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Postal Cards (Meta)

· By DavyGravy · Published 2024-11-25T11:00:48.857Z

Meta Prompt
The meta answer is two states
Happy Monday Muggles! Did I say Monday? Ah, you know what that means: a brand new, hot off the press MMM for your puzzling pleasure. I had fun making it - I hope you have fun solving it. Thank you to @Abide for editing and for coining the puzzle's title. And thank you to @JoeRoss, the Muggles' Tech Wizard. Solvers’ scoreboard updates during the week, nudges on Wednesday and solution on Sunday. Enjoy!
[spoiler] Another apt title for this puzzle is "State of Play"[/spoiler]
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • Tom Wilson solved 2024-11-25T12:14:33.670Z
  • Abide solved 2024-11-25T13:47:04.561Z
  • JM solved 2024-11-25T13:58:43.685Z
  • rjy solved 2024-11-25T14:56:16.327Z
  • Eric Porter solved 2024-11-25T14:57:08.854Z
  • DIS solved 2024-11-25T15:03:52.137Z
  • Meg solved 2024-11-25T15:19:41.901Z
  • Mwoychick solved 2024-11-25T15:33:09.991Z
  • boharr solved 2024-11-25T16:12:50.262Z
  • Hector solved 2024-11-25T17:09:28.076Z
  • Adam Doctoroff solved 2024-11-25T17:51:00.851Z
  • CPJohnson solved 2024-11-25T18:31:40.620Z
  • heidi solved 2024-11-25T19:45:20.130Z
  • lbray53 solved 2024-11-25T20:29:09.616Z
  • MatthewL solved 2024-11-25T20:34:10.617Z
  • Cindy Heisler solved 2024-11-25T20:46:43.804Z
  • LarsCaine solved 2024-11-25T21:01:50.174Z
  • Wendy Walker solved 2024-11-25T21:05:49.481Z
  • Danny K Bernstein solved 2024-11-25T21:27:32.225Z
  • markhr solved 2024-11-25T22:01:28.500Z
  • LB800 solved 2024-11-25T22:09:18.386Z
  • benchen71 solved 2024-11-25T22:22:21.191Z
  • Gutman solved 2024-11-25T22:39:18.991Z
  • Pair O Ducks solved 2024-11-25T23:33:14.218Z
  • ajk solved 2024-11-25T23:37:36.089Z
  • woozy solved 2024-11-25T23:41:20.334Z
  • Berto solved 2024-11-25T23:49:22.461Z
  • AZinDC solved 2024-11-26T00:13:24.937Z
  • ELSavage solved 2024-11-26T02:30:50.738Z
  • HeadinHome solved 2024-11-26T04:42:51.391Z
  • Alex Sisti solved 2024-11-26T05:08:12.212Z
  • whimsy solved 2024-11-26T13:37:26.564Z
  • Cindy Weatherman solved 2024-11-26T14:09:11.742Z
  • Lance solved 2024-11-26T17:47:52.044Z
  • DaveG solved 2024-11-26T19:31:57.542Z
  • Darth solved 2024-11-27T02:09:41.613Z
  • I K Snamhcok solved 2024-11-27T03:24:28.407Z
  • Adam Simon Levine solved 2024-11-27T11:59:18.320Z
  • DCBilly solved 2024-11-27T14:33:06.183Z
  • KayW solved 2024-11-27T15:28:10.935Z
  • minimuggle solved 2024-11-27T18:11:34.829Z
  • Chris Barbee solved 2024-11-27T18:41:11.530Z
  • Morendil solved 2024-11-27T19:55:24.706Z
  • DrTom solved 2024-11-27T20:09:44.446Z
  • Tyrpmom solved 2024-11-27T20:33:11.229Z
  • Anita and Steve solved 2024-11-27T21:01:18.473Z
  • Kulea solved 2024-11-27T21:28:18.561Z
  • Dave C solved 2024-11-27T21:40:23.814Z
  • hoover solved 2024-11-27T22:14:52.074Z
  • Boom solved 2024-11-27T22:54:17.589Z
  • Carolyn solved 2024-11-27T23:18:42.288Z
  • Viro solved 2024-11-27T23:40:51.104Z
  • FedexPope solved 2024-11-28T04:32:41.126Z
  • Schmeel solved 2024-11-28T14:57:25.951Z
  • michaelm solved 2024-11-28T18:58:08.504Z
  • david solved 2024-11-28T19:53:43.655Z
  • Sharkicicles solved 2024-11-28T23:37:47.391Z
  • BarbaraK solved 2024-11-28T23:58:12.486Z
  • Brahms solved 2024-11-29T13:54:27.635Z
  • bhamren solved 2024-11-29T17:20:37.102Z
  • atsiricajr111191 solved 2024-12-01T03:00:05.204Z
  • Dan solved 2024-12-01T03:21:13.769Z
  • Mikey G solved 2024-12-01T07:25:39.511Z
  • Serafin solved 2024-12-05T17:04:52.351Z

Comments

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  • DIS 🤓6:03 · 2024-11-25T15:04:55.238Z
    Nice puzzle! I was stumped for a while, then remembered to look at the title.
