How to Play NYT Pips: A Beginner's Guide to the Rules & Logic

🎯 The Objective

The goal of Pips is simple: place all the provided dominoes onto the board so that every condition in the colored regions is satisfied.

It's a game of logic, deduction, and spatial reasoning. There are no timers, so you can take your time to think through each move.

📜 The 5 Core Pips Game Rules Explained

Each colored region on the board has a specific rule. This rule applies to **every domino half** that falls within that region's dashed border. Let's break them down:

5

Sum Rule

All the pips (dots) on domino halves inside this region must **add up to** the number shown. For example, if the number is 5, the pips could be {1, 4} or {2, 3} or {5, 0}.

=

Equal Rule

Every domino half inside this region must have the **exact same number** of pips. For example, {3, 3, 3}.

≠

Not Equal Rule

Every domino half inside this region must have a **completely different number** of pips. No two halves can be the same. For example, {1, 2, 5, 6}.

>

Greater Than Rule

The sum of all pips on domino halves inside this region must be **greater than** the number shown. If it's >7, the sum could be 8, 9, 10, etc.

<

Less Than Rule

The sum of all pips on domino halves inside this region must be **less than** the number shown. If it's <3, the sum could be 0, 1, or 2.

⭐ Official NYT Tutorial (Step-by-Step)

The New York Times provides a quick, visual tutorial in the game. Here are the key steps to get you started.

🧩 Walkthrough: Solving Your First Pips Puzzle

Let's solve a small puzzle with three regions and four dominoes: [0,0],[3,1],[3,3] and [4,0].

Analyze the Board: We have a 2x1 horizontal region with a "sum of 1" rule, a 3x1 horizontal region with an "=" rule, and a 2x1 horizontal region with a "sum of 4" rule.
Find the Key Constraint: The “=” rule is very strict: all 3 spaces in that region must be the same. Only [3,3] and [3,1] can satisfy this. Place [3,3] horizontally on the left two spaces—if you put it on the right, the “sum with 1” rule above would fail.
Next ->: Place [3,1] vertically, with 1 on top and 3 on the bottom.
Next ->: Now only [0,0] and [4,0] are left. The “sum with 4” rule can only be satisfied by [4,0], so place it horizontally.
Place the Final Domino: The only remaining spot is for the [0,0] domino. Place it horizontally.
Verify: The "sum of 1" region contains {0,1}, and 0+1=1 - condition met. The "=" region contains {3,3},{3,*} - condition met. The "sum of 4" region contains {4,0}, and 4+0=4 - condition met. Puzzle solved!

🎓 Pro Tips for Beginners

Start with the Strictest Rule: Look for "equal" regions, or "sum" regions with very small or very large numbers. They have the fewest possible solutions and are the best place to start.
Use Process of Elimination: If a domino *can't* go somewhere, that's just as useful as knowing where it *can* go.
Look at Intersections: Pay close attention to squares that are part of two different colored regions. The domino half placed there must satisfy both rules simultaneously!
Don't Be Afraid to Undo: If you get stuck, it's okay to remove a few pieces and try a different approach. Pips is all about trial and refinement.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is NYT Pips?

NYT Pips is a daily logic puzzle from The New York Times where players place a given set of dominoes onto a grid to satisfy various mathematical and logical rules in colored regions.

Is Pips the same as regular dominoes?

No. While it uses domino pieces, Pips is not about matching numbers like the traditional game. It's a single-player logic puzzle focused on deduction and spatial reasoning.

Where can I practice playing Pips?

After learning the rules, the best way to improve is by practicing. You can use our Pips Unlimited practice tool to solve endless puzzles.

Ready to Play?

Now that you know the rules, it's time to test your skills. Check out today's puzzle!

View Today's Solution