On Playing Wordle . . .

05/13/2026: Wordle 1789 3/6

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315 choices after 1 but only 3 after 2. 1 was used before.
Chose the one that was least likely based on letter frequency.

This puzzle was very similar to the previous one (#1788) but apparently
more difficult for people to solve.

NYT Average: 4.9
Distribution: 0.9% in 2; 5.0% in 3; 23.9% in 4; 55.8% in 5; 82.1% in 6
Par 5 - Failure Rate: 17.9%
 
So when I play the game every day I don't use any kind of reference. I don't have a list of words that have been used that I keep, or a record of any kind for that matter, and I don't access any while playing.

I do research starting word combos and look at other references in between games sometimes, but it's just me while in a game.

How do you folks play? I can't find any rules about using references so I guess it just comes down to how you like to play.
I always assumed you are meant to take it on alone, but to each their own
 
I try to solve it quickly. I usually take around 5 minutes to find it. I have a scan of a letter usage frequency chart that I sometimes use. If I have no leads I pick a word that has several high frequency letters in it, not because I think it's the solution, but because it will either eliminate or find ones in the target
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FLymon said:
So when I play the game every day I don't use any kind of reference. I don't have a list of words that have been used that I keep, or a record of any kind for that matter, and I don't access any while playing.

I do research starting word combos and look at other references in between games sometimes, but it's just me while in a game.

How do you folks play? I can't find any rules about using references so I guess it just comes down to how you like to play.
I always assumed you are meant to take it on alone, but to each their own
Click to expand...
I keep a hand written log of every puzzle played and a handwritten used words list. Based on my initial opening word results my second guess is consistent until it hits, I’ve played most twos over 15-20 times until success. Have only played 3 start words since keeping records RAISE, until it hit, ARISE until it hit and now AROSE, my game is built on consistency
No resources beyond Websters
 
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Cvrobinson said:
I keep a hand written log of every puzzle played and a handwritten used words list. After my initial opening word my second guess is consistent until it hits, I’ve played most twos over 15-20 times until success. Have only played 3 start words since keeping records RAISE, ARISE and now AROSE my game is built on consistently.
No resources beyond Websters
Click to expand...

So like a snipers dope book. It's your own info from your own game play. Can't argue with that.

I do like the idea of using the same opening 2 or 3 even if it is not technically the "best". You get a feel for what is likely to be missing by which of your letters hit, and where.
I used to use dirty then mouse then plank if needed it because 1. My middle school sense of humor thought it was kind of funny and 2. 15 unique letters after three guesses.
Then I went to plain-rogue-myths exclusively for a long time. All vowels used after 2 words and 15 unique letters, but I would almost never need "myths" after the first two.
Now I mix it up a bit with the opening, but I think I had a better batting average when I stuck to plain-rogue-myths.
 
Wordle 1,790 6/6

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I use wordhippo, and don’t keep a list of previous words.
 
FLymon said:
So when I play the game every day I don't use any kind of reference. I don't have a list of words that have been used that I keep, or a record of any kind for that matter, and I don't access any while playing.

I do research starting word combos and look at other references in between games sometimes, but it's just me while in a game.

How do you folks play? I can't find any rules about using references so I guess it just comes down to how you like to play.
I always assumed you are meant to take it on alone, but to each their own
Click to expand...
The only time I've consulted a used-word list is when I choose a new start word to use every day. I like having the possibility of a hole-in-one.

Wordle 1,790 5/6*
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FLymon said:
So when I play the game every day I don't use any kind of reference. I don't have a list of words that have been used that I keep, or a record of any kind for that matter, and I don't access any while playing.

I do research starting word combos and look at other references in between games sometimes, but it's just me while in a game.

How do you folks play? I can't find any rules about using references so I guess it just comes down to how you like to play.
I always assumed you are meant to take it on alone, but to each their own
Click to expand...

There are no "rules" about using aids in playing Wordle. They're out there & whether you use them or not depends how much of a "purist" you are.

It's like playing in "hard mode." If you like the challenge of making the game more difficult for yourself, then go for it!

I am not ashamed to say that I use aids to reduce the number of possible choices & to rule out (if possible) words used previously. These tools do NOT automatically give me the answer & I still have to use some brain cells to figure it out but it obviously is easier than if I tried to solve the puzzles without using them.

As for how I play, I have a starting word that I've been using for a long time & 2 other words that I've also used for a long time to reduce the possibilities in the next 2 guesses.

The 15 letters in these 3 words include all of the vowels (AEIOU) & reduce the pool of other possible letters to 11, which mainly leaves the low frequency letters that are often easy to guess without using the aids mentioned. I have another word that I sometimes use that includes the warbler vowel Y, which I use if that letter seems likely to be in the word based on the earlier set up.

FWIW, I've almost always been able to solve a puzzle at or below Par (the # of choices that a majority of NYT players have taken to solve a puzzle) using these words & aids, which is my personal objective. I'm NOT competing against anyone except myself. 🤷‍♂️
 
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05/14/2026: Wordle 1790 4/6

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33 choices after 2 & 2 after 3 but 1 was used before.

NYT Average: 5.3
Distribution: 1.5% in 2; 6.6% in 3; 19.7% in 4; 41.1% in 5; 70.1% in 6
Par 6 -- Failure Rate: 29.9%!!! o_O

Note: This puzzle was similar in design to the last 2 puzzles, that were also difficult to solve, where there were multiple possible answers based on changing just 1 letter.
 
jlauffer said:
I use wordhippo, and don’t keep a list of previous words.
Click to expand...

You don't have to keep a list. There is a website that will give you the list of all words previously used once and (now also) twice.

Will be happy to post it here or send it via DM, if you or anyone else wants it.
 
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