cryptic crosswords

[LEICESTERSHI]

Have struggled thro' DT 25523 with answers and some confirmation kindly given by tyrepill and Lie-in-King but I do find the cryptic ones very difficult. Can anyone offer some general advice on learning to cope with these?

[ace bt]

Keep going! I started on Guardian crosswords 20 years ago - sometimes I only got two or three answers but would check the answers the next day. I still work some out by finding a word that fits, then working backwards to see if it fits the cryptic definition. Don't forget most clues have a straight forward definition part, then a cryptic bit.

There are books available, but I've never got round to using them - a good anagram site and crossword solvers will give you some answers then you can try to do the cryptic part! And there's always this site - maybe ask for a couple of answers which may help you with the rest.

Good luck!

[JMR27]

I was hopeless when I first started doing cryptic crosswords and found that the best way to learn was to wait for the answers to come out and then work out how the answers were arrived at. You'll find that the more you do the easier it will become. One thing to bear in mind is that the answer is either at the start or the end of the clue. I've been doing crosswords for years now but I still get stuck and have to ask for help - thank gooness for AB!

[paulineward]

I had the same problem...and often still do!
There are several members on this site who are extremely good at them.
I hope some of them read this and give you some tips.

I know gen2 sent a general 'rule' sheet for solving them with his Rocky Horrors Quiz...so perhaps you could send for a copy from him.

There are lots of excellent cryptic solvers on here who have helped me...But I must say Kayakamina has been a great mentor to me.

K and many others are really willing to explain clues..so keep posting...and asking.

Good Luck!

[Murielmci]

Another tip that I think important is walk before you try to run. If you are comfortable with the guardian then stick to that for a while whilst you build up confidence.

I do several crosswords now but at first I did only the Scotsman, later I added in the Observer followed by the Times and about a year ago the Guardian. I now do Mephisto but am usually struggling with Azed - but I will get there! The Observer is easier than the Guardian so you might consider doing that as well as the Guardian to help build a skills base.

Watch out though! Its addictive!

[LEICESTERSHI]

Thanks to everyone who took the trouble to answer so very supportively!