Cryptic Crosswords

[bekib86]

Hi ive been entering crosswords for some time and decided i need to learn how to do crypic crosswords, but i have no idea where to start. When i was working yesterday (in a pub) a man was doing one and it seems that there are so many words indicating different meanings eg, up, means the word is backwards. When he explained how he got his answers i totally understood it but i find it hard to think i could get that from a clue. Has anyone got any websites which explains all these or if anyone can help with some other words or how i should start with these types of crossword??
Thanks in advance!!

[Quizmonkey]

There are a couple of good books on the market: titles like How to solve cryptic crosswords. They're a good starting point - but expect years of practice till you get really efficient: good luck!

And start with easy ones - like The Sun and the ones you see in the monthly puzzle magazines.

[judypark]

I don't know of any sites personally, but the one book I find invaluable is Bradford's Crossword Solver's Dictionary, published by Collins, this will indicate if a word may be reversed or may be an anagram. Smith's sell them. Also if you are buying papers regularily, keep them so you can see the solutions a couple of weeks later and you will be able to work out how the compiler works. Good luck.

[Alibobs]

The best way is just to try them - as previous post say you get to know the compilers and the way they work. i remeber my father doing them when I was a child and thinking I would never be able to do them........I'm far from brilliant but have a good bash.

My personal favourite is the Telegraph

[vicmarion]

Dont know if these will help but here goes.
1. Hotels converted with nothing in Africa = Lesotho. its a anagram of hotels with an o (nothing) at the end.

2. Fool to take one from a Belgian port = Twerp Its Antwerp without the an.

3, Marty pays the - disturbed holder in no smoking area (5,7) = empty ashtray, an anagram of the first three words.

4. One who might belligerently swarm on German sector =warmonger, if you look at the clue you will find the answer after the s on swarm.

These are just a few examples which might help you figure some out, dont know any web sites. My daughters always tell me that one needs a twisted mind to do cryptic!!!

[teacher1]

look at the printed answers the following day/week and compare them with the crossword you have been trying to do. Try to see how they have been worked out. Hope this makes sense. Practice does make perfect ( sometimes )!

[Aquagility]

And when you get really stuck on a clue, you can alwaws post a question on here - and ask for the explanation. Remember to check back, even if you've found the solution, and post a thank you or award stars, so the old hands don't lose patience.

[gardenknowin]

Couldn't recommend anything moe highly than the introduction to "Chambers Crossword Dictionary" published by Harrap. Otherwise it's a case of keep on trying, like we all did (or you could try and catch kayakamina on the AnswerBank - he's pretty hot!) Best of luck - think OUTSIDE the box, as they say - trouble is, there are lots of boxes...

[bekib86]

Thanks everyone. And thanks for the examples Vicmarion, i understand them cuz you have explained them, but would never have been able to get them myself! Have just walked my dog to the shops and bought a Sun so will have a look at that tomorrow as im working shortly. I glanced at it quickly and havent got a clue!! well we'll see how i get on. Thanks again!!! xx

[sgeandhu]

there is also one ,in one of the tabloids (?express)
which gives both traditional and cryptic clues to the SAME answers

[bekib86]

yes thats what they have in the sun. its good cuz i can get the answer from the normal clues and work out how it relates to the crypic ones. Will have a good look at it tomorrow, guess its just a case of practice, although i havent even managed to get one so far!!

[shaneystar2]

Have a look at Peter Biddlecombe
http://www.biddlecombe.demon.co.uk/puzzles.htm l
Also
http://www.gptucker.net/crosswords/solvinghelp .htm

The DT does an excellent book ..How to crack the Cryptic Crossword .
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crack-Cryptic-Crosswor d-Daily-Telegraph/dp/033033655X
A Chambers and Bradfords dictionary is a must ! Also a shorter OED....and perhaps a couple of these "lists" type books...to get you started .

Just try one compiler at first and try to get into their "mindset". Or as suggested ones where they give you two sets of clues ..then you can work back and forth.
My Dad left school when he was twelve in1915 ..he was a working man ..spent his life in the Merchant Navy ..didn't have the education I had ....but he loved cryptics !
I can remember him saying things like "Well I'll be b888gered "when he managed to solve a difficult clue .
He showed me how to do them when I was still at school and I have enjoyed tussling with them ever since .
You don't have to be super intelligent .....practice makes perfect.