@stephenjjohnson @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #688
โ€œSneak-ing aroundโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

Moderately tricky.

@lproven @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #689
โ€œThat's not very politeโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #689
โ€œThat's not very politeโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

Took me 5 minutes to find the first word, then it was a matter of under a minute.

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #690
โ€œOde to joyโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #690
โ€œOde to joyโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก

@lproven @markslater @stephenjjohnson Strands #690
โ€œOde to joyโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@bencurthoys @lproven @stephenjjohnson

Strands #691
โ€œNone the wiserโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @bencurthoys @lproven

Strands #690
โ€œOde to joyโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @markslater @lproven Strands #691
โ€œNone the wiserโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@bencurthoys @markslater @lproven

Strands #691
โ€œNone the wiserโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #691
โ€œNone the wiserโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

I found this one *really* hard, maybe 'cos I'm short of sleep today...

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #692
โ€œA work of artโ€
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @lproven @bencurthoys

Strands #692
โ€œA work of artโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #692
โ€œA work of artโ€
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

Not really sure what the link was here... Things that someone painted once?

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

There are three famous titles of paintings, but each is split into two words so itโ€™s a bit odd.

Starry Night - Van Gogh
Water Lillies - Monet
Boating Party - Renoir

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #693
โ€œThe straight and narrowโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @lproven @bencurthoys

Strands #693
โ€œThe straight and narrowโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #693
โ€œThe straight and narrowโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

A quick and easy one.

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #694
โ€œGrape expectationsโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @lproven @bencurthoys

Strands #694
โ€œGrape expectationsโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก

@stephenjjohnson @markslater @lproven Strands #694
โ€œGrape expectationsโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก

@bencurthoys @stephenjjohnson @markslater

Strands #694
โ€œGrape expectationsโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต

Not a core skill area of mine but quite easy.

@lproven @bencurthoys @stephenjjohnson

Strands #695
โ€œCanine classicsโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @lproven @bencurthoys

Strands #695
โ€œCanine classicsโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #695
โ€œCanine classicsโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก

I think I got the 1st 6 with not one wrong. Best ever run.

@lproven @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #696
โ€œZen stateโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @lproven @bencurthoys

Strands #697
โ€œTalk of the townโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @lproven @bencurthoys

Strands #697
โ€œTalk of the townโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #697
โ€œTalk of the townโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

I struggled. But I've had 3 beers and I'm tired.

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #698
โ€œWe're not lost ...โ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @lproven @bencurthoys

Strands #698
โ€œWe're not lost ...โ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #698
โ€œWe're not lost ...โ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

Very quick, which is good at 23:58...

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #699
โ€œIt's part of the gameโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #699
โ€œIt's part of the gameโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

Very quick.

@lproven @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #699
โ€œIt's part of the gameโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @lproven @bencurthoys

Got impatient

Strands #700
โ€œIt's a giftโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต

@lproven @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #700
โ€œIt's a giftโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @lproven @bencurthoys

Strands #701
โ€œFormidable flockโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #701
โ€œFormidable flockโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต

Started last night. After 10 hours, nothing. 1 hint, game finished in under 10 seconds.

@markslater @bencurthoys @lproven

Strands #701
โ€œFormidable flockโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @bencurthoys @lproven

The one beginning with H really annoyed me

Strands #702
โ€œOn keyโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @markslater @bencurthoys

Strands #702
โ€œOn keyโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก

That was quite hard work...

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #703
โ€œFor the enthusiastโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต

@lproven @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #703
โ€œFor the enthusiastโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #703
โ€œFor the enthusiastโ€
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต

Dammit. The hint was a mistake and unhelpful anyway. I knew what the letters were, just not the order...

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #704
โ€œQuint-essentialโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@lproven @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #704
โ€œQuint-essentialโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #704
โ€œQuint-essentialโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #705
โ€œLet's face itโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@lproven @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #705
โ€œLet's face itโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #705
โ€œLet's face itโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

Easiest Strands ever. Not a single false positive: every word, no mistakes, and no other words at all.

