Menu
XfireXfire
Full search page
Past puzzleSeptember 27, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: September 27, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from September 27, 2026 (2026-09-27) with hints and answers for every level.

September 27, 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
A1All equal
A1All equal
A2Sum = 2
A3Sum = 10
A3Sum = 10
A4Sum > 4
A2Sum = 2
A2Sum = 2
A5No rule
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 2Area 3: Sum = 10Area 4: Sum > 4Area 5: No rule

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

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 3

The two cells in Area 3 must total 10. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 4 + 6; 5 + 5.

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 3 (6 | 5), horizontal: row 3, column 3 has 6, paired with row 3, column 4 containing 5.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

4 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A13All equal
A13All equal
A13All equal
A21Sum = 2
A34Sum = 10
A36Sum = 10
A45Sum > 4
A21Sum = 2
A20Sum = 2
A52No rule
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 2Area 3: Sum = 10Area 4: Sum > 4Area 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 (1 | 1): vertical; row 3, column 1 = 1, paired with row 4, column 1 = 1.
  2. Piece 2 (4 | 3): vertical; row 3, column 2 = 4, paired with row 2, column 2 = 3.
  3. Piece 3 (6 | 5): horizontal; row 3, column 3 = 6, paired with row 3, column 4 = 5.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 2): horizontal; row 4, column 2 = 0, paired with row 4, column 3 = 2.
  5. Piece 5 (3 | 3): vertical; row 1, column 3 = 3, paired with row 2, column 3 = 3.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: All equal. 3 = 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 2. 1 + 1 + 0 = 2; target 2.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 10. 4 + 6 = 10; target 10.
  4. Area 4: Sum > 4. 5 = 5 > 4.
  5. Area 5: No rule. This area has no additional rule.

Medium · 8 pieces

Medium board

4 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1No rule
A2All equal
A2All equal
A2All equal
A3All equal
A4Sum > 4
A5Sum > 4
A3All equal
A3All equal
A6Sum = 1
A6Sum = 1
A7Sum > 4
A8All equal
A8All equal
A8All equal
A6Sum = 1
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: All equalArea 3: All equalArea 4: Sum > 4Area 5: Sum > 4Area 6: Sum = 1Area 7: Sum > 4Area 8: All equal

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

Where to look

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 3 (5 | 6), horizontal: row 2, column 4 has 5, paired with row 2, column 3 containing 6.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

4 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A13No rule
A20All equal
A20All equal
A20All equal
A36All equal
A45Sum > 4
A56Sum > 4
A36All equal
A36All equal
A61Sum = 1
A60Sum = 1
A75Sum > 4
A84All equal
A84All equal
A84All equal
A60Sum = 1
Area 1: No ruleArea 2: All equalArea 3: All equalArea 4: Sum > 4Area 5: Sum > 4Area 6: Sum = 1Area 7: Sum > 4Area 8: All equal

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

Hard · 12 pieces

Hard board

9 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1All equal
A2Sum = 3
A2Sum = 3
A1All equal
A3Sum = 8
A4All different
A4All different
A1All equal
A3Sum = 8
A4All different
A5Sum = 3
A5Sum = 3
A5Sum = 3
A4All different
A6Sum = 8
A6Sum = 8
A6Sum = 8
A7Sum = 9
A8Sum = 6
A7Sum = 9
A8Sum = 6
A9Sum = 1
A9Sum = 1
A9Sum = 1
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 3Area 3: Sum = 8Area 4: All differentArea 5: Sum = 3Area 6: Sum = 8Area 7: Sum = 9Area 8: Sum = 6Area 9: Sum = 1

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

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 2

The two cells in Area 2 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 3 (6 | 2), vertical: row 2, column 3 has 6, paired with row 1, column 3 containing 2.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

9 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A13All equal
A21Sum = 3
A22Sum = 3
A13All equal
A36Sum = 8
A46All different
A45All different
A13All equal
A32Sum = 8
A43All different
A50Sum = 3
A50Sum = 3
A53Sum = 3
A44All different
A64Sum = 8
A62Sum = 8
A62Sum = 8
A74Sum = 9
A84Sum = 6
A75Sum = 9
A82Sum = 6
A90Sum = 1
A91Sum = 1
A90Sum = 1
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 3Area 3: Sum = 8Area 4: All differentArea 5: Sum = 3Area 6: Sum = 8Area 7: Sum = 9Area 8: Sum = 6Area 9: 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 (5 | 0): vertical; row 8, column 3 = 5, paired with row 9, column 3 = 0.
  2. Piece 2 (4 | 3): vertical; row 4, column 5 = 4, paired with row 3, column 5 = 3.
  3. Piece 3 (6 | 2): vertical; row 2, column 3 = 6, paired with row 1, column 3 = 2.
  4. Piece 4 (3 | 1): horizontal; row 1, column 1 = 3, paired with row 1, column 2 = 1.
  5. Piece 5 (4 | 4): vertical; row 6, column 3 = 4, paired with row 7, column 3 = 4.
  6. Piece 6 (3 | 3): vertical; row 2, column 1 = 3, paired with row 3, column 1 = 3.
  7. Piece 7 (2 | 2): horizontal; row 6, column 4 = 2, paired with row 6, column 5 = 2.
  8. Piece 8 (0 | 0): horizontal; row 4, column 1 = 0, paired with row 4, column 2 = 0.
  9. Piece 9 (4 | 2): vertical; row 7, column 6 = 4, paired with row 8, column 6 = 2.
  10. Piece 10 (5 | 6): horizontal; row 2, column 6 = 5, paired with row 2, column 5 = 6.
  11. Piece 11 (2 | 3): vertical; row 3, column 3 = 2, paired with row 4, column 3 = 3.
  12. Piece 12 (1 | 0): horizontal; row 9, column 4 = 1, paired with row 9, column 5 = 0.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: All equal. 3 = 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 3. 1 + 2 = 3; target 3.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 8. 6 + 2 = 8; target 8.
  4. Area 4: All different. 6, 5, 3, 4: every value is different.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 3. 0 + 0 + 3 = 3; target 3.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 8. 4 + 2 + 2 = 8; target 8.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 9. 4 + 5 = 9; target 9.
  8. Area 8: Sum = 6. 4 + 2 = 6; target 6.
  9. Area 9: Sum = 1. 0 + 1 + 0 = 1; target 1.

Want the solver-focused view? Open the Pips solver for a completed board view.

Want a completed board view? Open the Pips solver with this date loaded. Need another day? Browse the Pips archive.

More Pips routes

Move between today’s hints, the archive, the hub, and the solver view.

Today’s hintsReveal Pips structure hints, domino sets, and answers step by step.Pips archiveBrowse past Pips puzzles by date.Pips solverOpen a completed board for today’s Pips puzzle.