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Past puzzleSeptember 26, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: September 26, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from September 26, 2026 (2026-09-26) with hints and answers for every level.

September 26, 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 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum > 3
A2All equal
A2All equal
A3All equal
A4Sum = 1
A2All equal
A3All equal
A5Sum = 8
A5Sum = 8
A6Sum = 1
Area 1: Sum > 3Area 2: All equalArea 3: All equalArea 4: Sum = 1Area 5: Sum = 8Area 6: Sum = 1

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

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 5

The two cells in Area 5 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 2 (2 | 4), vertical: row 2, column 2 has 2, paired with row 1, column 2 containing 4.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

5 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A14Sum > 3
A22All equal
A22All equal
A34All equal
A41Sum = 1
A22All equal
A34All equal
A53Sum = 8
A55Sum = 8
A61Sum = 1
Area 1: Sum > 3Area 2: All equalArea 3: All equalArea 4: Sum = 1Area 5: Sum = 8Area 6: 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 (4 | 1): horizontal; row 2, column 3 = 4, paired with row 2, column 4 = 1.
  2. Piece 2 (2 | 4): vertical; row 2, column 2 = 2, paired with row 1, column 2 = 4.
  3. Piece 3 (2 | 2): vertical; row 2, column 1 = 2, paired with row 3, column 1 = 2.
  4. Piece 4 (1 | 3): vertical; row 5, column 2 = 1, paired with row 4, column 2 = 3.
  5. Piece 5 (4 | 5): vertical; row 3, column 3 = 4, paired with row 4, column 3 = 5.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum > 3. 4 = 4 > 3.
  2. Area 2: All equal. 2 = 2 = 2: all cells have the same value.
  3. Area 3: All equal. 4 = 4: all cells have the same value.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 8. 3 + 5 = 8; target 8.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.

Medium · 8 pieces

Medium board

5 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 2
A1Sum = 2
A2Sum = 5
A2Sum = 5
A3Sum = 5
A3Sum = 5
A4Sum = 4
A5All equal
A3Sum = 5
A6No rule
A7All equal
A5All equal
A8Sum > 3
A9Sum > 5
A7All equal
A7All equal
Area 1: Sum = 2Area 2: Sum = 5Area 3: Sum = 5Area 4: Sum = 4Area 5: All equalArea 6: No ruleArea 7: All equalArea 8: Sum > 3Area 9: Sum > 5

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

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 1

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

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 8 (4 | 5), vertical: row 3, column 1 has 4, paired with row 4, column 1 containing 5.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

5 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11Sum = 2
A11Sum = 2
A23Sum = 5
A22Sum = 5
A30Sum = 5
A34Sum = 5
A44Sum = 4
A53All equal
A31Sum = 5
A63No rule
A75All equal
A53All equal
A84Sum > 3
A96Sum > 5
A75All equal
A75All equal
Area 1: Sum = 2Area 2: Sum = 5Area 3: Sum = 5Area 4: Sum = 4Area 5: All equalArea 6: No ruleArea 7: All equalArea 8: Sum > 3Area 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 (5 | 5): horizontal; row 5, column 1 = 5, paired with row 5, column 2 = 5.
  2. Piece 2 (4 | 1): vertical; row 2, column 5 = 4, paired with row 3, column 5 = 1.
  3. Piece 3 (6 | 3): vertical; row 4, column 6 = 6, paired with row 3, column 6 = 3.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 1): vertical; row 2, column 4 = 0, paired with row 1, column 4 = 1.
  5. Piece 5 (3 | 3): vertical; row 2, column 2 = 3, paired with row 3, column 2 = 3.
  6. Piece 6 (3 | 4): horizontal; row 4, column 2 = 3, paired with row 4, column 3 = 4.
  7. Piece 7 (2 | 1): vertical; row 2, column 3 = 2, paired with row 1, column 3 = 1.
  8. Piece 8 (4 | 5): vertical; row 3, column 1 = 4, paired with row 4, column 1 = 5.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 2. 1 + 1 = 2; target 2.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 5. 3 + 2 = 5; target 5.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 5. 0 + 4 + 1 = 5; target 5.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  5. Area 5: All equal. 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  6. Area 6: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  7. Area 7: All equal. 5 = 5 = 5: all cells have the same value.
  8. Area 8: Sum > 3. 4 = 4 > 3.
  9. Area 9: Sum > 5. 6 = 6 > 5.

