Hooked on the NYT Spelling Bee game

[Amethyst]

One thing that nettled me about the game was the large number of no-no words that, evidently, might offend somebody.

I never realized just how many common words could be taken as slurs. And yet "porno" was accepted, lol.

 

[lucky penny]

One thing that nettled me about the game was the large number of no-no words that, evidently, might offend somebody.

I never realized just how many common words could be taken as slurs. And yet "porno" was accepted, lol.

I've noticed a couple of these, but it doesn't bother me. The young guy who created SB sounds very sweet & I think his heart is in the right place. When one of those words is rejected it just makes it a tiny bit harder to reach the next level!

 

[vafoodie]

Amazing that a 24 yo mechanical engineering student from UVA created this thing. We live in Virginia. I'd like to fix him up with my daughter. Think he lives in NY now.

 

[DireWolf]

I’ve been playing (app version) for a good while now after I do the crossword each day.I almost always get to genius level, but didn’t know about queen bee, as I always stopped once genius. I also didn’t know about clues. Sometimes I’ll have an off day and not get ti genius after a bit, so set it down and come back later. Usually I get a few words quickly with fresh eyes. Every once in a while, I just forget to come back to it.

 

[Mmm Rrr]

It is funny to see this thread and realize you all are doing it too! I play it every day, coming back to it throughout the day until I make it to genius level. I've only made Queen Bee 3 times.

I've never used the clues before either. I will try them to see if I can reach Queen Bee again.

 

[lucky penny]

I don't believe in using "clues" to help with puzzles, but here's an interesting site that provides some, along with trivia like how the puzzle ranks in difficulty:
https://www.nytbee.com

The "hints" that recently started appearing on SB's site disclose the maximum score & number of words needed for Queen Bee status that day.

 

[bobbyr]

I don't believe in using "clues" to help with puzzles, but here's an interesting site that provides some, along with trivia like how the puzzle ranks in difficulty:
https://www.nytbee.com

The "hints" that recently started appearing on SB's site disclose the maximum score & number of words needed for Queen Bee status that day.

The hints are the only way i can get to genius level.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

I don't believe in using "clues" to help with puzzles, but here's an interesting site that provides some, along with trivia like how the puzzle ranks in difficulty:
https://www.nytbee.com

The "hints" that recently started appearing on SB's site disclose the maximum score & number of words needed for Queen Bee status that day.

Heck, that site gives you the actual answers, not just clues. You have to click on a link, though, so it's not an automatic spoiler. Sometimes I use it when I've exhausted myself picking my brain and I know from the official NYT "hints" page there's only one or two words left. Usually, DW and I agree that at least some of the words we missed are fictional.

 

[Katsmeow]

Then I realized I was basically paying $6.00 a week to play a word game, since I take three other papers already. So I quit.

I just checked and subscribing to the games for a year is $40. (I am a digital NYT subscriber but I don't think that makes a difference).

 

[SecondCor521]

Huh. Tried the free version today for the first time, got 22 of something. They told me I was good at this and was invited to pay more to get the chance to try for genius level. Not worth the subscription to me.

It wasn't clear to me at first that the letters didn't have to be physically contiguous in the words I was guessing. And that the yellow letter was required. Got better once I figured those two things out.

 

[Jerry1]

I do the free version too. I know it’s free, but I wish they’d let you see your answers after they kick you out of the game. They let you see the free mini crossword after you solve it.

 

[stepford]

After a few months the spelling bee has become my first thing in the morning ritual - usually in bed while its still dark out. For me its actually 2-3 different games: the first is the one we all play - getting to Genius level without looking at any hints. After this I pull up the grid (but not the comments) and try to complete the word list to Queen Bee. Then finally if I just can't find a word i'll go to the comments which reveal the words pretty easily (though explicit spoilers are discouraged). Equally fun is when I find a word or two that was missed in the daily word list and add a short comment myself using the missing words. So a 2 part game on a good day and a 3 or 4 part game on others. I guess that what I get for waking up at 3am...

 

[Amethyst]

When stuck in a waiting room, etc., I'll play "Not That Spelling Bee" app. It's like the NYT version, but not pangram-based. I usually find many more words than the NYT version.

Their five-star level is only half the total # of words they claim can be found. Since my brain feels wrung dry by the time I make it to 5 stars, it makes me feel like something's wrong with me. What could all those other words even be??

 

[Amethyst]

I like to jog on the beach before dawn. When I used to play SB, I'd get the Pangram first, then go outside and figure out a few more words in my head while trotting along.

After giving up the NYT, I started learning the names of the brightest stars instead. They have exotic names, some of which I find hard to memorize - that's the challenge. (Which one is Aldhibah and which one is Aljanah? Merak and Megrez? Phact, or Wazen Phact? Who knows?)

After a few months the spelling bee has become my first thing in the morning ritual - usually in bed while its still dark out. For me its actually 2-3 different games: the first is the one we all play - getting to Genius level without looking at any hints. After this I pull up the grid (but not the comments) and try to complete the word list to Queen Bee. Then finally if I just can't find a word i'll go to the comments which reveal the words pretty easily (though explicit spoilers are discouraged). Equally fun is when I find a word or two that was missed in the daily word list and add a short comment myself using the missing words. So a 2 part game on a good day and a 3 or 4 part game on others. I guess that what I get for waking up at 3am...