Episode 80

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Episode 80 was broadcast on 2 July 1983 and was the Series 2 grand final. It aired at the later time of 7:00 p.m. and was an extended 45-minute episode, and the first 14 round game in Countdown history. It was also the first-ever episode to be aired on a Saturday.

The numbers game in Round 6 is believed to be the first recorded instance of a round in which both players failed to score any points, excluding conundrums.

Ash Haji played Russell Byers, with Ash Haji winning 71 – 70. The Dictionary Corner guests were Kenneth Williams and Gyles Brandreth, and the lexicographer was Lesley Burnett, with this episode believed to be Burnett's last appearance as lexicographer to date.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Ash Haji	Score	Russell Byers	Others	Max.
1	GIBGEVNIS	GIVING	6 – 0	givings ☓	SIEVING*	7
2	AECTRSDIR	DIRECTS	13 – 7	CRATERS	ASTRIDE*, CARDERS*, CARRIED*, CARRIES*, CARTERS*, CREDITS*, CRISTAE*, DARTERS*, DISRATE*, DRASTIC*, ERRATIC*, RACIEST*, RADICES*, RAIDERS*, REDACTS*, RETARDS*, SCARIER*, SCARRED*, STARRED*, STIRRED*, STRIDER*, TARDIER*, TARRIED*, TARRIES*, TARSIER*, TIRADES*, TRACERS*, TRADERS*, TRICARS*	14
3	50 6 8 3 2 5 → 896	896 ?	23 – 7	—	Best: 896 = 50 × 6 × 3 − 8 ÷ 2	24
4	BUOTDEMVG	TOMBED	29 – 13	BUDGET	DEVOUT*	30
5	AETSMWITL	WATTLES	36 – 20	WATTLES	MATIEST*	37
6	75 100 8 8 2 1 → 429	—	36 – 20	—	Best: 429 = 75 × (8 − 1) − 100 + 8 ÷ 2	47
7	ZIILQCZUA		36 – 30	QUIZZICAL (1 second)		57
8	EODYCXAEF	COAXED	42 – 36	COAXED	DEFACE*	63
9	NPIODENDC	COPIED	48 – 42	PINNED	POINDED*	70
10	6 5 8 7 2 8 → 282	272	48 – 47	276 ?	Best: 282 = 8 × 5 × 7 + 2	80
11	IENGNOJGN	NOGGIN	54 – 53	NOGGIN	GENNING*	87
12	GEBWSINOK	SKEWING	61 – 60	SKEWING	WIGEONS*	94
13	50 6 7 1 2 2 → 682	682 ?	71 – 60	—	Best: 682 = (50 + 7) × 6 × 2 − 2	104
14	IBSRTTOAA		71 – 70	ABATTOIRS (2 seconds)		114