TodayHint

Pips October 19, 2026: Hints & Answers

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

Recap

The easy board requires strategic placement to satisfy simple constraints. The medium board demands careful planning to meet more complex conditions. The hard board is the most challenging, with many constraints and regions to consider.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 6 regions

5–52–11–55–42–6

  • three cells: all matching.
  • one cell: left uncovered.
  • one cell: more than 1.
  • two cells: exactly 8.
  • two cells: exactly 3.
  • one cell: more than 3.

This board is relatively straightforward with simple constraints.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 7 regions

4–34–26–30–46–15–14–4

  • one cell: more than 3.
  • two cells: more than 4.
  • three cells: all different.
  • three cells: exactly 12.
  • one cell: exactly 3.
  • three cells: all matching.
  • one cell: under 5.

This board has more complex constraints, requiring careful planning.

Hard board · 10 dominoes · 13 regions

2–64–04–43–36–14–62–42–03–55–5

  • three cells: all matching.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 2.
  • two cells: exactly 6.
  • 2 ×one cell: left uncovered.
  • three cells: more than 11.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 6.
  • one cell: more than 1.
  • two cells: exactly 10.
  • two cells: under 6.
  • one cell: more than 2.

This board is challenging due to its many constraints and regions.

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, 6 regions (2 greater, 2 sum, 1 empty, 1 equals)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 7 regions (2 greater, 2 sum, 1 equals, 1 less, 1 unequal)
    Hard board
    10 dominoes, 13 regions (6 sum, 3 greater, 2 empty, 1 equals, 1 less)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with the most constraints and try to place dominoes that satisfy multiple conditions.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    Begin with the region that requires equals over 3 cells.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Look for regions with strict constraints and try to place dominoes that fit those conditions first.

    Start with the region that requires greater 4 over 2 cells.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    Focus on regions with multiple constraints and try to find dominoes that satisfy several conditions at once.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Begin with the region that requires sum 2 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 5/5 in a region that satisfies equals over 3 cells. Then, position 2/1 to meet the greater 1 over 1 cell condition. Next, place 1/5, which will help satisfy the sum 8 over 2 cells constraint. Continue by placing 5/4, ensuring it meets the sum 3 over 2 cells condition. Finally, place 2/6, which should fit neatly with the remaining constraints.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Begin by placing 4/3 and 4/2 in regions that require greater 4 over 2 cells and sum 12 over 3 cells. Then, position 6/3 to satisfy the greater 3 over 1 cell condition. Place 0/4, 6/1, and 5/1 in a way that meets the sum 3 over 1 cell and less 5 over 1 cell constraints. Continue with 4/4, ensuring it fits with the equals over 3 cells condition.

  • Hard board · 10 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Start by placing 2/6 and 4/0 in regions that require sum 2 over 1 cell and greater 11 over 3 cells. Then, position 4/4 and 3/3 to meet the equals over 3 cells and sum 6 over 2 cells conditions. Continue by placing 6/1, 4/6, and 2/4 in a way that satisfies the greater 1 over 1 cell and less 6 over 2 cells constraints. Next, place 2/0, ensuring it fits with the empty over 1 cell condition. Then, position 3/5 and 5/5 to meet the remaining constraints. Finally, adjust the placements to ensure all conditions are satisfied.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Monday, October 19, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
22 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 6 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 7 regions
Hard board
10 dominoes · 13 regions

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