Welcome to El-Balad’s guide for players of Pips, a new single-player game from the New York Times. Launched in August 2025, Pips reimagines the classic dominoes gameplay. It offers a unique twist suitable for your daily gaming routine. If you ever find yourself stuck, we’re here to provide you with essential hints and answers.
How to Play Pips
Pips shares some similarities with traditional dominoes. Players place tiles vertically or horizontally, but the game introduces color-coded conditions that add complexity. Unlike regular dominoes, touching tiles do not need to match. Instead, players must fulfill specific requirements based on color-coded spaces.
Game Conditions
- Number: All the pips must add up to the specified number.
- Equal: Every domino half must have the same number of pips.
- Not Equal: Each domino half must show different numbers of pips.
- Less Than: The total must be less than the specified number.
- Greater Than: The total must exceed the specified number.
If a space lacks color coding, there are no conditions for that portion of the dominoes.
Pips Hints and Answers for December 26, 2025
Easy Level Hints
- Equal (4): Tiles 2-4 and 4-3 placed horizontally.
- Number (3): Tile 4-3 placed horizontally.
- Number (11): Tiles 6-6 and 5-1 placed horizontally.
- Number (3): Tiles 5-1 and 2-0 placed horizontally.
- Less Than (1): Tile 2-0 placed horizontally.
Medium Level Hints
- Equal (3): Tiles 3-3 (vertical) and 3-2 (horizontal).
- Equal (2): Tiles 3-2 (horizontal), 2-4 (vertical), and 2-2 (horizontal).
- Not Equal: Tiles 4-5 (horizontal), 0-1 (vertical), 2-2 (horizontal), and 0-6 (vertical).
- Number (6): Tile 0-6 placed vertically.
Hard Level Hints
- Number (11): Tiles 5-5 and 1-2 placed horizontally.
- Number (6): Tile 6-3 placed horizontally.
- Equal (2): Tiles 1-2 and 3-2 placed horizontally.
- Number (5): Tile 5-3 placed horizontally.
- Number (2): Tiles 1-3 (horizontal) and 1-4 (vertical).
- Equal (3): Multiple placements including tiles 6-3 and 3-3.
With these hints, tackling each level of Pips can be more manageable. Enjoy your gaming experience, and don’t hesitate to return for more updates and guides at El-Balad.
