Rung #52: POKER to RISKS — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 5, 2026: POKER to RISKS, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 6: the shortest climb there is takes 5 rungs, and par gives you one to spare.

The puzzle

Climb from POKER to RISKS. The shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary, counting the leap — two letters changed in one move, once, at the cost of two rungs — is 5 rungs; par is one more, so the shortest route comes in under it. The leap does not shorten this one: 5 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb under par, one of 35 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. POKER → POKES — the fifth letter, R becomes S.
2. POKES → POSES — the third letter, K becomes S.
3. POSES → ROSES — the first letter, P becomes R.
4. ROSES → RISES — the second letter, O becomes I.
5. RISES → RISKS — the fourth letter, E becomes K.

Other routes as short: POKER · POKES · ROKES · ROSES · RISES · RISKS; POKER · POSER · POSES · ROSES · RISES · RISKS; POKER · ROKER · ROKES · ROSES · RISES · RISKS; and more.

The answer

POKER · POKES · POSES · ROSES · RISES · RISKS — 5 rungs.

Previous: Rung #51 (Sun, Oct 4)

About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: five letters, one changed at a time, par set by the shortest climb there is. Any real word is a rung; a two-letter leap is yours once a day, and a hint when you are stuck. How to play Rung, or play today’s.