**Solving the Strands Puzzle: A Guide for Nigerian Puzzlers** Are you a fan of word games and puzzles? Look no further. The New York Times (NYT) Strands puzzle is here, and it's as challenging as it is fun. If you're stuck, we've got you covered with hints and answers to help you solve the puzzle. **What's the Big Deal About Strands?** The Strands puzzle is a game where you find hidden words that fit a specific theme. This week's theme, "Best of all," relates to a big ceremony that took place in the United States, the Academy Awards. But don't worry if you're not familiar with it, the clues will still lead you to the answers. **Getting Started with Strands** The goal is to find words that fit the theme. When you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. To get started, look for words like RATE, GATE, TROD, and DATED. These words will help you unlock in-game hints. **Solving the Puzzle** The puzzle is made up of non-spangram answers and a spangram. The non-spangram answers are related to the theme, including SONG, ACTOR, ACTRESS, SOUND, DIRECTOR, and PICTURE. The spangram, ACADEMYAWARD, is a word that spans the entire puzzle. To find it, start with the A in the top-left row and wind your way over and up. **Getting Help** If you're stuck, you can visit CNET's NYT puzzle hints page for answers and hints for other puzzles like Wordle, Connections, and Mini Crossword. **Try Your Hand** Give the Strands puzzle a try and see how well you can do. With these hints and answers, you'll be well on your way to solving the puzzle. Good luck!