Starter Word

Definition

A starter word (or opener) is your first guess. The best starters use five distinct high-frequency letters in common positions to extract maximum information regardless of the answer.

Why it matters

A consistent strong starter removes guesswork from the most repeatable part of the puzzle and frees your attention for the genuinely variable middle game.

Examples

• CRANE, SLATE, SALET, and TRACE are top-ranked starters.
• ADIEU is a popular vowel-heavy alternative.

Best practices

• Use distinct letters — no repeats in your opener.
• Pick one starter and keep it to build pattern memory.

Frequently asked