10-Oct-2023 in 3

Guess #1:  SERAI

• "S" is in the correct place
• "A" is out of place
• "I" is out of place

There are only seven possibilities at this point.
We now have a 1-in-7 chance of getting the answer in 2 !
5 of 7 have an "N"
4 of 7 have a "T"
2 of 7 have an "L"
1 of 7 have a "G", "M", or "D"
I believe we are guaranteed to get it in 3 with the following logic
Best guess = STAIN
if there is an "T" and "N", then the answer will be "SAINT" or "SATIN"
if there is a "T" and not "N", then the answer will be "STAID"
if there is an "N" but not "T", then the answer will be "SNAIL" or "SLAIN"
if there is not "N" and not "T", then the answer will be "SIGMA"

Guess #2:  STAIN

• "N" is out of place
• No "T"

So the answer should be "SNAIL"

Guess #3:  SNAIL