In this puzzle, solvers often get stuck when trying to categorize the words based on their thematic connections. One common area of confusion arises with the yellow group, where players might mistakenly try to link 'BADGERS' and 'BUGS' with 'HOUNDS' and 'NAGS' based solely on their animal characteristics, rather than recognizing that all four words can refer to things that pester or annoy. Another potential pitfall is the purple group; players might see 'FISH' and 'ROCK' and get sidetracked by thinking of other meanings, leading them to misgroup 'HARD KNOCKS' and 'THOUGHT' without focusing on the shared theme of schools or educational contexts.

To distinguish real groups from plausible decoys, players should look for clear thematic ties among the words. For instance, the green group is unmistakably linked by the fact that all entries are Tony winners for Best Musical, which is a specific category that narrows the options significantly. In contrast, when assessing the blue group, recognizing that 'COMPUTER', 'PIANO', 'SUPER', and 'TESTS' all relate to items that can have keys helps solidify the grouping. It’s crucial to consider the context of each word and how it connects to the others, rather than relying on surface-level associations.

A useful heuristic for future puzzles is to first identify any clear categories that jump out, as these can provide a solid foundation for the rest of the words. Additionally, it can be helpful to write down or mentally note the themes of potential groups and see how the remaining words fit into those themes. This method allows solvers to systematically eliminate options and focus on the strongest connections, ultimately leading to quicker and more accurate groupings.