Elimination Strategy
Definition
An elimination strategy uses each guess to remove as many letters and candidate words as possible. It is the practical application of information gain: every move should meaningfully shrink the field.
Why it matters
Disciplined elimination prevents wasted guesses and is the difference between methodical solving and hopeful guessing.
Examples
- Testing five new letters after a no-green opener.
- Using a probe guess to split a stubborn candidate cluster.
Best practices
- Track which letters are confirmed out.
- Prefer guesses that eliminate the most live candidates.
Frequently asked
When does elimination stop being worth it?
When you have few guesses left and a likely answer in hand.