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Double Dealing

· By Wendy Walker · Published 2023-07-16T12:00:10.411Z

Meta Prompt
The meta answer is a U.S. state capital.
That thing you pay attention to in other meta puzzles and it turns out to be irrelevant? In this one, it's not. The inspiration for this puzzle was the frequency with which a certain potential solving strategy is raised in our Group Solves. Hmm, I thought. That's actually a great idea for a meta! I had a lot of fun creating this one but struggled to think of a suitable meta answer. It came to me, of all times, during my weekly meditation group! Thank you to Bird Lives and to Abide for their tweaks, which improved the puzzle greatly.
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • Bird Lives solved at 14:34 on 7/1/2023
  • Capn Rick solved at 18:22 on 7/11/2023
  • Cindy Weatherman solved at 13:02 on 7/16/2023
  • BarbaraK solved at 13:11 on 7/16/2023
  • FrankieHeck solved at 13:12 on 7/16/2023
  • Qmark solved at 13:23 on 7/16/2023
  • Schmeel solved at 13:24 on 7/16/2023
  • Tyrpmom solved at 13:34 on 7/16/2023
  • Meg solved at 13:34 on 7/16/2023
  • ajk solved at 13:37 on 7/16/2023
  • Alex Sisti solved at 13:45 on 7/16/2023
  • boharr solved at 13:48 on 7/16/2023
  • BrennerTJ solved at 13:56 on 7/16/2023
  • KayW solved at 14:21 on 7/16/2023
  • heidi solved at 14:27 on 7/16/2023
  • Hector solved at 15:00 on 7/16/2023
  • Gutman solved at 15:06 on 7/16/2023
  • whimsy solved at 15:12 on 7/16/2023
  • Carolyn solved at 15:19 on 7/16/2023
  • woozy solved at 15:24 on 7/16/2023
  • Cindy Heisler solved at 15:31 on 7/16/2023
  • rjy solved at 15:50 on 7/16/2023
  • GR solved at 16:06 on 7/16/2023
  • merlinnimue solved at 16:42 on 7/16/2023
  • MatthewL solved at 17:10 on 7/16/2023
  • Rufus T Firefly solved at 18:01 on 7/16/2023
  • Pair O Ducks solved at 19:28 on 7/16/2023
  • Darrell solved at 20:07 on 7/16/2023
  • Laura M solved at 20:34 on 7/16/2023
  • Jeremy Smith solved at 20:47 on 7/16/2023
  • Mwoychick solved at 21:12 on 7/16/2023
  • michaelm solved at 22:05 on 7/16/2023
  • StephieG19 solved at 22:10 on 7/16/2023
  • Sharkicicles solved at 22:16 on 7/16/2023
  • BestNumber72 solved at 23:14 on 7/16/2023
  • Jaclyn solved at 23:37 on 7/16/2023
  • CPJohnson solved at 23:50 on 7/16/2023
  • Dow Jones solved at 0:01 on 7/17/2023
  • HeadinHome solved at 0:35 on 7/17/2023
  • lbray53 solved at 0:40 on 7/17/2023
  • hoover solved at 1:41 on 7/17/2023
  • I K Snamhcok solved at 1:55 on 7/17/2023
  • ReB solved at 2:32 on 7/17/2023
  • Alvibu67 solved at 3:48 on 7/17/2023
  • Berto solved at 4:37 on 7/17/2023
  • THC solved at 10:46 on 7/17/2023
  • kymike solved at 12:48 on 7/17/2023
  • JHSeeman solved at 13:09 on 7/17/2023
  • DebbieC solved at 14:04 on 7/17/2023
  • DCBilly solved at 14:20 on 7/17/2023
  • kamashdad solved at 14:41 on 7/17/2023
  • DIS solved at 15:20 on 7/17/2023
  • andeux solved at 19:49 on 7/17/2023
  • kurtalert solved at 0:10 on 7/18/2023
  • SJMcK solved at 0:12 on 7/18/2023
  • Mikey G solved at 14:16 on 7/18/2023
  • DrTom solved at 15:26 on 7/18/2023
  • Katiedid solved at 19:55 on 7/19/2023
  • sledge solved at 20:51 on 7/19/2023
  • Flora Wynn solved at 1:32 on 7/20/2023
  • ChrisCross solved at 15:18 on 8/2/2023
  • Philip Chow solved at 4:03 on 8/25/2023

Comments

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  • Capn Rick 🤓5:41 · 2023-07-16T12:00:10.411Z
    Nice one, Wendy!
    • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:47:05.384Z
      Thanks, Rick!
