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Past puzzleJuly 28, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: July 28, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from July 28, 2026 (2026-07-28) with hints and answers for every level.

July 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

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1No rule
A2All equal
A3All equal
A3All equal
A4Sum < 3
A2All equal
A3All equal
A5Sum < 1
A6Sum > 5
A7No rule
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: All equalArea 3: All equalArea 4: Sum < 3Area 5: Sum < 1Area 6: Sum > 5Area 7: No rule

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

Where to look

Area 4 has 1 cell: Sum < 3. Look at row 3, column 1.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 1 (0 | 2), horizontal: row 3, column 2 has 0, paired with row 3, column 1 containing 2.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A15No rule
A20All equal
A31All equal
A31All equal
A42Sum < 3
A20All equal
A31All equal
A50Sum < 1
A66Sum > 5
A70No rule
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: All equalArea 3: All equalArea 4: Sum < 3Area 5: Sum < 1Area 6: Sum > 5Area 7: 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 (0 | 2): horizontal; row 3, column 2 = 0, paired with row 3, column 1 = 2.
  2. Piece 2 (1 | 1): horizontal; row 2, column 3 = 1, paired with row 2, column 4 = 1.
  3. Piece 3 (0 | 5): vertical; row 2, column 2 = 0, paired with row 1, column 2 = 5.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 6): horizontal; row 4, column 4 = 0, paired with row 4, column 3 = 6.
  5. Piece 5 (0 | 1): horizontal; row 3, column 5 = 0, paired with row 3, column 4 = 1.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  2. Area 2: All equal. 0 = 0: all cells have the same value.
  3. Area 3: All equal. 1 = 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  4. Area 4: Sum < 3. 2 = 2 < 3.
  5. Area 5: Sum < 1. 0 = 0 < 1.
  6. Area 6: Sum > 5. 6 = 6 > 5.
  7. Area 7: No rule. This area has no additional rule.

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1No rule
A2All equal
A2All equal
A2All equal
A3No rule
A4All equal
A4All equal
A4All equal
A5Sum = 7
A5Sum = 7
A6Sum = 7
A6Sum = 7
A7Sum = 8
A7Sum = 8
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: All equalArea 3: No ruleArea 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 7Area 6: Sum = 7Area 7: Sum = 8

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

Where to look

Area 5 has 2 cells: Sum = 7. Look at row 3, column 1; row 3, column 2.

A local clue for Area 5

The two cells in Area 5 must total 7. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 1 + 6; 2 + 5; 3 + 4.

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

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

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11No rule
A26All equal
A26All equal
A26All equal
A31No rule
A40All equal
A40All equal
A40All equal
A53Sum = 7
A54Sum = 7
A65Sum = 7
A62Sum = 7
A72Sum = 8
A76Sum = 8
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: All equalArea 3: No ruleArea 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 7Area 6: Sum = 7Area 7: Sum = 8

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

Hard · 16 pieces

Hard board

8 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 5
A2Sum = 2
A3Sum = 5
A4Sum = 2
A5Sum = 1
A6Sum = 1
A7Sum = 3
A8Sum > 0
A9Sum = 2
A10Sum = 5
A11Sum = 4
A12Sum = 2
A13Sum = 4
A14No rule
A15Sum = 1
A16Sum = 3
A17Sum = 4
A18Sum = 2
A19Sum = 3
A20Sum = 3
A21No rule
A22Sum = 1
A23No rule
A24No rule
A25Sum = 1
A26Sum = 5
A27No rule
A28Sum = 4
A29Sum = 4
A30Sum = 5
A31Sum > 0
A32Sum = 3
Area 1: Sum = 5Area 2: Sum = 2Area 3: Sum = 5Area 4: Sum = 2Area 5: Sum = 1Area 6: Sum = 1Area 7: Sum = 3Area 8: Sum > 0Area 9: Sum = 2Area 10: Sum = 5Area 11: Sum = 4Area 12: Sum = 2Area 13: Sum = 4Area 14: No ruleArea 15: Sum = 1Area 16: Sum = 3Area 17: Sum = 4Area 18: Sum = 2Area 19: Sum = 3Area 20: Sum = 3Area 21: No ruleArea 22: Sum = 1Area 23: No ruleArea 24: No ruleArea 25: Sum = 1Area 26: Sum = 5Area 27: No ruleArea 28: Sum = 4Area 29: Sum = 4Area 30: Sum = 5Area 31: Sum > 0Area 32: Sum = 3

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 0-1; Piece 2: 0-2; Piece 3: 0-3; Piece 4: 0-4; Piece 5: 0-5; Piece 6: 1-2; Piece 7: 1-3; Piece 8: 1-4; Piece 9: 1-5; Piece 10: 2-3; Piece 11: 2-4; Piece 12: 2-5; Piece 13: 3-4; Piece 14: 3-5; Piece 15: 4-5; Piece 16: 3-6.

