Betting recklessly at the poker table - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer is CRAFT because "construction" refers to creating or building something, often requiring skill or artistry. Similarly, crossword construction is a skilled craft, involving creativity and precision in designing puzzles. "E.g." indicates it’s an example of something skillfully made, aligning with the word CRAFT.

The clue "Settle, as a debt" directly refers to fulfilling an obligation or paying back borrowed money. "Settle" means to resolve or finalize something, and specifically for a debt, this indicates "REPAY," as it involves giving back what is owed, perfectly fitting the definition.

In the British peerage system, ranks determine nobility hierarchy. Viscounts are below earls, making earls the higher title. Thus, "They outrank viscounts" refers to earls, as they hold a superior rank in this formal system of nobility.

The answer "EPILOGS" fits the clue "Literary postscripts" because an epilog (or epilogue) is a section at the end of a book or literary work that serves as a concluding statement or reflection, effectively acting as a "postscript" to the main narrative.

The answer "BLOC" fits because a bloc is a group of people (often political or interest-based) who work or vote together to achieve a common goal. It aligns perfectly with the clue describing a unified voting group. This term is often used in politics for such alliances.

The solution "OATY" describes something containing or resembling oats. Many ales (like oatmeal stouts) and health bars include oats as a primary ingredient, making "OATY" a fitting adjective for both. This clue plays on their shared characteristic of being oat-based.

The answer is OUT because it refers to being "out of the closet" or openly embracing and living one's true identity, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community. The phrase "living life openly" aligns with the definition of being "out," making it a concise and fitting solution.

The clue "Garment with cups" refers to an item of clothing that includes structured parts (cups) to provide support or shape, typically for the chest. A "BRA" is a perfect match, as it is a foundational garment designed with cups for support.

The clue "Opposite of 'neath" plays on the archaic language. 'Neath' is a poetic or old-fashioned synonym for 'beneath,' meaning under. Its opposite is 'over,' often rendered as 'o'er' in poetic or archaic form. Thus, the answer is OER, the poetic equivalent of "over."

Moe, Larry, and Curly were the iconic trio known as "The Three Stooges," famous for their slapstick comedy. The clue refers to them collectively, making "STOOGES" the correct answer. This straightforward reference ties directly to their well-known name in pop culture.

The answer "HITPARADE" fits because it refers to a ranked list or compilation of popular songs, typically showcasing the "top tunes." The term originates from music charts where hit songs are featured in a parade-like ranking. It directly aligns with the clue's wording.

The phrase "Much ___ about nothing" directly references Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. The word "Ado" means fuss or commotion, perfectly fitting the blank and completing the idiom. It's a straightforward fill referencing the famous title.

The clue "Fancy that!" signals wordplay. "Fancy that!" is an exclamation of surprise or amazement, akin to saying "Wow!" or "Oh, really?" In this context, "GEE" works perfectly as an informal, verbal expression of astonishment.

The clue "Will you let me, please?" is framed as if someone is requesting permission. The answer, "CANI," represents the question "Can I?"—a direct, spoken phrase used when seeking permission, aligning with the quotation marks in the clue to signal conversational language.

The answer "HOHOS" fits the clue "Snack cakes with swirls" because HoHos are a popular snack cake made by Hostess. They are chocolate rolls with a signature cream filling and a noticeable swirl pattern on the outside. The swirls explicitly match the clue's description.

ACA is the solution because it stands for the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as "Obamacare," which was signed into law during President Barack Obama's administration. The clue specifies "health law, for short," indicating an abbreviation, making ACA the appropriate answer.

The phrase "What's up, ___?" is famously associated with Bugs Bunny, the cartoon character who often greets others with "What's up, Doc?" The answer, DOC, completes this well-known catchphrase, making it the logical and cultural fit for the clue.

The word "stymie" means to block, hinder, or prevent progress, aligning perfectly with "Totally hamper," which implies complete obstruction or impediment. The term is often used to describe situations where efforts are thoroughly thwarted. Hence, "stymie" is the apt answer to this clue.

The answer is NOKIA because it is a globally known telecom company founded in Finland. With its roots in the Finnish town of Nokia, it became a major player in mobile technology and telecommunications, making "Finnish telecom giant" a precise and direct clue for NOKIA.

The answer "SNAPS" fits because at poetry slams, audience members often express approval or appreciation nonverbally by snapping their fingers instead of clapping. The clue's use of "Kudos" hints at this subtle, supportive gesture, making "SNAPS" the apt solution.

LSU, or Louisiana State University, is well-known for its sports teams, the Tigers. The cheer "Geaux Tigers!" is a play on the Cajun French spelling of "Go Tigers!" highlighting LSU's Louisiana roots. "Sch." in the clue signals a school or university, matching LSU perfectly.

The answer is SPIDER because spiders are known for spinning silk threads to create webs. The clue "Spinner of silk" directly describes this unique attribute of spiders in nature, making SPIDER the fitting solution. It’s a literal, straightforward connection.

