as Mastermind enters its 9th heat of the series. A few interesting subjects tonight so without further a do lets get on with it...
Mastermind Contenders Tonight -
Barbara Bell
Nick Gunatilleke
John Chadwick
Xavier Woodward
Barbara Bell kicked things off with her round on National Parks of England and Wales In all fairness a very tough subject but there were plenty of questions in there that were "gimmies" and that were missed. I thought it was perhaps the pressure of the chair that caused this round to go wrong but Barbara shook her head at most of the answers when given indicating she had never heard of them. Barbara never recovered for a pass chain early on and a stuttering start left her with 5 points.
Nick Gunatilleke was next and he struggled too on Battles of the American Civil War. Maybe it was under preparation, maybe it was the pressure but he looked very nervous and looked a rabbit in the headlights. Perhaps he has just seen what happened to Barbara and feared he was next. I actually beat him in this round with no preparation and that is saying something! All credit to Nick though and I never mean any disrespect in any of these reviews so please don't take that the wrong way but I have to be honest. 4 scored.
John Chadwick looked by far the most relaxed and calm reeling off answers on HP Lovecraft. Usually 10 would give him a lot of work to do in the GK round but tonight it was good enough to give him a 5 point lead. As someone said on my Facebook "This was the Mastermind Heat to Land" and, with no disrespect to anyone else, John put himself in with a great shout of getting to the next round.
Xavier Woodward took on Boxing World Title Fights since 2000. If you consider how many titles there are and how many weights and spread it over 12 years, this is a heck of a big subject. Xavier struggled with albeit some over worded questions but the nature of the subject would always make that an issue. 4 was scored again.
Barbara Bell
Nick Gunatilleke
John Chadwick
Xavier Woodward
Barbara Bell kicked things off with her round on National Parks of England and Wales In all fairness a very tough subject but there were plenty of questions in there that were "gimmies" and that were missed. I thought it was perhaps the pressure of the chair that caused this round to go wrong but Barbara shook her head at most of the answers when given indicating she had never heard of them. Barbara never recovered for a pass chain early on and a stuttering start left her with 5 points.
Nick Gunatilleke was next and he struggled too on Battles of the American Civil War. Maybe it was under preparation, maybe it was the pressure but he looked very nervous and looked a rabbit in the headlights. Perhaps he has just seen what happened to Barbara and feared he was next. I actually beat him in this round with no preparation and that is saying something! All credit to Nick though and I never mean any disrespect in any of these reviews so please don't take that the wrong way but I have to be honest. 4 scored.
John Chadwick looked by far the most relaxed and calm reeling off answers on HP Lovecraft. Usually 10 would give him a lot of work to do in the GK round but tonight it was good enough to give him a 5 point lead. As someone said on my Facebook "This was the Mastermind Heat to Land" and, with no disrespect to anyone else, John put himself in with a great shout of getting to the next round.
Xavier Woodward took on Boxing World Title Fights since 2000. If you consider how many titles there are and how many weights and spread it over 12 years, this is a heck of a big subject. Xavier struggled with albeit some over worded questions but the nature of the subject would always make that an issue. 4 was scored again.
So the scores after the SS Round -
John Chadwick - 10
Barbara Bell - 5
Nick Gunatilleke - 4
Xavier Woodward - 4
Now, and I know I keep saying this, but without any disrespect, is that a record for lowest combined total over a SS round?
John Chadwick - 10
Barbara Bell - 5
Nick Gunatilleke - 4
Xavier Woodward - 4
Now, and I know I keep saying this, but without any disrespect, is that a record for lowest combined total over a SS round?
I don't know if this was coincidence or not but the GK rounds seemed a lot easier tonight. Based on my usual sort of scores and my partners chip in's we were considerably higher tonight than usual.
Either way Nick was given the task of going out first and scored a very respectable 13 with a range of knowledge shown. A solid SS round would have set him up with a nice score here but that was not to be at with a total of 17 that was the lowest score of the series so far and probably not quite enough to put serious pressure on John Chadwick.
Xavier followed a similar pattern and with a score of 14, again, would have been well in contention for a heat win had the SS score been higher but his total of 18, although leading at that point, was not going to be enough.
Barbara continued where she left off from round 1 with a lot of passing and hesitation. Ending up with a score of 15 which sadly means that is the lowest score of the series so far. I think once the nerves had took over it was round over and I am sure in another situation she would have racked up many more points on those questions, but that is Mastermind for you!
John Chadwick strode to the chair needing 9 to be assured of the win and cruised to 13 with some confident answering and clearly taking the tactic of guessing instead of passing. He had a little stutter on 18 for a few questions, whether he knew in his head he was close to winning (or can you see the score?) he moved onto 19 after a few misses and 23 was the final total. 13 is by no means a bad effort but he makes it through with the lowest winning score so far and actually this score would not have been in the top 20 of the 36 players so far. But, you can only beat what you play against and John did enough and showed more than enough knowledge to earn his win.
The reaction amongst quizzing friends online has been what you would expect. This was a low scoring heat and I don't want to offend so I will keep a few opinions to myself. Well done to John Chadwick and best of luck for the next round!
Either way Nick was given the task of going out first and scored a very respectable 13 with a range of knowledge shown. A solid SS round would have set him up with a nice score here but that was not to be at with a total of 17 that was the lowest score of the series so far and probably not quite enough to put serious pressure on John Chadwick.
Xavier followed a similar pattern and with a score of 14, again, would have been well in contention for a heat win had the SS score been higher but his total of 18, although leading at that point, was not going to be enough.
Barbara continued where she left off from round 1 with a lot of passing and hesitation. Ending up with a score of 15 which sadly means that is the lowest score of the series so far. I think once the nerves had took over it was round over and I am sure in another situation she would have racked up many more points on those questions, but that is Mastermind for you!
John Chadwick strode to the chair needing 9 to be assured of the win and cruised to 13 with some confident answering and clearly taking the tactic of guessing instead of passing. He had a little stutter on 18 for a few questions, whether he knew in his head he was close to winning (or can you see the score?) he moved onto 19 after a few misses and 23 was the final total. 13 is by no means a bad effort but he makes it through with the lowest winning score so far and actually this score would not have been in the top 20 of the 36 players so far. But, you can only beat what you play against and John did enough and showed more than enough knowledge to earn his win.
The reaction amongst quizzing friends online has been what you would expect. This was a low scoring heat and I don't want to offend so I will keep a few opinions to myself. Well done to John Chadwick and best of luck for the next round!
Final Standings -
John Chadwick - 23
Xavier Woodward - 18
Nick Gunatilleke - 17
Barbara Bell - 15
I am just working on a proper table of Runners Up now as I was informed last week that its not going to be just the highest scoring players, they also have to have finished in second place. That should be posted shortly.
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