TodayHint

Pips September 10, 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 adds more complexity with 7 dominoes and 9 regions. The hard board is the most challenging with 14 dominoes and 17 regions, requiring careful consideration of multiple constraints.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 6 regions

0–46–54–61–60–3

  • one cell: left uncovered.
  • three cells: more than 17.
  • 2 ×two cells: all matching.
  • one cell: more than 4.
  • one cell: exactly 3.

Small number of dominoes and regions makes it manageable.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 9 regions

4–60–03–30–12–20–56–0

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

More regions and dominoes add complexity.

Hard board · 14 dominoes · 17 regions

1–35–41–50–01–23–06–20–12–20–65–52–04–45–0

  • 3 ×one cell: exactly 0.
  • three cells: exactly 15.
  • 2 ×one cell: under 3.
  • one cell: more than 3.
  • one cell: more than 2.
  • one cell: more than 4.
  • two cells: under 4.
  • two cells: exactly 2.
  • two cells: exactly 0.
  • one cell: exactly 3.
  • three cells: all matching.
  • four cells: all matching.
  • two cells: exactly 8.
  • one cell: exactly 1.

Large number of dominoes and regions with complex 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, 6 regions (2 equals, 2 greater, 1 empty, 1 sum)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 9 regions (4 sum, 3 equals, 1 empty, 1 greater)
    Hard board
    14 dominoes, 17 regions (9 sum, 3 greater, 3 less, 2 equals)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with the most restrictive constraints to limit possibilities.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    Focus on the region that requires a sum of 3 over 1 cell.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Look for regions with specific number constraints to start placing dominoes.

    Start with the region that has an equals constraint over 2 cells.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    Identify and prioritize regions with the most restrictive or unique constraints.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Focus on the region that requires a sum of 0 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

    Begin with the sum 3 region. The only domino that fits is 0/3 or 3/0. Place 0/3 in the sum 3 region. Next, focus on the greater 17 over 3 cells. Try to fit the remaining dominoes around the sum 3 region.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Place dominoes in the equals regions first. Then, focus on the sum constraints to limit possibilities for the remaining dominoes.

  • Hard board · 14 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Begin with the sum 0 regions. Place 0/0 dominoes there. Next, focus on sum 15 over 3 cells and less 3 over 1 cell, placing dominoes that fit these constraints. Continue with greater and equals constraints, using process of elimination for remaining dominoes and regions. The equals over 4 cells region will help lock in several dominoes. Finish by adjusting dominoes to fit the remaining constraints.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
26 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 6 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 9 regions
Hard board
14 dominoes · 17 regions

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