It’s everywhere. No, not the winter that doesn’t seem to end even when it’s time for spring. It’s Wordle! The latest word game that has gotten the world going crazy, myself included. I will usually have solved the puzzle by the first half of the morning. I cannot help but admit that my face lights up every time a tile flips into the color green.
With The New York Times buying the game in an undisclosed 7 figure amount, the story of Josh Wardle’s success story is making rounds all over the internet. While the concerns of whether the game will remain free go on, let us talk about some strategies for the game. As I continue playing the game, my mind is forming an intuitive strategy. The goal – get the word before the sixth and final guess
1. Try a new word every day
Some players like to stick to a set of words they use – adieu, story. But I use a new word every day. It helps me remember and recall whatever little remains of my vocab, and also helps me appreciate the beauty of the five lettered words – stars, power, hopes. I’ll try to use a word that has five unique letters, with either a lot of vowels or consonants to eliminate as much as possible.
2. Use different letters in each try
Avoid using the wrong letters. This is indeed a self-evident strategy, however, I know that the temptation to just try and get done can be high, especially when you can’t think of a new word. I’ve done that a few times too. But have patience and save a chance by not using the wrong letters and coming up with a new combination.
3. Take a break (after the first two guesses)
I know solving the puzzle in a set time limit is quite on the rise, but taking a break helps. I usually make the first two guesses, and if I’m still not getting anywhere concrete, I’ll get back in a while. And I’ve usually been able to get it right after the break.
4. Letter association – try to find how the letters commonly appear together
For example, if the letters are: T, H, G, finding the closest connection might help. ‘ght’ is how we know the letters can appear in – light, fight, sight. (This one got me going nuts with the number of possible variables).
Another example: E, T, A can be – eat, beat, seat, feat (I will often think of four-letter words even if they don’t meet the criteria as they usually give me a hint.)
Playing the game got me interested in revising linguistics – a subject I dread as a literature student. I’ve always found it tough. But looking at how fun these words can be, I’m thinking maybe linguistics can be fun too.
5. Say the words aloud (and rhyme them)
This strategy helps me move further when stuck. I make up my own words that make no sense but pronouncing the letters together helps me get to the next word. And usually, I’d try to rhyme them.
Frung…drung…wrung?
6. Have fun
Isn’t that the whole point?
Though, I know stress is high when five guesses are almost up, and you still haven’t gotten close to the word. Twitter is still not over the ‘Knoll’ word that came up sometime back. I hadn’t begun playing the game then, but I can imagine the horror. Knoll, oh my!
What strategies do you use? Do we have some common strategies? Would you like to add more to the list?
The Wordcastle 