    • boharr 2s · 2024-11-25T16:13:10.477Z
      Loved it!
      • Abide 5s · 2024-11-25T17:04:48.394Z
        Some very nice layers to this one!
        • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-11-25T17:22:02.329Z
          Right. The working title was “State of Play” which would have made it easier for the solver. However that title was taken a few months back and I didn’t want to copy it. Peter came up with Postal Cards which I think is clever - given that we’re merging postal codes and card games.
          • MatthewL 🤓5:53 · 2024-11-25T20:35:15.253Z
            Fun one. Had the right idea, but needed a little extra push to see the full glory. Thanks for the puzzle, Dave!
            • Wendy Walker 3s · 2024-11-25T21:06:30.497Z
              Very nice, Dave! Just the right amount of brain power required!
              • benchen71 2s · 2024-11-25T22:24:31.805Z
                I made it this far without grokking the significance of the bracketed numbers. Anyone care to explain what I missed?
                • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-11-26T00:09:31.412Z
                  The bracketed numbers represent the order of admittance to the United States. It serves as a hint to look for the state. Some of the card games had 2 states - so this indicated which state to extract.
                  • whimsy 🤓9:43 · 2024-11-26T00:37:42.723Z
                    Same here although I do know what the numbers are. (I think maybe being from New England helped me see it, so it's certainly understandable that it would escape you, Ben.)
                    But I feel like I'm missing layers, or attempting to solve using my own layers, or something! I'd guessed a couple of other state combos that included PA (found before the DE -- 1st state to enter the union, in SPADES) and CA (found before RI -- 13th state, and meshing with AR -- the 25th, in CARIB. RI, AR, and OK -- the 46th-- all had their own card game-related entry, and I see GAME holds the abbreviations for the two answer states (and DEAL does consist of Delaware and Alabama.) But it appears we didn't need to use the entrance into the union dates after all? Maybe that was just to help pick out the DE rather than the PA in SPADES?
                    I saw many more other states in the grid, and there seemed to be some repetition of some of the same in the clues -- BRIDGE clue started with RI-ver, HEARTS clue started with AR-tich-OK-e, SPADES clue had GA-r-DE-n, etc.
                    I'm probably attempting a 7-layer torte while I should be making a basic 2-layer birthday cake with gooey icing and candles that the kids will eat under the guise of licking the frosting off!😄
                  • ajk 🤓6:49 · 2024-11-25T23:47:01.839Z
                    Phase 1: 'ok, there are card games.' Phase 2: 'maybe those numbers correspond to order of admission to the Union?' Phase 3: staring. Phase 4: 'maybe delete the states? SPAS, cool. HETS, less cool. 😆 Phase 5: < glances from BRIDGE to BADGE > 'ooooh...' Very nice cascade of aha's. Thanks. :)
                    • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-11-26T01:13:39.017Z
                      That’s a great synopsis. Lots of layers. Thank you for this!
                      • whimsy 🤓3:41 · 2024-11-26T14:18:20.326Z
                        Thanks for the BRIDGE to BADGE nugget! I knew there had to be more than just my spidey-sense and the GA/ME confirmation! Yes, clever and just a mite tricky -- Thanks, Davy!
                      • AZinDC 16s · 2024-11-26T00:14:19.044Z
                        Great puzzle! Tricky but tidy.
                        • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-11-26T01:55:01.467Z
                          Thank you. I see you guys were group solving on Discord. That’s a great place to hash it out. Its saved me with the WSJ more than once!
