Another week, another set of Strands puzzles to solve courtesy of the New York Times Games section. And be warned: it’s a tough day. Read on for some (hopefully helpful) tips to get you started.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about today’s NYT Strands is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #57) – hint #1 – today’s theme
What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?
• Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Dropping a name
NYT Strands Today (Game #57) – Hint #2 – Clue Words
What are good keywords these days?
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hint system.
• PINE
• BEAN
• JEAN
• MOWER
• TOILING
• BRAND
NYT Strands today (game #57) – hint #3 – spangram
What’s a hint for today’s spangram?
• Sound boys and girls
NYT Strands Today (Game #57) – Hint #4 – Spangram Position
Where does today’s spangram begin and end?
• Start: left, 6th row
• End: right, 3rd row
Okay, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands Today (Game #57) – The Answers
The answers to today’s Strands, game #57, are…
- PINK
- JUST
- SEAL
- PRINCE
- MEATLOAF
- JEWEL
- BRANDY
- SPANGRAM: MUSICIANS
- My score: Difficult
- My score: Perfect
This was another pretty tricky Strands puzzle, mainly because there are so many options that it was hard to know what to look for. This is a theme among the more difficult editions of the game; look at a Strands puzzle like Headwear’s and there are only so many possible answers, most of which you can think of. But musicians? That’s so big it’s almost uncontrollable. I mean, where do you start?
I started with PINK, which I found completely by accident. Combined with the name dropping clue, I thought it might be celebrities or pop stars, rather than musicians, but I couldn’t find any other examples for ages.
The next answer I found was SEAL, again by accident, followed by COMMON. The latter was the one that made me realize that a broader category of musicians was probably needed, and not long after I claimed the spangram. It is often the case that the board provided a bit of structure and after a long search I was eventually able to discover the other words. I’m not sure how much I enjoyed this game. I think they work better when they are more focused. But maybe that’s just me…
How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.
Yesterday’s NYT Strands Answers (Sunday, April 28, Game #56)
- RAZOR
- WASH CLOTH
- SOAP
- SPONGE
- SHAMPOO
- CONDITIONER
- SPANGRAM: SHOWER
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT’s new word game, after Wordle and Connections. It is currently in beta and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I have a full guide to playing NYT Strands, complete with troubleshooting tips, so give that a read if you’re struggling to beat it every day.