    • Qmark 2s · 2023-07-16T13:23:38.854Z
      Fun one...thanks Wendy!
      • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:47:16.887Z
        My pleasure! So glad you enjoyed it!
      • Tyrpmom 5s · 2023-07-16T13:36:34.900Z
        Nice! Thanks.
        • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:47:25.671Z
          You are very welcome!
        • boharr 4s · 2023-07-16T13:49:05.074Z
          Another fun one. Thanks Wendy
          • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:47:34.919Z
            You're welcome, Bob!
          • Meg 2s · 2023-07-16T13:36:22.741Z
            Very nice. It’s true about how often Zoomers bring up this strategy. Well done!
            • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:47:48.248Z
              Thanks, Meg!
            • ajk 🤓12:01 · 2023-07-16T13:38:30.261Z
              Excellent work, thanks.
              • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:48:01.975Z
                Alan, thank you so much!
              • KayW 🤓4:52 · 2023-07-16T14:22:42.308Z
                Very nice! V e r y N i c e !
                • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:48:15.855Z
                  I had so much fun doing this one!
                • Carolyn 3s · 2023-07-16T15:21:04.927Z
                  Perfect puzzle!
                  • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:48:23.976Z
                    Haha! Thanks!
                  • whimsy 🤓8:07 · 2023-07-16T15:13:46.487Z
                    Fabulous fun! Thanks, Wendy!
                    • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:48:38.119Z
                      You are so welcome! Thanks for solving!
                    • Hector 3:56 · 2023-07-16T15:00:28.023Z
                      Cool concept!
                      • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:49:00.951Z
                        Ha -- I see what you did there! Thank you, Hector!
                      • woozy 9:15 · 2023-07-16T15:32:15.462Z
                        So fun. Well constructed. And clever.
                        • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:49:10.087Z
                          So glad you enjoyed it!
                        • Cindy Heisler 2s · 2023-07-16T15:32:53.678Z
                          Perfect for a leisurely Sunday morning. Thanks, Wendy!
                          • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:49:24.272Z
                            You're welcome, Cindy. Thanks for solving!
                          • MatthewL 🤓5:08 · 2023-07-16T17:11:34.234Z
                            Very nice, Wendy!
                            • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:49:39.223Z
                              Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it.
                            • Laura M 🤓14:13 · 2023-07-16T21:10:33.696Z
                              Marvelous meta!
                              • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:50:14.495Z
                                Thanks so much! I had fun creating clues.
                              • Mwoychick 🤓5:39 · 2023-07-16T21:13:13.956Z
                                Thanks, Wendy - got it!
                                • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:50:22.384Z
                                  Well done, Mark!
                                • Sharkicicles 3s · 2023-07-16T22:17:11.591Z
                                  Fun one!
                                  • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:50:41.304Z
                                    Thanks, Chris! It was great to see you on the Zoom call last night.
                                  • michaelm 🤓7:47 · 2023-07-16T22:16:16.294Z
                                    AAHED AT IT. Twice as nice, Wendy. Thanks!
                                    • Dow Jones 3s · 2023-07-17T00:06:20.438Z
                                      Magnificent meta !! Well written, Wendy !!
                                      • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:50:57.623Z
                                        Haha! Thanks!
                                      • HeadinHome 🤓3:17 · 2023-07-17T00:35:55.205Z
                                        Quick and fun! tnx
                                        • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:51:38.303Z
                                          That is so funny that you grokked the metanism without reading the intro! We must be on the same wavelength.
                                        • I K Snamhcok 🤓5:16 · 2023-07-17T01:57:07.832Z
                                          Well wrought!
                                          • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:51:52.431Z
                                            Haha! Glad you enjoyed it!
                                          • ReB 7s · 2023-07-17T02:41:00.566Z
                                            Creative camouflage for a Sunday search. Enjoyable enterprise.
                                            • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:52:03.303Z
                                              So glad you enjoyed it, Bob!
                                            • THC 🤓57s · 2023-07-17T10:47:07.983Z
                                              Thanks, Wendy!
                                              • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-17T12:52:15.832Z
                                                You are very welcome! Thanks for solving!
                                              • kurtalert 🤓4:03 · 2023-07-18T00:11:50.672Z
                                                Great metanism! This is one that I've tried a number of times, and it's always ended up being a rabbit hole. THANK YOU for finally putting it into use, LOL.
                                                • Wendy Walker constructor · 2023-07-18T12:29:52.993Z
                                                  You are so welcome! I have another few ideas for "rabbit hole" puzzle that I'm going to try as well!
