Up & Down Words by David L. Hoyt

Type: Puzzle
Frequency: Daily
Categories: Word, Top Games.

Available for print / Web / HTML5

In Up & Down Words, players use crossword-style clues to fill in two-word phrases. But here's the twist: the second word of each phrase is the first word in the phrase that follows. Players may solve the puzzle from the bottom up or from the top down -- whichever gets you to the solution quickest and is the most fun!

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David L. Hoyt

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Prolific puzzle creator David L. Hoyt has been in the games business since 1993, when he gave up a successful career in the financial sector to pursue his passion for puzzles. His wildly popular Word Roundup appears in the USA Today newspaper, with several variations played by millions online every day.

Hoyt’s other creations include USA Today’s Up & Down Words, Pat Sajak’s Lucky Letters, Jumble Crosswords, TV Jumble, Find ‘Em Poker and more. He has collaborated on dozens of other games, including Jumble Word Vault, Boggle Brainbusters and Tic-a-Tac Poker, and has sold board games to Hasbro and Mattel. His work appears in print, online, on mobile devices, in card games -- even in casino slot machines and scratch-off lottery games. Two of Hoyt’s recent creations are the Just 2 Words app game and the Word Winder board game (also popular in its app format).

He currently lives in Chicago with his wife, Claire, and enjoys cycling, running and golf. Hoyt is excited to start each day in his world of puzzles: “I wake up by about 4 a.m. almost every morning because I can’t wait to do what I do,” he said.