How to play Wordpup

The one rule

Each word starts with the last letter of the one before. The starting word is given to you and counts as used.

DOG → GOAT → TRAIL

Classic

60 seconds. Each word starts with the last letter of the one before. Points = letters.

SUN → NOTE → EAGLE

• Start with 60 seconds. No time is added.
• Any real word of 3–24 letters counts. No names or places.
• A word scores one point per letter. The starting word scores nothing.
• A fault costs nothing but time. Finish early whenever you like.

Trail mix

Like Classic, but long words buy time and the bonus letter scores 10.

ROBIN → NAP → PARADE

• Start with 60 seconds.
• 5–6 letter words add 2 s. 7+ letters add 4 s.
• End a word on the bonus letter for +10 points.
• The round never runs past 3:00, however much time you earn.

Spell trail

Four words, one spelled right. Pick it fast to keep the trail going.

SUN → NEIGHBOR → RHYTHM

• Start with 60 seconds.
• Right pick: +10 points, or +15 within 3 seconds.
• Wrong pick: −5 seconds, and you see the right spelling.
• The next question starts with the last letter of the right word.

Faults

A word that doesn't count says why, right under the box: wrong letter, already used, too short, not in our word list, or letters only. It costs nothing but time.

• Think a word should count? Tap Report this word. A person reads every report.

Daily boards

Each mode has one daily board, the same for everyone, plus the Daily mix: 30 seconds each of Classic, Spell trail, Trail mix.

• New boards arrive at midnight UTC; the Home card counts down in your time.
• Your first finished try counts. Play it again any time as Practice.
• Missing a day costs nothing. There's no streak to lose.

Friend dares

Finish a run and tap Beat my run to send a link. Your friend plays the same board, in the app or in a browser, and tries to beat your score.

• The first finished try on a dare counts; replays are Practice.
• A friendly dare, not verified: scores are compared on each person's own phone.

Practice

Spelling misses land in Practice for a calm second go, with no clock and no score.

• Tap the right spelling, or hear the word and type it.
• A word is Remembered once your first answer is right in 3 separate sessions.
• Untimed rounds can pause, show a hint (Pip sniffs out a word) and accept a reported word. Counted runs never can.

Pip's trail

A timed run that reaches the bell with at least one right answer walks Pip one step. Finishing today's daily adds one more.

• Three free courses, ten steps each, with a souvenir at every finish.
• Agility titles come from clean runs in different modes, remembered words and dares.