The New York Times’ popular word game Connections delivered a challenging puzzle on Tuesday, January 27, with Puzzle #961 leaving many players second-guessing their choices. If today’s grid had you stuck, here’s a complete breakdown with hints, group explanations, and final answers.

What Is NYT Connections?

Connections is a daily word game from the New York Times that asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four based on shared themes. The game displays four word clusters which players must solve through their knowledge of various themes.

Players are allowed up to four incorrect guesses before the puzzle ends and the solutions are revealed. The game resets at midnight which happens every day.

How to Play Connections

The puzzle presents a 4×4 grid of words. Your mission requires you to find four words which maintain a common connection and to match them with their appropriate color classification. The connections between elements show some elements which are clear while other elements create intentional confusion by mixing multiple themes.

Tips to Crack the Puzzle

• Begin with the yellow group, for it usually holds clear synonyms or closely related words.
• Use the shuffle option to view new word combinations.
• The “One Away” messages reveal three correct words with one incorrect word.
• You should take a break when you encounter difficulties because your mind needs time to rest before you can see things better.

NYT Connections Hints for Puzzle #961

If you needed a nudge in the right direction, here are the clues for each group:

• Yellow: A funny or amusing person
• Green: Teams from the National Hockey League
• Blue: Characters linked to Robin Hood
• Purple: Words that begin with baseball-related gear

Hint words from each group included Cutup, Penguin, Friar, and Ballroom.

Group Themes Revealed

For players seeking stronger clues, here are the official group titles:

• Yellow: Quite the laugh
• Green: NHL team member
• Blue: First words of Robin Hood character names
• Purple: Starting with baseball gear

NYT Connections Answers for January 27 (Puzzle #961)

• Yellow – Quite the laugh: Card, Character, Cutup, Joker
• Green – NHL team member: Devil, Flyer, Penguin, Ranger
• Blue – Robin Hood character names: Friar, Maid, Robin, Sheriff
• Purple – Starting with baseball gear: Ballroom, Basement, Batmobile, Capstone

Recent NYT Connections Solutions

The players who want to solve earlier puzzles can access the solutions from the latest days starting from January 26 until January 22. The solutions from the period between January 26 and January 22 show different themes which include famous actresses and pasta shapes and snow-related expressions and magazine names.

The Puzzle #961 solution became satisfying because its difficult parts forced players to work through all of its content. The upcoming day will bring new hints and solutions for the next Connections challenge. The upcoming day will bring new hints and solutions for the next Connections challenge. The upcoming day will bring new hints and solutions for the next Connections challenge. The upcoming day will bring new hints and solutions for the next Connections challenge.