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Odds of guys accepting defeat in a photo finish? (6)

Minute Cryptic clue · October 12, 2026 · answer and full explanation
By Ahmed Hassan
Answer verified against the live puzzle

The Minute Cryptic clue “Odds of guys accepting defeat in a photo finish?” (6) was set for Monday, October 12, 2026. Below is the answer — blurred until you tap — followed by the definition, the wordplay and why the letters land where they do.

Minute Cryptic · October 12, 2026

Odds of guys accepting defeat in a photo finish?

(6)

The answer isGLOSSY

No spoilers — the answer stays blurred until you tap.

Letters 6Set by Sean Rich (community)Par 2Solvers 16,878

The clue, colour-coded

Odds of guys accepting defeat in a photo finish?
DefinitionWordplay / fodderLinking words

How this clue works

The definition

a photo finish?

Our definition here is 'a photo finish?', and the question mark suggests we'll need to think a little laterally about what a photo finish might be.

The wordplay

guys + defeat

This clue's fodder is 'guys' and 'defeat'. We'll use the letters from one (or some of them), along with a substitute for the other, to construct our answer, as guided by the clue's indicator(s).

The answer

GLOSSY

The clue reads “Odds of guys accepting defeat in a photo finish?” (6). The definition part — “a photo finish?” — points straight at GLOSSY, and the rest of the clue builds it through wordplay.

Minute Cryptic publishes a short walkthrough for this clue — watch Sean Rich’s own explanation →

This clue’s puzzle day

This clue was the Minute Cryptic for Monday, October 12, 2026. Open the October 12, 2026 puzzle page for that day’s write-up, or browse the full Minute Cryptic archive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the answer to “Odds of guys accepting defeat in a photo finish?”?
The answer is GLOSSY (6 letters). Tap the reveal button above to see it in the answer card.
How do I read a cryptic clue like this?
Every cryptic clue has two halves: a straight definition (at the start or the end) and a piece of wordplay that builds the same word letter by letter. Find the definition first, count the letters from the enumeration, then work out which trick the rest of the clue is playing.
Is there a new Minute Cryptic every day?
Yes — one cryptic clue a day at minutecryptic.com, plus community-set clues. We publish each day’s answer and breakdown here shortly after it goes live.