Five Wordle starter words I actually keep coming back to

Okay, let’s talk about Wordle. I mean, I’ve tried dozens of starter words, but I keep coming back to the same five. It’s like a weird comfort zone I’ve created for myself. I know, I know—there’s no perfect starter. But we all have our favorites, right? Let me walk you through the five I keep returning to: IRATE, CRANE, SLATE, ADIEU, and TRACE.

IRATE

First up is IRATE. I love this one. It covers three vowels and two common consonants. The 'R' and 'T' are solid picks, but what I really appreciate is that it avoids doubled letters. I can start my day with IRATE and feel like I’ve got a solid shot at revealing some good letters. But here’s the kicker: it can sometimes lead me astray. If I get stuck with an 'I' or an 'A' that doesn’t pan out, I’m left scratching my head. If I see too many greens and yellows that don’t help me, I might switch it up. But generally, it’s my go-to for a reason.

CRANE

Next is CRANE. This one’s a classic in the Wordle world. I love how it combines the 'C' and 'N' with two vowels and an 'R.' It’s got a nice balance. Plus, I find the letters flow well together. However, the downside is that it can sometimes give away too much too soon. If I hit on a couple of greens, I feel great, but if I strike out on the vowels, it’s a bit of a letdown. When that happens, I’ll pivot to something else. Still, I can’t resist going back to CRANE because it feels so reliable.

SLATE

Then there’s SLATE. I mean, who doesn’t love a word with a solid 'S' start? It’s got plenty of common consonants and brings in a couple of vowels. The beauty of SLATE is its versatility. Even if I don’t get the right letters, it gives me a good sense of the word's structure. But here’s where it gets tricky: if I find myself staring at too many possibilities without clear direction, I’ll switch things up. I can’t stay stuck on a word that doesn’t yield results. But still, SLATE has earned its spot in my rotation.

ADIEU

Now, let’s talk about ADIEU. This one feels like a wild card in my lineup. It’s all vowels, which is a risk but also a reward. Sometimes you just need to know if the word is going to have a solid vowel presence. The downside? If I get nothing but grays, I’m left feeling like I’ve wasted a turn. But I can’t resist the thrill of guessing a word that could open up so many possibilities. If I’m feeling adventurous and the other words haven’t panned out, I’ll throw in ADIEU. It’s a gamble, but it’s worth it to mix things up.

TRACE

Finally, there’s TRACE. This one’s a bit of a latecomer to my lineup, but I’ve grown fond of it. It’s a great balance of vowels and consonants, and it often leads to solid feedback. I love the 'T' and 'R' combo. But like the others, it comes with its pitfalls. If I don’t get enough from TRACE, I might second-guess it. But the thrill of potentially cracking the code keeps me coming back.

So there you have it—my five trusty Wordle starters. I spend way too much time thinking about these words, but isn’t that part of the fun? There’s no perfect starter, just one you stop second-guessing. And hey, at the end of the day, it’s about enjoying the game. Happy puzzling!