The New York Times’ brain-teasing puzzle section has captivated puzzle enthusiasts with a variety of games, and one standout is Connections. Although it seems simple, Connections offers a challenging and addictive experience that hooks nearly everyone who tries it. If you’ve struggled with Connections or haven’t given it a proper shot, these expert tips and tricks will help you understand the game better and improve your puzzle-solving skills.
How to Play NYT Connections
In Connections, the objective is to sort a grid of 16 words into four groups of four based on a shared connection. For instance, a group might consist of four words related to fruits. The connections are color-coded by difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (most difficult). You have four attempts to find all four groups.
NYT Connections Tips and Tricks
1. Avoid Obvious Connections
Connections is designed to mislead you with seemingly obvious groupings. If four words appear too easy to connect, they probably aren’t correct. Test potential connections by seeing if those words can link with others. Remember, each group must be exclusive.
2. Use the Shuffle Button
Shuffling the grid can help you see potential connections that aren’t immediately obvious due to word placement. While it’s not guaranteed to rearrange words deliberately placed to trick you, it can offer a fresh perspective.
3. Don’t Guess Haphazardly
Unlike Wordle, where guesses are part of the strategy, guessing in Connections can quickly lead to failure. Instead, ensure your connections make logical sense and don’t overlap with other potential groups. Save guessing for when you have narrowed down the options to the final eight words.
4. Start with Easy Connections
Identify and solve the yellow and green connections first. These are the easiest and will help clear the board, making it easier to identify the remaining groups. Avoid starting with the most difficult or obscure words.
5. Think Beyond Meanings
The purple category connections are often the trickiest and might not be based on the meanings of the words but rather on patterns such as anagrams, prefixes, or references. Look for deeper, more abstract connections.
6. Process of Elimination
When faced with particularly challenging groups, use the process of elimination. Solve the easier groups first, which will reduce the number of words and make it easier to spot the remaining connections. You don’t always need to solve the purple category if you can confidently group the others.
7. Reevaluate Stubborn Words
If certain words seem out of place or difficult to connect, set them aside and focus on the easier groups. Revisiting these words later with fewer options on the board can sometimes make the connections more apparent.
Connections offers a deceptively simple yet profoundly challenging puzzle experience. By using these strategies, you can improve your ability to identify the hidden links and enjoy the satisfaction of solving each puzzle. Remember to take your time, think critically, and use the process of elimination to your advantage. Happy puzzling!