What is apterous?
apterous is a UK-based puzzle game where players compete to solve word and number puzzles. You can play in British English, French, German, Welsh, global English and a variety of other languages.
Register here, or log in if you already have an account.
Current Duel Leaders
| # | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Hamer | — |
Format: 15 rounds of 25 seconds.
[Vote for the next Duel's format]
Latest Pencils
Top Dog
| # | Player | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Baker | 84% |
These are the finest bones dug up lately,
in Mr Dog's opinion (patent pending).
Discussions
9
0
0
Co:Blackpool 2025 - Saturday 13th September 2025
Announcement by Bradley Horrocks. Status: Unconfirmed.
As dependable as the rock-selling vendors on the pier, Co:Blackpool is back for another year! ———————————— Key information: DATE - Saturday 13th September 2025, doors open 11:15 ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
24 0 3
Put the full variant rules in Junior versions, for people less familiar with them
Game feature request by Phil Stanton. Status: Unconfirmed.
Mainly affecting the more infrequent / newer users, but currently the Junior variants (e.g. Touchdown Junior) just say something like "Same as Touchdown, but" ... which is all well and good if you know ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
3 0 2
Easiest way to browse other words you could have had
Brainstorm by Jon Stammers. Status: Unconfirmed.
What is the easiest way to check on other words you could reasonably have got in a game short of the max. I'm thinking especially of rounds where you and your opponent got 5s and 6s, for instance, and ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
9 0 0
Option to search tickets by any specific user
Website feature request by Gevin Chapwell. Status: Unconfirmed.
At the moment when you're doing a ticket search, you can search for tickets filed by anyone or tickets filed by you. But I'd like to be able to select any specific user and search for the tickets filed ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
18 7 5
A bit of patience when entering number target.
Game feature request by Jon Stitcher. Status: Unconfirmed.
This problem doesn't come up too often, mostly during spoilage but when running out of time and trying to solve the numbers or work out exactly where you are you have no time to put the number in the box ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
21 3 2
The Maximilian
Game feature request by Roger Peak. Status: Unconfirmed.
Please can you add this award - to be given to anyone who achieves 1,000,000 career maxes? Chris Hare has achieved this today after many years of skill, persistence and all round max ability! Well done ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
41 0 53
Zoomdown Season 5
Announcement by Darren Godfrey. Status: Unconfirmed.
Hello all. After a few discussions with folks, and having convinced myself that it'd be grand, I've decided to run a season 5 of Zoomdown. If you'd like to take part, and / or volunteer to be part of the ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
28 4 5
Duel completion - prompt to vote for tomorrow's format
Game feature request by Ian Volante. Status: Unconfirmed.
Hello, I often forget to vote for tomorrow's duel format. A prompt would be nice, possibly on completion of today's duel. A pop-up would be somewhat intrusive, but maybe a link in the game window or something ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
10 0 0
Co: Tunbridge Wells - Saturday 24th May 2025
Announcement by Gabriel Thallon. Status: Unconfirmed.
For some reason I have decided it would be a fabulous idea to host an inaugural Co: Tunbridge Wells competition in a few weeks time - just drumming up more support as well as FB and the forum page :). ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
10 1 7
Updating other language dictionaries
Brainstorm by Roger Peak. Status: Unconfirmed.
Can someone tell me - do the dictionaries for other languages ever get updated and what drives that ? [Read more] [More miscellany]
6 1 16
Mass nouns and actions...
Brainstorm by Fiona T. Status: Unconfirmed.
I'm working through a long list of mass nouns that have plurals in apterous. Food ones we allow because of the 'restaurant rule'. In the past, actions have been allowed - see discussion here https://www.apterous.org/ticket_view.php?ticket=6225 ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
5 0 2
Looking for specific episode that my friend appeared on
Brainstorm by Edmond Mitchell. Status: Unconfirmed.
Hi all, I was wondering if someone could help me to locate a particular episode of Countdown that my friend Ciarán appeared on who now has no copy. Its episode 6467 (https://wiki.apterous.org/Episode_6467). ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
34 1 32
Enable Facility To Delete Dormant Games
Game feature request by Phil Collinge. Status: Unconfirmed.
Since the move away from Java one slight negative is that dormant games never die. And occasionally they should be allowed to. In my case I started one game around two months ago against a human who, ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
45 2 6
In-game variant instructions to be more self-contained
Game feature request by Gevin Chapwell. Status: Unconfirmed.
When I do the Daily Duel, I sometimes go to the rules section after I've accepted the game just to remind me what I'm supposed to do. But with some of them it doesn't actually tell you. For example, with ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
24 0 3
Item Idea: Bowling Ball
Game feature request by Ravi Choudhary. Status: Unconfirmed.
An item for getting 100% on all 3 attempts in Top Dog, a feat that was achieved yesterday by Chas Maxwell. Based on achieving a perfect game in ten-pin bowling, where a player scores 300. Either that ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
16 1 4
Move straight to entering numbers solution when ending the round early
Game feature request by David Holmes. Status: Unconfirmed.
