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Past puzzleJune 16, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: June 16, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from June 16, 2026 (2026-06-16) with hints and answers for every level.

June 16, 2026

Pips hints and answers

Use the board and domino inventory as your reference. Each level has separate area clues, an optional placement from the recorded answer, and its complete solution.

Easy · 5 pieces

Easy board

4 × 3

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum < 2
A2No rule
A3Sum < 2
A4All equal
A4All equal
A5Sum = 9
A4All equal
A5Sum = 9
A6Sum = 9
A6Sum = 9
Area 1: Sum < 2Area 2: No ruleArea 3: Sum < 2Area 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 9Area 6: Sum = 9

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 4-6; Piece 2: 3-2; Piece 3: 2-1; Piece 4: 2-6; Piece 5: 5-0.

Where to look

Area 1 has 1 cell: Sum < 2. Look at row 1, column 2.

A local clue for Area 5

The two cells in Area 5 must total 9. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 3 + 6; 4 + 5.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 3 (2 | 1), vertical: row 2, column 2 has 2, paired with row 1, column 2 containing 1.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

4 × 3

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11Sum < 2
A26No rule
A30Sum < 2
A42All equal
A42All equal
A55Sum = 9
A42All equal
A54Sum = 9
A66Sum = 9
A63Sum = 9
Area 1: Sum < 2Area 2: No ruleArea 3: Sum < 2Area 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 9Area 6: Sum = 9

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (4 | 6): horizontal; row 4, column 1 = 4, paired with row 4, column 2 = 6.
  2. Piece 2 (3 | 2): vertical; row 4, column 3 = 3, paired with row 3, column 3 = 2.
  3. Piece 3 (2 | 1): vertical; row 2, column 2 = 2, paired with row 1, column 2 = 1.
  4. Piece 4 (2 | 6): vertical; row 2, column 3 = 2, paired with row 1, column 3 = 6.
  5. Piece 5 (5 | 0): vertical; row 3, column 1 = 5, paired with row 2, column 1 = 0.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum < 2. 1 = 1 < 2.
  2. Area 2: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  3. Area 3: Sum < 2. 0 = 0 < 2.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 2 = 2 = 2: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 9. 5 + 4 = 9; target 9.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 9. 6 + 3 = 9; target 9.

Medium · 8 pieces

Medium board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1All equal
A2All equal
A3All equal
A4No rule
A1All equal
A2All equal
A3All equal
A5Sum = 5
A6Sum > 3
A7Sum = 4
A8All equal
A8All equal
A9Sum > 4
A7Sum = 4
A7Sum = 4
A8All equal
Area 1: All equalArea 2: All equalArea 3: All equalArea 4: No ruleArea 5: Sum = 5Area 6: Sum > 3Area 7: Sum = 4Area 8: All equalArea 9: Sum > 4

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 3-2; Piece 2: 5-1; Piece 3: 0-1; Piece 4: 1-3; Piece 5: 1-4; Piece 6: 6-1; Piece 7: 3-0; Piece 8: 2-2.

Where to look

Area 5 has 1 cell: Sum = 5. Look at row 2, column 4.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 2 (5 | 1), horizontal: row 2, column 4 has 5, paired with row 2, column 3 containing 1.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11All equal
A23All equal
A31All equal
A40No rule
A11All equal
A23All equal
A31All equal
A55Sum = 5
A64Sum > 3
A70Sum = 4
A82All equal
A82All equal
A96Sum > 4
A71Sum = 4
A73Sum = 4
A82All equal
Area 1: All equalArea 2: All equalArea 3: All equalArea 4: No ruleArea 5: Sum = 5Area 6: Sum > 3Area 7: Sum = 4Area 8: All equalArea 9: Sum > 4

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (3 | 2): horizontal; row 4, column 3 = 3, paired with row 4, column 4 = 2.
  2. Piece 2 (5 | 1): horizontal; row 2, column 4 = 5, paired with row 2, column 3 = 1.
  3. Piece 3 (0 | 1): horizontal; row 1, column 4 = 0, paired with row 1, column 3 = 1.
  4. Piece 4 (1 | 3): horizontal; row 1, column 1 = 1, paired with row 1, column 2 = 3.
  5. Piece 5 (1 | 4): vertical; row 2, column 1 = 1, paired with row 3, column 1 = 4.
  6. Piece 6 (6 | 1): horizontal; row 4, column 1 = 6, paired with row 4, column 2 = 1.
  7. Piece 7 (3 | 0): vertical; row 2, column 2 = 3, paired with row 3, column 2 = 0.
  8. Piece 8 (2 | 2): horizontal; row 3, column 4 = 2, paired with row 3, column 5 = 2.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: All equal. 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  2. Area 2: All equal. 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  3. Area 3: All equal. 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  4. Area 4: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  6. Area 6: Sum > 3. 4 = 4 > 3.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 4. 0 + 1 + 3 = 4; target 4.
  8. Area 8: All equal. 2 = 2 = 2: all cells have the same value.
  9. Area 9: Sum > 4. 6 = 6 > 4.

