A quick puzzle

[rhu]

I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this, but what the heck.

What's special about this poker hand? What word is hidden in this picture? (Even if you're not an experienced puzzler, I think this has a reasonably low "aha!" threshold. And if you are an experienced puzzler, you probably saw the answer before you read this text.)



ETA: Well, it just goes to show that every puzzle seems obvious to its constructor.

Comments

[rpipuzzleguy.livejournal.com]

"What word is hidden in this picture?"

Bicycle?

[cnoocy]

That's very clever.

[devjoe.livejournal.com]

Nice.

[jedusor.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've seen that one. Cute. :)

[cazique.livejournal.com]

Wonderful. If Eric Berlin doesn't read this blog, you should send it to him to use as a WB puzzle.

[ennienyc.livejournal.com]

No clue. This is why I'm reluctant to ever go to the Mystery Hunt. :( (a few minutes later) Ohhhhh.

[canadianpuzzler.livejournal.com]

I've provided useful contributions while remote-solving in previous mystery hunts for a competitive team, and I still don't have this one solved, so don't underestimate yourself.

I think with the right people on your team, you might enjoy a mystery hunt. I know I'd have no trouble talking my current team into bringing you aboard if you were to change your mind.

[rikchik.livejournal.com]

That's cute. Pretty "puzzly" though - I don't think people who aren't used to this kind of mechanism would ever get it.

And it's a nice pre-draw poker hand, but I'd probably fold it after the draw if someone else raised.

[rpipuzzleguy.livejournal.com]

Strangely, "this kind of mechanism" was enough a hint for me to get this, finally.

This does not bode well for my contributions come January.

[canadianpuzzler.livejournal.com]

I've finally solved this ... after reading your comment. What does this say about my ability to contribute come January?

Ah, well, I'm going to show up, do my best, and have a blast anyway.

[rpipuzzleguy.livejournal.com]

Hellz yeah.

[cramerica.livejournal.com]

Got it-- took a lot of dead ends first, though :)

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

I got nothin'.

I hate it when people show me a puzzle and tell me it's easy or has a low aha threshold - it just makes me feel really dumb when I don't get it immediately.

[rikchik.livejournal.com]

I figured it would be a little hint - glad it worked. (So when you're baffled by a puzzle in January, just think "this kind of mechanism".)

[jeffurrynpl.livejournal.com]

Whew! I had no idea until the word "mechanism" gave it to me, too.

[bookishfellow.livejournal.com]

I feel smart; I got it w/o hints. Then again, I often feel only minimally useful at Mystery Hunts, so I don't know what that says about a) my sense of self-worth, b) the teams I've been on, or c) this puzzle vis-à-vis Hunt puzzles.

[530nm330hz.livejournal.com]

I think he does; he's commented here before. Eric? You there? :-)

[abbasegal.livejournal.com]

Well, as one of the resident non-puzzlers who enjoys Rhu's puzzles, I can officially proclaim myself "stumped".

[mamagotcha.livejournal.com]

THIS. Thanks, Hathor.

[ericberlin.livejournal.com]

I'm here. Add me to the people who needed the "mechanism" hint. I think this may be too hard for the WB crowd. I love it, though.

[tinhorn2.livejournal.com]

Having spent too much time on the "puzzle" site Tanga (the scare quotes are definitely needed for some of their offerings), I found this pretty straightforward. Still, nicely executed.

To similar effect was this Tanga puzzle from June 2007:

http://www.tanga.com/puzzles/1144-6-22-2007

Would be nice if they had a search or some form of index -- I recalled the puzzle and slogged around the archives a bit to find it.

A quick puzzle

[(Anonymous)]

I'm still stumped, but that reminds me ... are you still taking your bicycle to work? It's been pretty cold, but if you bundle up, it's a fun ride.

-pd

[530nm330hz.livejournal.com]

You're right, and I'm sorry. I had been hoping to encourage people who wouldn't have tried it otherwise, but it was thoughtless of me (doubly so since I was wrong).

Re: A quick puzzle

[530nm330hz.livejournal.com]

I haven't been, what with the holidays and all I've needed the extra time. But I hope to resume next week.

[toonhead-npl.livejournal.com]

I got it as soon as I glanced at it, and wondered if I was missing something else, given the responses. So who knows?

Re: A quick puzzle

[(Anonymous)]

I've been finding the wisdom in the approach of dressing in layers. It's been about 35-40 when I leave the house, but I certainly warm up along the way, and it's much warmer for the evening commute.

-pd

[rubrick.livejournal.com]

I also got it after seeing people's references to "mechanism", though I was on the right general track before that.

[shaggy-man.livejournal.com]

Okay, I see what you did there. But now I don't know how to make the pain stop.

[ertchin.livejournal.com]

I got it after your hint that describing the hand might've been fairer than showing a picture of it. But I wish I hadn't needed a hint--I block off possible avenues of thought too quickly with puzzles like these.