r/crossword • u/Electronic_Tank_2945 • 3d ago
Beginner and want to decrease time
Hey guys, just wanted to come on here to see if there are on recommendations for a newbie like me. My time today was 27 minutes and I just am a bit disappointed. I’m 20 and literally just started getting into crosswords, so I know it’ll take some time before I start getting my times down.
Besides just doing more crosswords do yall have anything specific that you do to decrease solve time? Also how much do you think it’s just an IQ filter—I’m curious as to the consensus on that is.
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u/AnxiousMeat1098 2d ago
I’ve been doing the New York Times crossword for over 30 years. It probably took me six or seven years to be able to finish a Sunday and another two or three years to finish a Saturday. The biggest thing that I would suggest is when you can’t solve anymore make sure you look at the answers the next day if you don’t know the answers you’ll never get them. There are a bunch of gimmies that you will learn along the way and anything that’s esoteric if you’re good enough with your crosses, you can probably fill anyway