So, it’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and you’ve probably already stared at today’s grid for ten minutes feeling like the words are mocking you. It happens to the best of us. Connections is that specific brand of "fun" that feels more like a light interrogation than a casual hobby. Honestly, today’s puzzle—number 951, for those keeping score—is a classic case of Wyna Liu and the NYT team playing with your head using overlapping synonyms.
You’re likely here because you saw the Mashable hints and still feel a bit stuck, or maybe you just want to know why on earth "Plaster" and "Cast" aren't in the same group. I've spent way too much time dissecting these daily grids, and today's "rainbow herring" (that's when multiple words could fit in three or four different places) is particularly mean.
The Problem with NYT Mashable Connections Today
The biggest trap today is the "medical" or "outer layer" bait. You see CAST, PLASTER, SLING, and then your brain immediately jumps to a broken arm. It’s a logical move. But in Connections, logic is often your worst enemy. If you try to lock those four in, you’re going to burn a life immediately. Why? Because "Sling" and "Cast" are busy elsewhere.
Breaking Down the Actual Groups
If you’re looking for the logic behind the madness, here is how the January 17 board actually shakes out.
Yellow Group: Spread Over
This is the "easy" one, though I’d argue "Plaster" makes it tricky. These are all things you’d do to a wall or a bed.
👉 See also: Sword of the Sea: Why Giant Squid Games Is Making the Most Beautiful Game You’ve Never Played
- BLANKET
- COAT
- COVER
- PLASTER
Green Group: Throw
Basically, ways to chuck something across a room.
- CAST
- HURL
- PELT
- SLING
Blue Group: Anagrams
This is where people are losing their minds today. Usually, the blue group is about trivia or specific categories like "Parts of a Car," but today it’s a pure wordplay group. Every single one of these words uses the exact same four letters: I, N, K, and S.
- INKS
- KINS
- SINK
- SKIN
Purple Group: First Words of Kids' Games
The "Fill-in-the-blank" or "Associated with" group. If you didn't grow up playing schoolyard games, this one is basically impossible without the process of elimination.
- CAPTURE (The Flag)
- HIDE (And Seek)
- RED (Rover or Light/Green Light)
- SIMON (Says)
Why Today's Board is Frustrating
Let’s talk about PELT, SKIN, and HIDE. If you’re a hunter or just someone who knows weird vocabulary, those three are almost perfect synonyms for animal remains. Then you see COAT and think, "Aha! A fur coat!"
👉 See also: William Afton Fan Art: What Most People Get Wrong
Nope.
That is exactly what the editors want you to do. They want you to waste three guesses trying to make the "Animal Layers" category work. Once you realize SKIN is actually part of the INKS/SINK anagram set, the whole thing starts to crumble—in a good way.
Also, RED is a massive distractor. It could be "Red Carpet," "Red Tape," or even "Red Herring" itself. But pairing it with SIMON is the only way to clear the board. Most people don't think of "Simon" as a standalone word until they see it next to "Hide" and "Capture."
Expert Strategies for 2026 Puzzles
Since we're deep into 2026 now, the NYT has definitely leaned harder into these linguistic traps. It’s not enough to find a group of four; you have to find the only group of four that doesn't steal a word from another set.
- Say the words out loud. Sometimes hearing the "S" at the end of INKS and KINS helps you realize they aren't just plural nouns—they're structural twins.
- The 1-Minute Rule. If you see a group in the first ten seconds, it's probably a trap. CAST/PLASTER/SLING is the perfect example. It's too "on the nose" for a Saturday puzzle.
- Shuffle early. Your brain gets stuck in a visual loop. Moving SIMON away from PELT might be the only way you see the "Kids' Games" connection.
Actionable Steps for Today's Puzzle
If you haven't finished yet, stop trying to group the "medical" words. Separate CAST and SLING immediately. One belongs to "Throw" and the other belongs to... well, also "Throw," actually, but PLASTER belongs to the "Spread" group.
Start with the Anagrams (Blue). Once you get INKS, KINS, SINK, and SKIN out of the way, the "Animal Skin" red herring vanishes. Then, look at your "Throwing" words. If you have HURL and PELT, you know you need two more. CAST and SLING fit perfectly there.
💡 You might also like: Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution 2: Why This "Mobile-Only" Sequel Still Matters
From there, you’re left with the "Spread" group and the "Kids' Games" group. If you have SIMON left, it’s almost certainly going to be the Purple category. Just remember: Wyna Liu loves to make the easiest-looking words the hardest to place.
Good luck with the rest of your daily games. Hopefully, today’s Strands isn't as much of a headache as these anagrams were.
To wrap this up, the best way to handle the NYT Mashable Connections today is to ignore your first instinct. Look for the anagrams first to clear the "S" words, then tackle the synonyms for throwing and covering. Don't let the medical "Plaster/Cast" trap ruin your streak. Keep your eyes peeled for those schoolyard games, and you'll keep that perfect record intact.