Today’s NYT Strands Hints and Answers for Sept. 15 Puzzle #561

The New York Times Strands puzzle for September 15, 2025, is live. The theme is “For a fortune.” Many players found it tricky, as it is not about money but tarot cards. The answers connect to mystic readings.

The spangram of the day is TAROTCARDS. Other answers include FOOL, MOON, STAR, DEVIL, LOVERS, EMPRESS, and MAGICIAN. Each word links to tarot deck names. This puzzle shows how Strands often plays with cultural themes.

NYT Strands Hints: What to Know

The first clue was “Two of Cups.” That hint points to tarot. To unlock in-game hints, players can find words of four letters or more. Examples include FOOT, DRAT, MOOSE, and CARE. Each set of three clue words lights up a theme word.

The puzzle board today used every letter once. The spangram TAROTCARDS runs across the board. According to puzzle fans, this was a fun but tough challenge.

Strands has become a daily hit like Wordle and Connections. The game asks players to spot theme words from scrambled letters. Each theme gives a new twist. Many turn to hints when the theme is unusual.

Game Strategy and Quick Tips

Finding short words is key. Adding “S” or trying new forms often helps. For example, DEAR can become DEARS. Every three clue words add new hints. This makes it easier to spot theme terms.

Once one tarot card is found, players can guess the next. Words like FOOL or STAR stand out once the theme is clear. Reuters and other outlets note that Strands’ appeal comes from simple rules but tricky themes.

The game also lights up missing letters if you cannot guess a word. This safety net makes it fun for all skill levels. Even on hard days like today, players can finish.

Why Today’s Strands Puzzle Stands Out

The tarot theme made this puzzle different. Some players are not familiar with card names. That made it more of a guessing game. Still, the puzzle taught new words and ideas.

The Strands community often shares strategies online. Many liked how the words fit together this time. It was a mix of short and long answers. The spangram was easy to miss, but satisfying once found.

Today’s NYT Strands hints gave players a hard but fun challenge. Tarot cards brought a mystic twist. With TAROTCARDS as the spangram, puzzle fans ended the day with a win.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is today’s NYT Strands theme?

The theme is “For a fortune.” It refers to tarot card names like FOOL, STAR, and MAGICIAN.

Q2: What is the spangram for Sept. 15?

The spangram is TAROTCARDS. It runs across the puzzle board.

Q3: What are today’s Strands answers?

The answers are FOOL, MOON, STAR, DEVIL, LOVERS, EMPRESS, MAGICIAN, plus the spangram TAROTCARDS.

Q4: How do clue words work in Strands?

Every three clue words of four letters or more unlock a hint. This helps reveal a theme word.

Q5: Why was today’s puzzle hard?

Not everyone knows tarot terms. That made spotting the theme words tougher than usual.