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Past puzzleAugust 3, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: August 3, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from August 3, 2026 (2026-08-03) with hints and answers for every level.

August 3, 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 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1All equal
A2Sum = 11
A3Sum < 3
A1All equal
A2Sum = 11
A1All equal
A4Sum > 3
A5Sum = 10
A5Sum = 10
A6Sum < 2
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 11Area 3: Sum < 3Area 4: Sum > 3Area 5: Sum = 10Area 6: Sum < 2

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

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 2

The two cells in Area 2 must total 11. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 5 + 6.

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

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

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

4 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A14All equal
A25Sum = 11
A32Sum < 3
A14All equal
A26Sum = 11
A14All equal
A46Sum > 3
A55Sum = 10
A55Sum = 10
A60Sum < 2
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 11Area 3: Sum < 3Area 4: Sum > 3Area 5: Sum = 10Area 6: Sum < 2

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 (5 | 6): vertical; row 4, column 1 = 5, paired with row 3, column 1 = 6.
  2. Piece 2 (5 | 0): horizontal; row 4, column 2 = 5, paired with row 4, column 3 = 0.
  3. Piece 3 (4 | 4): vertical; row 1, column 3 = 4, paired with row 2, column 3 = 4.
  4. Piece 4 (6 | 4): horizontal; row 3, column 4 = 6, paired with row 3, column 3 = 4.
  5. Piece 5 (5 | 2): horizontal; row 2, column 1 = 5, paired with row 2, column 2 = 2.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: All equal. 4 = 4 = 4: all cells have the same value.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 11. 5 + 6 = 11; target 11.
  3. Area 3: Sum < 3. 2 = 2 < 3.
  4. Area 4: Sum > 3. 6 = 6 > 3.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 10. 5 + 5 = 10; target 10.
  6. Area 6: Sum < 2. 0 = 0 < 2.

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

7 × 6

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A1Sum = 5
A1Sum = 5
A2Sum > 8
A2Sum > 8
A3Sum = 8
A3Sum = 8
A4All equal
A4All equal
A5No rule
A6No rule
A7Sum = 7
A7Sum = 7
A8Sum = 8
A8Sum = 8
Area 1: Sum = 5Area 2: Sum > 8Area 3: Sum = 8Area 4: All equalArea 5: No ruleArea 6: No ruleArea 7: Sum = 7Area 8: Sum = 8

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

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 1

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

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

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

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

7 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11Sum = 5
A14Sum = 5
A25Sum > 8
A25Sum > 8
A32Sum = 8
A36Sum = 8
A43All equal
A43All equal
A50No rule
A60No rule
A72Sum = 7
A75Sum = 7
A83Sum = 8
A85Sum = 8
Area 1: Sum = 5Area 2: Sum > 8Area 3: Sum = 8Area 4: All equalArea 5: No ruleArea 6: No ruleArea 7: Sum = 7Area 8: 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 (5 | 3): horizontal; row 7, column 3 = 5, paired with row 7, column 4 = 3.
  2. Piece 2 (0 | 2): vertical; row 6, column 2 = 0, paired with row 7, column 2 = 2.
  3. Piece 3 (3 | 2): vertical; row 4, column 3 = 3, paired with row 3, column 3 = 2.
  4. Piece 4 (4 | 1): horizontal; row 1, column 2 = 4, paired with row 1, column 1 = 1.
  5. Piece 5 (0 | 5): vertical; row 6, column 5 = 0, paired with row 7, column 5 = 5.
  6. Piece 6 (3 | 6): vertical; row 4, column 4 = 3, paired with row 3, column 4 = 6.
  7. Piece 7 (5 | 5): horizontal; row 1, column 5 = 5, paired with row 1, column 6 = 5.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 5. 1 + 4 = 5; target 5.
  2. Area 2: Sum > 8. 5 + 5 = 10 > 8.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 8. 2 + 6 = 8; target 8.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  6. Area 6: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 7. 2 + 5 = 7; target 7.
  8. Area 8: Sum = 8. 3 + 5 = 8; target 8.

Hard · 15 pieces

Hard board

7 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 4
A2Sum = 1
A3Sum = 10
A4Sum = 6
A4Sum = 6
A1Sum = 4
A2Sum = 1
A3Sum = 10
A5All equal
A5All equal
A6Sum = 9
A2Sum = 1
A7Sum = 12
A5All equal
A8Sum = 0
A6Sum = 9
A7Sum = 12
A9Sum = 5
A10Sum = 3
A11Sum = 7
A10Sum = 3
A10Sum = 3
A11Sum = 7
A12Sum > 10
A13Sum = 0
A14Sum = 1
A12Sum > 10
A15Sum = 1
A16Sum = 10
A16Sum = 10
Area 1: Sum = 4Area 2: Sum = 1Area 3: Sum = 10Area 4: Sum = 6Area 5: All equalArea 6: Sum = 9Area 7: Sum = 12Area 8: Sum = 0Area 9: Sum = 5Area 10: Sum = 3Area 11: Sum = 7Area 12: Sum > 10Area 13: Sum = 0Area 14: Sum = 1Area 15: Sum = 1Area 16: Sum = 10

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

Where to look

Area 8 has 1 cell: Sum = 0. Look at row 3, column 5.

A local clue for Area 1

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

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 1 (0 | 1), vertical: row 3, column 5 has 0, paired with row 4, column 5 containing 1.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

7 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A12Sum = 4
A20Sum = 1
A35Sum = 10
A44Sum = 6
A42Sum = 6
A12Sum = 4
A20Sum = 1
A35Sum = 10
A53All equal
A53All equal
A65Sum = 9
A21Sum = 1
A76Sum = 12
A53All equal
A80Sum = 0
A64Sum = 9
A76Sum = 12
A95Sum = 5
A101Sum = 3
A114Sum = 7
A101Sum = 3
A101Sum = 3
A113Sum = 7
A126Sum > 10
A130Sum = 0
A141Sum = 1
A126Sum > 10
A151Sum = 1
A164Sum = 10
A166Sum = 10
Area 1: Sum = 4Area 2: Sum = 1Area 3: Sum = 10Area 4: Sum = 6Area 5: All equalArea 6: Sum = 9Area 7: Sum = 12Area 8: Sum = 0Area 9: Sum = 5Area 10: Sum = 3Area 11: Sum = 7Area 12: Sum > 10Area 13: Sum = 0Area 14: Sum = 1Area 15: Sum = 1Area 16: Sum = 10

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

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