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Past puzzleOctober 30, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: October 30, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from October 30, 2026 (2026-10-30) with hints and answers for every level.

October 30, 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
A5No rule
A2All equal
A1All equal
A3Sum < 1
A3Sum < 1
A2All equal
A1All equal
A3Sum < 1
A4Sum < 1
Area 1: All equalArea 2: All equalArea 3: Sum < 1Area 4: Sum < 1Area 5: No rule

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

Where to look

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 2 (5 | 0), vertical: row 3, column 4 has 5, paired with row 4, column 4 containing 0.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

4 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A15All equal
A53No rule
A21All equal
A15All equal
A30Sum < 1
A30Sum < 1
A21All equal
A15All equal
A30Sum < 1
A40Sum < 1
Area 1: All equalArea 2: All equalArea 3: Sum < 1Area 4: Sum < 1Area 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 (0 | 0): vertical; row 3, column 1 = 0, paired with row 4, column 1 = 0.
  2. Piece 2 (5 | 0): vertical; row 3, column 4 = 5, paired with row 4, column 4 = 0.
  3. Piece 3 (3 | 1): horizontal; row 2, column 2 = 3, paired with row 2, column 3 = 1.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 1): horizontal; row 3, column 2 = 0, paired with row 3, column 3 = 1.
  5. Piece 5 (5 | 5): vertical; row 1, column 4 = 5, paired with row 2, column 4 = 5.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: All equal. 5 = 5 = 5: all cells have the same value.
  2. Area 2: All equal. 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  3. Area 3: Sum < 1. 0 + 0 + 0 = 0 < 1.
  4. Area 4: Sum < 1. 0 = 0 < 1.
  5. Area 5: No rule. This area has no additional rule.

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

3 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 1
A2Sum > 2
A10No rule
A3Sum < 3
A4All equal
A4All equal
A5Sum = 7
A6Sum = 4
A7Sum > 3
A3Sum < 3
A9No rule
A8No rule
A5Sum = 7
A6Sum = 4
Area 1: Sum = 1Area 2: Sum > 2Area 3: Sum < 3Area 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 7Area 6: Sum = 4Area 7: Sum > 3Area 8: No ruleArea 9: No ruleArea 10: No rule

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

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 5

The two cells in Area 5 must total 7. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 1 + 6; 2 + 5; 3 + 4.

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

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

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

3 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11Sum = 1
A23Sum > 2
A102No rule
A32Sum < 3
A43All equal
A43All equal
A55Sum = 7
A62Sum = 4
A74Sum > 3
A30Sum < 3
A93No rule
A80No rule
A52Sum = 7
A62Sum = 4
Area 1: Sum = 1Area 2: Sum > 2Area 3: Sum < 3Area 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 7Area 6: Sum = 4Area 7: Sum > 3Area 8: No ruleArea 9: No ruleArea 10: 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 (2 | 3): vertical; row 2, column 2 = 2, paired with row 1, column 2 = 3.
  2. Piece 2 (4 | 0): horizontal; row 3, column 1 = 4, paired with row 3, column 2 = 0.
  3. Piece 3 (5 | 3): horizontal; row 2, column 5 = 5, paired with row 2, column 4 = 3.
  4. Piece 4 (2 | 2): vertical; row 2, column 6 = 2, paired with row 3, column 6 = 2.
  5. Piece 5 (2 | 0): horizontal; row 3, column 5 = 2, paired with row 3, column 4 = 0.
  6. Piece 6 (3 | 3): vertical; row 2, column 3 = 3, paired with row 3, column 3 = 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 = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  2. Area 2: Sum > 2. 3 = 3 > 2.
  3. Area 3: Sum < 3. 2 + 0 = 2 < 3.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 7. 5 + 2 = 7; target 7.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 4. 2 + 2 = 4; target 4.
  7. Area 7: Sum > 3. 4 = 4 > 3.
  8. Area 8: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  9. Area 9: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  10. Area 10: No rule. This area has no additional rule.

