In this puzzle, solvers often get stuck when trying to identify the groups based on their thematic relationships, particularly when the categories may not be immediately obvious. For example, the 'METAPHORS FOR A DRAMATIC AND CHAOTIC EVENT' group can be confusing because all four words (CIRCUS, ROLLER COASTER, SOAP OPERA, WHIRLWIND) suggest some form of chaos but may not initially seem related to one another. Similarly, the 'WHAT “JET” MIGHT REFER TO' category might trip players up because it combines different contexts—like AIRPLANE and NFL PLAYER—that don't appear to share a common theme at first glance. This can lead to misgrouping words into incorrect categories, which is a common pitfall in Connections puzzles.

To distinguish the real groups from plausible decoys, players should focus on the specific nuances of each word's meaning and context. For instance, in the 'DENTAL ADDITIONS' group, all terms are directly associated with dental procedures, making it easier to identify them as a cohesive category. Meanwhile, the 'SECOND WORDS IN DAVID LYNCH TITLES' category is identifiable by recognizing that they all relate to specific films directed by Lynch, which can help solvers confidently group them together. By honing in on these relationships and the shared themes, players can more efficiently sort the words into the correct categories.

One useful heuristic for future puzzles is to look for keywords or phrases that indicate a specific field or context, as seen in the 'DENTAL ADDITIONS' and 'SECOND WORDS IN DAVID LYNCH TITLES' categories. Additionally, players should consider the nature of the words themselves; for instance, if they represent actions, objects, or abstract concepts, which can help in identifying their relationships. This approach not only aids in solving the current puzzle but can also be applied to future Connections challenges.