In this puzzle, solvers often get stuck when trying to identify the categories associated with the words provided. For example, the terms 'JET', 'MET', 'NET', and 'RANGER' might initially confuse some players because they could potentially fit into several categories, such as animals or verbs. However, recognizing that these words are commonly associated with New York sports teams helps to solidify their grouping. Similarly, players may struggle with 'CAPRI', 'JEAN', 'JOGGER', and 'SLACK' as they might not immediately connect these as types of pants, especially when considering other clothing-related terms that could be plausible decoys. This hesitation can lead to misgrouping and wasted time in the puzzle-solving process.

To effectively distinguish the real groups from plausible decoys, players should look for unique characteristics that define each category. For instance, in the case of 'BABY GEAR', all items are directly associated with caring for infants, which provides a clear thematic link. In contrast, other related terms might not share this specific focus on baby-related items. Similarly, with 'BLACK WOMEN AUTHORS', recognizing the commonality in their contributions to literature and their shared cultural background can help eliminate confusion with other authors who do not fit this specific demographic. Focusing on unique identifiers can aid in categorization.

One useful heuristic for future puzzles is to always consider the context of the words presented. When faced with seemingly random words, try to identify any shared themes or characteristics. Additionally, if you encounter a word that could belong to multiple categories, take a moment to think about which category is the most specific or unique. This can often lead to quicker identification of the correct groupings and help avoid the pitfalls of misclassification.