The New York Times has introduced a fresh gaming experience with the launch of Pips, a unique twist on traditional dominoes. Released in August 2025, this single-player game has quickly gained popularity, offering players a compelling challenge. If you find yourself stuck, the game currently provides an option to reveal the entire puzzle, which may not be ideal for those wanting to improve their skills. Fortunately, this article offers hints and solutions tailored to help navigate each difficulty level without skipping ahead.
Understanding the Gameplay of Pips
For those familiar with dominoes, grasping the mechanics of Pips should be relatively straightforward. The game involves placing tiles either vertically or horizontally, connecting them based on specific color-coded conditions rather than traditional number matching. Each color-coded space presents unique requirements that players must meet. For instance, if a space specifies a single number, all adjacent tiles must sum to that number. It is also common for only part of a tile to be within a designated space.
Here are some key guidelines to keep in mind while playing:
- Spaces without color coding impose no conditions on the dominoes.
- Each color-coded space dictates the rules that must be adhered to for successful placement.
Hints and Solutions for January 17, 2026
Below are detailed hints and solutions for players tackling the challenges presented on January 17, 2026. The hints are categorized by difficulty level, making it easier for players to identify the assistance they need.
Easy Difficulty
For players at the easy level, here are some specific hints:
- Less Than (3): Place a 2-1 tile horizontally.
- Number (7): Use 2-1 and 6-4 tiles, both placed horizontally.
- Number (8): A 6-4 and a 4-0 tile, both placed horizontally, will suffice.
- If the space requires everything to sum to 2, use 4-3 placed horizontally.
- Greater Than (2): Place a 4-3 tile horizontally.
Medium Difficulty
For those facing medium challenges, consider the following hints:
- Less Than (4): A 2-4 tile placed horizontally is the solution.
- Greater Than (16): Use 6-6 and 4-6 tiles, placed horizontally.
- Not Equal: A combination of 4-1, 4-6, and 2-3 tiles, all placed horizontally, will meet the requirements.
Hard Difficulty
Advanced players can utilize these hints for hard level challenges:
- Number (3): Place a 2-0 tile vertically and a 3-1 tile horizontally.
- Number (12): Use a 0-6 tile vertically and a 6-1 tile horizontally.
- Not Equal: A 6-3 and a 6-6 tile, both placed vertically, are the correct placements.
- Number (10): Use a 5-1 tile horizontally and a 5-2 tile vertically.
- Greater Than (1): A 5-2 tile vertically is the solution.
- Number (6): Place a 6-2 tile vertically.
- Equal (2): Use a 6-2, 2-2, and 3-2 combination, with placements as specified.
- Equal (3): A 3-4 tile horizontally and a 3-3 tile vertically will meet the criteria.
For those seeking additional gaming options, Mashable also offers various puzzles, including Mahjong, Sudoku, and free crosswords. Explore their games hub for more engaging challenges.
