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Just when you thought Industry was done putting Rishi Ramdani (Sagar Radia) through hell, the series keeps finding new ways to make him suffer.

SEE ALSO: 'Industry' Season 4 review: HBO's criminally underrated drama thrills in most ambitious season yet

Season 3 set the bar high with "White Mischief," a heart attack-inducing hour reminiscent of Uncut Gems. It went even further in its finale, when Rishi's debt collector Vinay (Asim Chaudhry) shot his wife Diana (Emily Barber) right in front of him. Season 4 has delved into the ruins of his life since then, hinting at a media circus between seasons that left Rishi as a suspect in Diana's murder. Unable to get a job, he's resorted to doing Harper Stern's (Myha'la) dirty work. He's also forbidden from seeing his young child, now living with Diana's family, for more than a few minutes at a time.

Sounds like rock bottom, right? But somehow, Industry makes things even rockier for Rishi in Season 4, episode 4, titled "1000 Yoots, 1 Marilyn."

The episode sees Rishi cozying up to FinDigest reporter and Harper ally Jim Dycker (Charlie Heaton). They wind up doing drugs together in a seedy apartment, and the night only spirals from there, ending with Jim dead, the police arriving, and a panicked Rishi leaping from the apartment balcony and shattering his legs. It's a shocking moment in a show full of them, not to mention a very involved stunt.

"It was the first time I got to be part of a stunt on that type of level," Radia told Mashable in a video interview. "There's a million things going through your head when you're dangling over a balcony like that."

SEE ALSO: Kit Harington breaks down 'Industry's 'emotionally moving' ghost story

The stunt involved wire work, and Radia remembered splitting the sequence into three sections: running up to the balcony, leaning over and getting his legs over the balcony, and then the jump itself.

Makeup for the aftermath of the fall proved equally involved, with a prosthetics team creating Rishi's bloody, broken legs. It's one of Industry's goriest images yet, along with Diana's murder.

Radia recalled lying on the ground around one o'clock in the morning, preparing to shoot the injury sequence. "I think we had probably 10, 15, 20 minutes to get that last bit done, and [the makeup and prosthetics team] were pouring all the blood on, and the camera is trying to position itself in the right place, and we were running out of time, as you always do in this industry, and we're just trying to get the shot," Radia said.

The final effect is gruesome, injecting more horror into a scene that asks, "What could possibly be next for Rishi?"

For Radia, Rishi's final scene in "1000 Yoots, 1 Marilyn" felt like a synthesis of the character he's been playing for four seasons.

"From a character perspective, it's Rishi doing what he's always done, which is just trying to run away from the problem, trying to get away from the situation that he's gotten himself in," Radia said.

But now that Rishi can quite literally no longer run, he has to confront himself, creating a kind of catharsis for him.

"It's a really poignant moment in the story," Radia said. "He's been struggling with so much guilt and grief from what's happened at the end of Season 3 that it all catches up to him, and he doesn't quite know how to process the emotions that he's carrying. Actually, I think what you see at the end of that episode is a sense of relief. It's a sense of going, 'I think this is the right thing that's happening, albeit not in the greatest of circumstances... Everything that's happened up until this point leads to now, and it's the right thing.' For once, I think his moral compass is in the right direction, and he feels like, 'Yeah, this is what should be happening.'"

New episodes of Industry Season 4 premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a crime fanatic.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 2, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: While

• Green: Access granted

• Blue: Detectives

• Purple: Plants

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Duration

• Green: Credentials for entry

• Blue: Modern crime series protagonists

• Purple: Trees plus a letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #967 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Duration: INTERVAL, PERIOD, SPAN, STRETCH

• Credentials for entry: LANYARD, PASS, STAMP, WRISTBAND

• Modern crime series protagonists: BOSCH, CROSS, REACHER, RYAN

• Trees plus a letter: FAIR, MARPLE, POPULAR, PSALM

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 2, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a birdwatcher.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 2, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 2, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Formidable flock

The words are related to wildlife.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe winged animals.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Big Birds

NYT Strands word list for February 2

• Penguin

• Ostrich

• Pelican

• Big Birds

• Cassowary

• Rhea

• Condor

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a smoker.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 2, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 2, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A tobacco stick.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CIGAR

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 2, 2026

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

TL;DR: Enjoy eight powerful apps for life for one low price with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License, on sale now for $34.97 through Feb. 22.

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Tired of finding a new go-to app, only to discover you’re going to have to pay for it month after month? Microsoft Office Professional 2021 lets you own not just one, but a suite of eight powerful apps, for life with this Windows license. And right now it’s on sale for just $34.97 — less than $5 an app — through Feb. 22.

If you’ve got subscription fatigue, we hear you. That’s why sometimes it’s good to go back to basics, like Microsoft Office. This classic set of tools has been around for decades, and like other things from the ’90s it doesn’t come with monthly fees. This Windows license lets you own the apps outright, so you can work offline and save a fortune.

