Connections Hint
Expert Guides

NYT Connections Strategy

Pattern recognition, trap avoidance, and lateral thinking — the skills that separate guessers from solvers.

Beginner
Why You Should Always Start with Yellow
Starting with the easiest category isn't just safe — it changes how you read the rest of the board.
May 26, 2026  ·  4 min read
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Awareness
Common NYT Connections Trap Words
A running list of words that appear across puzzles to mislead — and how to not fall for them again.
May 26, 2026  ·  5 min read
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Advanced
Understanding Purple-Level Thinking
Purple groups are never what they seem. We break down the six most common purple-level patterns.
May 26, 2026  ·  5 min read
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Blue Level
When Pop Culture Categories Trick You
Film titles, song names, and TV shows hide in plain sight. Here's how to catch them early.
May 26, 2026  ·  5 min read
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New to Connections? Start with How to Play NYT Connections before diving into strategy.