                        • ELSavage 🤓7:44 · 2024-11-26T02:33:00.883Z
                          This one was right up my alley, since I once memorized the order in which the states joined the union. And the answer combination connects with another hobby of mine, so it was in the cards for me to get this one quickly. Thanks for the puzzle.
                          • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-11-26T02:52:50.798Z
                            My pleasure. It was fun to make!
                          • Alex Sisti 3s · 2024-11-26T05:10:45.400Z
                            Really enjoyed this, and great callback to the themed card GAMEs! (I can't wait to talk about all the "this has to be something!" leads I followed). Great job; keep 'em coming!
                            • HeadinHome 🤓3:26 · 2024-11-26T04:47:32.441Z
                              And now I understand postal. Duh. But still would not have done order of admittance. Cards cards cards.
                              • HeadinHome 🤓3:26 · 2024-11-26T04:46:27.501Z
                                Oh man I was dealing and counting cards all evening. Three of those games require 13 cards dealt (was that a nod to the colonies?) but poker is generally five. Had to get the original Wendy to nudge a little.
                                • DaveG 🤓2:37 · 2024-11-26T19:39:39.202Z
                                  Very fun DavyGravy! I really tried to over complicate this by finding other card games with state codes hidden in the grid. Nines (NE) held my attention and wouldn’t let go. Was thinking what other state would work with ne? Michigan! Mine… Google spoiled that when there is no card game called BMI or Soami 😆
                                  • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-11-26T20:04:24.465Z
                                    Wow - I had never intended NINES to be a red herring. It just shows you how many different rabbit holes these puzzles can take us. I’ve been down a million myself. Congrats on the solve!
                                  • Darth 🤓9:22 · 2024-11-27T02:15:14.598Z
                                    Nice! Moving from cards to GAME and using DEAL for shuffling the letters around was a great concept! :D ... Keep 'em coming, Dave!
                                    • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-11-27T09:08:39.574Z
                                      DEAL also doubles as a clue for applying the state postal codes: DELAWARE/ALABAMA
                                    • KayW 🤓4:49 · 2024-11-27T15:30:03.352Z
                                      Very clever!! The meta that is, not me. I saw the states but not what to do with them. Thanks, Dave!
                                      • Tyrpmom 10:23 · 2024-11-27T20:33:56.927Z
                                        Very nice.
                                        • Dave C 2s · 2024-11-27T21:41:40.466Z
                                          Saw the states right away, but couldn't figure out what to do with them until the final nudge.
                                          • hoover 4s · 2024-11-27T22:15:31.429Z
                                            I was so close! Needed the last nudge, which turns out to be something I had already tried but discarded because I wasn't looking to anagram.
                                            • Carolyn 3s · 2024-11-27T23:20:48.867Z
                                              Saw what I needed to see early but needed that final nudge.
                                              • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-11-28T01:25:15.198Z
                                                Lots of comments about needing that last nudge. You can thank your trusty editor @Abide for that one!
                                              • DrTom 5s · 2024-11-27T20:20:58.160Z
                                                Wow, SUPER meta! Davy you have leapfrogged us all. I had a devil of a time with this trying to apply numbers to grid squares, finding ALL the 2 letter codes to see what two were missing. Finally needed someone to nudge me BRIDGE and it still took a while. Loved it!!!
                                                • michaelm 🤓7:13 · 2024-11-28T19:00:11.247Z
                                                  Just in time for today's gravy, Davy. Thanks for the MMM and every last nudge - UMAD, Bro!
                                                  • Brahms 11s · 2024-11-29T13:55:04.554Z
                                                    Loved the puzzle, Dave! Keep the gravy train coming!
                                                    • Lorraine 14:58 · 2024-11-30T13:38:32.163Z
                                                      Great puzzle-I suck at Meta!
                                                      1A
                                                      Mechanical men, for short
                                                      1
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                                                      70
                                                      71
                                                      72
                                                      73
                                                      Across
                                                      1. 1A
                                                        Mechanical men, for short
                                                      2. 5A
                                                        Christmas Eve church service
                                                      3. 9A
                                                        "Me too"
                                                      4. 14A
                                                        “I’ll get to that right away”
                                                      5. 15A
                                                        "True ___" John Wayne Oscar winner from 1969
                                                      6. 16A
                                                        "___ Miner", punchline to "What do you get when you drop a piano down a mine shaft? (groan)
                                                      7. 17A
                                                        A-lister
                                                      8. 18A
                                                        Took Uber or Lyft
                                                      9. 19A
                                                        "Oh my gosh!" reactions
                                                      10. 20A
                                                        West Indian native
                                                      11. 22A
                                                        Where you might pick your lox?