Hard · 15 pieces

Hard board

8 × 9

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1No rule
A2All equal
A2All equal
A2All equal
A3Sum < 2
A2All equal
A2All equal
A4No rule
A5No rule
A6Sum = 2
A7All equal
A8Sum = 2
A7All equal
A9Sum > 2
A10Sum = 2
A11Sum = 22
A11Sum = 22
A11Sum = 22
A12All equal
A12All equal
A12All equal
A13All equal
A13All equal
A11Sum = 22
A14Sum = 2
A15Sum = 2
A16No rule
A17Sum < 2
A18All equal
A18All equal
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: All equalArea 3: Sum < 2Area 4: No ruleArea 5: No ruleArea 6: Sum = 2Area 7: All equalArea 8: Sum = 2Area 9: Sum > 2Area 10: Sum = 2Area 11: Sum = 22Area 12: All equalArea 13: All equalArea 14: Sum = 2Area 15: Sum = 2Area 16: No ruleArea 17: Sum < 2Area 18: All equal

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 2-0; Piece 2: 5-1; Piece 3: 0-3; Piece 4: 2-5; Piece 5: 6-6; Piece 6: 4-1; Piece 7: 5-3; Piece 8: 0-0; Piece 9: 2-6; Piece 10: 4-0; Piece 11: 2-1; Piece 12: 6-0; Piece 13: 4-2; Piece 14: 0-1; Piece 15: 2-2.

Where to look

Area 3 has 1 cell: Sum < 2. Look at row 1, column 5.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 14 (0 | 1), horizontal: row 1, column 4 has 0, paired with row 1, column 5 containing 1.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

8 × 9

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A13No rule
A20All equal
A20All equal
A20All equal
A31Sum < 2
A20All equal
A20All equal
A40No rule
A56No rule
A62Sum = 2
A74All equal
A82Sum = 2
A74All equal
A95Sum > 2
A102Sum = 2
A116Sum = 22
A116Sum = 22
A114Sum = 22
A121All equal
A121All equal
A121All equal
A135All equal
A135All equal
A116Sum = 22
A142Sum = 2
A152Sum = 2
A163No rule
A170Sum < 2
A182All equal
A182All equal
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: All equalArea 3: Sum < 2Area 4: No ruleArea 5: No ruleArea 6: Sum = 2Area 7: All equalArea 8: Sum = 2Area 9: Sum > 2Area 10: Sum = 2Area 11: Sum = 22Area 12: All equalArea 13: All equalArea 14: Sum = 2Area 15: Sum = 2Area 16: No ruleArea 17: Sum < 2Area 18: All equal

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (2 | 0): vertical; row 4, column 3 = 2, paired with row 3, column 3 = 0.
  2. Piece 2 (5 | 1): vertical; row 5, column 7 = 5, paired with row 6, column 7 = 1.
  3. Piece 3 (0 | 3): horizontal; row 1, column 2 = 0, paired with row 1, column 1 = 3.
  4. Piece 4 (2 | 5): vertical; row 5, column 9 = 2, paired with row 6, column 9 = 5.
  5. Piece 5 (6 | 6): horizontal; row 6, column 1 = 6, paired with row 6, column 2 = 6.
  6. Piece 6 (4 | 1): vertical; row 5, column 5 = 4, paired with row 6, column 5 = 1.
  7. Piece 7 (5 | 3): vertical; row 6, column 8 = 5, paired with row 7, column 8 = 3.
  8. Piece 8 (0 | 0): vertical; row 1, column 3 = 0, paired with row 2, column 3 = 0.
  9. Piece 9 (2 | 6): vertical; row 4, column 9 = 2, paired with row 3, column 9 = 6.
  10. Piece 10 (4 | 0): vertical; row 4, column 5 = 4, paired with row 3, column 5 = 0.
  11. Piece 11 (2 | 1): vertical; row 7, column 6 = 2, paired with row 6, column 6 = 1.
  12. Piece 12 (6 | 0): vertical; row 7, column 1 = 6, paired with row 8, column 1 = 0.
  13. Piece 13 (4 | 2): vertical; row 6, column 3 = 4, paired with row 7, column 3 = 2.
  14. Piece 14 (0 | 1): horizontal; row 1, column 4 = 0, paired with row 1, column 5 = 1.
  15. Piece 15 (2 | 2): horizontal; row 8, column 2 = 2, paired with row 8, column 3 = 2.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  2. Area 2: All equal. 0 = 0 = 0 = 0 = 0: all cells have the same value.
  3. Area 3: Sum < 2. 1 = 1 < 2.
  4. Area 4: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  5. Area 5: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  7. Area 7: All equal. 4 = 4: all cells have the same value.
  8. Area 8: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  9. Area 9: Sum > 2. 5 = 5 > 2.
  10. Area 10: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  11. Area 11: Sum = 22. 6 + 6 + 4 + 6 = 22; target 22.
  12. Area 12: All equal. 1 = 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  13. Area 13: All equal. 5 = 5: all cells have the same value.
  14. Area 14: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  15. Area 15: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  16. Area 16: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  17. Area 17: Sum < 2. 0 = 0 < 2.
  18. Area 18: All equal. 2 = 2: all cells have the same value.

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