Pips Game

🎯 NYT-inspired domino logic puzzles

Strategic placement meets mathematical constraints

What is the pip game?

Pips is a logic puzzle game where you place dominoes on a grid to satisfy mathematical constraints. Each colored region on the board has specific rules that must be followed - whether it's making the dots sum to a certain number, ensuring all dots are equal, or meeting other mathematical conditions.

Think of it as a combination of Sudoku's logical reasoning and Tetris's spatial placement, but with dominoes and mathematical constraints. It's designed to challenge your problem-solving skills while providing a satisfying puzzle experience.

🧩 Logic Puzzle

Place dominoes strategically to solve mathematical constraints and complete the grid.

🎯 Multiple Rules

Each colored region has unique rules - sums, equalities, inequalities, and exclusions.

🧠 Brain Training

Challenge your logical thinking and problem-solving skills with engaging puzzles.

How to play the game Pips?

Playing Pips is simple to learn but challenging to master. Here's everything you need to know to get started:

1

🎯 Understand the Grid

Each puzzle has a grid with colored regions. Some squares are active (white) where you can place dominoes, others are inactive (gray) and must remain empty.

2

🎲 Place Your Dominoes

Drag dominoes from the side panel onto the grid. Each domino covers exactly two squares. You can double-click or press space to rotate dominoes 90 degrees.

3

🎨 Follow the Rules

Each colored region has specific mathematical constraints. Look for the constraint markers (colored circles) that show what rule applies to that region.

4

✅ Solve the Puzzle

When all dominoes are placed correctly and all constraints are satisfied, you've solved the puzzle! The game will show you a success message.

Constraint Types

12

Sum: All dots in the region must add up to this number

=3

Equal: All dots in the region must be the same number

≠5

Not Equal: The sum cannot equal this number

<8

Less Than: The sum must be less than this number

>2

Greater Than: The sum must be greater than this number

Is Pips a real game?

Yes, Pips is absolutely a real game! It's a legitimate logic puzzle that combines mathematical constraints with spatial reasoning. Here's what makes Pips a genuine puzzle game:

🎯

Mathematical Foundation

Pips is based on real mathematical principles of constraint satisfaction and combinatorial optimization. Each puzzle has a unique solution that can be logically derived.

🧩

Logic Puzzle Genre

Pips belongs to the same family as Sudoku, Kakuro, and other number-based logic puzzles. It's a legitimate puzzle type that challenges your reasoning skills.

🏆

Proven Gameplay

Similar domino-based constraint puzzles have been featured in major publications and puzzle competitions, proving their validity as engaging brain games.

🎲

Physical Dominoes

You can play Pips with real dominoes on a physical board! The digital version simply makes it more accessible and provides instant feedback.

Pips Game History

While the exact origins of Pips-style puzzles are debated, domino-based constraint puzzles have been around for decades. The modern digital version you're playing represents the evolution of these classic logic challenges, making them more accessible and visually appealing than ever before.

Similar Games You Might Know:

  • Sudoku: Number placement with row/column constraints
  • Kakuro: Number puzzles with sum constraints
  • Nonogram: Picture logic puzzles with counting constraints
  • Domino Puzzles: Traditional domino placement challenges

FAQ

Here are the most frequently asked questions about Pips Game:

How do I play Pips?

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Drag dominoes from the side panel onto the grid. Each domino covers two squares. Double-click to rotate. Follow the colored constraint rules to solve the puzzle.

What do the colored regions mean?

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Each colored region has a mathematical constraint. Look for the colored circles (constraint markers) that show the rule for that region - like sums, equalities, or inequalities.

Can I rotate dominoes?

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Yes! Double-click any domino or press the spacebar while dragging to rotate it 90 degrees. This is often essential for solving puzzles.

How do I know if I'm correct?

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The game will show a success message when all dominoes are placed correctly and all constraints are satisfied. You'll see a green banner with congratulations!

What if I get stuck?

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Use the "Reset" button to start over, or try the "Random Game" button to play a different puzzle. Sometimes a fresh perspective helps!

Are there different difficulty levels?

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Yes! Games are categorized as Easy, Medium, and Hard. Easy puzzles have fewer constraints, while Hard puzzles require more complex logical reasoning.

Can I play on mobile?

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Absolutely! Pips Game is fully responsive and works great on phones and tablets. Touch and drag to move dominoes, tap to rotate.

Is Pips Game free?

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Yes! Pips Game is completely free to play. No registration, no downloads, no payments required. Just open and play!