[donarb]

My strategy is to never use the same start word, I like using a random word each time as that changes the path to solving. I might pick a random word from another open browser window, maybe from a news article or something like that. If I get stuck after the second or third try, I'll pick another random word, even if it contains a few discarded letters in order to ferret out 1 or 2 more valid letters.

For me, the best part of Wordle is not in finding the answer but in the steps prior as I work out the path to solving the correct answer.

[ComputerGuru]

If my wife and I want to challenge ourselves, we'll start with the solution to the previous puzzle as our first guess.

[blakeburch]

We do the same. It makes the puzzle have variety while still allowing healthy competition since we're always starting with the same word.

[ZeroGravitas]

This reduces the impact of randomness, which is a good thing I think. It's too easy for choice of first word to dictate the result.

[Affric]

My group chat does this and I think it leads to the best possible results in terms of fairness.

[kilbuz]

You might like Hurdle, which is a play on this idea.

[HigherPlain]

I'm with you, I try and use a different word whilst keeping it plausibly common, it's part of the cerebral challenge. Using an algorithmic approach is efficient but not "fun". Target is always 3.

[BLKNSLVR]

Another vote for this strategy to keep the game interesting.

Putting the same words in at the start got boring after the third game, and the first word dictates the on-the-fly logic to select the next, and so on.

It all comes down to how you want to play. Using maths optimises "winning", but not using maths challenges ones situational intellect. I prefer the latter.

[stevesearer]

Using different starting words makes Wordle feel more like a word game as opposed to a strategy optimization game.

[ziml77]

This is what I've done from the start. Always pick a random word as the first entry (or I guess "random" since I'm still ensuring that there's no duplicate letters). It helps keep the game from getting stale.