The answer "RICCI" refers to Christina Ricci, a well-known actress who stars in the TV show Yellowjackets. She plays the character Misty Quigley in the series. Recognizing her name in connection to the show directly points to "RICCI" as the solution.

The clue "Like some committees" describes committees formed for a specific, short-term purpose, rather than being permanent. "Ad hoc" is a Latin phrase meaning "for this" or "for this purpose," often used to describe temporary or specialized solutions, perfectly matching the clue.

The clue "Desired effect of a plumping gloss" points to the result such glosses aim to achieve—visibly fuller, poutier lips. "Plumping gloss" enhances lip volume, creating "POUTY LIPS." The phrase aligns with the cosmetic goal, making the answer both descriptive and directly tied to the clue.

The term "SPATE" is defined as a sudden or large amount of something, particularly an overwhelming outpouring or surge. This aligns perfectly with the clue "Sudden surge," capturing the idea of an unexpected increase or flow. It fits both the definition and the clue's intent succinctly.

The suffix "ADE" is commonly found in names of summer drinks, as in "lemonade," "limeade," or "orangeade." These are refreshing beverages typically associated with warm weather, making "ADE" a fitting solution for the clue "Summer drink suffix."

The clue "O.T. high point?" involves wordplay. "O.T." refers to the Old Testament, and "high point" suggests both a peak and a significant event. Mount Sinai (MTSINAI) is a literal high point (a mountain) and a pivotal location in the Old Testament where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

In blackjack, the ACE is "flexible" because it can be valued as either 1 or 11, depending on what best suits the player's hand. This versatility makes it unique among cards, perfectly fitting the clue's description.

The answer "VHS" fits because it was a widely used home video format before DVDs became popular. VHS (Video Home System) allowed for recording and playback of movies and shows via videocassettes, dominating the market from the late 1970s through the 1990s.

The answer "PEERAGE" refers to the system in Britain and some other countries that organizes hereditary titles and noble ranks, such as duke, earl, baron, etc. It specifically denotes the collective body and hierarchy of peers within this noble class. Hence, it matches the clue perfectly.

The clue "Tank top?" includes a question mark, indicating wordplay. Here, "tank" refers to a gas tank, and its "top" is the cap that seals it—hence, "GASCAP." This pun cleverly redefines "tank top" beyond clothing into an automotive context.

The clue "Design deet" refers to a specific detail within a design. "Deet" is a playful abbreviation of "detail," and "SPEC" is short for "specification," a term often used to describe precise details in design plans or projects. Hence, SPEC fits perfectly.

The clue "Are too!" response, in quotes, signals conversational phrasing. The answer "AMNOT" is a direct retort often used in playful or defensive arguments, especially by children, to counter the accusation implied by "Are too!" It mirrors the dialogue style in the clue.

The answer is RADAR because it is a device that uses the Doppler effect to detect and measure the speed, distance, and position of objects. The Doppler effect helps RADAR recognize changes in frequency of reflected signals, often used in weather forecasting and air traffic control.

The term "Fashion sense" refers to having a keen awareness or instinct for fashion and aesthetics. "STYLE" aligns perfectly as it represents a distinctive, fashionable way of presenting oneself, denoting taste and elegance in fashion. It's the essence of possessing a refined "sense" of what works in appearance.

The clue "Bring to 212°" refers to the boiling point of water in Fahrenheit. To "bring" a liquid to this temperature is to cause it to BOIL, which is why this answer fits perfectly. The clue is straightforward, requiring a basic understanding of temperature and boiling.

ENTS are towering, tree-like creatures from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" series. Known as shepherds of the forest, they are massive in height and also intelligent beings. "Towering" clues their great size, and "Tolkien creatures" points to the fantasy realm from his works.

The clue "Worked up, say" suggests an emotional state caused by agitation or anger. "Mad" effectively conveys being emotionally "worked up," as it directly means angry or upset. The "say" indicates a potential synonym or interpretation, making "mad" a fitting answer.

The answer is APE because certain large primates, such as gorillas, are known for beating their chests as a form of communication or display of dominance. The clue directly hints at this distinctive behavior, making "APE" the fitting solution.

In this clue, "Copa Mundial" (Spanish for "World Cup") hints at a connection to soccer, a sport deeply tied to Spanish-speaking culture. "Shout" signals a common exclamation. “Olé” is a cheer or chant often shouted by fans during soccer matches, making it the perfect fit.

The answer "TBD" stands for "To Be Determined," which succinctly means that a decision has not yet been made—i.e., it is still undecided. The clue specifies "in brief," signaling the use of an abbreviation like "TBD." Hence, it fits perfectly.

The Camellia sinensis plant is the primary source of tea leaves. Processing its leaves produces various types of tea, such as green, black, and oolong. Since the clue specifies a "product" of this plant, the answer is TEA.