How to play this 3×3 word grouping game
Tap three words that share a connection, then select Submit. A correct group moves out of the grid and reveals its category and explanation. Find all three groups to finish. A wrong submission uses one of your four mistakes in Daily or Unlimited; the fourth mistake ends the board and reveals the groups. Repeating the same already-rejected trio does not use another mistake.
A category can be a shared meaning, a kind of object, a phrase that takes the same missing word, or a spelling pattern. The connection must explain all three members specifically. “Things I have heard of” is too broad to be useful.
A worked nine-word example
Imagine a board containing MERCURY, HARP, STOP, VENUS, YIELD, CELLO, MARS, MERGE, VIOLIN. One complete solution is:
- Planets: MERCURY, VENUS, MARS.
- String instruments: HARP, CELLO, VIOLIN.
- Road-sign instructions: STOP, YIELD, MERGE.
This is a teaching example, not a spoiler for today’s board. Notice that every word is used once. Finding a plausible pair is only the beginning; check that the third word fits the same definition.
What “One away” actually tells you
If you submit MERCURY, VENUS and HARP in that example, you have two planets and an instrument. One away means two of the three selected words belong to one intended group. It does not identify the pair or the intruder. It is still a wrong submission, so it costs a mistake.
Instead of replacing a word at random, say your category aloud and test each selected word against it. Shuffle can help break a visual association, and Deselect clears your current choices without using a mistake.
Colors, hints and modes
| Feature | Meaning in Triple Connections |
|---|---|
| Yellow / Blue / Purple | Category tiers, from the most direct connection to the trickiest. Solve them in any order. |
| Category hint | Reveals the title of an unsolved category, leaving you to find its three words. It does not reveal an anchor word. |
| Daily | The same date-based board for everyone; resets at midnight in America/New_York. |
| Unlimited | More boards with theme and difficulty filters. Four mistakes per board. |
| Practice | Untimed solving with no mistake limit, so you can study the connections. |
How our boards handle alternate meanings
The puzzle data records an intended set of three categories and an explanation for each. Structural checks catch repeated words and malformed groups; those checks cannot prove that a human will never find another reasonable association. If you find an alternate full solution, send the board ID, three proposed groups and your reasoning to hello@bonuspuzzles.com.
For a practical way to untangle overlaps, read our 3×3 grouping strategy guide. Then try unlimited Triple Connections boards or switch to five-round One Clue Word.
Frequently asked questions
How is a 3×3 puzzle different from 4×4 Connections?
This game has nine words divided into three groups of three. The familiar 4×4 format has sixteen words divided into four groups of four. Do not select four words on this board.
Can I keep playing after today’s puzzle?
Yes. Choose Unlimited or open the unlimited page. There is no daily play cap or subscription.
Will my game survive a refresh?
Progress is saved in the same browser when local storage is available. Private browsing, clearing site data or changing devices can remove or separate that progress.
Is this the official NYT game?
No. Triple Connections is an independent game on BonusPuzzles.com. Our boards do not provide the official NYT daily or weekly answers.