What is the Pips Game?
Pips is The New York Times' first original logic puzzle game, launched on August 18, 2024. Unlike traditional word games, Pips challenges you to place dominoes on a grid while satisfying mathematical conditions in colored regions. It's a daily puzzle that combines spatial reasoning with logical deduction.
The game was created by Zach Barth and represents NYT Games' expansion beyond word puzzles into pure logic challenges. Every day, three new puzzles are released—Easy, Medium, and Hard—each offering a unique brain-teasing experience.
Basic Game Rules
The Objective
Your goal is simple: place all available dominoes on the board while ensuring each colored region meets its specified mathematical condition. Think of it as a spatial math puzzle where placement matters as much as calculation.
Understanding Dominoes
Each domino has two halves, each showing 0-6 dots (pips). In the NYT Pips game, you don't need matching numbers like traditional dominoes. Instead, focus on where each half lands and what mathematical rule it must satisfy.
Key Rule to Remember
Unlike traditional dominoes, touching tiles don't need to match—only the halves that land inside a region need to meet that region's mathematical rule.
How to Play Step-by-Step
Step 1: Examine the Board
Start by scanning the game board to identify:
- Colored regions and their mathematical conditions
- Available dominoes at the bottom of the screen
- Blank areas where any domino can be placed
- Single-cell regions (these are often the easiest to solve first)
Step 2: Understand Region Rules
Each colored region displays a mathematical condition that must be satisfied by the domino halves placed within it:
Common Region Types:
- Equal (=): Every domino half inside shows the same number of pips
- Not Equal (≠): Every half inside shows a different number of pips
- Sum (number): The pips inside add up to that total
- Greater Than (>): Each half is greater than the specified number
- Less Than (<): Each half is less than the specified number
- Blank regions: No restrictions—place anything
Step 3: Place Dominoes
Use these controls to place your dominoes:
- Drag and drop: Move dominoes from the bottom onto the grid
- Tap to rotate: Click any domino to rotate it 90 degrees
- Remove dominoes: Click placed dominoes to remove them and try again
Pro Tip: Start with Constraints
Begin with the most restrictive regions first—single-cell areas, regions requiring specific equal values, or exact sum targets. These often have only one possible solution.
Winning Strategies
1. Analyze Before Placing
Before making any moves, spend time understanding each region's requirements. Look for regions that seem to have limited solutions and tackle those first.
2. Use Process of Elimination
If a region needs all different numbers (≠) and already has a 3, you know no other domino half can show 3 pips in that region.
3. Work with Overlapping Dominoes
Remember that dominoes can span multiple regions. One half might satisfy one region's rule while the other half satisfies a different region's rule.
4. Don't Forget Blank Regions
Use blank areas strategically to place dominoes that don't fit elsewhere. These areas have no restrictions, making them perfect for "leftover" pieces.
Example Walkthrough:
Imagine a red region labeled "= 4" with two cells. You need both domino halves to show exactly 4 pips. Look through your available dominoes for pieces that have 4 pips on both halves, or place two separate dominoes that each contribute a 4-pip half to the region.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Ignoring Region Boundaries
Only count pips that fall completely within a region's boundaries. Don't include pips that sit on the edge or outside the colored area.
2. Rushing Placement
There's no time pressure in most modes, so take time to think through each placement. One wrong domino can make the entire puzzle unsolvable.
3. Forgetting About Rotation
Many solutions require rotating dominoes to fit properly. Always consider all four orientations before deciding a domino won't work.
Difficulty Levels Explained
Easy Puzzles
Smaller grids with straightforward rules. Perfect for learning the basic mechanics and building confidence.
Medium Puzzles
Larger grids with more complex region interactions. May require planning several moves ahead.
Hard Puzzles
Complex grids with intricate rule combinations. Often require multiple attempts and careful logical deduction.
Cookie Challenge
Solve puzzles under the time limit to earn virtual cookies! Try for the "Cookie Trifecta" by earning cookies on Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulties in the same day.
Advanced Tips for Mastery
Pattern Recognition
As you play more, you'll start recognizing common patterns and solutions. Keep mental notes of arrangements that work well together.
Mathematical Thinking
For sum-based regions, think about which combinations of domino pips can achieve the target number. This helps narrow down your options quickly.
Spatial Awareness
Develop a mental map of how dominoes can fit together. Consider not just individual placements but how multiple dominoes interact across regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I undo moves in Pips?
A: Yes! Click any placed domino to remove it from the board and return it to your available pieces.
Q: What happens if I make a mistake?
A: No penalties! Pips encourages experimentation. Try different placements until you find the solution.
Q: Are there hints available?
A: The NYT version doesn't include traditional hints, but you can always restart the puzzle or check our Pips game for practice rounds.
Q: How long do daily puzzles stay available?
A: New puzzles are released daily at midnight in your local time zone, and previous puzzles typically remain accessible.
Now you're ready to tackle Pips puzzles with confidence! Remember, like any skill, improvement comes with practice. Start with Easy puzzles and gradually work your way up to the more challenging difficulties.