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Past puzzleOctober 28, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: October 28, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from October 28, 2026 (2026-10-28) with hints and answers for every level.

October 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 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum < 3
A2Sum < 2
A1Sum < 3
A2Sum < 2
A3No rule
A4No rule
A5All equal
A5All equal
A6Sum = 3
A6Sum = 3
Area 1: Sum < 3Area 2: Sum < 2Area 3: No ruleArea 4: No ruleArea 5: All equalArea 6: Sum = 3

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

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 6

The two cells in Area 6 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 5 (1 | 1), vertical: row 1, column 1 has 1, paired with row 2, column 1 containing 1.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

4 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11Sum < 3
A20Sum < 2
A11Sum < 3
A20Sum < 2
A36No rule
A45No rule
A54All equal
A54All equal
A61Sum = 3
A62Sum = 3
Area 1: Sum < 3Area 2: Sum < 2Area 3: No ruleArea 4: No ruleArea 5: All equalArea 6: 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 | 0): vertical; row 1, column 6 = 0, paired with row 2, column 6 = 0.
  2. Piece 2 (1 | 4): horizontal; row 4, column 4 = 1, paired with row 4, column 3 = 4.
  3. Piece 3 (6 | 4): vertical; row 3, column 2 = 6, paired with row 4, column 2 = 4.
  4. Piece 4 (2 | 5): vertical; row 4, column 5 = 2, paired with row 3, column 5 = 5.
  5. Piece 5 (1 | 1): vertical; row 1, column 1 = 1, paired with row 2, column 1 = 1.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum < 3. 1 + 1 = 2 < 3.
  2. Area 2: Sum < 2. 0 + 0 = 0 < 2.
  3. Area 3: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  4. Area 4: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  5. Area 5: All equal. 4 = 4: all cells have the same value.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 3. 1 + 2 = 3; target 3.

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

4 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 8
A1Sum = 8
A2All equal
A3No rule
A1Sum = 8
A2All equal
A2All equal
A4No rule
A5Sum < 1
A6Sum = 5
A7No rule
A8Sum > 0
A6Sum = 5
A9Sum = 3
Area 1: Sum = 8Area 2: All equalArea 3: No ruleArea 4: No ruleArea 5: Sum < 1Area 6: Sum = 5Area 7: No ruleArea 8: Sum > 0Area 9: Sum = 3

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

Where to look

Area 5 has 1 cell: Sum < 1. Look at row 3, column 2.

A local clue for Area 6

The two cells in Area 6 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 (0 | 4), vertical: row 3, column 2 has 0, paired with row 2, column 2 containing 4.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

4 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11Sum = 8
A13Sum = 8
A25All equal
A32No rule
A14Sum = 8
A25All equal
A25All equal
A40No rule
A50Sum < 1
A61Sum = 5
A72No rule
A86Sum > 0
A64Sum = 5
A93Sum = 3
Area 1: Sum = 8Area 2: All equalArea 3: No ruleArea 4: No ruleArea 5: Sum < 1Area 6: Sum = 5Area 7: No ruleArea 8: Sum > 0Area 9: 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 (2 | 3): vertical; row 3, column 4 = 2, paired with row 4, column 4 = 3.
  2. Piece 2 (6 | 0): vertical; row 4, column 1 = 6, paired with row 3, column 1 = 0.
  3. Piece 3 (5 | 5): horizontal; row 2, column 3 = 5, paired with row 2, column 4 = 5.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 4): vertical; row 3, column 2 = 0, paired with row 2, column 2 = 4.
  5. Piece 5 (1 | 4): vertical; row 3, column 3 = 1, paired with row 4, column 3 = 4.
  6. Piece 6 (5 | 3): horizontal; row 1, column 3 = 5, paired with row 1, column 2 = 3.
  7. Piece 7 (2 | 1): vertical; row 2, column 1 = 2, paired with row 1, column 1 = 1.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 8. 1 + 3 + 4 = 8; target 8.
  2. Area 2: All equal. 5 = 5 = 5: all cells have the same value.
  3. Area 3: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  4. Area 4: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  5. Area 5: Sum < 1. 0 = 0 < 1.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 5. 1 + 4 = 5; target 5.
  7. Area 7: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  8. Area 8: Sum > 0. 6 = 6 > 0.
  9. Area 9: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.

Hard · 16 pieces

Hard board

6 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 3
A2Sum = 4
A3Sum = 5
A4Sum = 2
A5Sum = 4
A6Sum = 1
A7Sum = 3
A8Sum = 0
A9Sum = 4
A10Sum = 0
A11Sum = 0
A12Sum = 2
A13No rule
A14Sum = 5
A15Sum = 4
A16Sum = 2
A17Sum = 5
A18Sum = 3
A19Sum = 0
A20Sum = 1
A21Sum = 3
A22Sum = 3
A23Sum = 1
A24Sum = 2
A25Sum = 2
A26Sum = 3
A27Sum = 5
A28Sum = 0
A29Sum = 5
A30Sum = 1
A31Sum = 1
A32Sum = 4
Area 1: Sum = 3Area 2: Sum = 4Area 3: Sum = 5Area 4: Sum = 2Area 5: Sum = 4Area 6: Sum = 1Area 7: Sum = 3Area 8: Sum = 0Area 9: Sum = 4Area 10: Sum = 0Area 11: Sum = 0Area 12: Sum = 2Area 13: No ruleArea 14: Sum = 5Area 15: Sum = 4Area 16: Sum = 2Area 17: Sum = 5Area 18: Sum = 3Area 19: Sum = 0Area 20: Sum = 1Area 21: Sum = 3Area 22: Sum = 3Area 23: Sum = 1Area 24: Sum = 2Area 25: Sum = 2Area 26: Sum = 3Area 27: Sum = 5Area 28: Sum = 0Area 29: Sum = 5Area 30: Sum = 1Area 31: Sum = 1Area 32: Sum = 4

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 = 3. Look at row 1, column 2.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 7 (1 | 3), vertical: row 2, column 2 has 1, paired with row 1, column 2 containing 3.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

6 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A13Sum = 3
A24Sum = 4
A35Sum = 5
A42Sum = 2
A54Sum = 4
A61Sum = 1
A73Sum = 3
A80Sum = 0
A94Sum = 4
A100Sum = 0
A110Sum = 0
A122Sum = 2
A136No rule
A145Sum = 5
A154Sum = 4
A162Sum = 2
A175Sum = 5
A183Sum = 3
A190Sum = 0
A201Sum = 1
A213Sum = 3
A223Sum = 3
A231Sum = 1
A242Sum = 2
A252Sum = 2
A263Sum = 3
A275Sum = 5
A280Sum = 0
A295Sum = 5
A301Sum = 1
A311Sum = 1
A324Sum = 4
Area 1: Sum = 3Area 2: Sum = 4Area 3: Sum = 5Area 4: Sum = 2Area 5: Sum = 4Area 6: Sum = 1Area 7: Sum = 3Area 8: Sum = 0Area 9: Sum = 4Area 10: Sum = 0Area 11: Sum = 0Area 12: Sum = 2Area 13: No ruleArea 14: Sum = 5Area 15: Sum = 4Area 16: Sum = 2Area 17: Sum = 5Area 18: Sum = 3Area 19: Sum = 0Area 20: Sum = 1Area 21: Sum = 3Area 22: Sum = 3Area 23: Sum = 1Area 24: Sum = 2Area 25: Sum = 2Area 26: Sum = 3Area 27: Sum = 5Area 28: Sum = 0Area 29: Sum = 5Area 30: Sum = 1Area 31: Sum = 1Area 32: Sum = 4

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

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