Wordle has taken over Twitter and almost the entire internet but is there a way to cheat at the social media craze?
The free word game was created by Brooklyn-based software engineer Josh Wardel.
It is available to everyone to play on their web browser with no adverts or subscriptions.
Since its launch, Twitter users have been sharing the fun every day, posting their scores on the social media app.
Wordle app on a phone screen. Credit:PA (Image: PA)
While some days we see success, other days- not so much.
Whether you're tired of embarrassing yourself in front of your followers or you want to improve the honourable way, we've got you covered.
How to play Wordle
The aim of the game is to find a word, within six attempts, by filling in the blanks of a five-letter word.
The game uses the same rules as Scrabble, where only real words are allowed both in guesses and the result.
If you get a letter in the right spot and form the correct word, the square turns green and if the guessed letter is in the word but not in the right spot, the square turns yellow.
You get one shot a day to solve each game and the website helps keep track of wins, plays, and streaks.
What is a good score on Wordle?
According to a Protocol survey of staff, readers and colleagues, Three is apparently a good Wordle score.
The data suggests that more than half of players took four or more guesses to get the right answer so don't despair if you're taking a while to get the hang of it.
Dear Wordle, please remember we’re still dealing with a pandemic. Try to be gentle😭
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) January 24, 2022
Wordle 219 5/6
⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛
⬛⬛⬛⬛🟨
⬛🟨🟨⬛⬛
⬛⬛🟩🟨⬛
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Wordle tips
Think carefully about your first guess
Lisa Marie Segara from Kotaku suggests a two-word approach when you make your first attempt.
Segara uses "arise" and "mouth" since it covers all the vowels and some of the most common consonants.
Other suggestions include: "louse" and "train" and "slice", "crane" and more.
The Conversation actually says that the top three words to play are "adept,” “clamp” and “plaid.”
Don't forget it's a language game at heart
Duh - but it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game.
Wordle is all about strategy and identifying patterns in commonly used words and in what we call "consonant blends".
The Indian Express reminds players of basic language rules to remember - "u" always follows "q", the vowels "e" and "a" will likely appear in an "ea" order.
While consonant blends are also crucial to cracking the game, this is where several consonants appear together without being broken up be a vowel.
In English, we have a few popular pairings that you should be on the lookout for from "Br", "Sh", "Th" and "Wh" for example.
The Yellow letters
As mentioned, the yellow letters appear when you've guessed the letter right but not in the right spot.
There is a way that you can use this clue to your advantage.
Although you don't know exactly where to put the letter, resist the temptation to put it in randomly.
Instead, opt for spots where that letter is commonly found in a words.
For instance, "e" and "y" are common last letters, while "z" rarely is.
Daily cartoon for the @NewYorker 🐑⬛️🟩🟩🟨🟨🐑 pic.twitter.com/qsezK2MAdg
— Zoe Si (@zoesees) January 10, 2022
Wordle clues and cheats
Now, if you want to win Wordle the honourable way this is where you should stop reading.
For those that remain, here's the trick behind the letter game.
PC World has revealed there are a couple of ways that you can cheat at Wordle.
Word Hippo
It suggests using the tool "Word Hippo" which lets you pick words based on different characteristics.
For example, you could search for five words beginning with "PRO" which will help you narrow down the correct answer in fewer moves.
If you have qualms about cheating in the puzzle, PC World describes Word Hippo as not "necessarily a Wordle “cheat,” per se" so you have your loophole, of sorts.
Google Chrome’s Incognito Mode / the Microsoft Edge InPrivate mode
PC World's cheating suggestions go up a gear with this next tip.
You start by opening Wordle in Google Chrome’s Incognito Mode or the Microsoft Edge InPrivate mode and play the game - writing down the winning word.
After that, you close the incognito mode and load the puzzle again in your own browser with your cookies enabled.
But sssh, you didn't hear it from us.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here