NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Saturday, September 28 (game #209)

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today , NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #209) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Feeling good

NYT Strands today (game #209) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• VINE
• PINE
• PHOTO
• LAST
• DUST
• RUSE

NYT Strands today (game #209) - hint #3 - spangram

What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Inside out

NYT Strands today (game #209) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First: left, 5th row

Last: right, 5th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #209) - the answers

The answers to today's Strands, game #209, are…

• HAPPINESS
• LOVE
• GRATITUDE
• PLEASURE
• EXCITEMENT
• SPANGRAM: EMOTIONS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

My only issue with today's Strands is that the theme clue and answers all fit nicely with the idea of 'good or pleasant emotions' – but the spangram is merely EMOTIONS on its own. It's not a major problem, but it mildly annoyed me.

It's not a difficult one, even bearing that in mind. I looked for HAPPINESS at the start of the game and found it quickly, and none of the other words provided any great problems. Once again I was done in only a few minutes. I'd quite like a more difficult game soon, as it happens.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Friday 27 September, game #208)

• MOAT
• WALL
• DRAWBRIDGE
• COURTYARD
• TOWER
• KEEP
• TURRET
• SPANGRAM: CASTLE

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to h ow to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.