Many solvers often find themselves stuck when trying to categorize words that could fit into multiple groups. For instance, the word "KITTY" can be confusing since it sounds like it could belong to both the collection of money (as in a "kitty" for a group fund) and potentially to a slang term for a friend or pet. Similarly, words like "DANK" might initially throw solvers off as they could mistakenly consider it a slang term rather than a descriptor for a basement. This ambiguity can lead to misgrouping and wasted time as solvers second-guess their choices.

To distinguish the real groups from plausible decoys, solvers should focus on the defining characteristics of each word. For example, in the yellow category, all terms are informal ways to refer to a friend, while the green category clearly describes environmental conditions of a basement. Identifying these distinctions can help in quickly eliminating words that don't fit the primary context. It's also useful to consider the common usage of words; for instance, "FUZZ" and "SCRUFF" are more directly associated with stubble, while "SHADOW" could lead to confusion as it does not fit the physical description of stubble.

One effective heuristic for solvers is to first identify the most straightforward groups based on clear definitions; in this case, the adjectives for a basement are quite distinct and easily categorized. Once those are established, solvers can then tackle the more nuanced groups. Another takeaway is to consider the context in which words are most commonly used; this can help clarify potential overlaps and guide solvers to make more informed decisions when categorizing ambiguous terms.