Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and the grid mixes music, poker and TV trivia with crisp everyday clues. Come on in and enjoy the solve.
How The Midi Works
The Midi is the middle ground between the Mini and the classic NYT Crossword, offering a mid-size grid that takes a few satisfying minutes to clear. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime.
New puzzles drop daily. The Midi offers more complexity than the Mini while remaining accessible for solvers who want a quick but substantial challenge.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 9x9
Total Clues: 26 (11 Across, 15 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 16D brings an obscure mythological reference into play, but the antler detail gives you a concrete foothold.
Gimme Clue: 1A is the easiest entry point, describing a routine action at a card table with direct wording.
Theme Spotted: "Fill in the Blanks"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Distributes playing cards
Hint: Think of the verb for distributing cards around a poker table. Five letters, starts with D.
6A. Phil ___, lead singer/drummer of Genesis
Hint: Think of the Genesis musician who handled both lead vocals and drums. Seven letters, starts with C.
8A. Phil ___, winner of World Series of Poker bracelets in five different decades
Hint: The target is a decorated poker champion, so use crossings if poker names are unfamiliar. Eight letters, starts with H.
10A. Retirement savings plan, for short
Hint: Think of a tax-advantaged retirement account, using its abbreviated label. Three letters, starts with I.
11A. Some natural hairstyles
Hint: Picture rounded hairstyles that emphasize tightly curled texture. Five letters, starts with A.
13A. It "warms you a bit but the warming is temporary," per Marilyn Monroe
Hint: Monroe's warmth is figurative, pointing toward the fleeting comfort of public recognition. Four letters, starts with F.
14A. I.C.U. drip lines
Hint: Think of the abbreviated hospital equipment that delivers fluid directly into a vein. Three letters, starts with I.
17A. Partner of improved
Hint: Picture the advertising phrase printed on a product after a redesign. Three letters, starts with N.
18A. Champagne bucket grabbers
Hint: Think of a utensil for gripping frozen cubes inside the bucket. Eight letters, starts with I.
21A. Phil ___, longtime TV talk show host
Hint: Think of the daytime television host associated with audience discussion. Seven letters, starts with D.
22A. Phil ___, co-founder of Nike
Hint: Look to the business figure behind the sportswear company, rather than an athlete wearing its shoes. Six letters, starts with K.
Down Hints
1D. Real go-getter
Hint: Think of someone who turns plans into action. Four letters, starts with D.
2D. Jazz singer Fitzgerald
Hint: Think of the jazz vocalist celebrated for her scat singing. Four letters, starts with E.
3D. 100%
Hint: Think of the whole amount, with nothing omitted. Three letters, starts with A.
4D. Capital of Peru
Hint: Look to Peru's Pacific coast for its seat of government. Four letters, starts with L.
5D. Extinguish, as a candle
Hint: Picture putting out a flame by covering the wick. Five letters, starts with S.
6D. The N.F.L.'s Bears, on scoreboards
Hint: Use the scoreboard abbreviation for the Bears' city. Three letters, starts with C.
7D. Odd or bizarre
Hint: Think of an adjective for something peculiar or out of the ordinary. Seven letters, starts with S.
9D. Realtors' listings
Hint: Think of residences offered for sale. Five letters, starts with H.
12D. Work with needle and thread
Hint: Think of the verb for joining fabric with stitches. Three letters, starts with S.
14D. Clickable image
Hint: Picture a desktop symbol you select to open an app. Four letters, starts with I.
15D. Word before "vidi" and "vici" in Caesar's boast
Hint: The Latin word you need translates as I came. Four letters, starts with V.
16D. Norse mythology's Eikthyrnir (whose antlers drip water that fills the world's rivers), e.g.
Hint: The antlers point toward a male deer. Four letters, starts with S.
18D. Texter's "No idea"
Hint: Use a texting abbreviation that admits uncertainty. Three letters, starts with I.
19D. "NOW it's clear to me!"
Hint: Hear the drawn-out sound of sudden understanding. Three letters, starts with O.
20D. Pistachio or pecan
Hint: Think of the food category sold roasted, salted or in shells. Three letters, starts with N.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
---
---
---
---
---
Across Answers
1A. Distributes playing cards
Answer: DEALS
6A. Phil ___, lead singer/drummer of Genesis
Answer: COLLINS
8A. Phil ___, winner of World Series of Poker bracelets in five different decades
Answer: HELLMUTH
10A. Retirement savings plan, for short
Answer: IRA
11A. Some natural hairstyles
Answer: AFROS
13A. It "warms you a bit but the warming is temporary," per Marilyn Monroe
Answer: FAME
14A. I.C.U. drip lines
Answer: IVS
17A. Partner of improved
Answer: NEW
18A. Champagne bucket grabbers
Answer: ICETONGS
21A. Phil ___, longtime TV talk show host
Answer: DONAHUE
22A. Phil ___, co-founder of Nike
Answer: KNIGHT
Down Answers
1D. Real go-getter
Answer: DOER
2D. Jazz singer Fitzgerald
Answer: ELLA
3D. 100%
Answer: ALL
4D. Capital of Peru
Answer: LIMA
5D. Extinguish, as a candle
Answer: SNUFF
6D. The N.F.L.'s Bears, on scoreboards
Answer: CHI
7D. Odd or bizarre
Answer: STRANGE
9D. Realtors' listings
Answer: HOMES
12D. Work with needle and thread
Answer: SEW
14D. Clickable image
Answer: ICON
15D. Word before "vidi" and "vici" in Caesar's boast
Answer: VENI
16D. Norse mythology's Eikthyrnir (whose antlers drip water that fills the world's rivers), e.g.
Answer: STAG
18D. Texter's "No idea"
Answer: IDK
19D. "NOW it's clear to me!"
Answer: OHH
20D. Pistachio or pecan
Answer: NUT
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 8A, "Phil ___, winner of World Series of Poker bracelets in five different decades," gives HELLMUTH. It defines the grid's trivia challenge by taking the repeated Phil prompt into poker, alongside COLLINS in music, DONAHUE on television and KNIGHT in business.
Wordplay Winner: 18A, "Champagne bucket grabbers," earns the wordplay nod with ICE TONGS. The grabbers retrieve ice from inside the bucket, rather than lifting the bucket itself.
Quick Fill: DEALS at 1A is the fastest confident start, with a direct card-table definition. It seeds DOER, ELLA, ALL, LIMA and SNUFF, giving you several routes into the upper grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
When a repeated clue format leads to an unfamiliar name, switch direction instead of forcing a guess. Use direct entries such as LIMA and SNUFF to build support for HELLMUTH.
Separate a clue's vivid background from its actual target. At 16D, Eikthyrnir's antlers supply the useful cue for STAG, while the river detail adds atmosphere.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The repeated Phil clues give this grid its personality, while ICE TONGS supplies the neatest shift in perspective. Direct vocabulary offers a welcome foothold between the tougher trivia entries.
See you at the next grid.