                                                      12. 24A
                                                        Apt to meddle
                                                      13. 25A
                                                        Garden tools (1)
                                                      14. 27A
                                                        Boy Scout patch
                                                      15. 29A
                                                        Cleverly dodge
                                                      16. 31A
                                                        Main arteries
                                                      17. 35A
                                                        Summer style drink
                                                      18. 38A
                                                        Make a long story short?
                                                      19. 39A
                                                        Artichoke centers (25)
                                                      20. 40A
                                                        Cancel
                                                      21. 41A
                                                        GPS suggestions
                                                      22. 42A
                                                        Celtics, on scoreboards
                                                      23. 43A
                                                        OJ Simpson trial judge Lance
                                                      24. 44A
                                                        Hockey referee's ruling
                                                      25. 46A
                                                        "___ bro?" (question from an internet troll)
                                                      26. 47A
                                                        Western treaty group
                                                      27. 48A
                                                        River expanse (13)
                                                      28. 49A
                                                        Dressed to the ___ (all decked out)
                                                      29. 51A
                                                        "Little ___ Coupe", Beach Boys hit of 1963
                                                      30. 53A
                                                        Begins, as a project
                                                      31. 57A
                                                        Turkeys and chickens
                                                      32. 60A
                                                        Long lasting hairdo
                                                      33. 62A
                                                        Fireplace implement (46)
                                                      34. 63A
                                                        "Give ___ ", really care (like an owl perhaps?)
                                                      35. 65A
                                                        Area in the back
                                                      36. 67A
                                                        Byron of "Myth Busters"
                                                      37. 68A
                                                        "Not exactly"
                                                      38. 69A
                                                        Beige's cousin
                                                      39. 70A
                                                        French verb meaning "to be"
                                                      40. 71A
                                                        "Kids ___ days ..."
                                                      41. 72A
                                                        Editor's marking
                                                      42. 73A
                                                        Distribute cards, and a hint to the meta answer
                                                      Down
                                                      1. 1D
                                                        Golden-brown pears
                                                      2. 2D
                                                        Available by the glass
                                                      3. 3D
                                                        Fancy headwear
                                                      4. 4D
                                                        Take things in ___ (stay calm)
                                                      5. 5D
                                                        Boss (abbr.)
                                                      6. 6D
                                                        JLo’s ex fiance
                                                      7. 7D
                                                        Extra wager
                                                      8. 8D
                                                        Type of monument
                                                      9. 9D
                                                        Droop
                                                      10. 10D
                                                        Tied to a particular time
                                                      11. 11D
                                                        In addition to
                                                      12. 12D
                                                        Atlas pictures
                                                      13. 13D
                                                        ___ -bitsy
                                                      14. 21D
                                                        Iced tea, e.g.
                                                      15. 23D
                                                        Boise natives, e.g.
                                                      16. 26D
                                                        "Let's ride partner!"
                                                      17. 28D
                                                        Hits a home run, in baseball slang
                                                      18. 30D
                                                        Start to appear?
                                                      19. 32D
                                                        Rock music's Rush, for one
                                                      20. 33D
                                                        "___ girl!"
                                                      21. 34D
                                                        Those, to Pablo
                                                      22. 35D
                                                        ___ Davis, portrayer of Alice on "The Brady Bunch"
                                                      23. 36D
                                                        Fashion house surname
                                                      24. 37D
                                                        Former soldier, briefly
                                                      25. 42D
                                                        Fitness mag stat
                                                      26. 45D
                                                        Stock buys
                                                      27. 46D
                                                        Slouching
                                                      28. 50D
                                                        Used a 62 across
                                                      29. 52D
                                                        The largest asteroid
                                                      30. 54D
                                                        Emulate Lipinski
                                                      31. 55D
                                                        Before firma or cotta
                                                      32. 56D
                                                        Bay window
                                                      33. 57D
                                                        Eschew one's food?
                                                      34. 58D
                                                        "This is not good..."
                                                      35. 59D
                                                        Eroded
                                                      36. 61D
                                                        Part of a stable family?
                                                      37. 64D
                                                        ___ -Bo ('90s exercise craze)
                                                      38. 66D
                                                        Bored worker's routine
                                                      Loading...