Connections Puzzle Tutorials for First-Time Players
If you’re new to the Connections puzzle, you’re in for a fun challenge. This daily word game, found in the New York Times games section (often called Connections NYT by fans), invites you to find groups of four words that all have something in common. At first glance, it might seem pretty easy—but once you get started, you’ll quickly see it can be a real brain teaser!Each puzzle has 16 words, and your goal is to figure out how to group them into four neat categories. These categories can be anything—colors, movie titles, things you wear, types of fruit, and so on. The trick is that some words can seem to fit into more than one group, and that’s what makes the game interesting.
For first-time players, it helps to start by loosely sorting the words in your mind. Don’t overthink it. Look for obvious connections first. For example, if you see “red,” “blue,” “yellow,” and “green,” you’ll probably guess they’re all colors—and that’s good! That's likely one group solved.
Next, scan the remaining words again. Say you spot “violin,” “tuba,” “flute,” and “drum.” It makes sense to group those as musical instruments. Sometimes the categories are straightforward. Other times, they might be a bit more specific, like “types of pasta” or “things associated with baking.”
A good tip is to write the words on paper or read them out loud. Hearing words can often trigger connections you wouldn’t notice just by looking at them. Also, don’t be afraid to make a few guesses. You’re allowed a number of tries, and every attempt narrows things down.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Even people who play every day have puzzles that trip them up. Practice really helps. The more you play, the more you’ll spot patterns and become quicker at sorting the words into groups.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to win—it’s to enjoy figuring things out. Whether you solve it in five minutes or twenty, each puzzle gives your brain a little workout and a feeling of satisfaction when you finally get everything matched. So grab your coffee or tea, take a moment, and have a go at today’s puzzle. Happy puzzling!