Countdown

[Waaii]

Does anyone else get aggrevated by the fact that when the numbers come up, I start calculating and then the camera moves before returning to the numbers during which time I have lost the thread and have to begin all over again. Don't think Des Lynam best choice to host.

[FoxLee]

There's a simple solution - write the numbers down!

[Waaii]

OK Yes but this seems like 'cheating' myself as I am trying to do it in my head to keep the old (very) brain cells going!

[goldenfield]

Most contestants write the numbers down so I would not feel it was 'cheating' if I were you, Waaii - you can still do the calculations in your head once you have the numbers down on paper.

[gen2]

I find it helps to write them down in a consistent way that is not a straight line. I write mine as 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 - target . where 2 means two numbers above each other and the big numbers are on the right.

Likewise the letters - certain letters are always written in the same place on my pad. Vowels go in the centre with U at the top, O/A in the left/centre, I on the right and E at the bottom. The other letters go around them with N & G going beside the I, uncommon letters at the top, common letters that can start or end words at the bottom (eg S T R L D) and letters that more often start words go on the left (eg C P M F). This makes it quicker to check if you can make words that come to mind.

[FoxLee]

I can't see a difference between looking at the numbers on the screen or looking at them on a piece of paper. As has already been said, you can still exercise the old grey matter by working them out mentally.

[Waaii]

Thank you all for your help