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Curious what apps you’ll get? This license includes Word for all your document needs and Excel to help with your spreadsheets. You’ll have Outlook to keep up with correspondence, PowerPoint to create presentations, Teams to stay connected with others, and OneNote to upgrade the way you take notes. There’s also Access for managing large databases and Publisher to create professional documents.

This 2021 edition includes apps that have been redesigned to streamline your work flow. A ribbon-based interface makes it easy to access features, tools, and customizations. Just make sure your PC is running Windows 10 or 11 for compatibility.

Get this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License for just $34.97 through Feb. 22.

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Wordlers, your favorite game just changed the rules: As of Monday, February 2, previously-played words may be reused.

"Hey, Wordlers! We have some exciting news to share," the New York Times stated in its Gameplay newsletter on January 28, according to Tom's Guide. "Starting on Monday, we will begin adding previously run words back into play."

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 2026

Rest assured, though, that answers may still be new words. "There are still many first-time answers to debut, but also more chances for Wordle in ones and those magical, serendipitous moments when Wordle overlaps with real life," the statement continued. "Happy solving!"

Now that old words are back in play, there are many more options for game creators to choose from. This will likely change how Wordlers play, especially those who participate every day. But such is the case with this five-letter word: CHANGE.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

SNL hasn't hesitated to evoke Epstein, and last night's Weekend Update was no different.

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' Cold Open features Pete Davidson as Border Czar Tom Homan

Anchor Colin Jost mentioned Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's comparison of ICE's presence in the state to the Nazi occupation described in Holocaust victim Anne Frank's diaries. "But remember, this administration has always ignored the stories told by young girls," Jost said as the photo switched to one of Epstein. The audience ooohed so hard that Jost himself had a visual reaction.

Weekend Update was full of other political references this week, including the killing of Alex Pretti and the release of the Melania documentary.

Former SNL cast member Pete Davidson returned to 30 Rock last night as the White House's Border Czar, Tom Homan, whose name has been in the news a lot in recent weeks, considering the surge of ICE in Minnesota.

SEE ALSO: Alexander Skarsgård's 'SNL' promo sees him helping the cast in 1 specific area

In usual fashion, SNL tried to make light of the horrors we're seeing on our screens daily, this time referencing the shooting of American citizens, the arrest of journalist Don Lemon, and ICE's use of force.

"I'm Tom Homan, okay?" Davidson's Homan said, trying not to break character. "I'm the 'separating families at the border' guy. I'm the 'on film taking a $50,000 bribe' guy, and y'all are making me look like the upstanding, reasonable adult in the room. That's crazy!"

SNL also took the opportunity to take another jab at the Epstein files, saying that the White House's Minneapolis operation was meant to distract from that initial drop, while the latest Epstein files released Friday are, ironically, distracting from Minneapolis.

Adult content creator platform OnlyFans is in talks to sell nearly 60 percent of its business to Architect Capital, a San Francisco-based investment firm, the Wall Street Journal first reported.

The deal would be valued at around $3.5 billion, putting OnlyFans' valuation at $5.5 billion, including debt. The platform brings in almost $1.6 billion in annual net revenue, according to a presentation seen by the Wall Street Journal.

SEE ALSO: What it takes to make six figures a month on OnlyFans, according to Tiffany Wisconsin

The presentation also apparently stated that Architect sees a way to build an infrastructure at OnlyFans to pay "under-banked" creators. For years, some adult creators have claimed to be financially discriminated against and debanked, or have had their accounts closed at financial institutions, due to their work being "high risk."

The firm also believes that OnlyFans has an opportunity to go public in 2028, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Tech firm Fenix International currently owns OnlyFans, with Leonid Radvinsky as the majority owner. In May 2025, the New York Post reported that Radvinsky wanted to sell OnlyFans but was having trouble finding buyers.

The news comes days after the latest class action lawsuit was filed against OnlyFans. The complaint claims that OnlyFans "baits and switches" customers by offering all a creator's content after they pay a subscription, only to be met with upselling behind the paywall.

TL;DR: You only have until midnight to score serious savings on a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license — it’s on sale for $9.97 through tonight (Feb. 1) at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97
$199 Save $189.03   Get Deal

Don’t count your old PC out. You would be surprised how revitalizing a new operating system can be. This Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license totally refreshes your device, and right now you can get it for only $9.97. But you need to act fast, this deal only runs through tonight (Feb. 1) at 11:59 p.m. PT.

It’s time to spoil your old PC with a brand new operating system, Windows 11 Pro. This OS was created for the modern professional, so it can help you get a serious productivity boost with all its new features. It doesn’t matter if you’re an entrepreneur, an artist, or a developer — these tools are ready to work for you.

