Riddle and Puzzle Hints



Riddle Hints
Mindbender Hints



Riddle Hints



Riddles are very hard to create, so many are based on the same principles. Once you learn what to look for, riddles become a lot easier. Sometimes solving a similar, but easier riddle will give you a hint toward the harder one. A good example of this is Hats and Hats (easier version). Solving the easier version first will give you a good idea as to how to solve Hats.

Often times, in order to solve a riddle, you have to look at it from a different perspective. Putting yourself in a person's shoes, or taking yourself out of them, can make an important fact clear. Sometimes this is the only way to solve a riddle.

Try rewriting the riddle without all of the uneccesary information, or just mentally omitting it. Reread it a few times. If possible, write down a list of 'if this is _____,then that is_____.' Consider every possibility. Every riddle has an answer! You will find it if you don't give up.
Go to Real Riddles


Mindbender Hints



Mindbenders all have one thing in common: They try to trick you. All you have to do is find the trick. Mindbenders will use one of two methods:
[UL] [*]Leaving out an important piece of imformation [*]Restating a well known fact or story in a different way. E.g. Accumulative progression is just a fancy name for addition. [/UL]
Here are two examples. Try to figure out which method each uses and solve. The hints and answers are given if you need help.

An elderly woman goes for a walk. Two young men in excellent physical condition are directly behind her, sprinting toward her. No matter how fast they run, they do not catch up with the woman. How is this possible?

This seems impossible, but there is a perfectly logical answer. If you haven't solved it already, highlight the hints below.

They are sprinting and she is walking, but they stay the same distance apart.
It wouldn't matter if either the men or the elderly woman changed speeds.
Picture the scene in your mind's eye. Are they outside? Alone? Try changing these factors.
They are inside and are not alone. They've probably paid to be where they are right now.
Nobody is moving forward, even though they are running/walking.
They are on treadmills in a gym.

See how this riddle left out an important fact? That one trick is what makes this a mindbender. Try thins riddle. It uses the other kind of trick:

A young trader travels to an exotic land where he liberates a woman and an animal. He is chased by a large native with a very distinctive sense of smell and escapes with his life. What is the trader's name?

One way to recognize this type of mindbender is the final question. The trader's name isn't mentioned anywhere else in the riddle. A common first thought is "How am I supposed to know?" If you haven't solved it yet, highlight these hints:

Remember that this type of mindbender restates a common fact or story.
Remeber your childhood days...
...like during storytime.
This is a summarized fairy tale.
Jack climbed up a large plant to get to the giant native's home.
This is the story of Jack and the Beanstack.

Now that you have these hints, go back and check out mindbenders. If you need help with a riddle, email me. Good luck!


Last edited: 8-28-MM