Look out, Wordle and Connections, right here comes Strands. Like these two video games, Strands is a New York Occasions on-line phrase sport. Proper now, Strands is just in beta, so it does not but present up in The New York Occasions’ Video games app. It’s good to go on to the sport. And since it is in beta, which means it is nonetheless being examined, it may be improved earlier than it is absolutely launched. I’m going into depth concerning the guidelines for Strands on this story.
Strands jogs my memory of these old school Phrase Discover books they used to promote in each grocery-store checkout lane. You have given a grid of letters, however in contrast to the Phrase Discover books, no record of phrases. That is what makes the sport enjoyable — and irritating.
And if you happen to’re studying this, you in all probability want some assist with the June 16 Strands puzzle, so right here we go. Warning: Scroll down too far and too quick and you may see spoilers.
Want extra solutions? Right here is the reply for at the moment’s Wordle, and listed here are the solutions for at the moment’s Connections.
Learn extra: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Hardest Puzzles So Far
Trace for at the moment’s Strands puzzle
As we speak’s Strands theme is It is within the bag.
But when that does not show you how to, here is a clue: Not espresso, however…
Clue phrases to unlock in-game hints
Your objective is to seek out hidden phrases that match the puzzle’s theme. If you happen to’re caught, discover any phrases you’ll be able to. Each time you discover three phrases of 4 letters or extra, Strands will reveal one of many theme phrases. These are the phrases I used to get these hints, however any phrases of 4 or extra letters that you just discover will work.
TANG, MITE, DOPE, SONG, SMILE, LONE, MATCH, TOWER, TIME, LONG, PEAT, DOTE, ACHE, TEAT, MILE, HANG, GNAT, POWDER
Solutions for at the moment’s Strands puzzle
These are the solutions that tie in to the theme. The objective of the puzzle is to seek out all of them, together with the spangram, a theme phrase that reaches from one facet of the puzzle to the opposite. Once you’ve acquired all of them (I initially thought there have been all the time eight, however discovered that quantity can fluctuate), each letter on the board will probably be used. Listed below are the non-spangram solutions.
MATCHA, CHAI, OOLONG, CHAMOMILE, JASMINE, GUNPOWDER (Sure, gunpowder is a kind of tea.)
As we speak’s Strands spangram
As we speak’s Strands spangram is TEATIME. To spell it out, begin with the T that is 4 rows down, and wind your manner throughout the puzzle.
Drink up!
The way to play NYT Strands
1. Use at the moment’s theme to search for phrases referring to that subject. See one? Drag or click on the letters so as. Click on on the final letter twice to submit your guess. If you happen to’ve discovered a theme phrase, it will mild up in blue and keep that manner.
2. Different phrases you discover are thought-about trace phrases that offer you clues to the theme phrases. Discover three trace phrases (they will need to have at the very least 4 letters every), and the sport will reward you by exhibiting you a theme phrase. However if you cannot unscramble it, discover three extra trace phrases, and the sport will spotlight the theme phrase’s letters so as.
3. Hunt for the spangram, a particular theme phrase that spans the complete puzzle, although it may move throughout, or prime to backside. It summarizes the puzzle theme.
4. Once you’re executed, you may have used each letter on the board in both a theme phrase or spangram. Theme phrases fill the complete board and don’t overlap.