The New York Times has a compelling new puzzle game called Strands, and it feels like a mix of a traditional word search and a topic-focused puzzle like Connections. If you need help getting used to the new game or want some extra hints to help you solve the latest puzzle, we're here to offer as much or as little help as needed.
How to Play Strands
You're dealing with a 6 x 8 grid of letters and need to find words, but unlike a traditional word search, the flow of each word can travel in different directions. In other words, the "strands" of letters pivot all over the place. You can tap or trace your finger on your mobile device to submit a word.
Each day's puzzle has a somewhat obtuse theme that reads like a crossword clue. Official puzzle words are all related to that theme, but there's also a way to receive further hints: if you submit three words unrelated to the theme, you'll receive a hint. All letters needed for a word related to the theme will be highlighted with circles. Note that all words, whether on theme or not, must be at least four letters long. These always need to be four letters or longer.
It'll then be up to you to guess the flow of that particular strand. As you unlock official guesses, they'll be highlighted in blue. Eventually, you'll uncover the theme's name in gold — called a Spangram! — as it bisects the rest of the puzzle and touches two opposite sides of the board.
In the above example, the theme is "consumerism" and the Spangram is LUNCH MONEY. All of the on-theme words like BREAD and CHIPS are food items you might buy with your lunch money.
April 5 Puzzle Hints
Today's theme is "Am I blushing?" This one's a bit strange, but let's dig in.
Think about the color of blush, and you'll be well on your way to pinpointing the Spangram theme word.
Today's Non-Theme Words for Strands
In no particular order, here are some non-theme words to look for:
- TINE
- TOME
- COME
- CANT
- TOIT
- LOAN
- MANE
- READ
- YEAR
- REAL
- YARR
- WART
- REST
- BEAT
- TARRY
- STRAW
- BERRY
- ALERT
- REALTOR
For every three you find, Strands will show you all of the letters used in an on-theme word. Then it's up to you to figure out how to use it to spell out a word.
WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW
Today's On-Theme Words for Strands
Our first on-theme word based on Hints was "TOMATO." Because that word has nothing to do with blushing, it becomes clear pretty quickly that all of these terms are related to the color red instead.
Here are all of the on-theme words on the board:
- TOMATO
- CARDINAL
- CINNAMON
- BURGUNDY
- STRAWBERRY
- RED ALERT (Spangram)
