Lincoln format

The "Lincoln" format, originally known as the "Edinburgh" format, is one of the two styles of gameplay used at co-events. It was devised by the Edinburgh Countdown Club in the 1980s, then reintroduced by Series 46 champion Ben Wilson at the first COLIN tournament in 2005.

While "Lincoln"-style tournaments generally involve three rounds (six games) being played over the course of the day, some hosts have extended this to four (eight games).

Setup

Events running to the "Lincoln" format have a number of tables set up around the venue, enough to accommodate three participants at each. Every table is equipped with letters and numbers packs, either handmade or from editions of the Countdown board game, and a small tent for the host to conceal conundrums under. The majority of attendants use a stopwatch on their phone for the timer.

Draws

For the first round, every participant is matched with another two; the fixtures are typically generated at random. In subsequent rounds, the standard practice involves players competing against two others who performed similarly to them in the previous, with the fixtures now being generated to reflect the Swiss pairings system. This allows for more well-matched and potentially closer games.

Making selections

Unlike in the "Bristol" format, whereby everyone in the room plays with the same letters throughout the day, players at "Lincoln"-style events make their own selections in turn, reflecting the way games are played on the show. This additionally provides them with the opportunity to make tactical and sometimes crucial letters choices, such as vowel-heavy selections, i.e. five vowels and four consonants.

Table rotation

In each round, three games are played at every table, normally in the 9-round format. Between games, participants rotate within their groups of three so that they all compete in two and host one. By the end of every round, all participants will have occupied the Player 1, Player 2, and host positions in separate games. The order of rotation does not matter.

"Prunes"

In this style of event, a "Prune" — mimicking the Apterous Prune bot — is added if the total number of attendees does not equal a multiple of three, since three players are required at each table. A maximum of two can be included in this event format, but with only one per table to prevent a human player being singled out. As with on Apterous, they never score, so any players at a table with one will effectively receive a free win.

In every game they are involved in, "prunes" will request 1 large number in their numbers game choice, and "CV9" (consonants and vowels alternating nine times) in all of their letters. Human players will still make selections as normal.

Grand final and prize presentation

Conventionally, a grand final match is held at the conclusion of the heat games. This match is contested between the two top-performing contenders to determine an overall tournament winner. A prize presentation immediately follows, with recipients of prizes being determined either by results or — in the case of special prizes (best word spot, etc.) — the event host(s).