What Got You Started With Cryptograms

[martayela]

I would be interested to know why each of you are so interested in solving Cryptograms.
For me it was in my Senior English class in high school where our assignment was to read Edgar Allen Poe's "Gold Bug" (a cryptogram was introduced here). I was fascinated by this idea and have been solving Cryptograms ever since (and I won't even tell you how many years that has been, lol)....

[Beagle]

Many years ago, I lived in a place where they had a daily "Cryptoquip" in the newspaper. I enjoyed doing them every day along with the crossword and Jumble (I imagine the Cryptoquip was a syndicated feature... does it still exist?).

Then I moved away to a place that didn't carry them in the newspaper, and I stopped doing them for years (although I occasionally lamented that I missed them). Then one day a few months ago I was bored and sitting in front of a computer, and I thought, "surely there are cryptograms to solve somewhere online." A quick google and here I am, reunited with a long-lost pleasure.

[mazereeuw]

I too started with the cryptoquips in the local newspaper. I remember the first one I did when I lived in Winnipeg. I was babysitting on a Friday evening and feeling bored, I decided to try the puzzle. It took me FOREVER! I remember writing out all the letters of the alphabet and stroking them off one-by-one.
It really is so much easier and more enjoyable doing cryptograms on-line! In fact, it's downright addicting.

[fishbum]

I think Cryptoquips are still published in the pink section of the S.F. Chronicle. I know they are often someone's attempt to be clever with word play.

[lz1982]

It was in my local paper too, although I think they were called Cryptoquotes. The first time I looked at one, I didn't see how I'd ever be able to solve it.

[kimmie]

I have always enjoyed a variety of word puzzles, and I bought Penny Press puzzle books, which had cryptograms. Trying a cryptogram one day, I found that I liked solving them. I first started solving them about 5 years ago. They became my new favorite, but for my first 2 years of solving them, I had to cheat by getting a couple of letters to get me started. A year after being able to solve them without help (which was a thrilling discovery), I found this site. I still do paper-and-pencil cryptograms (I keep a book of cryptograms in my purse), but I much prefer online puzzles!

[Altoid701]

When I was in 5th grade my teacher put a cryptogram on the board every day and we would solve it in groups for the first hour or so of the day. When I was in college I was sitting around bored one day and remembered how much I loved doing cryptograms, so I searched for a site online where I could do them electronically. Needless to say, it's addictive.

[pootie49]

I had never solved a cryptogram prior to coming to this site.
I always skipped them in puzzle books, thought they were for
real smart people.
Late one winter night, my mind was atrophying, and I googled
puzzles with a challenge.
This was one of the sites that came up.
I signed up right away and started to play.
And it made sense to me. A bit like finding you had a talent
you never knew you had.
I fell in love with solving then I got to know and like the players on site.
Interesting, intelligent, humourous people.
Thanks Stephen. And thanks for this thread.

[imported_nanrich]

I can't remember when I first tried a cryptogram, but when I was a kid I would choose a puzzle book for road trips based on which one had the most cryptograms in it. I've always loved them. And think I always will.

[justplayin]

I enjoy the Cryptoquotes in my local paper and decided to look for more online. Now when I'm doing them in the paper I really miss having letters fill in automatically!

[abracadebra]

I started solving Cryptogram's from magazine puzzle books at my nearby superstore market, and now, well "My name is Debbie, and I am a cryptoholic!" lol's

[gryhnd51]

I started buying puzzle books over 40 years ago, mostly because I loved crossword puzzles. I skipped over the cryptograms for many years, fearing that I just wouldn't be able to solve them. I finally got up the nerve to give it a whirl and instantly became enamored of the whole process of deduction. But those darned numbers puzzles still elude me, and I'm in awe of anyone who can do suduko (is that even how you spell it???)

[Barnabas]

Like several of the others here, I started doing the daily "Cryptoquote" in the daily paper I subscribe to. I eventually stumbled onto this website, and of the few cryptogram websites I've been to, this one is the best organized and most fun. And with the message board/forum (that the others don't have) I've found that the vast majority of the participants here are people I enjoy having something in common with.

[WineChick]

When I was in grade school, my neighbor ran a beauty shop and she bought crossword magazines. After a while, she would get new ones and gave them to me. I was always whipping through other puzzles. Then one day I decided to try a cryptogram...and got hooked.

I have to admit that I take spells when all I want to do is cryptograms, and then all of a sudden I wouldn't touch one if my life depended on it.

Thanks for letting me come play with you guys. I think we'll have fun together.

[wvwoman]

gryhnd51, it's sudoku, and it's really easy and super-fun if you start with the easy ones and have good instructions!

welcome, winechick!