TodayHint

Pips November 3, 2026: Hints & Answers

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

Recap

The easy board requires strategic placement to meet simple constraints, while the medium and hard boards introduce more complex requirements and dominoes, demanding careful planning and problem-solving skills.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 5 regions

1–22–01–13–30–3

  • three cells: more than 8.
  • three cells: all matching.
  • two cells: all matching.
  • 2 ×one cell: left uncovered.

This board is relatively straightforward due to the small number of dominoes and simple constraints.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 8 regions

6–34–13–24–43–04–25–5

  • two cells: more than 8.
  • one cell: more than 4.
  • one cell: exactly 4.
  • three cells: all different.
  • one cell: exactly 3.
  • three cells: exactly 8.
  • one cell: exactly 0.
  • two cells: all matching.

The medium board introduces more complex constraints, requiring careful planning and domino placement.

Hard board · 14 dominoes · 20 regions

5–53–33–20–62–00–10–51–52–53–60–41–12–43–4

  • two cells: all different.
  • 2 ×one cell: under 2.
  • two cells: more than 9.
  • 3 ×one cell: exactly 0.
  • 4 ×one cell: left uncovered.
  • two cells: all matching.
  • one cell: exactly 6.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 2.
  • four cells: all matching.
  • two cells: exactly 2.
  • one cell: exactly 3.
  • two cells: under 3.
  • one cell: under 5.

The hard board features a large number of dominoes and complex constraints, making it challenging to find a solution.

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 (2 empty, 2 equals, 1 greater)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 8 regions (4 sum, 2 greater, 1 equals, 1 unequal)
    Hard board
    14 dominoes, 20 regions (8 sum, 4 empty, 4 less, 2 equals, 1 greater, 1 unequal)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with the most constraints and look for dominoes that can satisfy multiple conditions at once.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    Begin with the region that must be greater than 8 over 3 cells, as it has the most specific requirement.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Focus on regions with sum constraints and try to balance the dominoes to meet these requirements.

    Start with the region that requires a sum of 4 over 1 cell, as it's a simple target to hit.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    Look for regions with strict constraints, such as the sum 0 over 1 cell, and try to place dominoes that satisfy multiple conditions simultaneously.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Begin with one of the regions that must be empty or have a sum of 0, as these have the most limited options.

    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 3/3 domino in the greater 8 region, then use the 1/1 and 0/3 dominoes to satisfy the equals and empty conditions. The 1/2 and 2/0 dominoes will fit in the remaining spots.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Begin by placing the 4/1 domino in the sum 4 region. Then, use the 3/2 and 4/2 dominoes to satisfy the sum and inequality constraints. Continue with the 6/3, 4/4, 3/0, and 5/5 dominoes, making sure to meet all conditions.

  • Hard board · 14 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Start by placing the 0/6 domino in the less 2 region, then use the 0/1, 0/5, and 1/5 dominoes to satisfy the sum 0 and empty conditions. Continue with the 2/0, 2/4, 2/5, 3/2, 3/3, 3/4, 3/6, 5/5 dominoes, ensuring all constraints are met. The 0/4 and 1/1 dominoes will fit in the remaining spots, making sure to balance the sums and inequalities. Finally, verify that all regions meet their conditions.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Tuesday, November 3, 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 · 20 regions

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