TodayHint

Pips September 29, 2026: Hints & Answers

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

Recap

The easy board has simple constraints and few dominoes. The medium board has more dominoes and complex constraints. The hard board has many dominoes and intricate constraints, requiring careful planning.

The three boards that day

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

Easy board · 5 dominoes · 8 regions

5–02–54–30–23–0

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

Simple constraints and few dominoes make this easy.

Medium board · 7 dominoes · 7 regions

4–52–61–24–46–63–30–5

  • three cells: all matching.
  • two cells: under 7.
  • two cells: all different.
  • three cells: under 12.
  • two cells: more than 8.
  • one cell: exactly 1.
  • one cell: left uncovered.

More dominoes and complex constraints make this medium difficulty.

Hard board · 14 dominoes · 17 regions

6–33–33–21–15–55–32–51–60–34–43–44–21–42–0

  • 2 ×one cell: left uncovered.
  • four cells: all matching.
  • 2 ×one cell: exactly 4.
  • one cell: under 1.
  • two cells: exactly 3.
  • one cell: more than 5.
  • one cell: more than 1.
  • three cells: all matching.
  • one cell: more than 3.
  • one cell: under 2.
  • four cells: exactly 9.
  • two cells: exactly 7.
  • one cell: exactly 3.
  • two cells: all matching.
  • one cell: exactly 2.

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, 8 regions (3 less, 2 equals, 2 greater, 1 empty)
    Medium board
    7 dominoes, 7 regions (2 less, 1 empty, 1 equals, 1 greater, 1 sum, 1 unequal)
    Hard board
    14 dominoes, 17 regions (7 sum, 3 equals, 3 greater, 2 empty, 2 less)
    Back to the board inventories
  2. Easy board: how to approach it

    Method only.

    Start by identifying regions with the most restrictions and try to place dominoes accordingly.

  3. Easy board: where to start

    One region named by its constraint.

    Focus on the region that must be equal over 2 cells.

  4. Medium board: approach and first region

    The same two steps, one difficulty up.

    Analyze regions with multiple constraints and try to satisfy them simultaneously.

    Start with the region that must be equal over 3 cells.

  5. Hard board: how to approach it

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

    Break down the board into sections and focus on regions with the most constraints.

  6. Hard board: where to start

    The last rung before the full walkthroughs.

    Focus on the region that must be empty 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 equals over 2 cells region. Place 3/0 and 0/2 dominoes. Next, focus on the greater 4 over 1 cell region. Use 4/3 and 2/5 dominoes. Finish with the remaining dominoes.

  • Medium board · 7 dominoes

    Medium board walkthrough

    Place dominoes to satisfy the equals over 3 cells region. Use the sum 1 over 1 cell region to place a domino. Continue with the less 7 over 2 cells region.

  • Hard board · 14 dominoes

    Hard board walkthrough

    Begin by placing dominoes in the empty over 1 cell region. Use the sum 4 over 1 cell region to place a domino. Next, focus on the equals over 4 cells region. Continue with the greater 5 over 1 cell region. Use the sum 3 over 2 cells region to place dominoes. Finish with the remaining dominoes, ensuring all constraints are satisfied.

Those boards by the numbers

Date
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Boards
3 — easy, medium, hard
Dominoes in play
26 across the three boards
Easy board
5 dominoes · 8 regions
Medium board
7 dominoes · 7 regions
Hard board
14 dominoes · 17 regions

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