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Past puzzleJune 28, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: June 28, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from June 28, 2026 (2026-06-28) with hints and answers for every level.

June 28, 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

5 × 2

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1No rule
A2Sum > 5
A3Sum = 12
A3Sum = 12
A3Sum = 12
A3Sum = 12
A4All equal
A5No rule
A4All equal
A4All equal
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: Sum > 5Area 3: Sum = 12Area 4: All equalArea 5: No rule

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

Where to look

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 3 (6 | 3), vertical: row 1, column 2 has 6, paired with row 2, column 2 containing 3.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

5 × 2

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A14No rule
A26Sum > 5
A33Sum = 12
A33Sum = 12
A33Sum = 12
A33Sum = 12
A46All equal
A55No rule
A46All equal
A46All equal
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: Sum > 5Area 3: Sum = 12Area 4: All equalArea 5: No rule

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 (6 | 6): vertical; row 4, column 1 = 6, paired with row 5, column 1 = 6.
  2. Piece 2 (3 | 3): horizontal; row 3, column 1 = 3, paired with row 3, column 2 = 3.
  3. Piece 3 (6 | 3): vertical; row 1, column 2 = 6, paired with row 2, column 2 = 3.
  4. Piece 4 (3 | 4): vertical; row 2, column 1 = 3, paired with row 1, column 1 = 4.
  5. Piece 5 (5 | 6): vertical; row 4, column 2 = 5, paired with row 5, column 2 = 6.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  2. Area 2: Sum > 5. 6 = 6 > 5.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 12. 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12; target 12.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 6 = 6 = 6: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: No rule. This area has no additional rule.

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

4 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum < 5
A2No rule
A3Sum = 8
A1Sum < 5
A4Sum > 0
A5No rule
A6Sum > 2
A3Sum = 8
A7Sum = 5
A7Sum = 5
A8Sum = 10
A8Sum = 10
A9Sum > 5
A9Sum > 5
Area 1: Sum < 5Area 2: No ruleArea 3: Sum = 8Area 4: Sum > 0Area 5: No ruleArea 6: Sum > 2Area 7: Sum = 5Area 8: Sum = 10Area 9: Sum > 5

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

Where to look

Area 4 has 1 cell: Sum > 0. Look at row 2, column 5.

A local clue for Area 3

The two cells in Area 3 must total 8. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 2 + 6; 3 + 5; 4 + 4.

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 3 (3 | 0), vertical: row 2, column 5 has 3, paired with row 3, column 5 containing 0.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

4 × 6

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A10Sum < 5
A22No rule
A36Sum = 8
A10Sum < 5
A43Sum > 0
A50No rule
A66Sum > 2
A32Sum = 8
A75Sum = 5
A70Sum = 5
A84Sum = 10
A86Sum = 10
A94Sum > 5
A92Sum > 5
Area 1: Sum < 5Area 2: No ruleArea 3: Sum = 8Area 4: Sum > 0Area 5: No ruleArea 6: Sum > 2Area 7: Sum = 5Area 8: Sum = 10Area 9: Sum > 5

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 (0 | 0): vertical; row 1, column 4 = 0, paired with row 2, column 4 = 0.
  2. Piece 2 (6 | 6): vertical; row 3, column 2 = 6, paired with row 4, column 2 = 6.
  3. Piece 3 (3 | 0): vertical; row 2, column 5 = 3, paired with row 3, column 5 = 0.
  4. Piece 4 (4 | 2): horizontal; row 4, column 5 = 4, paired with row 4, column 6 = 2.
  5. Piece 5 (2 | 6): horizontal; row 2, column 2 = 2, paired with row 2, column 3 = 6.
  6. Piece 6 (0 | 4): vertical; row 3, column 1 = 0, paired with row 4, column 1 = 4.
  7. Piece 7 (2 | 5): horizontal; row 3, column 3 = 2, paired with row 3, column 4 = 5.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum < 5. 0 + 0 = 0 < 5.
  2. Area 2: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 8. 6 + 2 = 8; target 8.
  4. Area 4: Sum > 0. 3 = 3 > 0.
  5. Area 5: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  6. Area 6: Sum > 2. 6 = 6 > 2.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 5. 5 + 0 = 5; target 5.
  8. Area 8: Sum = 10. 4 + 6 = 10; target 10.
  9. Area 9: Sum > 5. 4 + 2 = 6 > 5.