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From a seamless, easy-to-navigate interface to snap layouts, easy redocking, improved voice typing, and a more powerful search experience, Windows 11 Pro can save you time and make your workday a little easier.

Your Windows 11 Pro license includes a Microsoft Office staple, Microsoft Teams, which can help you stay connected to family, friends, and coworkers. It also gives you access to Copilot, your very own AI-powered assistant. With Copilot on your desktop, you can get answers to your questions and even let it take actions like summarizing web pages, opening apps, or changing your settings.

Windows 11 Pro also takes your cybersecurity more seriously, offering features like biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection so you can rest easier knowing your data stays private. It also includes Azure AD, Windows Sandbox, and BitLocker device encryption.

Get this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for $9.97 through tonight (Feb. 1) at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Finding unique Valentine's Day gifts for your boyfriend or your husband is no easy feat when most gift guides out there define "unique" with whiskey stones and beard oil. Doomscroll on Google no longer — we've curated a list of 30+ genuinely thoughtful Valentine's Day gift ideas that encapsulate how much he means to you.

This diverse list has romantic gifts, fun gifts that'll speak to his interests, and practical gifts that'll make his life easier. The one overarching theme? All are gifts that prove you've been listening. Based on intel gathered across social media and our own personal lives, here are the best Valentine's Day gift ideas for men in 2026:

TL;DR: Live stream Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Australian Open has delivered a number of incredible games, but the semi-final stage of the men's draw went absolutely wild. Carlos Alcaraz overcame Alexander Zverev in an epic five-set match, followed by Novak Djokovic's astonishing five-set victory over defending champion Jannik Sinner.

That has set up a mouth-watering final between the top seed and arguably the best player of all time. Alcaraz will be the favorite to lift the trophy, but Djokovic's semi-final triumph just goes to show that you can never count him out. Djokovic will be gunning for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam. Alcaraz will be aiming to become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam. It's all set to be something special.

If you want to watch Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Djokovic for free

Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Alcaraz vs. Djokovic without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

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A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To play again.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

RERUN

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Short.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STOUT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Tiny.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SMALL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Flinched.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SHIED

Final Hurdle hint

Unfortunately.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SADLY

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

It's the Full Moon tonight, and in February, this is typically known as the Snow Moon. Keep scrolling to find out what you can see on the moon tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Feb. 1, the Moon phase is Full Moon. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 100% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

The Moon is big and bright in our skies tonight. If you take a closer look, what features can you spot on it's surface? Without any visual aids, the Kepler Crater, Aristarchus Plateau, and the Mare Serenitatis are all visible. Want to see more? Pull out the binoculars to see the Posidonius Crater and Apennine Mountains too. Finally, with a telescope, you'll see all this and the Linne Crater, Rima Ariadaeus, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the lunar cycle lasts around 29.5 days. This is how long the Moon takes to travel once around Earth. Over that period, it passes through eight recognised phases. The same side of the Moon always faces our planet, however the portion that appears lit changes as the Moon moves along its orbit. The amount of sunlight reaching the Moon is what makes it appear full, partially illuminated, or almost invisible at different points in the cycle. The eight lunar phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 1, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 1 Pips

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this green space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 1 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 1 Pips

Less Than (9): Everything in this space must be less than 9. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (20): Everything in this space must be less than 20. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (7): Everything in this space must be less than 7. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know aquaticsports.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Water sports

• Green: Fast

• Blue: Collect them all

• Purple: Might be a Grand Slam champion

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Aquatic Sports Verbs

• Green: Speed

• Blue: Sports Card Brands

• Purple: Tennis Grand Slam Winners, Minus A Letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #496 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Aquatic Sports Verbs - KAYAK, ROW, SAIL, SWIM

• Speed - MUSTARD, POP, VELOCITY, ZIP

• Sports Card Brands - LEAF, PANINI, TOPPS, UPPER DECK

• Tennis Grand Slam Winners, Minus A Letter - ASH, KIN, NADA, WILLIAM

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're fashionable.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 1, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: To highlight

• Green: Worn on the feet

• Blue: A hit

• Purple: Played by musicians

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Publicize

• Green: Kinds of shoes

• Blue: Anthem

• Purple: Musical instruments plus starting letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #966 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Publicize: BOOST, HYPE, PITCH, PLUG

• Kinds of shoes: CLOG, FLAT, MULE, WEDGE

• Anthem: BANGER, BOP, HEATER, JAM

• Musical instruments plus starting letter: GLUTE, MORGAN, SHARP, THORN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 1, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a giver.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 1, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's a gift

The words are related to giving.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to give.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Generosity

NYT Strands word list for February 1

• Bonus

• Grant

• Present

• Generosity

• Donation

• Award

• Offering

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like textured things.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 1, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 1, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Prickly.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SPINY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 1, 2026

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

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