Speed Records and "Cheating"

[11dotcom]

My wife and I play Wordtwist together most mornings, just for fun and to keep our brains exercised. We are quite proud of our best score of 574 points and our most words of 119, both of which took some doing. Yet when I look at the records, I see someone has scored 5552 points in one game and the most words is 805! How is that possible? It does make the idea of records rather pointless, doesn't it?

[compuspud]

I completely agree. I often solve the puzzle in about twice the record time. Even when I don't stop to think, I can't get down to 35 seconds as some often do. So, they either already have the answers and type them right in, or something else is going on. In fact, one of the top all time scorers has solved ONE MORE puzzle than he has played.

[mockmook]

Howdy,

Before the migration there was a discussion about speed records and alleged cheating.

I'd like to throw in my two cents:

I suppose I am somewhat new here. I've completed about 300 puzzles, and kept track of my improvement with experience.

Anyway, my average time for solving a puzzle now is about 2.5 times more than the average time given on the puzzles.
But, sometimes I still struggle, have to use "Hints", and end up with times 5 times or more worse than the average.

And, it was just recently that I completed my FIRST (and ONLY to date) puzzle in less time than the given average.

Just for context: I am not a dolt :-)
I was beyond the 90th percentile when I used to take standardized tests.
I graduated college with honors for a BS degree -- yes, only a BS -- maybe I am a dolt?

So, how is it possible that my FASTEST time -- when I was filling in answers boom, boom, boom -- was still FOUR TIMES slower than the record for that puzzle?

I can see how I might sometimes get to twice as fast, but four times? Impossible.

But, that's not my main source of skepticism that everything is on the up and up. It is the AVERAGE time that mystifies me. The AVERAGE implies someone solving every puzzle in that boom boom boom manner. Little or no hesitation, knowing about 70% of the clues right off the top of your head -- then it is child's play to fill in the few missing squares.

Therefore, the AVERAGE solver routinely matches the best time I have ever achieved. I mean, are there no "novices" trying these games? What about the games where you leave a puzzle overnight and solve it the next morning? Doesn't that ever happen? (I know I have done it)

And, if the AVERAGE solver can get through virtually all his/her puzzles in a boom-boom-boom manner, how do they get any enjoyment from it? Part of my enjoyment is the struggle to find missing clues/squares -- I can't see how I would enjoy the games if every one virtually solves itself.

So, I am skeptical of the records AND the average times.

Though, I'm happy to hear other perspectives -- just know it will be a hard sell if you claim no shenanigans :-)