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Hi,

New to this and new to the prize crosswords, I've been perfecting my skills with guardian quiptics for some time now but thought is have a go at a prize offering! (Probably a bad idea! But never mind)!!!

I've noticed that today 11 across seems quite important.... Could any one give me the answer (and explanation) to kick me off please? (Any other general tips would be good from all you experienced solvers!)

11. Across
Put down heart for clubs, first to bid with queen but no jack (10)


Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post!

I don't like giving actual answers to Prize crosswords, but I'll try to lead you through it.

The answer is built up bit by bit. First four letters are indicated by "put down" (not in the obvious sense), then 3 letters from "heart for clubs", first letter from Bid (there's one definite for you!), standard crosswordese for "queen"; definition "but no jack" (not in the card sense).

Hope that helps.

Thanks for that,
I think I have it now, just to check
Would I be right in thinking the jack part would be referring to "of the sea"?

Yes - I don't think that I would be giving much away to say that all the others that refer to 11 are nautical names for things the rest of us call something else.