Solvers often encounter challenges when trying to identify the groups of words in this puzzle due to the presence of overlapping meanings and categories. For instance, the words in the YELLOW group—RUN, SERIES, STREAK, and STRING—are all related to sequences but can also be interpreted in different contexts. This ambiguity can lead to confusion, as players might mistakenly group these words with others that share some characteristics but do not fit the specific theme of sequences. Similarly, the PURPLE group—ELECTRIC BLANKET, EEL, GUITAR, and SLIDE—may cause players to overthink connections, as they could be tempted to link these words based on a more general theme of electricity rather than the specific phrase "ELECTRIC ___" that serves as a clear prompt for grouping.

To effectively distinguish between the real groups and plausible decoys, players should focus on identifying clear thematic connections rather than relying on loose associations. For example, the BLUE group is distinctly defined by the category of yoga backbends, which is a clear and specific theme. In contrast, players might find it tempting to group words like CATCH and SPOT with unrelated terms simply because they all relate to observation or attention. Recognizing the specificity of the prompts can help solvers avoid these pitfalls and more accurately categorize the words.

One useful heuristic for solvers is to look for words that share a common context or phrase structure, as seen in the PURPLE group with "ELECTRIC ___" which hints at a specific completion for each word. Another strategy is to mentally categorize words into broader themes first, then refine those categories based on the most precise definitions or associations, as demonstrated by the clear distinction in the BLUE group. By employing these strategies, players can enhance their ability to group words effectively and minimize the risk of misclassification.