TodayHint

Pips November 2, 2026: Hints & Answers

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

Recap

The easy board requires logical deductions based on equals and sum constraints. The medium board involves strategic placement considering multiple constraints. The hard board demands meticulous attention to detail and systematic elimination.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 8 regions

0–53–41–31–41–0

  • 2 ×two cells: all matching.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 1.
  • one cell: more than 4.
  • one cell: under 4.
  • 2 ×one cell: left uncovered.

Small number of dominoes and regions makes it manageable.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 7 regions

4–35–13–12–55–44–42–3

  • one cell: under 4.
  • three cells: all matching.
  • two cells: exactly 8.
  • four cells: under 11.
  • two cells: under 8.
  • one cell: more than 3.
  • one cell: left uncovered.

Moderate number of dominoes and regions, with a mix of constraints.

Hard board · 16 dominoes · 19 regions

4–33–23–10–52–00–31–11–42–54–44–52–61–61–24–00–0

  • 3 ×one cell: exactly 1.
  • one cell: left uncovered.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 3.
  • four cells: exactly 16.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 2.
  • one cell: more than 5.
  • 2 ×one cell: under 2.
  • 2 ×four cells: all matching.
  • three cells: all different.
  • two cells: under 3.
  • one cell: under 1.
  • one cell: more than 4.
  • two cells: exactly 7.

Large number of dominoes and regions with complex constraints.

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, 8 regions (2 empty, 2 equals, 2 sum, 1 greater, 1 less)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 7 regions (3 less, 1 empty, 1 equals, 1 greater, 1 sum)
    Hard board
    16 dominoes, 19 regions (9 sum, 4 less, 2 equals, 2 greater, 1 empty, 1 unequal)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with the fewest possible placements, focusing on those with specific values.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    Begin with the region that must be empty.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Look for regions with limited possibilities, especially those with sum or equals constraints.

    Start with the region that has a sum constraint of 8 over 2 cells.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    Focus on regions with specific sum constraints and those that are empty, as they provide the most information.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Begin with a region that has a sum constraint of 1 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 1/0 domino. The empty region must contain it. Then, place the 1/3 and 1/4 dominoes, considering the sum 1 constraints. Next, use the equals constraints to place the 3/4 domino. Finally, place the 0/5 is not present, use 1/0 and remaining dominoes to fulfill all conditions.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Begin by placing the 5/1 domino. Use the less 4 constraint to limit options. Then, place the 4/3 and 4/4 dominoes, considering the equals constraint. Next, use the sum 8 constraint to guide the placement of the 2/5 and 3/1 dominoes. Continue with the remaining dominoes, ensuring all constraints are met.

  • Hard board · 16 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Start by placing the 0/0 domino in the empty region. Then, use the sum 1 constraints to place the 1/0 and 0/1 dominoes. Next, consider the greater 5 constraint to place higher-value dominoes. Continue by using the sum 16 constraint over 4 cells to guide the placement of larger dominoes like 4/5 and 2/6. Methodically work through the remaining dominoes and regions, ensuring all constraints are satisfied. Use the process of elimination and the equals, less, and greater constraints to finalize the placements.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Monday, November 2, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
28 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 8 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 7 regions
Hard board
16 dominoes · 19 regions

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