Frequently Asked Questions

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What does Puzzazz mean?

Puzzazz is a made-up word -- a portmanteau of puzzle (a baffling problem to test your ingenuity) and pizzazz (the quality of being exciting or attractive). We hope you find Puzzazz baffling (but not too baffling) and exciting.

What type of puzzles are on Puzzazz?

There are two types of puzzles on Puzzazz. Daily puzzles appear on the web site and change every day. Twitter puzzles run continuously on Twitter -- follow Puzzazz on Twitter to get them. Most of the puzzles on Puzzazz are word puzzles, but you'll see other types of puzzles too, particularly for the Sunday puzzles.

What's a Twitter puzzle?

A Twitter puzzle is a puzzle revealed as a series of clues on Twitter. Follow Puzzazz on Twitter to get the clues. The puzzle gets easier the more clues are revealed. If you're the first person to solve the puzzle, Puzzazz will publicly congratulate you and your handle will be listed on the puzzle page on the web site.

What do I need to solve Puzzazz puzzles?

Puzzazz puzzles are "pencil and paper" puzzles, meaning that they can be solved with just your brain, along with a pencil and paper (or a computer screen and a keyboard). You don't need scissors, glue, or fancy gadgets. But, the idea is to have fun. If you want to use a gadget, a dictionary, or even Google, and it increases your enjoyment because you solve a puzzle that you wouldn't have otherwise solved, by all means, go for it.

However, if you're using external resources on a Twitter puzzle, please don't tweet the answer so as to give others a chance to solve the puzzle.

How do I submit a solution?

Use the form on the puzzle page. For a Twitter puzzle, you'll be taken to Twitter where you can tweet the solution. The first person to tweet the correct solution wins and gets their handle listed on the puzzle page. You can also tweet directly without using the form as long as you include @Puzzazz in your tweet. For example:

      solution @Puzzazz

You can also include extra text, like a note to your followers, in the tweet.

How many guesses can I make?

As many as you want. On daily puzzles, your accuracy will reflect the ratio of accurate solutions to total guesses. On Twitter puzzles, be aware that your followers may see your guesses, so you don't want to guess wildly and annoy everybody. We suggest you guess when you think you know the answer.

Can I cheat?

That's up to you. If you think you're cheating, then we recommend that you don't. For the most part, the only person whose fun you will be spoiling is your own. For daily puzzles, if using a resource like a dictionary or Google increases your enjoyment because you solve a puzzle that you wouldn't have otherwise solved, then it's probably not cheating.

For Twitter puzzles, we think you'll have more fun if you don't use external resources. After all, if you don't know the answer yet, you might get it after another clue or two without assistance. If somebody else gets it first, you can always visit the web site to see all the clues.

How hard are the daily puzzles on Puzzazz?

The intent is that the puzzles are solvable in a few minutes -- it's supposed to be a short diversion, not a lengthy activity. Sunday puzles will take longer. IN general, the puzzles increase in difficulty from Monday to Saturday. Of course, not all puzzles are equally difficult to all people.

How hard are the Twitter puzzles on Puzzazz?

Twitter puzzles get easier as clues are revealed. At the beginning, they can be quite hard. At the end, they're pretty easy. Most Twitter puzzles are solved somewhere in the middle.

What are the super-sized Sunday puzzles?

Once a month, the Sunday puzzle will be a larger puzzle, comparable in size to a daily crossword or a standard Sudoku puzzle. These puzzles are intended to be average in difficulty, but, due to their larger size, will take a lot longer to solve. Unlike the regular daily puzzles, you can not choose to give up and learn the answer of a super-sized puzzle.

When are new daily puzzles released?

A new puzzle is released each day at midnight Pacific Time.

When are new Twitter puzzles released?

Once a puzzle is solved, Puzzazz issues three more clues to allow additional solvers a chance to solve it. After third clue, solvers are notified and a new puzzle is released.

How are the statistics calculated?

A puzzle is only counted if you try to solve it, so if you skip a puzzle entirely, it won't change your solved count and it won't break your streak of solves. Your streak is based on current puzzles only. Accuracy is calculated as number correct divided by the total of number correct plus the number of misses. Solving (or failing to solve) an old puzzle will affect your totals and accuracy, but not your streak.

Can Puzzazz tweet for me when I solve a puzzle?

Absolutely! Sign up in preferences.

Can I get the puzzles sent to me in email or text messages?

Yes. You can receive daily puzzles in your email (click here) or in any feed reader (click here).

You can receive Twitter puzzles via text messages on your cell phone. You need to register your cell phone with Twitter (click here), then go to Puzzazz on Twitter (here), click on the "Following" label below the icon at the top, and click the On button.

What does Puzzazz cost?

Puzzazz is free. We make money when you buy products that we recommend.

Do I have to sign up to solve puzzles?

No, but Puzzazz can only keep track of your solving record if you sign up. Also, registered users can invite their friends and compare solving records.

What are the Puzzazz Recommendations?

The Puzzazz Recomendations are hand-selected books, puzzles, games, and related items that we think you will enjoy. If you have a puzzle book or game that we're not listing that you think Puzzazz members would like, let us know.

Why do I get a Google screen when I sign in or sign up?

Rather than creating yet another account system and giving you yet another password you have to remember, Puzzazz uses Google Accounts for authentication. Note that Puzzazz does not see your Google Account password.

Why does Puzzazz display differently on my mobile phone?

We have a special condensed version of Puzzazz for mobile phones. If you want the desktop version instead, visit http://www.puzzazz.com/desktop and Puzzazz will set a cookie on your phone that tells us you want the desktop version.

Why don't I get the mobile version of Puzzazz on my iPhone?

Many iPhone users have told us they prefer the desktop version of Puzzazz. If you want the mobile version instead, visit http://www.puzzazz.com/mobile and Puzzazz will set a cookie on your phone that tells us you want the mobile version.

Are you going to sell my email address or send me spam?

Of course not. We hate that as much as you do. Here's the privacy policy.

Can I email your puzzles to my friends or reuse them elsewhere?

You shouldn't -- Puzzazz is copyrighted. Instead, invite your friends to join Puzzazz.

Can I put Puzzazz puzzles on my web site?

We have a program which allows you to put the Puzzazz puzzle of the day on your web site or blog. If you are interested in this program, use the contact form to let us know.

Can I sponsor Puzzazz or advertise on Puzzazz?

Yes. Use the contact form and let us know what you're thinking about.

Where else can I find puzzles by Roy Leban?

A hundred of them are available in Who-doku: Sudoku with Personality, but you can also find his puzzles occasionally in the New York Times and other newspapers and magazines.

Roy can also be commissioned to create custom crosswords and other puzzles for events and special occasions. For information, click here.

Where can I find games by Roy Leban?

Roy currently has one game on the market, WIM - the every which way word game. For more information or to order a copy, click here