The New York Times's latest puzzle game is Strands, a brainy mix of the traditional word search with a topic-focused puzzle like Connections. If you need help getting used to the game or want extra hints to help you solve the latest puzzle, we're here to offer as much or as little assistance as you might want.
How to Play Strands
Strands features a 6 x 8 grid of letters. You must find words using the theme provided, but unlike a traditional word search, the flow of each word can travel in different directions and pivot. In other words, the "strands" of letters twist everywhere. To submit a word, you can tap or trace your cursor on your mobile device or computer browser.
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 in the form of all the letters needed for a word related to the theme. 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, the initial clue of "Play time!" is an obtuse hint at the overall theme of Broadway. Each of the on-theme words like CABARET and GREASE are the names of various Broadway plays.
April 4 Puzzle Hints
Today's theme is "Consumerism." So are all of the words related to consumer goods in some fashion?
Without giving too much away, we'll point out that the actual clue involves drawing lines quite a bit. More broadly, think about art and design as you try to figure out the words.
Today's Non-Theme Words for Strands
There are plenty of non-theme words you can submit. In no particular order, here are some non-theme words to look for:
- BRAN
- HALT
- DOOM
- CALM
- CLAM
- MELT
- READ
- DANG
- CANE
- LUNCH
- MONEY
- OUCH
- COUCH
- METH
- HALL
- CHIP
- HIPS
- CHAT
- CUTE
Remember that for every three you find, Strands will show you all 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
This theme is a bit cheeky since the clue is "consumerism" and the actual topic is LUNCH MONEY. All of the on-theme words are things you might buy with your lunch money. We're not sure what cafeteria has clams, however, but we wish we had access to that in high school.
- CLAM
- BREAD
- DOUGH
- BACON
- CHIPS
- CABBAGE
- LETTUCE
- LUNCH MONEY (Spangram)
