TodayHint

Pips November 7, 2026: Hints & Answers

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

Recap

The easy board requires strategic placement of 5 dominoes across 7 regions. The medium board involves 7 dominoes and 8 regions, with a focus on equals and sum constraints. The hard board features 16 dominoes and 32 regions, demanding a systematic approach to satisfy various sum and comparison constraints.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 7 regions

4–45–13–34–20–5

  • three cells: all matching.
  • two cells: exactly 5.
  • one cell: exactly 5.
  • one cell: more than 0.
  • 3 ×one cell: left uncovered.

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

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 8 regions

2–02–26–05–52–34–20–5

  • 2 ×two cells: all matching.
  • two cells: more than 9.
  • one cell: under 2.
  • two cells: more than 8.
  • two cells: exactly 8.
  • two cells: exactly 5.
  • one cell: exactly 2.

This board is moderately difficult due to the number of dominoes and constraints, but the regions are still relatively manageable.

Hard board · 16 dominoes · 32 regions

0–10–20–30–40–51–21–31–41–52–32–42–53–43–54–53–6

  • 5 ×one cell: exactly 4.
  • 5 ×one cell: exactly 2.
  • 5 ×one cell: exactly 5.
  • 5 ×one cell: exactly 0.
  • 5 ×one cell: exactly 1.
  • 6 ×one cell: exactly 3.
  • one cell: left uncovered.

This board is challenging due to the large number of dominoes and regions, requiring careful attention to the constraints and a systematic approach.

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, 7 regions (3 empty, 2 sum, 1 equals, 1 greater)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 8 regions (3 sum, 2 equals, 2 greater, 1 less)
    Hard board
    16 dominoes, 32 regions (31 sum, 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. Look for regions with unique constraints that can help you place dominoes quickly.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    The region with the 'sum 5 over 1 cell' constraint is a good starting point, as it has limited possibilities.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Focus on regions with 'equals over 2 cells' constraints, as they can help you place dominoes in pairs. Look for dominoes with high numbers to place in regions with 'greater' constraints.

    The region with the 'less 2 over 1 cell' constraint is a good starting point, as it has limited possibilities.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    This board requires a systematic approach. Start by identifying regions with the most restrictive constraints, such as 'sum 0 over 1 cell' or 'sum 5 over 1 cell'. Use these regions to place dominoes with high or low numbers.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    The region with the 'sum 0 over 1 cell' constraint is a good starting point, as it has a unique solution.

    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 0/5 domino in the 'sum 5 over 1 cell' region. Then, use the equals over 3 cells constraint to place the 4/4 domino. Next, place the 3/3 domino in the region with the same constraint. The 4/2 domino can be placed in the greater 0 over 1 cell region. Finally, place the 5/1 domino in the remaining region.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Place the 0/5 domino in the 'sum 5 over 2 cells' region. Then, use the equals over 2 cells constraint to place the 2/2 domino. Next, place the 2/3 domino in the region with the 'sum 8 over 2 cells' constraint. The 4/2 domino can be placed in the greater 8 over 2 cells region. Continue placing dominoes in this manner, using the constraints to guide your placements.

  • Hard board · 16 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Begin by placing the 0/1 domino in the 'sum 1 over 1 cell' region and the 0/5 domino in the 'sum 5 over 1 cell' region. Continue placing dominoes in this manner, using the constraints to guide your placements. For example, place the 1/2 domino in the region with the 'sum 3 over 1 cell' constraint. As you place more dominoes, use the process of elimination to narrow down the possibilities for the remaining regions.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
28 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 7 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 8 regions
Hard board
16 dominoes · 32 regions

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