Requesting a change so that if one ends a numbers rings early when playing a human opponent, they are immediately moved to the interface to enter their solution, rather than having to wait for the round ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
10 3 6
Lexplorer field for culled words
Website feature request by Matty Artell. Status: Unconfirmed.
For invalid words, it would be useful if Lexplorer had a section which indicates whether they have been valid in English in the past. Currently, this can be checked by going to "word search" and manually ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
13 0 1
Co:Wat?! 2025 - Countdown in Waterford (28/06/2025)
Announcement by Eoin Jackson. Status: Unconfirmed.
Co:Wat is back for its 2025 edition! 😁🎉 A few details ~It takes place on June 28th, 11am-7pm. ~Bristol-style classroom format. Five amended 9Rers, followed by three 15Rers ~Atropine and Robo Riley ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
12 4 0
New character idea: Colin Murray
Game feature request by Aidan Dunbar. Status: Unconfirmed.
This ticket was created by the Character Spindlomatic, which you should use to create your own characters! https://www.apterous.org/spindlomatic.php --------------------------------------- I suggest the ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
96 0 18
Spoon of Awesome for Fiona T
Miscellaneous topic by Marcus Hares. Status: Unconfirmed.
I believe it's high time that Fiona T should be considered for a Spoon of Awesome. "The Spoon of Awesome is awarded for services to the advancement of Aptocraft" and I can think of few others who fit ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
News
25 May 2025
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Chas Maxwell, who lasted 8 rounds with a target of 5. Woof!
- The Duel was won by 5 people (Mike Lee, Marcus Hares, Matt OC, Mark Murray and Tom Cappleman) with a score of 62 from 63.
24 May 2025
- Dylan Taylor tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Dylan Taylor tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Dylan Taylor tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Martin Thomas tied the record number of maximums for 15 Rounder with 15 maxes.
- Trevor Potts commented on Formula Apterous World Championship 2025: 9. Belgian GP - QUALIFYING.
- Ross K tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Adam Latchford commented on Reach your rating 2025: Round 13 - Spoilage.
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Sean D, who lasted 16 rounds with a target of 6. Woof!
- The Duel was won by Tom Cappleman with a score of 121 from 134.
23 May 2025
- Florence C-L tied the record number of maximums for 9 Rounder with 9 maxes.
- Neil Collins tied the record number of maximums for 15 Rounder with 15 maxes.
- Patrick Thompson tied the record number of maximums for Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Dylan Taylor tied the record number of maximums for 15 Rounder with 15 maxes.
- Patrick Thompson tied the record number of maximums for Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Adam Latchford commented on Tasneem Rana's game with Apterous Prune.
- Richard Decker commented on his game with Apterous Prune. [+1 other]
- Tom Cappleman commented on Ross K's game with Sherpa Shilty. [+1 other]
- Patrick Thompson tied the record number of maximums for Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Ross K's 223 - 0 game with Apterous Prune received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Ross K tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Dave O'Donnell tied the high score for Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Trevor Potts's 70 - 0 game with The Duellist received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Adam Latchford commented on Ross Allatt's game with Apterous Prune.
- Adam Latchford commented on Martin Thomas's game with Apterous Prune.
- Mark Jeary-Fairbairn commented on his game with Apterous Prune. [+1 other]
- Adam Latchford commented on Premier League 24-25: Rounds 35-38 (May).
- Adam Latchford commented on Thomas Carey's game with Apterous Prune.
- Patrick Thompson tied the record number of maximums for Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Mark O'Regan commented on his game with Apterous Prune.
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Anan Nathan, who lasted 14 rounds with a target of 5. Woof!
- The Duel was won by Trevor Potts with a score of 70 from 80.
22 May 2025
- Dave Kempshall commented on EFL Championship 24/25 (reboot): League Stage.
20 May 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Adam Latchford's 122 - 112 15 Rounder +TB win against John Beresford! This week's vote is now open.
- New: apterous History: April 2025.
19 May 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
- News: Robin M has been crowned champion of Europa League (2024)!
- News: Dan Byrom has been crowned champion of Europa League (2025)!
18 May 2025
- News: Adam Latchford has been crowned champion of Everything Counts Champions of Champions III!
13 May 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Dylan Taylor's 86 - 0 win against The Duellist! This week's vote is now open.
12 May 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
6 May 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Sean D's 123 - 0 15 Rounder win against Apterous Prune! This week's vote is now open.
5 May 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
4 May 2025
- News: Tom Cappleman has been crowned champion of AptoLeague (S33 League)!
2 May 2025
- News: A total of 44 Duel Necklaces were awarded for April 2025.
1 May 2025
- News: The Duel for April 2025 was won by Chris Hare!
29 April 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Apterous Rex's 1613 - 1605 Goatdown win against Jack Worsley! This week's vote is now open.
28 April 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
27 April 2025
- News: Tom Cappleman has been crowned champion of Champions League (2025 Champion)!
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