Sign up for our newsletter
Looking for a different day?
A new NEW Strands puzzle appears at midnight every day for your time zone – meaning some people always play ‘today’s game’ while others play ‘yesterday’s’. If you’re looking for the Tuesday puzzle instead then click here: NEW Strand’s Hints and Answers for Tuesday, February 17 (Game #716).
Strands is the NYT’s latest word game, following the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s great fun. It can be difficult though, so read on for my Strands tips.
SPOILER ALERT: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
NEW Strands today (game #717) – tip #1 – today’s theme
What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?
• Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Cold competition
NEW Strands Today (Game #717) – Hint #2 – Clue Words
Play one of these words to unlock the in-game hint system.
- WIDE
- STOP
- SPOTS
- SALT BAR
- RING
- BIRD
NEW Strands today (game #717) – tip #3 – spangram letters
How many letters are there in today’s spangram?
• Spangram has 12 letters
NEW Strands today (game #717) – tip #4 – spangram position
What two sides of the board do today’s spangram touch?
First page: top, 1st column
Last page: bottom, 6th column
Okay, the answers are below, so DON’T SCROLL IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NEW Strands today (game #717) – the answers
The answers to today’s Strands, game #717, are…
- HATCH
- BOBBLE SLIDE
- SNOWBOARDING
- HOCKEY
- CURLING
- SPANGRAM: WINTER SPORTS
- My rating: Easy
- My score: Perfect
The first thing I thought of when I read the “cold competition” theme was the Winter Olympics, but the easily spotted spangram was actually WINTER SPORTS.
I have an ice phobia due to slipping on a patch of black ice and breaking my leg a while ago, but despite cringing at the occasional crash in the speed skating races, I really enjoy the Winter Games.
The skeleton, which isn’t here, is my favorite event – the bravery of throwing yourself down a piece of ice amazes me, as do the small movements that make the difference between medalists.
In terms of gameplay, this was a relatively easy run, although I worked through several creative spellings of LUGE (why did I think it contained an H) before I finally got it right.
Yesterday’s NYT Strand’s Answer (Tuesday, February 17, Game #716)
- HORSE
- SNAKE
- TIGER
- MONKEY
- RABBIT
- DRAGON
- GOAT
- SPANGRAM: STAR SIGNS
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT’s not-so-new-anymore word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now a full-fledged member of NYT’s game stable that’s been running for a year and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I have a full guide on how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips to solve it, so check it out if you struggle to beat it every day.
