TodayHint

Pips October 12, 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 8 dominoes and 9 regions, with a focus on sum constraints. The hard board challenges with 16 dominoes and 30 regions, demanding meticulous use of all constraints.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 7 regions

2–45–52–06–23–2

  • one cell: exactly 3.
  • 2 ×two cells: all matching.
  • two cells: more than 8.
  • one cell: left uncovered.
  • one cell: more than 4.
  • one cell: under 3.

Small number of dominoes and regions makes it manageable.

Medium board · 8 dominoes · 9 regions

5–42–13–00–42–43–54–43–2

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

More dominoes and regions than easy, requiring more constraint interaction.

Hard board · 16 dominoes · 30 regions

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

  • 5 ×one cell: exactly 2.
  • 6 ×one cell: exactly 3.
  • 5 ×one cell: exactly 1.
  • two cells: exactly 10.
  • 4 ×one cell: exactly 5.
  • 3 ×one cell: exactly 4.
  • 5 ×one cell: exactly 0.
  • two cells: exactly 9.

Large number of dominoes and regions, with complex interplay of 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, 7 regions (2 equals, 2 greater, 1 empty, 1 less, 1 sum)
    Medium board
    8 dominoes, 9 regions (4 sum, 2 greater, 1 empty, 1 equals, 1 less)
    Hard board
    16 dominoes, 30 regions (30 sum)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with unique constraints, focusing on those that limit domino placement significantly.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    Begin with the region that must be empty, as it provides a clear starting point.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Look for regions with sum constraints to start, as they often limit domino placement significantly.

    Start with a region that has a sum constraint over 2 cells, as it can help place multiple dominoes.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    Focus on regions with small sum constraints to build a foundation for placing dominoes.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Begin with a region that has a sum of 0 or 1, as these provide significant constraints.

    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 2/0 domino in the empty region. Use the sum 3 over 1 cell to place the 2/1 domino. The equals over 2 cells help place the 5/5 domino. The greater 8 over 2 cells and less 3 over 1 cell guide the remaining dominoes.

  • Medium board · 8 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Begin by placing dominoes in regions with sum constraints. Use the sum 2 over 2 cells and sum 5 over 2 cells to guide initial placements. The equals over 3 cells and greater 4 over 1 cell help place subsequent dominoes. Continue using constraints to narrow down possible placements.

  • Hard board · 16 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Start by placing dominoes with low numbers in regions with small sum constraints. Use the sum 1 over 1 cells and sum 0 over 1 cells to place 0/1, 0/2, and 0/3 dominoes. The sum 10 over 2 cells guide placement of higher dominoes. Continue iteratively using all constraints to place dominoes, focusing on one region at a time. Ensure that each placement adheres to all relevant constraints, gradually building up the solution.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Monday, October 12, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
29 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 7 regions
Medium board
8 dominoes · 9 regions
Hard board
16 dominoes · 30 regions

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