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Past puzzleSeptember 23, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: September 23, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from September 23, 2026 (2026-09-23) with hints and answers for every level.

September 23, 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.

A1Sum = 0
A2Sum = 0
A3Sum = 12
A4Sum = 8
A5Sum = 7
A6Sum = 0
A3Sum = 12
A4Sum = 8
A5Sum = 7
A7Sum = 0
Area 1: Sum = 0Area 2: Sum = 0Area 3: Sum = 12Area 4: Sum = 8Area 5: Sum = 7Area 6: Sum = 0Area 7: Sum = 0

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

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 3

The two cells in Area 3 must total 12. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 6 + 6.

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 3 (5 | 0), vertical: row 2, column 3 has 5, paired with row 1, column 3 containing 0.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A10Sum = 0
A20Sum = 0
A36Sum = 12
A45Sum = 8
A54Sum = 7
A60Sum = 0
A36Sum = 12
A43Sum = 8
A53Sum = 7
A70Sum = 0
Area 1: Sum = 0Area 2: Sum = 0Area 3: Sum = 12Area 4: Sum = 8Area 5: Sum = 7Area 6: Sum = 0Area 7: Sum = 0

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 | 3): horizontal; row 3, column 2 = 6, paired with row 3, column 3 = 3.
  2. Piece 2 (6 | 0): horizontal; row 2, column 2 = 6, paired with row 2, column 1 = 0.
  3. Piece 3 (5 | 0): vertical; row 2, column 3 = 5, paired with row 1, column 3 = 0.
  4. Piece 4 (4 | 0): horizontal; row 2, column 4 = 4, paired with row 2, column 5 = 0.
  5. Piece 5 (3 | 0): vertical; row 3, column 4 = 3, paired with row 4, column 4 = 0.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 12. 6 + 6 = 12; target 12.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 8. 5 + 3 = 8; target 8.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 7. 4 + 3 = 7; target 7.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

3 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1All equal
A1All equal
A2All equal
A2All equal
A3Sum < 3
A3Sum < 3
A4Sum = 3
A4Sum = 3
A5All equal
A5All equal
A6Sum < 6
A6Sum < 6
A7No rule
A8Sum = 5
Area 1: All equalArea 2: All equalArea 3: Sum < 3Area 4: Sum = 3Area 5: All equalArea 6: Sum < 6Area 7: No ruleArea 8: Sum = 5

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

Where to look

Area 8 has 1 cell: Sum = 5. Look at row 3, column 4.

A local clue for Area 4

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

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 7 (5 | 2), horizontal: row 3, column 4 has 5, paired with row 3, column 3 containing 2.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

3 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A16All equal
A16All equal
A25All equal
A25All equal
A31Sum < 3
A30Sum < 3
A40Sum = 3
A43Sum = 3
A55All equal
A55All equal
A60Sum < 6
A63Sum < 6
A72No rule
A85Sum = 5
Area 1: All equalArea 2: All equalArea 3: Sum < 3Area 4: Sum = 3Area 5: All equalArea 6: Sum < 6Area 7: No ruleArea 8: 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 (3 | 5): horizontal; row 2, column 2 = 3, paired with row 2, column 3 = 5.
  2. Piece 2 (6 | 5): horizontal; row 1, column 2 = 6, paired with row 1, column 3 = 5.
  3. Piece 3 (5 | 0): horizontal; row 2, column 4 = 5, paired with row 2, column 5 = 0.
  4. Piece 4 (6 | 0): vertical; row 1, column 1 = 6, paired with row 2, column 1 = 0.
  5. Piece 5 (5 | 1): horizontal; row 1, column 4 = 5, paired with row 1, column 5 = 1.
  6. Piece 6 (3 | 0): vertical; row 2, column 6 = 3, paired with row 1, column 6 = 0.
  7. Piece 7 (5 | 2): horizontal; row 3, column 4 = 5, paired with row 3, column 3 = 2.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: All equal. 6 = 6: all cells have the same value.
  2. Area 2: All equal. 5 = 5: all cells have the same value.
  3. Area 3: Sum < 3. 1 + 0 = 1 < 3.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 3. 0 + 3 = 3; target 3.
  5. Area 5: All equal. 5 = 5: all cells have the same value.
  6. Area 6: Sum < 6. 0 + 3 = 3 < 6.
  7. Area 7: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  8. Area 8: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.

