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.

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

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NYT Strands today (game #774) - hint #1 - today's theme

NYT Strands today (game #774) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• NEST
• BRUT
• PURE
• SLEPT
• MATE
• FIRED

NYT Strands today (game #774) - hint #3 - spangram letters

NYT Strands today (game #774) - hint #4 - spangram position

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

NYT Strands today (game #774) - the answers

The answers to today's Strands, game #774, are…

• HOBBY
• RECREATION
• SIDELINE
• INTEREST
• PASTIME
• SPANGRAM: JUSTFORFUN

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

I completely got the wrong end of the stick with today’s theme and took “this is not working” literally as I searched for words connected to things being broken.

Fortunately, my fruitless search also included plenty of non-game words and a hint of HOBBY set me on the path of discovering more words associated with free time pursuits, including RECREATION — which was so long I was convinced it would turn yellow and become the spangram.

Instead, today’s yellow snake was JUSTFORFUN, which is possibly where I am going wrong with my hobbies as all of them — cycling, puzzles and watching football/soccer — involve more pain than fun.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, April 15, game #773)

• TOPAZ
• TURQUOISE
• OPAL
• GARNET
• DIAMOND
• PERIDOT
• SPANGRAM: BIRTHSTONE

Johnny is a freelance pop culture journalist who has been writing about the internet, music, football and famous people since the iPhone was just a twinkle in Steve Jobs' eye. Previously known by the pseudonym the Pop Detective, his journalistic career began making up stories about Madonna's addiction to sausage rolls (this is not true by the way). A man of few talents, his career is rich and various and includes the highs of interviewing Elton John and Blur; and the lows of interviewing Right Said Fred, appearing on a Channel 5 documentary about Peter Kay, and fact-checking the instruction manual for a German cooker. Somehow still affording to live in North London he is at his happiest riding his bicycle and shouting at pigeons.