Clever and devious means are used to hide the answer within these words. When tackling these crosswords don't overtax yourself. Start by reading all the clues.

Look for short clues, maybe 2 words only. Words may be joined by and or is. Think laterally. Often an allusion is made to solution with very misleading word(s).

About / adjusted / amended / arranged / baffled / becomes / bizarre / changed / could be / crazy / derived /destroyed / disguised / explosive / maybe / ...

In order to solve a clue, it's helpful to figure out where one part ends and the other begins. Beware — there are clues within clues!

A useful strategy is to make a list of words that indicate a directional clue, particularly as you learn how to tackle cryptic crosswords and come across other.

All of the puzzles that appear in this book were originally published in The Enigma. For more information on the National Puzzlers' League and our magazine The ...

Usually clues have three parts: the word or phrase which is a synonym for the solution; the confusing, play-around, cryptic bit of the sentence; and a word (or ...

) 3. ARENA (hidden). 4. ROOMER (rumor hom.) 5. A + BAND + ON 6. B(IT)ING 7. SLAP (pal's rev.) 8. MARe 9. C(ARDT)ABLE (dart anag.) Answers to the sample clues:

cryptic clue is a bald-faced lie. It doesn't mean what it says on its surface. What you read on the surface will hardly ever lead you to the intended answer.

Cryptic crossword clues use wordplay, definitions, and indicators to obscure the answer. Common types of clues include anagrams, where letters must be ...