Hard · 15 pieces

Hard board

10 × 7

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 11
A2Sum = 2
A1Sum = 11
A3Sum = 4
A4Sum = 0
A4Sum = 0
A5Sum < 4
A6Sum = 8
A7All equal
A8All equal
A6Sum = 8
A7All equal
A8All equal
A9Sum = 5
A10All equal
A7All equal
A11All equal
A10All equal
A12Sum = 1
A11All equal
A13Sum < 2
A14No rule
A15Sum < 3
A13Sum < 2
A16All equal
A16All equal
A16All equal
A17Sum > 3
A18Sum > 0
A19Sum > 1
Area 1: Sum = 11Area 2: Sum = 2Area 3: Sum = 4Area 4: Sum = 0Area 5: Sum < 4Area 6: Sum = 8Area 7: All equalArea 8: All equalArea 9: Sum = 5Area 10: All equalArea 11: All equalArea 12: Sum = 1Area 13: Sum < 2Area 14: No ruleArea 15: Sum < 3Area 16: All equalArea 17: Sum > 3Area 18: Sum > 0Area 19: Sum > 1

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

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 1

The two cells in Area 1 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 7 (5 | 2), horizontal: row 1, column 1 has 5, paired with row 1, column 2 containing 2.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

10 × 7

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A15Sum = 11
A22Sum = 2
A16Sum = 11
A34Sum = 4
A40Sum = 0
A40Sum = 0
A53Sum < 4
A63Sum = 8
A76All equal
A84All equal
A65Sum = 8
A76All equal
A84All equal
A95Sum = 5
A103All equal
A76All equal
A111All equal
A103All equal
A121Sum = 1
A111All equal
A130Sum < 2
A140No rule
A151Sum < 3
A130Sum < 2
A166All equal
A166All equal
A166All equal
A175Sum > 3
A181Sum > 0
A192Sum > 1
Area 1: Sum = 11Area 2: Sum = 2Area 3: Sum = 4Area 4: Sum = 0Area 5: Sum < 4Area 6: Sum = 8Area 7: All equalArea 8: All equalArea 9: Sum = 5Area 10: All equalArea 11: All equalArea 12: Sum = 1Area 13: Sum < 2Area 14: No ruleArea 15: Sum < 3Area 16: All equalArea 17: Sum > 3Area 18: Sum > 0Area 19: Sum > 1

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 (1 | 1): vertical; row 5, column 5 = 1, paired with row 6, column 5 = 1.
  2. Piece 2 (6 | 4): vertical; row 3, column 3 = 6, paired with row 2, column 3 = 4.
  3. Piece 3 (3 | 0): horizontal; row 2, column 7 = 3, paired with row 2, column 6 = 0.
  4. Piece 4 (1 | 6): vertical; row 10, column 3 = 1, paired with row 9, column 3 = 6.
  5. Piece 5 (4 | 5): horizontal; row 4, column 5 = 4, paired with row 4, column 6 = 5.
  6. Piece 6 (0 | 0): vertical; row 8, column 2 = 0, paired with row 9, column 2 = 0.
  7. Piece 7 (5 | 2): horizontal; row 1, column 1 = 5, paired with row 1, column 2 = 2.
  8. Piece 8 (6 | 0): vertical; row 9, column 4 = 6, paired with row 8, column 4 = 0.
  9. Piece 9 (5 | 1): vertical; row 9, column 6 = 5, paired with row 8, column 6 = 1.
  10. Piece 10 (6 | 2): vertical; row 9, column 5 = 6, paired with row 10, column 5 = 2.
  11. Piece 11 (5 | 3): vertical; row 4, column 1 = 5, paired with row 5, column 1 = 3.
  12. Piece 12 (6 | 6): vertical; row 4, column 3 = 6, paired with row 5, column 3 = 6.
  13. Piece 13 (3 | 1): horizontal; row 6, column 1 = 3, paired with row 6, column 2 = 1.
  14. Piece 14 (0 | 4): vertical; row 2, column 5 = 0, paired with row 3, column 5 = 4.
  15. Piece 15 (6 | 3): vertical; row 2, column 1 = 6, paired with row 3, column 1 = 3.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 11. 5 + 6 = 11; target 11.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 0. 0 + 0 = 0; target 0.
  5. Area 5: Sum < 4. 3 = 3 < 4.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 8. 3 + 5 = 8; target 8.
  7. Area 7: All equal. 6 = 6 = 6: all cells have the same value.
  8. Area 8: All equal. 4 = 4: all cells have the same value.
  9. Area 9: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  10. Area 10: All equal. 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  11. Area 11: All equal. 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  12. Area 12: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  13. Area 13: Sum < 2. 0 + 0 = 0 < 2.
  14. Area 14: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  15. Area 15: Sum < 3. 1 = 1 < 3.
  16. Area 16: All equal. 6 = 6 = 6: all cells have the same value.
  17. Area 17: Sum > 3. 5 = 5 > 3.
  18. Area 18: Sum > 0. 1 = 1 > 0.
  19. Area 19: Sum > 1. 2 = 2 > 1.

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