Crossword Strategies Every Beginner Should Know
Master the art of crossword puzzles with these proven strategies that will transform you from novice to expert.
Crossword puzzles have been a Canadian tradition since the early 1900s. From the Globe and Mail's daily crossword to the cryptic puzzles in the National Post, these word games remain hugely popular.
Start with Monday Puzzles
Most newspaper crosswords follow a difficulty curve throughout the week. Monday puzzles are easiest.
Learn Common Crossword Words
Words like AREA, ERA, ORE, and ALE are crossword staples. Familiarizing yourself with "crosswordese" gives you an advantage.
Work the Crosses
Fill in confident answers first, then use crossing letters for trickier clues.
Theme Awareness
Once you identify the theme, longer answers become much more approachable.
Practice Makes Perfect
Join a local crossword club — many Canadian cities have them. Solving with others accelerates learning.