Stuck on the NYT Connections grid today? You’re not the only one. Puzzle #1156 has a purple category that trips up a lot of players because the words look like they belong somewhere else entirely.
Here’s a quick answer for anyone in a hurry: today’s four groups are Haphazardly, Ways to Receive Event Tickets, Sections on an Invoice, and Famous Goatees. If you want to solve it yourself first, scroll down for hints before you hit the full answers.
What Is NYT Connections?
Connections is the New York Times’ daily word grouping game. You get 16 words and have to sort them into four hidden categories of four words each.
Each category has a color: yellow is the easiest, then green, then blue, then purple. Purple is almost always the trickiest, since it leans on wordplay or a theme that isn’t obvious at first glance.
You get four mistakes before the puzzle locks you out, so guessing randomly is a bad idea. That’s where hints come in handy.
NYT Connections Hints for Today (August 10)
If you want a nudge without seeing the full solution, use these:
- Yellow: Means doing something in a messy, unplanned way.
- Green: Different methods for getting your ticket before a concert or show.
- Blue: Line items you’d spot while looking over a bill.
- Purple: All about a specific style of facial hair, tied to characters both real and fictional.
The purple group is the one to watch. A couple of those words look like they could fit under an animal category or a pop culture category, so don’t lock them in too early.
NYT Connections Answers for August 10, 2026 (Puzzle #1156)
Here’s the full breakdown by category.
Yellow: Haphazardly
- Any Old How
- At Random
- Helter-Skelter
- Willy-Nilly
Green: Ways to Receive Event Tickets
- Mail Delivery
- Mobile Ticket
- Print-at-Home
- Will Call
Blue: Sections on an Invoice
- Balance Due
- Bill To
- Order Number
- Unit Price
Purple: Famous Goatees
- Billy Goat
- Colonel Sanders
- Doctor Strange
- The Devil
The purple category is the fun twist today. It’s not about tickets or invoices at all. It’s a list of characters and figures known for their pointed chin hair, from the KFC mascot to the Marvel superhero.
Why the Green and Blue Groups Are Easy to Mix Up
A lot of players get tangled between the green and blue groups today. Both feel like they belong to the same “buying something” theme, since tickets and invoices both involve money changing hands.
The trick is to focus on what each word actually describes. Green words describe how you physically get your ticket, whether that’s a text message, a printout, or picking it up at the venue. Blue words describe line items you’d see printed on a bill, like the total you owe or the price per unit.
Once you separate “how you receive something” from “what’s listed on a receipt,” the categories split apart cleanly.
Tips for Solving Connections Faster
- Start with the group you’re most confident about, usually yellow or green.
- Watch for words that seem to fit two categories. Puzzle makers love planting red herrings like that.
- If a word feels oddly specific, like a brand name or character, it’s probably part of the trickiest purple group.
- Save your guesses. Four wrong answers ends the game, so don’t rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often does a new Connections puzzle come out?
A. A new puzzle drops every day at midnight local time, so there’s always a fresh grid to solve.
Q. Can I play past Connections puzzles?
A. Yes, but you’ll need an NYT Games or All Access subscription to access the archive.
Q. What happens if I guess wrong four times?
A. The game ends and reveals the answers, so it’s worth taking your time before locking in a group.
Final Thoughts
Today’s Connections puzzle rewards players who slow down and look past the obvious categories. The invoice and ticket groups offer solid footholds, but the goatee twist is what makes this one memorable.
Come back tomorrow for another round of hints and answers, and follow GamerUrge for daily NYT Connections coverage plus the latest gaming news and guides.
