Start with the spoiler-free clues. Reveal the answers only when you've truly given up.
A direction for each group — no names given.
What kind of thinking each group asks for.
Pointed nudges on the words built to fool you.
Every Connections board plants a few decoys. Here are today's, and why they pull you the wrong way.
BOA is worn, but it's a feathery scarf, not a metallic or functional necklace, so players might think it belongs to a different 'neck' category or confuse it with animal names.
It's worn on the wrist, not the neck, and it's a knotted string item, so it easily misleads solvers looking for neckwear or rope categories.
FRANCHISE is a business or film series concept, not a traditional TV unit like episode or season. It fits the TV theme but is a broader term, causing hesitation.
EPISODE, FRANCHISE, SEASON, and SERIES are all terms that denote a segment or collection within television programming. The trick is that 'franchise' feels broader than the others, but it fits as a high-level unit like a series.
BOA, CHAIN, LANYARD, and TIE are all accessories that are typically worn around the neck. The misdirection comes from 'boa' being a type of scarf and 'lanyard' often used for IDs.
FRIENDSHIP BRACELET, MACRAMÉ, QUIPU, and SHOELACES all involve string, cord, or yarn that is knotted — whether as a craft, a communication system, or a practical item. 'Friendship bracelet' may mislead as a wrist item.
CONVERSATION, PERIOD, PUFF, and THINK each complete the common two-word phrase '___ piece' (e.g., conversation piece, period piece). This is a wordplay category that requires filling in the blank.
a textbook decoy
requires lateral thinking