                                                • DrTom 8s · 2023-07-18T15:35:45.786Z
                                                  It's funny, I thought NEVADA right off the bat (the NE in first two Across, the central VIN18ADashboard data[---] and APARTMENT20ARented residence[---------], along with double DEALING (gambling!) and then I convinced myself it would be LAS VEGAS (two word expression of amazement = THE STARS. particularly since there was a stars reference in 5D5DBrightest star in Aquila, the Eagle[------]). But of course that did not makes sense since Las Vegas is not the capital (now if you had said capital city I would have submitted Las Vegas and defended it vehemently since that is where most of the capital in Nevada comes from). I did not see how Carson City ties in at first until I looked and it is the only one with two names that have the same letter. Probably somehting you noticed a while back and kept in your memory banks - nice catch. Thanks for the puzzle Wendy!
                                                  • DrTom 8s · 2023-07-18T15:38:17.931Z
                                                    Oh, and I forgot to say: HIP HIP and RAH RAH. Sneaky way of using what people always think they see; this time they did - two funny!
                                                    • ChrisCross 🤓6:04 · 2023-08-02T15:20:19.403Z
                                                      Really fun, and well-executed. The large amount of double letters in the grid was both misdirection but also orienting, because it got me looking at the clues for alliteration. Then saw the hints in some of the other clues like 2Down2DWhen solving a meta, looking at the clues is often a good ___[----] and 16Across16AExpressed amazement toward, using a two-word alliterative phrase[-------].
                                                      1A
                                                      Beauty brand
                                                      1
                                                      2
                                                      3
                                                      4
                                                      5
                                                      6
                                                      7
                                                      8
                                                      9
                                                      10
                                                      11
                                                      12
                                                      13
                                                      14
                                                      15
                                                      16
                                                      17
                                                      18
                                                      19
                                                      20
                                                      21
                                                      22
                                                      23
                                                      24
                                                      25
                                                      26
                                                      27
                                                      28
                                                      29
                                                      30
                                                      31
                                                      32
                                                      33
                                                      34
                                                      35
                                                      36
                                                      Across
                                                      1. 1A
                                                        Beauty brand
                                                      2. 6A
                                                        Lauder legend
                                                      3. 11A
                                                        Author of "Too Funny to Be President"
                                                      4. 12A
                                                        Voice of Amazon
                                                      5. 13A
                                                        Value
                                                      6. 14A
                                                        Pennies
                                                      7. 15A
                                                        Chesapeake or Fundy
                                                      8. 16A
                                                        Expressed amazement toward, using a two-word alliterative phrase
                                                      9. 18A
                                                        Dashboard data
                                                      10. 19A
                                                        Lots
                                                      11. 20A
                                                        Rented residence
                                                      12. 23A
                                                        Apothecary's amount
                                                      13. 24A
                                                        Big ref. work
                                                      14. 25A
                                                        Echo
                                                      15. 27A
                                                        Matterhorn, maybe
                                                      16. 30A
                                                        "No worries!"
                                                      17. 31A
                                                        Cheshire Cat's self-assessment
                                                      18. 33A
                                                        Ratfink
                                                      19. 34A
                                                        Stadium
                                                      20. 35A
                                                        Runs smoothly
                                                      21. 36A
                                                        Puts the kibosh on
                                                      Down
                                                      1. 1D
                                                        Administer anesthesia
                                                      2. 2D
                                                        When solving a meta, looking at the clues is often a good ___
                                                      3. 3D
                                                        Differ
                                                      4. 4D
                                                        Per Three Dog Night, he is en route
                                                      5. 5D
                                                        Brightest star in Aquila, the Eagle
                                                      6. 6D
                                                        Per person
                                                      7. 7D
                                                        Rained down icily
                                                      8. 8D
                                                        Sinew that connects bone to muscle
                                                      9. 9D
                                                        Present
                                                      10. 10D
                                                        Bridge positions
                                                      11. 17D
                                                        Playwright Chekhov
                                                      12. 18D
                                                        "Skedaddle! Stat!"
                                                      13. 20D
                                                        Recess retort
                                                      14. 21D
                                                        Skip
                                                      15. 22D
                                                        Traffic separator
                                                      16. 23D
                                                        DIYer's device
                                                      17. 26D
                                                        Israel Kamakawiwo’ole plays them
                                                      18. 27D
                                                        Credit card
                                                      19. 28D
                                                        Broadway star Nathan
                                                      20. 29D
                                                        Handheld PCs
                                                      21. 32D
                                                        Imaging study that is really tubular
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