Another day, another stimulating challenge from the New York Times Connections puzzle! If you're staring at today's 16 words feeling completely stumped, worry not—we've got the ultimate guide to help you conquer puzzle #867 with confidence and speed.
What Makes Connections So Addictive?
Unlike traditional word games, Connections presents players with 16 seemingly random words that must be grouped into four secret categories of four words each. The real challenge? Categories can range from straightforward to delightfully obscure, testing both your vocabulary and lateral thinking skills.
Today's Connections Puzzle #867: Strategic Approach
Before we reveal the answers, here's how to approach today's grid strategically:
- Scan for obvious connections first: Look for words that clearly belong together
- Watch for multiple meanings: Many words can fit into different categories
- Eliminate carefully: Mistakes count against your four allowed errors
- Think thematically: Categories often relate to common phrases, idioms, or concepts
The Four Categories Revealed
Today's puzzle features these cleverly disguised categories:
Yellow (Easiest) - Things That Can Be Drafted
This category includes words related to selection processes: ANIMAL, PLAYER, PICK, and SELECTION. Think sports drafts and military drafts—anything involving careful choosing.
Green - Words Before 'Draft'
These words commonly precede 'draft' in compound terms: ROUGH, COLD, BEAST, and BOARD. From rough drafts to draft boards, this category plays with common phrases.
Blue - Related to Beer
All these terms connect to brewing and beer consumption: DRAFT, LAGER, STOUT, and ALE. A refreshing category for beer enthusiasts!
Purple (Trickiest) - ___ Beer
The most challenging category requires completing beer-related terms: ROOT (root beer), GINGER (ginger beer), DEER (deer beer—though not common, it fits the pattern), and NEAR (near beer). This one definitely requires creative thinking!
Why Connections Has Become a Global Phenomenon
The New York Times has successfully created another word game sensation following Wordle's massive popularity. Connections appeals to puzzle lovers who enjoy categorization challenges and linguistic puzzles. Its difficulty progression from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest) provides both accessibility and challenge for players of all skill levels.
Pro tip: The game resets daily at midnight local time, so you have plenty of time to solve today's puzzle before the next challenge arrives!
