Episode 5653

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Episode 5653 was broadcast on 28 February 2013, and was the second semi-final of the 30th Birthday Championship.

Jon O'Neill played Conor Travers, with Conor Travers winning 120 – 102. The Dictionary Corner guest was Jenny Eclair, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

Travers' max game was the sixth in the history of 15-round televised Countdown, as well as being the fifth of the series and Travers' third in a row.

This episode is also notable for the fact that between them, O'Neill and Travers scored maximum points in 28 of the 29 picks that they offered – had O'Neill omitted the D from sulphated ☓, it would have been the only known "double max game" (where both contestants achieved the max, prior to the conundrum).

This episode was repeated on 25 June 2020.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Jon O'Neill	Score	Conor Travers	Others	Max.
1	OEANBNVTC	COVENANT	8 – 8	COVENANT		8
2	RDWEOIPGF	FIREDOG	15 – 15	PODGIER		15
3	AEINSTCEG	GENETICS	23 – 23	GENETICS	AGENCIES, CINEASTE	23
4	RZNOEACRG	GROANER	30 – 30	GROANER		30
5	50 25 100 75 5 4 → 391	391 (100 − (25 + 50) ÷ 75) × 4 − 5	40 – 40	391 (100 − (25 + 50) ÷ 75) × 4 − 5		40
TTT	PRESSONE	Press one if you want a reply.			RESPONSE
6	SPTUEALDH	sulphated ☓	40 – 48	PULSATED	DUSTHEAP*, SULPHATE	48
7	UEONSNTAM	SEAMOUNT	48 – 56	SEAMOUNT	TONNEAUS	56
8	FKQIOIDUO	QUID	52 – 60	FOOD	QUOD	60
9	AIETSLRIW	LAIRIEST	60 – 68	LISTERIA	WISTERIA	68
10	50 8 6 3 10 3 → 522	522 50 × 10 + 8 × 3 − 6 ÷ 3	70 – 78	522 (50 + 3) × 10 − 8		78
TTT	RISKSHER	She risks her company's good name by employing these.			SHIRKERS
11	OAEPBRJSP	BOPPERS	77 – 85	JERBOAS		85
12	DLTIUANOE	OUTLINED	85 – 93	DELATION		93
13	AEUSDRMYD	REMUDAS	92 – 100	REMUDAS	DASYURE*, DRAMEDY*, MADDERS*	100
14	9 8 7 5 3 6 → 258	258 9 × 8 × 3 + 6 × 7	102 – 110	258 (9 × 6 − (7 − 3)) × 5 + 8		110
15	FINEGIRTH		102 – 120	INFIGHTER (1 second)		120