Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Friday's grid brings a compact mix of streaming references and clever wordplay. Whether you're racing the clock or just enjoying a quick brain break, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
How The Mini Works
The Mini is a compact version of the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring a 5x5 grid with five Across and five Down clues. Saturdays expand to a larger grid with more clues. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime. No streak tracking here, but the built-in timer lets you compete against yourself or challenge friends.
New puzzles drop at 10 p.m. EST on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday's Mini arrives earlier at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 5x5
Total Clues: 10 (5 Across, 5 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Winner of a Booker prize, fittingly" (2D)
Gimme Clue: "That's just the worst" (7A)
Theme Spotted: None today
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. ___ Max
Hint: Streaming service that starts with HBO
4A. Where Marco Polo is played
Hint: Think swimming, not travel
5A. Overwhelming amount, metaphorically
Hint: Natural disaster involving water
6A. Reason for success in games like Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders
Hint: Not skill, but chance
7A. "That's just the worst"
Hint: Three-letter expression of disgust
Down Hints
1D. Liquor, informally
Hint: Slang term for alcohol
2D. Winner of a Booker prize, fittingly
Hint: The prize name gives it away
3D. Antiquated
Hint: Opposite of new
4D. Give a short promotion for
Hint: What you do for a friend's new business
5D. Winter malady
Hint: Common seasonal illness
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. ___ Max
Answer: HBO
4A. Where Marco Polo is played
Answer: POOL
5A. Overwhelming amount, metaphorically
Answer: FLOOD
6A. Reason for success in games like Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders
Answer: LUCK
7A. "That's just the worst"
Answer: UGH
Down Answers
1D. Liquor, informally
Answer: HOOCH
2D. Winner of a Booker prize, fittingly
Answer: BOOK
3D. Antiquated
Answer: OLD
4D. Give a short promotion for
Answer: PLUG
5D. Winter malady
Answer: FLU
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Winner of a Booker prize, fittingly" for BOOK. The wordplay is clever - the Booker prize literally awards books, making the answer self-referential and satisfying.
Wordplay Winner: "Where Marco Polo is played" for POOL. It tricks you into thinking about the explorer, then pivots to the swimming pool game.
Quick Fill: "That's just the worst" for UGH. Universal expression of disgust that most solvers will nail instantly.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for self-referential clues like 2D's Booker prize - when a clue mentions its own answer category, the answer is often straightforward once you spot the pattern.
Three-letter answers like UGH and FLU are common fillers in 5x5 grids. When you see short clue lengths, think of common expressions and everyday words first.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of streaming references (HBO) and wordplay (BOOK) kept things fresh. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
