NYT Pips Solver & Hints

Get Help with Today's Puzzle

December 17, 2025

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Today's Hints

📅 Today's Puzzle Hints

💡Stuck on today's puzzle? Here are some general hints to get you started!

General Approach for Today

1
Scan All Regions First
Before placing any dominoes, identify all constraint types (=, ≠, sums, comparisons). Look for the most restrictive regions with the fewest possible solutions.
2
Start with Equal Regions
2-cell equal regions are often the easiest starting point. Look for dominoes with matching halves (0-0, 1-1, 2-2, etc.) that can satisfy these constraints.
3
Check Sum Requirements
For sum regions, calculate the average value needed (target ÷ number of cells). Very low sums (≤5) or very high sums (≥18) significantly limit your options.
4
Use Process of Elimination
As you place each domino, cross it off your mental list. Track which values are still available to avoid dead ends.
5
Don't Forget to Rotate
Every domino can be placed horizontally or vertically. Always try both orientations before deciding a placement is impossible.

💭 Need More Help?

If you're still stuck, try working backwards from regions that have only one possible solution. Sometimes identifying what CAN'T work is more helpful than finding what can!

🎮 Back to Game

🧩 Step-by-Step Solver Guide

Follow this systematic approach to solve any Pips puzzle, regardless of difficulty:

Phase 1: Analysis (30 seconds)

✓Count total cells and dominoes - they should match (each domino covers 2 cells)

✓Identify all region types and their constraints

✓Note which regions overlap or share borders

✓Spot the most restrictive constraint (usually low sums or 2-cell equals)

Phase 2: First Placements (1-2 minutes)

✓Place dominoes in forced positions (where only one option exists)

✓Solve all 2-cell equal regions if possible

✓Fill extreme sum regions (very low or very high)

✓Use unique dominoes first (those with uncommon value combinations)

Phase 3: Middle Game (2-3 minutes)

✓Work on regions connected to your placed dominoes

✓Use elimination - track which values are still available

✓Look for cascade opportunities (one placement enables others)

✓If stuck, try hypothetical placements and see if they lead to contradictions

Phase 4: Finish & Verify (30 seconds)

✓Place remaining dominoes in logical order

✓Double-check each region's constraint is satisfied

✓Verify all dominoes are used exactly once

✓Celebrate your solve! 🎉

💡 Winning Strategies

Master Equal Regions

→2-cell equal regions are your anchor points
→Look for dominoes with matching halves (1-1, 2-2, etc.)
→For 3+ cells, you need multiple dominoes with the same value
→High-value equals (5-5, 6-6) are rare - save them strategically

≠

Handle Not-Equal Regions

→Count cells vs. available values - need enough variety
→4-cell not-equal needs 4 different numbers
→Avoid placing similar halves in these regions
→Larger regions give more flexibility

Conquer Sum Regions

→Calculate average value: sum ÷ cells
→Low sums (≤6) need 0s, 1s, 2s
→High sums (≥16) need 4s, 5s, 6s
→Check if sum is mathematically possible

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Use Comparison Logic

→Establish ordering relationships between cells
→Use 0s to anchor "less than" positions
→Use 6s to anchor "greater than" positions
→Middle values (3-4) offer flexibility

🎯 Pro Tips & Tricks

🧠

Pattern Recognition

After solving 10-20 puzzles, you'll start recognizing common patterns. "Corner traps," "forced pairs," and "value chains" appear frequently.

↩️

Work Backwards

Sometimes it's easier to work from the end. Ask "What dominoes MUST go in certain regions?" and eliminate impossible final states.

👁️

Mental Modeling

Before placing a domino, visualize 2-3 moves ahead. Ask "If I place this here, what becomes impossible?"

📝

Track Your Inventory

Mentally (or physically) track which domino values you've used. This prevents dead ends and reveals forced moves.

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Try Both Orientations

Every domino works horizontally AND vertically. Always test both before declaring a placement impossible.

⏪

Don't Fear Undo

Backtracking is part of the strategy. Use Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z) liberally - it's faster than starting over!

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

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Rushing First Placement

Take 30-60 seconds to analyze ALL regions before placing your first domino. A bad first move can cascade into an unsolvable state.

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Ignoring Zero Values

Pips range from 0-6, not 1-6! Zero is crucial for low-sum regions and can be a lifesaver when you need specific values.

🚫

Forgetting Region Boundaries

A domino spanning two regions must satisfy BOTH constraints simultaneously. Always check all affected regions.

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Not Using Process of Elimination

Track which dominoes are still available. A puzzle with 3 dominoes left is much easier than one with 6!

📊 Difficulty-Specific Advice

EASY

4-5 Dominoes

Expected solve time: 2-4 minutes

• Focus on learning the basic constraint types
• Usually 1-2 equal regions provide obvious starting points
• Limited dominoes mean fewer possibilities - try each systematically
• Perfect for building confidence and understanding mechanics

MEDIUM

8-10 Dominoes

Expected solve time: 5-8 minutes

• Requires tracking multiple constraints simultaneously
• Look for cascade opportunities (one placement enables several others)
• May need to use hypothetical placement and elimination
• Great for developing intermediate strategies

HARD

12-16 Dominoes

Expected solve time: 10-20 minutes

• Demands advanced pattern recognition and planning
• Multiple overlapping regions create complex dependencies
• May require backtracking from dead ends
• Tests your mastery of all solving techniques

Ready to Master Pips?

Apply these strategies to today's puzzle and watch your skills soar!

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