25 Best Words to Use in Hangman

[Macrobius]

http://blog.wolfram.com/2010/08/13/25-best-hangman-words/


So there we have it: “jazz” wins most for all game sizes. Though we can see odd variance by game size. “Jazzed” does progressively worse as the game size goes up, but “faffed” does progressively better. Understanding that is another project!

We can now improve our word selection algorithm. Instead of choosing a word randomly, we should weight our choice toward words with high win ratios.
Of course, this is only one more step toward the Nash equilibrium point. If the guesser updates the algorithm to take into account that strategy, we will have to repeat this entire experiment, to get an even better strategy.

Eventually the two algorithms would likely converge on a point where every word has the same win ratio, and we will know the optimal game outcome.
...


Well, I'm glad that's settled!

N*gger (nagger) was not in the top 25.

[Monster]

I clicked on the link. I would never have guessed that a discussion of hangman would be so complicated. :)

[Spartacus]

When I was first introduced to the concept of Hangman as a child, I went away, found a dictionary and turned to the back. Thereafter, I played 'zymurgy' with an almost 100% success rate for about a decade. Occasionally, I'd throw in a 'crypt' or a 'gym' if it was too soon to use 'zymurgy' again.

I tried 'cunt' once, but it was more trouble than it was worth.

[Macrobius]

When I was first introduced to the concept of Hangman as a child, I went away, found a dictionary and turned to the back. Thereafter, I played 'zymurgy' with an almost 100% success rate for about a decade. Occasionally, I'd throw in a 'crypt' or a 'gym' if it was too soon to use 'zymurgy' again.

I tried 'cunt' once, but it was more trouble than it was worth.

_ _ _ _ _

You have 3 posts, 5 letters each. It is well known and not a proper noun, but may not be an official English word.

[Spartacus]

TAO
NE

[Arcturus]

I have played US States hangman a few times, and 'Wyoming' always won.

[Macrobius]

TAO
NE

None so far.

[Spartacus]

I suppose I should have anticipated that.

IUYSR

[Macrobius]

I suppose I should have anticipated that.

IUYSR

_ Y _ _ Y

[Spartacus]

P GM

I can't think of any other viable word that fits the bill, so if that's not it then...

oYveY

[Macrobius]

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=xyzzy

[Macrobius]

This game can keep going. Here are the rules:

1. Anyone can propose a word to solve.

2. Anyone can try 5 guesses. (Multiple players allowed. Please be clear about which word your guess pertains to, as there may be multiple games.)

3. The game is over after 3 groups of 5 guesses have been made against that word.

4. Once someone has posted a slate of 5 guesses, no further guesses are allowed until the proposer of the problem has responded with an update.

5. If there are cross-posts (two accidental guesses of the same problem), the proposer gets to choose the least informative of the two and answer it.

6. You can guess at any time, but you lose if you are wrong, and can make no more guesses against that word (but if there are still tries left, someone else can try). Anyone guessing correctly terminates the game.

[Sarah]

http://blog.wolfram.com/2010/08/13/25-best-hangman-words/



Well, I'm glad that's settled!

N*gger (nagger) was not in the top 25.

This is delightful, Mr. Macrobius! My nephews boys (seven and eight years) have been getting into the Hangman for vocabulary purposes. They'll be impressed with their Awnty Sarah when she shares these words with them. Their father (my brother's son) is somewhat a male chauvinist. Not too bad, though.

:)

Thank you for sharing.