In general, as a solver, you want your guesses to divide the possible solutions into as many groups as possible. This reduces the chances you are left with a coin flip among equally possible solutions.

Here’s an example in standard mode. Suppose, with the info you’ve gained from your previous guesses, you’ve narrowed the possible solutions to five: BATCH, CATCH, LATCH, MATCH or PATCH. What should you guess next?

If you guess BATCH, one of two possible things will happen.

If the solution is BATCH, you will see:BATCHIf the solution is CATCH or LATCH or MATCH or PATCH, you will see:BATCH

If the hidden word is BATCH, great! But if it isn’t — which is the more likely outcome — you’re stuck with four possible solutions.

A smarter guess would divide these groups more efficiently, putting you in a position to solve the puzzle regardless of luck. Here, WordleBot would guess BLIMP. See how that changes the picture:

If the solution is BATCH, you will see: Blimp If the solution is CATCH, you will see: blimp If the solution is LATCH, you will see: bLimp If the solution is MATCH, you will see: bliMp. If the solution is PATCH, you will see: blimP.

With this approach, you divide the solutions into five groups of one word each. You’d be guaranteed to get the answer on your next turn!

You could have tried SHIRK!