Opinions vary based on the input text, but the English letter frequency list I use starts ETAONRISH in descending frequency. Based on that, coupled with a litt

Opinions vary based on the input text, but the English letter frequency list I use starts ETAONRISH in descending frequency. Based on that, coupled with a little bit of insight on English words (as opposed to random collections of 5 letters) I've ended up with ALIEN, STORM, CHUMP as my regular first 3. Sometimes I deviate if the earlier rows offer insight, and sometimes I swap the first 2 based on a whim. And unless it is obviously worth a try, I use my first 3 words to eliminate letters and not to guess. I usually get it in 4, sometimes in 5, almost never needing 6, and have failed once. So not necessarily the best, but good enough.