Hard · 15 pieces

Hard board

10 × 8

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 6
A2Sum < 3
A3Sum = 5
A4Sum = 6
A5Sum = 14
A6Sum = 1
A4Sum = 6
A5Sum = 14
A5Sum = 14
A6Sum = 1
A7All different
A7All different
A8Sum = 1
A9Sum < 4
A10All equal
A10All equal
A11Sum = 3
A12Sum = 17
A10All equal
A13Sum > 3
A14Sum = 2
A12Sum = 17
A15Sum = 14
A12Sum = 17
A15Sum = 14
A16Sum < 2
A17Sum = 2
A18Sum = 6
A15Sum = 14
A18Sum = 6
Area 1: Sum = 6Area 2: Sum < 3Area 3: Sum = 5Area 4: Sum = 6Area 5: Sum = 14Area 6: Sum = 1Area 7: All differentArea 8: Sum = 1Area 9: Sum < 4Area 10: All equalArea 11: Sum = 3Area 12: Sum = 17Area 13: Sum > 3Area 14: Sum = 2Area 15: Sum = 14Area 16: Sum < 2Area 17: Sum = 2Area 18: Sum = 6

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

Where to look

Area 1 has 1 cell: Sum = 6. Look at row 1, column 1.

A local clue for Area 4

The two cells in Area 4 must total 6. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 0 + 6; 1 + 5; 2 + 4; 3 + 3.

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 11 (3 | 6), vertical: row 2, column 1 has 3, paired with row 1, column 1 containing 6.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

10 × 8

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A16Sum = 6
A20Sum < 3
A35Sum = 5
A43Sum = 6
A54Sum = 14
A60Sum = 1
A43Sum = 6
A55Sum = 14
A55Sum = 14
A61Sum = 1
A76All different
A75All different
A81Sum = 1
A92Sum < 4
A102All equal
A102All equal
A113Sum = 3
A125Sum = 17
A102All equal
A134Sum > 3
A142Sum = 2
A126Sum = 17
A156Sum = 14
A126Sum = 17
A154Sum = 14
A160Sum < 2
A172Sum = 2
A183Sum = 6
A154Sum = 14
A183Sum = 6
Area 1: Sum = 6Area 2: Sum < 3Area 3: Sum = 5Area 4: Sum = 6Area 5: Sum = 14Area 6: Sum = 1Area 7: All differentArea 8: Sum = 1Area 9: Sum < 4Area 10: All equalArea 11: Sum = 3Area 12: Sum = 17Area 13: Sum > 3Area 14: Sum = 2Area 15: Sum = 14Area 16: Sum < 2Area 17: Sum = 2Area 18: Sum = 6

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 | 4): horizontal; row 7, column 5 = 2, paired with row 7, column 4 = 4.
  2. Piece 2 (5 | 5): horizontal; row 3, column 3 = 5, paired with row 3, column 4 = 5.
  3. Piece 3 (1 | 2): vertical; row 3, column 5 = 1, paired with row 4, column 5 = 2.
  4. Piece 4 (4 | 4): vertical; row 9, column 2 = 4, paired with row 10, column 2 = 4.
  5. Piece 5 (3 | 1): vertical; row 3, column 1 = 3, paired with row 4, column 1 = 1.
  6. Piece 6 (2 | 2): horizontal; row 6, column 1 = 2, paired with row 6, column 2 = 2.
  7. Piece 7 (6 | 5): horizontal; row 3, column 7 = 6, paired with row 3, column 8 = 5.
  8. Piece 8 (3 | 3): vertical; row 9, column 8 = 3, paired with row 10, column 8 = 3.
  9. Piece 9 (6 | 2): vertical; row 8, column 2 = 6, paired with row 7, column 2 = 2.
  10. Piece 10 (0 | 5): vertical; row 2, column 5 = 0, paired with row 1, column 5 = 5.
  11. Piece 11 (3 | 6): vertical; row 2, column 1 = 3, paired with row 1, column 1 = 6.
  12. Piece 12 (0 | 2): horizontal; row 9, column 4 = 0, paired with row 9, column 5 = 2.
  13. Piece 13 (3 | 5): horizontal; row 6, column 7 = 3, paired with row 6, column 8 = 5.
  14. Piece 14 (4 | 0): vertical; row 2, column 3 = 4, paired with row 1, column 3 = 0.
  15. Piece 15 (6 | 6): vertical; row 7, column 8 = 6, paired with row 8, column 8 = 6.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 6. 6 = 6; target 6.
  2. Area 2: Sum < 3. 0 = 0 < 3.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 6. 3 + 3 = 6; target 6.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 14. 4 + 5 + 5 = 14; target 14.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 1. 0 + 1 = 1; target 1.
  7. Area 7: All different. 6, 5: every value is different.
  8. Area 8: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  9. Area 9: Sum < 4. 2 = 2 < 4.
  10. Area 10: All equal. 2 = 2 = 2: all cells have the same value.
  11. Area 11: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  12. Area 12: Sum = 17. 5 + 6 + 6 = 17; target 17.
  13. Area 13: Sum > 3. 4 = 4 > 3.
  14. Area 14: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  15. Area 15: Sum = 14. 6 + 4 + 4 = 14; target 14.
  16. Area 16: Sum < 2. 0 = 0 < 2.
  17. Area 17: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  18. Area 18: Sum = 6. 3 + 3 = 6; target 6.

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