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: 8 rounds of 20 seconds.
[Vote for the next Duel's format]
Latest Pencils
Top Dog
| # | Player | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Manojlovic | 67% |
These are the finest bones dug up lately,
in Mr Dog's opinion (patent pending).
Discussions
16
5
11
Pro-ranks - negative numbers
Website feature request by Fiona T. Status: Unconfirmed.
There's a handful of players with negative prorank ratings. I imagine this is pretty demoralising. My suggestion is that anyone with a prorank rating below a certain threshold (e.g. 20, but any other ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
11 0 8
February 2025 dictionary update
Announcement by Charlie Reams. Status: Unconfirmed.
Medium size update this time, with 181 new entries and 309 deletions (mostly messy plurals). Update will go live on Monday 17 Feb. I know some of these are disputable one way or the other but I've done ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
10 0 0
Countdown in Oxford 2025
Announcement by Darren Godfrey. Status: Unconfirmed.
So, I thought I'd created a ticket for this...however, two weeks before the event, I've discovered I only created a 2024 version... I'm sure you all know how it works by now, so I've popped a few useful ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
23 2 2
Extend Tournament Deadlines
Website feature request by Rhys Benjamin. Status: Unconfirmed.
Title pretty much summarises this - in the case of downtime, or a game not being played, it should be possible for the tournament creator to change the deadline of a tournament, particularly Owl Licensees. ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
15 0 8
GOTY Revival Discussion
Brainstorm by Matthew Brockwell. Status: Unconfirmed.
From 2010 until 2021, the best games of the year were voted on in a fun contest known as Game of the Year (GOTY). Here are the historical results, from the votes run by Adam Gillard and Elliott Mellor: ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
13 0 3
Apterous still thinks there's GOTW voting when there's no nominations, and where's my ostracon?
Website feature request by Gevin Chapwell. Status: Unconfirmed.
This week there appear to be no games to vote on in Game Of The Week. But it still has the thing at the top of the page asking if you want to vote. This doesn't go away after you click "Take me there". ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
28 2 1
Apterous History to Include games of the week
Website feature request by Jack Hurst. Status: Unconfirmed.
I think the apterous history for each month should include games played in that month that won game of the week. [Read more] [More feature requests]
94 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]
14 0 14
CO:LON 2025 - Countdown in London 2025 - Saturday 12th April 2025
Announcement by Phil Stanton. Status: Unconfirmed.
I'm pleased to announce CO:LON - Countdown in London 2025 – a FOCAL Countdown event. WHEN Saturday 12th April 2025 Doors open at 10:45 am. Gameplay starts at 11:30. WHERE & GETTING THERE “The Venue”, ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
11 0 4
CoLiv 3 - Saturday 15th February 2025
Announcement by Andy Platt. Status: Unconfirmed.
DATE: Saturday 15 February 2025 LOCATION: Cross Keys pub, 13 Earle Street, L3 9NS. It's the same place as both last year and back in 2019. The room can fit 36, maybe 39 or 42 at a push. FORMAT: Edinburgh/Lincoln ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
6 0 3
Tournament: F1 simulation - now open for sign-ups - gameplay runs 1st March - 7th December 2025
Announcement by Trevor Potts. Status: Unconfirmed.
It's happening! https://docs.google.com/document/d/162rDrf7FgpNJD3EHM-l3mncrGilAERha-fKBvuoV6sU/edit?usp=sharing for Regulations with full details (most technical bits still to come) and links to previous ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
5 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]
28 1 6
'Unready' button
Game feature request by Jonathan Dyke. Status: Unconfirmed.
I have been playing multiple games recently when I have joined a game and clicked 'play next round' and then my opponent has said that they'll brb. Whilst the most cordial of opponents would again ask ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
5 0 6
Upcoming FOCAL Tournaments: January - April 2025
Announcement by George Armstrong. Status: Unconfirmed.
Hello all, Whether you've been to 100 FOCAL tournaments or haven't yet come along, everyone is always welcome, whatever your ability. We're planning on having more tourneys this year than ever before, ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
21 3 3
Undeclared 9s
Game feature request by Cyril Topher. Status: Unconfirmed.
If possible, valid 9 letter words that were noted but undeclared; similar to the BIG WORDS, and DISALLOWED feature on a users profile page. [Read more] [More feature requests]
20 0 5
The Twelve Games of Chris-mas: Vol. III.: So, Hare it is, Merry Chris-mas: Review
Announcement by Chris Hare. Status: Unconfirmed.
With another year over and another Chris-mas done and dusted, I invite you to join me for the traditional recap of events, brought to you with all my usual zeal and vigour. Naturally, that means it arrives ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
19 0 10
2025 Apterous ATP Tour
Announcement by Andy SC. Status: Unconfirmed.
