Rung #70: DEALT to STATE — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 23, 2026: DEALT to STATE, 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 DEALT to STATE. 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 11 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. DEALT → DEALS — the fifth letter, T becomes S.
2. DEALS → SEALS — the first letter, D becomes S.
3. SEALS → SEATS — the fourth letter, L becomes T.
4. SEATS → STATS — the second letter, E becomes T.
5. STATS → STATE — the fifth letter, S becomes E.

Other routes as short: DEALT · DEALS · SEATS · STATS · STATE; DEALT · SEALS · SEATS · STATS · STATE; DEALT · DEALS · SEALS · STATS · STATE; and more.

The answer

DEALT · DEALS · SEALS · SEATS · STATS · STATE — 5 rungs.

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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.