Not really as there are different types. Some are cryptic in the clue, others are cryptic but have the answer hidden in the clue. I do enjoy having a go but they’re really hard sometimes

Not really , just do the easy ones first

I have a go, but don’t always have much luck. I have found that certain publications, like Woman’s Day and New Idea, have easier cryptic crosswords then say, a newspaper. I have a bit of success with those magazines

I can do some of the answers – there is a really good few websites out there, google will be your best mate whilst you learn

My dad was awesome at cryptic crosswords and he passed his love fir them onto me. Sometimes I can sit down and breeze through one, other times it’s a real struggle. One tip I have is when you do get stuck, put it up for a while and go back to it. You often have a different perspective on the question and can get the answer

just keep at it. the magazine ones are pretty fun to do

They’re too hard for me as I see no logic in them

I’ve found that the more you do, the more you start to see how the crossword compiler thinks, or not. Some compilers’ puzzles I found easy, and others seemed to be on a completely different wavelength to me and I’d never get more than 1 or 2 clues!

When I started doing them, I’d get the answers the next day and try to work out how they fit the clues from the puzzle the day before. Clues are in 2 parts – the answer’s definition and a puzzle that gives you the same answer. Common puzzles are anagrams, and reversals (the answer is part of the clue written backwards). This website is really helpful – http://solving-cryptics.com/types-of-clues/

Have fun and good luck!

Thanks for the tip mom56312 – Mom’s that like crosswords will appreciate that tip!

Unfortunately a little out of my league, sorry I can’t be more help, but I don’t mind the normal ones!

I wish I did! I used to work with a guy who was SO good at them. If I sat with him on a break he would explain to me the logic behind the answers, and it all made sense. But if I sit and try to do one on my own I’m at a complete loss these days!!

if you come to issues try thewordsplay site it gives lots of options for answers that may fit if you know some of the letters ir cuts it down for you it helps me heaps. its the main site i use

I like ordinary cross words but with cryptic ones I am clueless!

Yes, I love them. Our paper has one daily and I find the clues are often repeated which helps me. I go through and do the ones I can, then go back through and try to fill the gaps – there are often a couple that stump me but I also get it out often too. It hurts my brain so must be doing some good right?

I do the puzzles every week in Take5 and ThatsLife, they are fairly simple. I love the added challenge of a cryptic