Hard · 13 pieces

Hard board

6 × 9

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 6
A2Sum < 2
A19No rule
A3Sum = 0
A4Sum = 5
A5Sum = 3
A6Sum = 0
A7Sum = 4
A8Sum = 4
A9Sum = 6
A10Sum = 4
A11All equal
A11All equal
A12Sum = 6
A13Sum = 3
A14Sum = 9
A14Sum = 9
A15Sum = 2
A11All equal
A12Sum = 6
A16Sum = 6
A16Sum = 6
A17Sum < 7
A17Sum < 7
A18Sum = 5
A18Sum = 5
Area 1: Sum = 6Area 2: Sum < 2Area 3: Sum = 0Area 4: Sum = 5Area 5: Sum = 3Area 6: Sum = 0Area 7: Sum = 4Area 8: Sum = 4Area 9: Sum = 6Area 10: Sum = 4Area 11: All equalArea 12: Sum = 6Area 13: Sum = 3Area 14: Sum = 9Area 15: Sum = 2Area 16: Sum = 6Area 17: Sum < 7Area 18: Sum = 5Area 19: No rule

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

Where to look

Area 1 has 1 cell: Sum = 6. Look at row 1, column 7.

A local clue for Area 12

The two cells in Area 12 must total 6. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 0 + 6; 1 + 5; 2 + 4; 3 + 3.

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

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 3 (6 | 1), vertical: row 1, column 7 has 6, paired with row 2, column 7 containing 1.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

6 × 9

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A16Sum = 6
A21Sum < 2
A193No rule
A30Sum = 0
A45Sum = 5
A53Sum = 3
A60Sum = 0
A74Sum = 4
A84Sum = 4
A96Sum = 6
A104Sum = 4
A116All equal
A116All equal
A124Sum = 6
A133Sum = 3
A145Sum = 9
A144Sum = 9
A152Sum = 2
A116All equal
A122Sum = 6
A165Sum = 6
A161Sum = 6
A173Sum < 7
A173Sum < 7
A181Sum = 5
A184Sum = 5
Area 1: Sum = 6Area 2: Sum < 2Area 3: Sum = 0Area 4: Sum = 5Area 5: Sum = 3Area 6: Sum = 0Area 7: Sum = 4Area 8: Sum = 4Area 9: Sum = 6Area 10: Sum = 4Area 11: All equalArea 12: Sum = 6Area 13: Sum = 3Area 14: Sum = 9Area 15: Sum = 2Area 16: Sum = 6Area 17: Sum < 7Area 18: Sum = 5Area 19: 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 (4 | 5): vertical; row 4, column 6 = 4, paired with row 5, column 6 = 5.
  2. Piece 2 (4 | 3): horizontal; row 4, column 3 = 4, paired with row 4, column 4 = 3.
  3. Piece 3 (6 | 1): vertical; row 1, column 7 = 6, paired with row 2, column 7 = 1.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 5): vertical; row 3, column 5 = 0, paired with row 4, column 5 = 5.
  5. Piece 5 (3 | 0): horizontal; row 2, column 8 = 3, paired with row 2, column 9 = 0.
  6. Piece 6 (4 | 1): horizontal; row 6, column 8 = 4, paired with row 6, column 7 = 1.
  7. Piece 7 (3 | 3): horizontal; row 6, column 3 = 3, paired with row 6, column 4 = 3.
  8. Piece 8 (4 | 4): horizontal; row 3, column 6 = 4, paired with row 3, column 7 = 4.
  9. Piece 9 (6 | 6): horizontal; row 4, column 1 = 6, paired with row 4, column 2 = 6.
  10. Piece 10 (6 | 4): horizontal; row 3, column 8 = 6, paired with row 3, column 9 = 4.
  11. Piece 11 (3 | 5): horizontal; row 3, column 4 = 3, paired with row 3, column 3 = 5.
  12. Piece 12 (2 | 1): vertical; row 4, column 7 = 2, paired with row 5, column 7 = 1.
  13. Piece 13 (2 | 6): horizontal; row 5, column 3 = 2, paired with row 5, column 2 = 6.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 6. 6 = 6; target 6.
  2. Area 2: Sum < 2. 1 = 1 < 2.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  8. Area 8: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  9. Area 9: Sum = 6. 6 = 6; target 6.
  10. Area 10: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  11. Area 11: All equal. 6 = 6 = 6: all cells have the same value.
  12. Area 12: Sum = 6. 4 + 2 = 6; target 6.
  13. Area 13: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  14. Area 14: Sum = 9. 5 + 4 = 9; target 9.
  15. Area 15: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  16. Area 16: Sum = 6. 5 + 1 = 6; target 6.
  17. Area 17: Sum < 7. 3 + 3 = 6 < 7.
  18. Area 18: Sum = 5. 1 + 4 = 5; target 5.
  19. Area 19: No rule. This area has no additional rule.

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