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #706
โ€œBoo-o-o-o-ringโ€
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@lproven @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #706
โ€œBoo-o-o-o-ringโ€
๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @lproven @bencurthoys

Not sure I want one with a shrimp in it!

Strands #707
โ€œMake it fancyโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@lproven @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #707
โ€œMake it fancyโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@lproven @bencurthoys @markslater

It would be a cooked one served with a caesar* not a live one in the drink, in case that helps.

*Like a bloody Mary but made with clamato juice.

https://eathealthy365.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-perfect-caesar-drink-garnishes/

The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Caesar Drink Garnishes

Master the art of the Caesar! From classic celery and lime to extreme bacon and shrimp garnishes, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Flavor365

@stephenjjohnson @lproven @bencurthoys

Very easy one

Strands #708
โ€œFrequent flyerโ€
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@lproven @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #708
โ€œFrequent flyerโ€
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #708
โ€œFrequent flyerโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

A short hop flight.

@lproven @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Not in the UK it isnโ€™t

Strands #709
โ€œIt's on the houseโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต

@lproven @bencurthoys @markslater

Strands #709
โ€œIt's on the houseโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@markslater @stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys

Strands #706
โ€œBoo-o-o-o-ringโ€
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต๐ŸŸก๐Ÿ”ต
๐Ÿ”ต๐Ÿ”ต

@stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys @markslater @Flick

[Bracket City]
February 6, 2026 ๐ŸŸข (Easy)

https://www.theatlantic.com/games/bracket-city/

Rank: ๐Ÿ‘‘ (Kingmaker)
โŒ Wrong guesses: 0

Total Score: 100.0
๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ

That was hard. The actresses do NOT sound like that.

Bracket City - The Atlantic

Solve nested clues to reveal a satisfying fact about this day in history. Climb the ranks from tourist to kingmaker (or beyond?).

The Atlantic

@bencurthoys @markslater @lproven

[Bracket City]
February 7, 2026 ๐ŸŸก (Medium)

https://www.theatlantic.com/games/bracket-city/

Rank: ๐Ÿ‘‘ (Kingmaker)
โŒ Wrong guesses: 0

Total Score: 100.0
๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ

Bracket City - The Atlantic

Solve nested clues to reveal a satisfying fact about this day in history. Climb the ranks from tourist to kingmaker (or beyond?).

The Atlantic

@stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys @markslater @Flick

[Bracket City]
February 7, 2026 ๐ŸŸก (Medium)

https://www.theatlantic.com/games/bracket-city/

Rank: ๐Ÿ‘ฎ (Chief of Police)
โŒ Wrong guesses: 8
๐Ÿ‘€ Peeks: 1

Total Score: 79.0
๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉโฌœโฌœ

Two typos and the rest was just being dumb.

Bracket City - The Atlantic

Solve nested clues to reveal a satisfying fact about this day in history. Climb the ranks from tourist to kingmaker (or beyond?).

The Atlantic

@bencurthoys @markslater @lproven

[Bracket City]
February 8, 2026 ๐Ÿ”ด (Tough)

https://www.theatlantic.com/games/bracket-city/

Rank: ๐ŸŽ– (Mayor)
โŒ Wrong guesses: 4
๐Ÿ‘€ Peeks: 2

Total Score: 82.0
๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉโฌœโฌœ

Bracket City - The Atlantic

Solve nested clues to reveal a satisfying fact about this day in history. Climb the ranks from tourist to kingmaker (or beyond?).

The Atlantic

@stephenjjohnson @bencurthoys @markslater @Flick

[Bracket City]
February 8, 2026 ๐Ÿ”ด (Tough)

https://www.theatlantic.com/games/bracket-city/

Rank: ๐ŸŽ– (Mayor)
โŒ Wrong guesses: 3
๐Ÿ‘€ Peeks: 1

Total Score: 89.0
๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸฉโฌœ

Not my best effort by a long way. Curse the American antipathy to the humble adverb.

Bracket City - The Atlantic

Solve nested clues to reveal a satisfying fact about this day in history. Climb the ranks from tourist to kingmaker (or beyond?).

The Atlantic