Episode 3957

Episode 3957 was broadcast on 30 June 2005, immediately before Episode 3958, and was the first semi-final of Series 53.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Richard Heald	Score	John Brackstone	Others	Max.
1	TBPOABRIS	RABBITS	7 – 0	SPORT	PROBITS*	7
2	PDRSUAENL	PLUNDERS	15 – 8	LAUNDERS	LURDANES, PENDULAR, PURSLANE, SPANDREL, SUPERNAL	15
3	IFRUYTIVS	FRUITS	21 – 14	FRUITS	VITRIFY	22
4	MCMAOERTO	coater ☓	21 – 19	COMMA	COOTER, MARMOT, MOOTER, OMERTA, RECOAT, ROMCOM*	28
5	75 100 25 9 1 2 → 939	938 ☓	21 – 19	930 ☓	CV: 939 = (100 − 1) × 9 + 75 − 25 − 2	38
TTT	SOUPTELL	Add to Severn to make a mess.			POLLUTES
6	PDXEOAGLD	PEDALO	27 – 25	PADDLE	GAOLED, GOADED, LAPDOG, LOADED, LODGED	44
7	NTRDIOTAN	ordinant ☓	27 – 32	ANDIRON		51
8	GLREAOPLG	GALLOPER	35 – 40	GALLOPER		59
9	ASCEKNISN	SNACKS	35 – 47	SICKENS	CANINES, INCASES, KINASES, NANCIES, SEASICK, SIENNAS*	66
10	50 8 6 7 4 1 → 338	338 50 × 7 − 8 ÷ 4 × 6	45 – 57	338 50 × 7 − (8 + 4)		76
TTT	SISTOOLS	Even collectively, they're on their own.			SOLOISTS
11	RTDEISMEN	DEMERITS	53 – 57	MINSTER	DEMINERS, DEMISTER, DIMETERS, INSERTED, NERDIEST, RESIDENT, SEDIMENT, SINTERED, TRENDIES*	84
12	WNHAEOMSL	MANHOLES	61 – 65	MANHOLES		92
13	AENFTCOTS	FATTENS	68 – 72	FATTENS	CONTEST, COSTATE, NOTATES, OCTANES, OCTANTS	99
14	25 10 2 1 1 8 → 991	992 (2 + 1 + 1) × 10 × 25 − 8	75 – 79	992 (2 + 1 + 1) × 10 × 25 − 8	CV: 991 = (10 ÷ 2 × 25 − 1) × 8 − 1	109
15	RIPEROOTS		75 – 89	POSTERIOR (10.25 seconds)		119