Mastermind - does anyone know … ?

[Whitney168]

Two questions, in case anyone has inside info!

Do the contestants who win through to later rounds necessarily use subjects that they enjoy, or do they just pick things that they believe they can learn sufficiently well?

Is it specifically against the rules to interrupt the question master, to get more questions in?

The answer to the second question is yes- the question setters take care to ensure that the time taken to read the questions is about the same for everyone and so you have to wait to the end.

Thanks Obelisk (although one of tonight’s competitors did interrupt, first time I’ve seen it!).

Don't know about the first one. I do know that they are allowed to pick the same subject that they had in round one again. (They have to pick a new one for round two.) Presumably they pick something they're interested in and don't mind spending hours studying.

I was on Mastermind many, many years ago (32) to be precise, in Magnus Magnusson's day, and when one applied, it was neccessary to give a choice of specialised subject for the first round, a second choice for the second round, if one were to get to that stage, and it was possible to revert to one's first round subject, in the unlikely event of reaching the final! Not sure if the same criteria still apply now though. Generally speaking, I think it fair to say, most contenders oot for subjects in which they have an overarching interest or depth of knowledge.
Answering the question before the questionmaster has finished fully asking it is not permitted - as has been said, the questions are set to give each contender a broadly equal number of potential questions to answer

@Whitney168

Thanks Obelisk (although one of tonight’s competitors did interrupt, first time I’ve seen it!).

Yes I noticed that

@Whitney168

Thanks Obelisk (although one of tonight’s competitors did interrupt, first time I’ve seen it!).

Interrupting didn't actually give the contestant any more questions because the question master simply finished the question and then said 'yes that's right' or something before going on to the next question