TodayHint

Pips October 25, 2026: Hints & Answers

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

Recap

The easy board requires strategic placement of 5 dominoes across 6 regions. The medium board involves 7 dominoes and 13 regions with multiple constraints. The hard board features 16 dominoes and 32 regions, demanding careful planning to satisfy all sum constraints.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 6 regions

3–54–11–00–23–0

  • one cell: more than 4.
  • one cell: left uncovered.
  • three cells: under 1.
  • one cell: more than 2.
  • two cells: all matching.
  • two cells: exactly 6.

Small number of dominoes and regions makes it manageable.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 13 regions

2–46–03–31–36–52–30–0

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

More regions and dominoes increase the complexity.

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

Large number of dominoes and regions, combined with varied constraints, makes it 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 greater, 1 empty, 1 equals, 1 less, 1 sum)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 13 regions (5 empty, 4 sum, 2 greater, 1 equals, 1 less)
    Hard board
    16 dominoes, 32 regions (32 sum)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with the fewest possible domino placements, focusing on those with specific numerical constraints.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    Begin with the region that has an equals constraint over 2 cells, as it offers the most straightforward starting point.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Look for regions with unique constraints that can only be satisfied by one or two dominoes, helping to build a foundation.

    Start with a region that has a sum 0 constraint over 1 cell, as it has a limited set of options.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    Focus on regions with the most restrictive constraints, such as specific sum targets, to start building the solution.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Begin with a region that has a sum 0 constraint, as it limits the options significantly.

    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 3/0 domino in the greater 4 region. Then, fit the 0/2 domino into the equals region. Next, use the 1/0 domino in the greater 2 region. The 4/1 domino goes in the sum 6 region. Finally, place the 3/5 domino in the less 1 region.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Begin by placing the 0/0 domino. Use the 2/4 and 2/3 dominoes in the greater 2 and equals regions. Then, fit the 6/0 domino into the sum 6 region. Continue with the 1/3 domino in the less 2 region. Place the 3/3 domino in the sum 3 region. The 6/5 domino goes in the greater 4 region. Finally, use the remaining dominoes to satisfy the remaining constraints.

  • Hard board · 16 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Start by placing dominoes with low numbers in sum 0 and sum 1 regions. Use dominoes with higher numbers in sum 5 and sum 6 regions. Continue by fitting dominoes into regions with sum 2, sum 3, and sum 4 constraints. Ensure that each placement satisfies the constraints of the region it's placed in. As the board fills, revisit earlier placements to ensure they still work with the new dominoes. The key is to balance the sums across the board while satisfying all constraints.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
28 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 6 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 13 regions
Hard board
16 dominoes · 32 regions

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