TodayHint

Pips August 31, 2026: Hints & Answers

Constructed by Ian Livengood, Rodolfo Kurchan, Rodolfo Kurchan, edited by Ian Livengood.

Recap

The easy board requires strategic placement of 5 dominoes across 5 regions. The medium board involves 7 dominoes and 8 regions with various numerical constraints. The hard board features 14 dominoes and 15 regions, demanding careful consideration of diverse constraints.

The three boards that day

The tray and each region's rule — board data, no solutions.

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 5 regions

5–63–54–44–14–6

  • one cell: under 4.
  • 2 ×two cells: all matching.
  • four cells: all matching.
  • one cell: under 3.

Small number of dominoes and regions makes it manageable.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 8 regions

0–31–21–42–34–45–55–6

  • 3 ×two cells: all matching.
  • one cell: more than 3.
  • two cells: exactly 3.
  • two cells: more than 7.
  • two cells: exactly 4.
  • one cell: under 4.

More regions and dominoes increase the challenge.

Hard board · 14 dominoes · 15 regions

2–33–06–26–65–52–43–46–34–51–12–24–65–13–3

  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 2.
  • 2 ×two cells: exactly 10.
  • 2 ×two cells: all matching.
  • one cell: exactly 0.
  • five cells: all matching.
  • one cell: left uncovered.
  • 2 ×two cells: exactly 12.
  • one cell: exactly 4.
  • two cells: exactly 8.
  • one cell: exactly 5.
  • three cells: all matching.

Large number of dominoes and complex constraints make it challenging.

Pips hints, one rung at a time

Six rungs, easy board first. The recap above already named the walkthroughs, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying the boards fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

  1. How the three boards compared

    Sizes and constraint mixes, counted off the boards.

    Easy board
    5 dominoes, 5 regions (3 equals, 2 less)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 8 regions (3 equals, 2 greater, 2 sum, 1 less)
    Hard board
    14 dominoes, 15 regions (10 sum, 4 equals, 1 empty)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with the fewest possible domino placements, focusing on equals constraints.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    The region with the equals constraint over 4 cells.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Begin by focusing on regions with specific numerical constraints, like sum and greater.

    The region with the sum constraint over 2 cells.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

    Where the hard board differed in kind, not just size.

    Look for regions with unique constraints, like empty or sum over 1 cell, to start.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    The region with the empty constraint over 1 cell.

    Open the full walkthroughs

Every Pips walkthrough from that day

All three walkthroughs, folded: each one places every domino on its board, one after another.

  • Easy board · 5 dominoes

    Easy board walkthrough

    Place the 4/4 domino in the equals over 4 cells region. Then, place the 4/6 and 4/1 dominoes in the equals over 2 cells regions. Next, place the 3/5 domino in the less over 1 cell region. Finally, place the 5/6 domino.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Place the 5/5 and 4/4 dominoes in the sum and equals regions. Then, use the greater and less constraints to place other dominoes.

  • Hard board · 14 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Begin by placing dominoes in regions with the most restrictive constraints. Place the 6/6 domino in the equals over 2 cells region. Use the sum constraints to place dominoes like 5/5 and 4/4. Continue with the equals and greater constraints, ensuring each domino fits the regional requirements. The 3/0 domino goes in the sum 0 over 1 cell region. As regions fill, revisit earlier placements to ensure consistency across the board.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Monday, August 31, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
26 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 5 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 8 regions
Hard board
14 dominoes · 15 regions

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