We’re back in Brum for 2023, and this time we’re bringing our Goat! Yes, two, back-to-back events. Both at the same place.

When: Friday 4th and Saturday 5th August 2023
Where: The Wellington, 37 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5SN-in the room on the first-floor (map)
Presented by: Matthew S Rutherford (MSR)
Format: ‘Lincoln style’ for both events (futher details below)
Admission: £10 for Saturday’s main event, £5 for Friday’s goat event, so £15 for both. Payable here
Start: Friday: 18:30 Doors for a 19:00 Start
Saturday: 10:00 Doors for a 11:00 Start
Finished by: 22:00 Friday, 18:00 Saturday

Premise(s)

FRIDAY – Playing four, 10-round games of Goatdown over two round in Lincoln-style, Essentially, Goatdown is Countdown except the player picking the letters can choose exactly which letter they would like for the 9th letter. So the first eight letters are chosen as normal (vowel or consonant) but for the ninth letter the player picking that round’s letters chooses exactly which letter they would like.

For conundrums, the player is shown only eight letters instead of nine. Their task is to find the NINE letter word that uses those eight letters (there will only be one possible nine-letter word from those eight letters). If nobody does that within the 30 seconds, the ninth letter will be revealed and the players will have a further 15 seconds to solve the now normal conundrum. Doing so will however only grant 7 points rather than the 10 that would be awarded for solving the conundrum from only the first eight letters.

There will be mechanisms to work around all these explained on the night

SATURDAY-Playing eight, 9-round games of Countdown, in tables of three, ‘’Lincoln’ style. After eight games, the top two players will face each other in the grand final, with prizes for the top 8. The first round is drawn randomly-don’t panic if you are trounced early on, for the subsequent rounds, you will play opponents that have scored similarly to you, so everyone should get some good, well-matched games. Main aim is a bit of fun.

Venues conditions state over-18s only, I’m afraid, but if any u-18s do wish to come, I can try and arrange. Please let me know! For both events, please see timings below.

The Venue, Travel, and Accommodation

Our venue for both events is The Wellington on Bennetts Hill, full addresss and map link above. It is just a short walk from Birmingham New Street station.

Lunch is not provided but there are many nearby shops and eateries. The venue has a bar that serves drinks but not food.

For hotels, there are plenty of options in central Birmingham, including Premier Inns, Travelodges, etc.

Parkrun-Choice of two, either Edgbaston Reservoir (number 27 in terms of speed) or Cannon Hill Park (number 140 in terms of speed).

Rough itinerary for the events

Goat:Brum/Friday 04th August
18:30-Doors open
19:00-First round draw is made and things kick-off
20:15-Second round starts
21:30-Grand final

Co:Brum/Saturday 05th August
10:00-Doors open
11:00-First round draw and kick-off
12:15-Lunch
13:15-Second round
14:30-Third round starts
15:45-Fourth round starts
17:00-Grand Final
17:30-Prizegiving

After-evening plans are brewing-stay tuned!

Entry fee

Entry is just £10 for the Saturday main event and £5 for the Friday event Goat event, payable here.

This link uses MSR’s real name but the link is correct! Please remember to use the friends and family option. If PayPal doesn’t suit, please get in touch with us and we can arrange some other method of payment.

Any questions?

Feel free to get in touch with us at focalcountdown@gmail.com


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