This is not what you think it might be. After 6 years of hosting the Apterous ATP Tour, I have decided to not proceed with it next year. However, that won't be the complete end of it. Next year I may ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
8 0 4
Ability to see [+ others] for Notifications
Website feature request by Chris Hare. Status: Unconfirmed.
Currently, if I receive more than one notification for the same thing, Apterous kindly combines them and says [+n others]. This is useful, and avoids clutter. Unfortunately, this is also incredibly inconvenient ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
1 7 4
cann you add boolean to the discitonary
Brainstorm by Captain Jack. Status: Unconfirmed.
it's showibng as valid on OED but invalid on apterous [Read more] [More miscellany]
11 3 3
New character idea: Sgt. Nicholas Angel
Game feature request by Perry Sarb. 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]
News
12 March 2025
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Mark Jeary-Fairbairn, who lasted 11 rounds with a target of 7. Woof!
- The Duel was won by Chris Hare with a score of 118 from 120.
11 March 2025
- Ravi Choudhary commented on The Apprentice: Task 3 (Lockdown NA).
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Fiona T commented on Pro Ranks for 10 March 2025. [+12 others]
- Hazel Drury tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Stephen Elsley commented on Formula Apterous World Championship 2025: 1. Australian GP - RACE. [+13 others]
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters 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.
- Ned Telling commented on Everything Counts XII: Quarter Final. [+2 others]
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Paul W, who lasted 11 rounds with a target of 7. Woof!
- The Duel was won by 3 people (Trevor Potts, Matthew Brockwell and Dylan Taylor) with a score of 73 from 73.
10 March 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
- Dylan Taylor tied the record number of maximums for Goat Attack with 20 maxes.
- Tal Lessner tied the record number of maximums for Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the record number of maximums for Old 15 with 15 maxes.
- Patrick Thompson commented on AptoLeague: S32 Premier League.
- Andy SC commented on Everything Counts XII: Last 16. [+1 other]
- Hazel Drury tied the high score for Speed Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Richard Barnett, who lasted 12 rounds with a target of 6. Woof!
- The Duel was won by 2 people (Matt Hamer and Chris Hare) with a score of 243 from 267.
9 March 2025
- Ned Telling tied the record number of maximums for 9 Rounder with 9 maxes.
- Andy SC commented on Dave Robjohns's game with Dan Byrom.
- Gabriel Thallon tied the record number of maximums for 9 Rounder with 9 maxes.
- Andy SC commented on Adam Dexter's game with Dave Kempshall.
- Andy SC commented on David Holmes's game with Chris Parfitt.
- Andy SC commented on Mike Lee's game with Matty Artell.
- Andy SC commented on Ned Telling's game with Ian Wray.
- Andy SC commented on Steven Oldham's game with Jason Turner.
- Andy SC commented on Dan Spinks's game with Chris Parfitt.
- Andy SC commented on Trevor Potts's game with Matthew Tassier.
- Andy SC commented on George Armstrong's game with Matty Artell.
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Dave Kempshall commented on Steven Harding's game with Apterous Prune.
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Rob Foster tied the record number of maximums for Goat Attack with 20 maxes.
- Matty Artell commented on his game with Apterous Prune.
- Dave Kempshall commented on APGA Tour 2025: Event 1: LIV - Hong Kong.
- Tom Cappleman tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Sarah Binns commented on AptoLeague: S32 Division 5.
- Perry Sarb commented on his game with Apterous Prune. [+1 other]
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Alan O'Sullivan, who lasted 19 rounds with a target of 6. Woof!
- The Duel was won by 2 people (Adam Latchford and Trevor Potts) with a score of 55 from 56.
8 March 2025
- Dan Southwell commented on Formula Apterous World Championship 2025: FA1. Australian GP - QUALIFYING. [+1 other]
- Jack Worsley's 1175 - 1182 game with Apterous Rex received a nomination for Game of the Week. [×4]
- Fiona T's 15 - 0 game with Mr Dog received a nomination for Game of the Week. [×3]
- Mike Lee tied the record number of maximums for Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Alan O'Sullivan's 16 - 0 game with Mr Dog received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Speed Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Tom Cappleman tied the high score for Duckdown Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Ravi Choudhary tied the high score for Touchdown Jnr Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
4 March 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Ben Bazzard's 116 - 84 15 Rounder win against Jez D Phillips! This week's vote is now open.
3 March 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
2 March 2025
- News: A total of 46 Duel Necklaces were awarded for February 2025.
1 March 2025
- News: The Duel for February 2025 was won by Chris Hare!
- News: Adam Latchford has been crowned champion of Aegilopsists (2024)!
- News: Trevor Potts has been crowned champion of Apterous Football League Cup (2024)!
25 February 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Thomas Carey's 85 - 75 9 Rounder win against Matthew Tassier! This week's vote is now open.
24 February 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
20 February 2025
- New: apterous History: January 2025.
17 February 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
15 February 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Matt Gould's 121 - 64 15 Rounder win against Karl Prizeman! This week's vote is now open.
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