Hard · 16 pieces

Hard board

6 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 5
A2Sum = 2
A3Sum = 0
A4Sum = 5
A5Sum = 4
A6Sum = 3
A7Sum = 4
A8Sum = 5
A9Sum = 1
A10Sum = 0
A11No rule
A12No rule
A13Sum = 4
A14Sum = 2
A15Sum = 1
A16Sum = 5
A17No rule
A18Sum = 3
A19Sum = 0
A20Sum = 3
A21Sum = 3
A22Sum = 3
A23Sum = 0
A24Sum = 2
A25Sum = 4
A26Sum = 4
A27Sum = 1
A28Sum = 2
A29Sum = 2
A30Sum = 5
A31Sum = 1
A32Sum = 0
Area 1: Sum = 5Area 2: Sum = 2Area 3: Sum = 0Area 4: Sum = 5Area 5: Sum = 4Area 6: Sum = 3Area 7: Sum = 4Area 8: Sum = 5Area 9: Sum = 1Area 10: Sum = 0Area 11: No ruleArea 12: No ruleArea 13: Sum = 4Area 14: Sum = 2Area 15: Sum = 1Area 16: Sum = 5Area 17: No ruleArea 18: Sum = 3Area 19: Sum = 0Area 20: Sum = 3Area 21: Sum = 3Area 22: Sum = 3Area 23: Sum = 0Area 24: Sum = 2Area 25: Sum = 4Area 26: Sum = 4Area 27: Sum = 1Area 28: Sum = 2Area 29: Sum = 2Area 30: Sum = 5Area 31: Sum = 1Area 32: Sum = 0

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 2.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 14 (3 | 5), vertical: row 2, column 2 has 3, paired with row 1, column 2 containing 5.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

6 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A15Sum = 5
A22Sum = 2
A30Sum = 0
A45Sum = 5
A54Sum = 4
A63Sum = 3
A74Sum = 4
A85Sum = 5
A91Sum = 1
A100Sum = 0
A111No rule
A126No rule
A134Sum = 4
A142Sum = 2
A151Sum = 1
A165Sum = 5
A173No rule
A183Sum = 3
A190Sum = 0
A203Sum = 3
A213Sum = 3
A223Sum = 3
A230Sum = 0
A242Sum = 2
A254Sum = 4
A264Sum = 4
A271Sum = 1
A282Sum = 2
A292Sum = 2
A305Sum = 5
A311Sum = 1
A320Sum = 0
Area 1: Sum = 5Area 2: Sum = 2Area 3: Sum = 0Area 4: Sum = 5Area 5: Sum = 4Area 6: Sum = 3Area 7: Sum = 4Area 8: Sum = 5Area 9: Sum = 1Area 10: Sum = 0Area 11: No ruleArea 12: No ruleArea 13: Sum = 4Area 14: Sum = 2Area 15: Sum = 1Area 16: Sum = 5Area 17: No ruleArea 18: Sum = 3Area 19: Sum = 0Area 20: Sum = 3Area 21: Sum = 3Area 22: Sum = 3Area 23: Sum = 0Area 24: Sum = 2Area 25: Sum = 4Area 26: Sum = 4Area 27: Sum = 1Area 28: Sum = 2Area 29: Sum = 2Area 30: Sum = 5Area 31: Sum = 1Area 32: 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 (0 | 1): horizontal; row 6, column 5 = 0, paired with row 6, column 4 = 1.
  2. Piece 2 (0 | 2): horizontal; row 1, column 4 = 0, paired with row 1, column 3 = 2.
  3. Piece 3 (0 | 3): vertical; row 5, column 1 = 0, paired with row 4, column 1 = 3.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 4): vertical; row 4, column 3 = 0, paired with row 3, column 3 = 4.
  5. Piece 5 (0 | 5): vertical; row 2, column 6 = 0, paired with row 3, column 6 = 5.
  6. Piece 6 (1 | 2): horizontal; row 3, column 5 = 1, paired with row 3, column 4 = 2.
  7. Piece 7 (1 | 3): vertical; row 5, column 5 = 1, paired with row 4, column 5 = 3.
  8. Piece 8 (1 | 4): vertical; row 3, column 1 = 1, paired with row 2, column 1 = 4.
  9. Piece 9 (1 | 5): vertical; row 2, column 5 = 1, paired with row 1, column 5 = 5.
  10. Piece 10 (2 | 3): vertical; row 5, column 6 = 2, paired with row 4, column 6 = 3.
  11. Piece 11 (2 | 4): horizontal; row 5, column 2 = 2, paired with row 5, column 3 = 4.
  12. Piece 12 (2 | 5): horizontal; row 6, column 2 = 2, paired with row 6, column 3 = 5.
  13. Piece 13 (3 | 4): vertical; row 4, column 4 = 3, paired with row 5, column 4 = 4.
  14. Piece 14 (3 | 5): vertical; row 2, column 2 = 3, paired with row 1, column 2 = 5.
  15. Piece 15 (4 | 5): horizontal; row 2, column 3 = 4, paired with row 2, column 4 = 5.
  16. Piece 16 (3 | 6): vertical; row 4, column 2 = 3, paired with row 3, column 2 = 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 = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  8. Area 8: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  9. Area 9: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  10. Area 10: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  11. Area 11: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  12. Area 12: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  13. Area 13: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  14. Area 14: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  15. Area 15: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  16. Area 16: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  17. Area 17: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  18. Area 18: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  19. Area 19: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  20. Area 20: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  21. Area 21: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  22. Area 22: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  23. Area 23: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  24. Area 24: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  25. Area 25: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  26. Area 26: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  27. Area 27: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  28. Area 28: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  29. Area 29: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  30. Area 30: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  31. Area 31: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  32. Area 32: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.

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