ð How to Play Letter Lock
Master the strategic word-changing game where every letter counts. Learn the rules, understand the lock system, and discover powerful abilities to trap your opponents!
ðŊ Basic Rules
Change Exactly One Letter
Each turn, you must change one and only one letter in the 5-letter word to create a new valid word.
Must Be a Valid Word
Your new word must be found in our dictionary of 14,000+ valid 5-letter English words. Invalid words count as wrong guesses.
Protected Position (Orange Lock)
You cannot change the letter that your opponent just changed. This position is highlighted in orange and is protected for one turn.
Example: If your opponent changed HOUSE â MOUSE (changing position 1), you cannot change position 1 on your next turn. You must change a different position.
No Repeating Words
Each word can only be used once per round, including the starting word. This prevents infinite loops and adds strategic depth.
Win Condition
The first player who cannot make a valid move loses the game. Win 2 out of 3 games to win the match!
Bonus Points for Round Winners
The player who wins a round starts the next round with 100 bonus points. This gives the winner a strategic advantage in the following game!
Auto-Forfeit Rule
5 wrong guesses will automatically forfeit the round. Only invalid moves count toward this limit - words already played don't count as wrong guesses.
ð Lock Positions System
As the game progresses, positions become locked based on the most recent moves. All locked positions are highlighted in orange, with different opacities to distinguish between them. The locks change with every move to always track the last positions that were changed:
Protected Position (First Lock)
When: Always active after each move
What: The position that was just changed in the last move becomes protected (highlighted in orange) and cannot be changed on your next turn.
How it works: This lock changes every move - it's always the position from the most recent move. After you make your move, the protected position updates to the position you just changed.
Duration: One turn only - it becomes available again after you make your move, but then a new position becomes protected.
Second Lock
When: Activates around move 10 (if the game has valid moves remaining)
What: A second position becomes locked (highlighted in orange with reduced opacity). This is always the position from the second-to-last move.
How it works: Once activated, the second lock continuously updates with each move to track the position from the second-to-last move. It's not fixed - it changes every move to always be the second most recent position changed.
Duration: Active for the rest of the game - cannot be changed unless unlocked with points, but the specific position it locks updates with each move.
Strategy Tip: Plan ahead! Once the second lock activates, you'll have fewer options. Use your points wisely to unlock when needed.
Third Lock
When: Activates around move 20 (if the game has valid moves remaining)
What: A third position becomes locked (highlighted in orange with even more reduced opacity). This is always the position from the third-to-last move.
How it works: Once activated, the third lock continuously updates with each move to track the position from the third-to-last move. It's not fixed - it changes every move to always be the third most recent position changed.
Duration: Active for the rest of the game - cannot be changed unless unlocked with points, but the specific position it locks updates with each move.
Strategy Tip: With only 2 positions available, the game becomes extremely tight. Every move counts, and unlocking becomes crucial!
ðĄ How Locks Work:
- First lock (Protected): Always tracks the position from the most recent move - updates every move
- Second lock: Activates around move 10, then continuously tracks the position from the second-to-last move - updates every move
- Third lock: Activates around move 20, then continuously tracks the position from the third-to-last move - updates every move
- All locks change with every move to always be the last 1, 2, or 3 positions that were changed
- Locks only activate if there are still valid moves available - if activating a lock would end the game immediately, it won't activate
⥠Powerups & Abilities
Earn points by making strategic moves that limit your opponent's options. The fewer valid moves your opponent has after your move, the more points you earn! Use these points to unlock powerful abilities.
â Points System
Earn points by making strategic moves that limit your opponent's options. Points are only awarded when your move leaves your opponent with 10 or fewer available moves.
- âĒ Points threshold: You only earn points when your opponent has âĪ10 available moves after your move
- âĒ Point calculation: Fewer opponent moves = more points. Points scale exponentially (2, 4, 16, 64, 256, 1024+)
- âĒ Game progress multiplier: Points are worth more in later moves (after move 20)
- âĒ Points accumulate throughout the round and can be spent on powerups
Hint
FREE âĒ Once per round
When you're stuck, use your free hint to highlight a letter position that you can change to create a valid word.
Tip: Save your hint for when you really need it - you only get one per round!
Unlock Letter
250 POINTS âĒ Once per turn
Temporarily unlock a locked position (protected, second lock, or third lock) for one turn, giving you more strategic options when you need them most.
Strategy: Perfect for breaking out of tight situations when multiple positions are locked!
Word Reveal
250 POINTS âĒ Once per game
See all valid moves from the current position to plan your strategy. Perfect for critical moments when you need to see all your options.
Use Case: Best used when you have multiple locked positions and need to find the best path forward.
ð Daily Twists (Optional)
Letter Lock rotates a special rule every day. When you challenge a player or start an AI game, you can opt in to today's twist or choose any twist from the dropdown. If you skip the checkbox, the match plays with standard rules.
Today's twist
Hard Bones
You can only change letters at consonant positions.
Weekly schedule
Hard Bones
You can only change letters at consonant positions.
Speed Day
Every turn must be played within 8 hours.
Raw Mode
Hints and powerups (Unlock, Word Reveal) are disabled for the entire match.
Double Trouble
The second lock appears at move 5 (instead of 10) and the third at move 10 (instead of 20).
Vowel Movement
You can only change letters at vowel positions (A, E, I, O, U).
Letter X
One random letter is banned for the whole game â words cannot contain it.
Shrinking Dictionary
Every 5 moves, a new starting letter is banned â words cannot begin with banned letters.
On the board:
- Letter X â a banned letter is shown above the word; words containing it are invalid.
- Shrinking Dictionary â banned starting letters appear as red chips; a new one is added every 5 moves.
- Vowel Movement / Hard Bones â only vowel or consonant positions can be changed (blocked tiles are marked on the board).
- Raw Mode â hints and powerups are disabled for the whole match.
- Speed Day â each turn must be played within 8 hours.
ð§ Strategy Tips
ð Plan Ahead
Think about what positions will become locked as the game progresses. Try to avoid creating situations where you'll be trapped.
ðŊ Limit Opponent Options
Make moves that leave your opponent with few valid options. This earns you more points and brings you closer to victory.
ðū Save Your Points
Don't spend points too early. Save them for critical moments when you need to unlock a position or see all your options.
ð Track Used Words
Keep mental track of words that have been played. This helps you avoid dead ends and plan better moves.
Ready to Play?
Now that you know the rules, put your strategy to the test!