Wordwheel Solving Tips

When it comes to solving wordwheel puzzles, then there are only really two methods you can use to solve the puzzle: systematic or random.

The random method is probably the more common: here you simply look at the letters in the grid, and allow your eye to wander around randomly, noting down any words you happen to find as you go.

The second method is the systematic method. Generally this works by starting at a particular point in the wheel, finding all words you can that start with that letter (and also contain the central letter, of course, if that isn't the letter you started on), then moving around the wheel letter-by-letter until you have covered every letter in the wheel.

Those who practice the systematic version sometimes go in alphabetical order, starting with the letter that comes first in the alphabet, and progressing from there.

Imagine that the letters for a six-letter wheel are ADERST, with A as the central letter. Then the systematic solver would start with 'A', then note the next letter is 'D', so try words starting 'AD'... eg all ADE___ words, then all ADR___ words then ADS___ then ADT___ and then look at any words starting 'AE' and so on.

The systematic method is considered less 'fun' by some solvers, although it is probably the best way to find all possible words in the grid if that is your target, at it saves you accidentally looking at words and letter combinations you have already tried, possibly several times, earlier in your solving process.

Finally it is worth noting that some people like to copy out the letters on paper, and either put the letters in a different order (such as vowels first and then consonants) to see what pops out at them, or perhaps write the letters in a line rather than the wheel format it is presented in. You might like to try each method and see which works best for you.

Do you have any other solving tips or methods you use when tackling wordwheel puzzles? If so please do post them in the comments section below.
Date written: 09 Apr 2015

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