NYT-inspired domino logic puzzles
Strategic placement meets mathematical constraints
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.
Place dominoes strategically to solve mathematical constraints and complete the grid.
Each colored region has unique rules - sums, equalities, inequalities, and exclusions.
Challenge your logical thinking and problem-solving skills with engaging puzzles.
Playing Pips is simple to learn but challenging to master. Here's everything you need to know to get started:
Each puzzle has a grid with colored regions. Some squares are active where you can place dominoes, others are inactive and must remain empty.
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.
Each colored region has specific mathematical constraints. Look for the constraint markers (colored circles) that show what rule applies to that region.
When all dominoes are placed correctly and all constraints are satisfied, you've solved the puzzle! The game will show you a success message.
Sum: All dots in the region must add up to this number
Equal: All dots in the region must be the same number
Not Equal: The sum cannot equal this number
Less Than: The sum must be less than this number
Greater Than: The sum must be greater than this number
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:
Pips is based on real mathematical principles of constraint satisfaction and combinatorial optimization. Each puzzle has a unique solution that can be logically derived.
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.
Similar domino-based constraint puzzles have been featured in major publications and puzzle competitions, proving their validity as engaging brain games.
You can play Pips with real dominoes on a physical board! The digital version simply makes it more accessible and provides instant feedback.
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.
Master the art of Pips with these proven strategies that will help you solve even the most challenging puzzles:
Look for regions that have only one possible solution based on the dominoes available in your set. Single-square regions are often great starting points if they have a condition (e.g., a region labeled "6" must contain the 6-pip half of a domino). Look for a region that requires a rare pip count or a very specific combination. For example, a two-square region that sums to 12 must be a [6|6] domino.
Identify region conditions that use numbers with limited combinations (e.g., 11, 12, 17, 18 for sums). Doubles (e.g., [6|6], [0|0]) are powerful. Their symmetrical nature often limits where they can be placed to satisfy a condition. If a double must go into an "Equal" region, it will satisfy two squares with the same number, heavily constraining the possibilities for the rest of that region.
If a region has multiple possible combinations, try to eliminate them based on the available dominoes in your set. Count how many of each pip number you have in total. If an "Equal" region needs four '5' pips, but you only have three '5' pips remaining, you know that number cannot be used to satisfy that region.
Look at the geometric shape of the board's empty space and the colored region. This will often dictate the orientation (horizontal or vertical) of the dominoes that fill it. For example, a vertical line of squares with one square sticking out horizontally will almost certainly involve a horizontal domino placed in the row that includes the sticking-out square.
The game provides feedback if you break a rule, and you can easily drag and drop/rotate pieces. It's often helpful to tentatively place a domino to see how it restricts the available options for neighboring regions before committing to it.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Pips Game:
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.
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.
Yes! Double-click any domino or press the spacebar while dragging to rotate it 90 degrees. This is often essential for solving puzzles.
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!
Use the "Reset" button to start over, or try the "Random Game" button to play a different puzzle. Sometimes a fresh perspective helps!
Yes! Games are categorized as Easy, Medium, and Hard. Easy puzzles have fewer constraints, while Hard puzzles require more complex logical reasoning.
Absolutely! Pips Game is fully responsive and works great on phones and tablets. Touch and drag to move dominoes, tap to rotate.
Yes! Pips Game is completely free to play. No registration, no downloads, no payments required. Just open and play!
