Across
How much is taken from slipshod sea dog? (6)
Winner gets 9 points and loser 5 in this game? (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
&lit, the numbers being the points awarded for those words in Scrabble.
Volume of band on radio unacceptable - about eleven in the end (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
AM(=band on radio, short for amplitude modulation) + out(=unacceptable) around [eleve]n
15 20 conference - one with many frequent flyers? (2-6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
COP(=term for climate change conference such as COP28 in Dubai) + i(=one) + lots(=many)
Cover over pool (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Lid + o{ver} (abbrev in cricket)
Drill bit used regularly, calmly and with attention to detail (10)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Odd letters of d r i l l b i t + gently(=calmly)
20a
(and 20 Across) Can Michael get around existential crisis? (7,6)
Turn unknown informant in empty garage (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
(Y(=unknown) + rat(=informant) in g[arag]e
See 15 Across
Jewel cleaner put back on side of dresser (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Maid< + on + d[resser]
Message lab about a number of things (10)
Gifted rare type of claret by the French (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
AB(=rare type of blood, for which claret is slang) + le(=the in French)
Great tache! Trim sides and stick back on (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
[G]reat tach[e]
Hail recent broadcast for traditional approach to country houses (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Ave(=hail, as in "Ave Maria") + hom of new
State maybe red according to its residents - all despite Obama’s leadership (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Color(=maybe red in US spelling) + initial letters of a ll d espite O bama
Containers of flavourful Assams and kombuchas? (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
&lit. F[lavourful] + A[ssam]s + k[ombucha]s
Down
Boring wrestling manoeuvre results in stalemate (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Not totally sure but I think it might just be dead(=boring) + lock(=wresting manoeuvre)
Swimmer sculls up and down fluidly, ignoring slight hiccup at first (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Rows<(=sculls up) + d[own] + f[luidly] + i[gnoring] + s[light] + h[iccup]
Good old Nell only half dead (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
G{ood} o{ld} Ne[ll]
11d
(and 11 Down) Mismanaging slight income - lush’s last to leave when the pubs kick out (7,4)
She’s caught in a deceit (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
C{aught} (cricket abbrev) in a lie
Give a lift to old love in one hour from Greenwich? (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
(O{ld} + O(=love in tennis)) in BST(British Summer Time, which is sometimes 1 hour different to Greenwich Mean Time).
Oddly easy to articulate 25 pieces of prose (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
E[a]s[y] + say(=articulate) + s{mall} (small being the answer to 25)
See 5 Down
Shower curtain not cut (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
[Cu]r[t]ain (the word "cut" has been cut).
Folk dance recital unaffected (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Hom of reel(=folk dance)
Starts to tearfully recite Buddhist mantra over remains - they’re in the pit (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
T[earfully] r[ecite] + om(=Buddhist mantra) + bones(=remains). Def refers to an orchestra pit.
Lied about head’s inaction (8)
Cleaned, tidied and covered in doilies? (7)
Party guys on vacation - they go where they like! (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Do(=party) + g[uy]s. I think the "go" here refers to dogs' propensity to urinate on anything suitable.
Material in half a brick (6)
Poky numismatist’s centre with everything under sun (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
([Numis]m[atist] + all) under s[un]
Ultimately storm surge bent ‘indestructible’ weather gauge (5)
Wicked Bard has sent up Liberal (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
I've< + L{iberal}
Type letters or click words in the clue