Connections archive · Puzzle #1197
NYT Connections Hints & Answers — September 20, 2026 (#1197)
Group hints and answers for the NYT Connections puzzle on . Get a spoiler-free nudge for each group, or reveal the full solution — your call.
Difficulty: Hard
Spoiler control
Choose how much to reveal
Reveal one step at a time — nudges first, full answers only if you ask.
1. Group nudges spoiler-free
- Yellow: Disc-shaped objects you set down, play, or find on a beach.
- Green: Music, drink, a horse race, and a fried staple tied to one state.
- Blue: Films built around bloodsuckers — from teen romance to a recent hit.
- Purple: Fill-in-the-blank before BOARD — things you stand on and ride.
2. One word from each group a foothold
- Yellow: BLU-RAY
- Green: BLUEGRASS
- Blue: BLADE
- Purple: HOVER
3. The four category names no words yet
- Yellow: ROUND FLAT THINGS
- Green: ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKY
- Blue: VAMPIRE MOVIES
- Purple: ___BOARDS YOU RIDE ON
4. Reveal groups one by one
Yellow group
ROUND FLAT THINGS
- BLU-RAY
- COASTER
- SAND DOLLAR
- TORTILLA
Green group
ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKY
- BLUEGRASS
- BOURBON
- DERBY
- FRIED CHICKEN
Blue group
VAMPIRE MOVIES
- BLADE
- NEAR DARK
- SINNERS
- TWILIGHT
Purple group
___BOARDS YOU RIDE ON
- HOVER
- SKATE
- SNOW
- SURF
5. Reveal everything full spoilers
Yellow — ROUND FLAT THINGS
- BLU-RAY
- COASTER
- SAND DOLLAR
- TORTILLA
Green — ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKY
- BLUEGRASS
- BOURBON
- DERBY
- FRIED CHICKEN
Blue — VAMPIRE MOVIES
- BLADE
- NEAR DARK
- SINNERS
- TWILIGHT
Purple — ___BOARDS YOU RIDE ON
- HOVER
- SKATE
- SNOW
- SURF
NYT Connections #1197 — quick answers
What are today's Connections categories?
ROUND FLAT THINGS; ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKY; VAMPIRE MOVIES; ___BOARDS YOU RIDE ON.
What are all the answers?
- ROUND FLAT THINGS: BLU-RAY, COASTER, SAND DOLLAR, TORTILLA
- ASSOCIATED WITH KENTUCKY: BLUEGRASS, BOURBON, DERBY, FRIED CHICKEN
- VAMPIRE MOVIES: BLADE, NEAR DARK, SINNERS, TWILIGHT
- ___BOARDS YOU RIDE ON: HOVER, SKATE, SNOW, SURF
Also for: Connections hints 9/20/26, 9-20-26, 9 20 26, 9/20/2026, and puzzle #1197.
Also stuck on Strands, Wordle, Spelling Bee or Mini Crossword ?
Today's puzzle, in a nutshell
Kentucky and round flat objects are the cleaner groups. Purple only clicks once you hear BOARD after each word, and the vampire titles can fake a general movie set.