TodayHint

Pips October 20, 2026: Hints & Answers

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

Recap

The easy board requires logical deductions to fit 5 dominoes into 6 regions. The medium board adds more complexity with 7 dominoes and 9 regions. The hard board is the most challenging with 15 dominoes and 21 regions, requiring careful analysis of all constraints.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 6 regions

3–41–14–10–33–1

  • one cell: under 2.
  • two cells: exactly 7.
  • one cell: under 3.
  • two cells: all matching.
  • three cells: all matching.
  • one cell: left uncovered.

Small number of dominoes and simple constraints make this easy.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 9 regions

2–62–04–30–30–01–33–5

  • two cells: exactly 5.
  • one cell: exactly 6.
  • one cell: exactly 0.
  • 2 ×one cell: left uncovered.
  • three cells: exactly 7.
  • one cell: exactly 3.
  • three cells: all matching.
  • one cell: more than 4.

More regions and dominoes add complexity.

Hard board · 15 dominoes · 21 regions

5–34–16–20–46–50–32–13–42–55–54–53–32–31–11–0

  • 3 ×one cell: exactly 3.
  • two cells: more than 8.
  • one cell: more than 4.
  • 3 ×one cell: left uncovered.
  • one cell: exactly 5.
  • 2 ×three cells: all matching.
  • 2 ×one cell: more than 2.
  • two cells: exactly 8.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 0.
  • one cell: more than 1.
  • three cells: exactly 10.
  • one cell: under 2.
  • one cell: exactly 4.
  • two cells: exactly 5.

Many dominoes and complex constraints make this challenging.

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 equals, 2 less, 1 empty, 1 sum)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 9 regions (5 sum, 2 empty, 1 equals, 1 greater)
    Hard board
    15 dominoes, 21 regions (10 sum, 5 greater, 3 empty, 2 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 look for dominoes that can only fit in one place.

  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 specific sums or equals constraints that can help anchor the dominoes.

    Start with a region that has a sum constraint.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    Focus on regions with multiple constraints or unique values to limit possibilities.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Begin with a region that has a unique constraint like greater 8 over 2 cells.

    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 0/3 domino in the empty region. Then, fit the 3/1 domino into the equals over 3 region. Next, use the 4/1 domino in the less 3 over 1 region. The 1/1 domino goes in the equals over 2 region. Finally, place the 3/4 domino.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Begin by placing the 0/0 domino in the sum 0 region. Then, use the 2/6 domino in the sum 5 or 6 region. Fit the 0/3 domino into another sum or equals region. Continue with the remaining dominoes, using constraints to guide placements.

  • Hard board · 15 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Start by placing the 1/0 domino in the sum 0 region. Use the 2/1 domino in a greater or less constraint region. Then, fit the 3/4 domino into a region with a sum or equals constraint. Continue placing dominoes, using all constraints to guide the process. For example, place the 5/3 domino, then the 4/1 domino in a suitable region. Keep going, ensuring each placement satisfies the region's constraint.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
27 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 6 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 9 regions
Hard board
15 dominoes · 21 regions

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