Where to look

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 9 (1 | 5), vertical: row 2, column 1 has 1, paired with row 1, column 1 containing 5.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

8 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A15Sum = 5
A22Sum = 2
A35Sum = 5
A42Sum = 2
A51Sum = 1
A61Sum = 1
A73Sum = 3
A86Sum > 0
A92Sum = 2
A105Sum = 5
A114Sum = 4
A122Sum = 2
A134Sum = 4
A140No rule
A151Sum = 1
A163Sum = 3
A174Sum = 4
A182Sum = 2
A193Sum = 3
A203Sum = 3
A210No rule
A221Sum = 1
A230No rule
A240No rule
A251Sum = 1
A265Sum = 5
A270No rule
A284Sum = 4
A294Sum = 4
A305Sum = 5
A313Sum > 0
A323Sum = 3
Area 1: Sum = 5Area 2: Sum = 2Area 3: Sum = 5Area 4: Sum = 2Area 5: Sum = 1Area 6: Sum = 1Area 7: Sum = 3Area 8: Sum > 0Area 9: Sum = 2Area 10: Sum = 5Area 11: Sum = 4Area 12: Sum = 2Area 13: Sum = 4Area 14: No ruleArea 15: Sum = 1Area 16: Sum = 3Area 17: Sum = 4Area 18: Sum = 2Area 19: Sum = 3Area 20: Sum = 3Area 21: No ruleArea 22: Sum = 1Area 23: No ruleArea 24: No ruleArea 25: Sum = 1Area 26: Sum = 5Area 27: No ruleArea 28: Sum = 4Area 29: Sum = 4Area 30: Sum = 5Area 31: Sum > 0Area 32: Sum = 3

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 | 1): horizontal; row 6, column 3 = 0, paired with row 6, column 2 = 1.
  2. Piece 2 (0 | 2): vertical; row 4, column 2 = 0, paired with row 5, column 2 = 2.
  3. Piece 3 (0 | 3): vertical; row 6, column 4 = 0, paired with row 5, column 4 = 3.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 4): vertical; row 6, column 1 = 0, paired with row 5, column 1 = 4.
  5. Piece 5 (0 | 5): horizontal; row 7, column 3 = 0, paired with row 7, column 2 = 5.
  6. Piece 6 (1 | 2): vertical; row 2, column 2 = 1, paired with row 1, column 2 = 2.
  7. Piece 7 (1 | 3): vertical; row 4, column 3 = 1, paired with row 5, column 3 = 3.
  8. Piece 8 (1 | 4): vertical; row 7, column 1 = 1, paired with row 8, column 1 = 4.
  9. Piece 9 (1 | 5): vertical; row 2, column 1 = 1, paired with row 1, column 1 = 5.
  10. Piece 10 (2 | 3): vertical; row 3, column 4 = 2, paired with row 4, column 4 = 3.
  11. Piece 11 (2 | 4): vertical; row 3, column 1 = 2, paired with row 4, column 1 = 4.
  12. Piece 12 (2 | 5): horizontal; row 1, column 4 = 2, paired with row 1, column 3 = 5.
  13. Piece 13 (3 | 4): vertical; row 8, column 4 = 3, paired with row 7, column 4 = 4.
  14. Piece 14 (3 | 5): horizontal; row 8, column 3 = 3, paired with row 8, column 2 = 5.
  15. Piece 15 (4 | 5): horizontal; row 3, column 3 = 4, paired with row 3, column 2 = 5.
  16. Piece 16 (3 | 6): horizontal; row 2, column 3 = 3, paired with row 2, column 4 = 6.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  8. Area 8: Sum > 0. 6 = 6 > 0.
  9. Area 9: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  10. Area 10: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  11. Area 11: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  12. Area 12: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  13. Area 13: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  14. Area 14: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  15. Area 15: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  16. Area 16: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  17. Area 17: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  18. Area 18: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  19. Area 19: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  20. Area 20: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  21. Area 21: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  22. Area 22: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  23. Area 23: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  24. Area 24: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  25. Area 25: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  26. Area 26: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  27. Area 27: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  28. Area 28: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  29. Area 29: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  30. Area 30: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  31. Area 31: Sum > 0. 3 = 3 > 0.
  32. Area 32: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.

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