WSJ (Contest) Grid: untimed; Meta: 5 minutes 
[4.14 avg; 11 ratings] rate it
Mike Shenk’s Wall Street Journal contest crossword, “Backing the Odds” — Conrad’s writeup.
This week we’re looking for a six-letter word. There were six theme entries:
- SWEETCORN: Earful at a summer cookout
- DANCECLUB: Laser lighting site, often
- REENTRANT: Pointing inward
- ALTARBOYS: Service helpers
- EASTEREGG: Target of a spring search
- TRADESHOW: Fair
WSJ Contest – 06.14.2026
Mike is famously literal in his titles. So “backing” and “odds” had to be important. I found the mechanism pretty quickly: note the odd-numbered letters in each clue, and then read them backwards. For example: [S]W[E]E[T]C[O]R[N] == NOTES, which matches CLEFS’ clue. Here are the mapped entries, in themer order:
- CLEFS: Symbols on musical staffs -> NOTES
- ALLOY: Mixture -> BLEND
- SPUD: Starchy veggie, familiarly -> TATER
- ISH: Somewhat, informally -> SORTA
- NOSES: Honkers -> GEESE
- OAT: Cereal grain -> WHEAT
The mapped entries spell our contest solution CASINO. Another masterful meta by Mike: I enjoyed it. Solvers: please share your thoughts.
Puzzle: WSJ (Contest); Rating: 3 stars
Yep, I know he’s famously literal until I can’t figure out what he’s literal about. This was one of them. Does backing mean a clue above or numerically below? Even with Discord hints, I couldn’t do this one. Seeing the solution now doesn’t make me feel any better. So the odd letters in reverse was the key? Ugh.
Puzzle: WSJ (Contest); Rating: 5 stars
I know it’s no skin off Mike Shenk’s back, but evaluating the puzzle as mediocre (3 stars out of 5) because you “can’t figure out what he’s literal about” feels unfair to the constructor. The Crossword Contest compels you to think through all the possible uses of a word or a series of words – be it the revealer answer, the title, something in the clues, etc. – to suss out the meta. I thought this was a brilliant construction that certainly required some impressive coding and analytical skills. I was in awe that Mike found six nine-letter phrases that contained a five-letter word from every other letter, starting backwards, and then was able to tie those six words back to other clues. The amount of squares that contained meta-related material was incredible!
Puzzle: WSJ (Contest); Rating: 4.5 stars
Didn’t get it, but that’s pretty good.
My wife and I wrestled with this for 2 days, then it ‘clicked’
Great puzzle!!
“Reverse Odds” is as common a phrase, if not more, than “backing the odds.” I wonder if Mike considered that as a title for this puzzle.
I took it too literally thinking we backed out from the odd numbers in the across themers. 17D for instance in 16A. That cut out SWEE which reappears in 65D. Could not get out of this rabbit hole. Having REENTRANT not be a two word answer also threw me off so I used BLOOD SHOT instead.
KUDOS to all you geniuses out there who got it.
Puzzle: WSJ (Contest); Rating: 5 stars
I was unable to solve without assistance, so I did not submit.
This was a classic construction pulled off superbly.
Like others I wrestled with the question of “odd whats?” I tried odd numbered clues and answers with an odd number of letters. I knew the 6 9-lettter entries were the key and I knew this was an alternative answer puzzle. I had flagged geese to replace noses, tater to replace spud, and note to replace clef. I was simply unable to discern the mechanism to get to them. Superbly crafted and fair puzzle.
Puzzle: WSJ (Contest); Rating: 5 stars
Well here’s a 5 star review from one of the (many of us I’m sure) stumped who honor the particular genius involved in stumping us so cleverly. Bravo, again, Mr Shenk.
Puzzle: WSJ (Contest); Rating: 4.5 stars
Fun one!