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Pips Answer for Friday, November 28, 2025

Complete NYT Pips puzzle solution with interactive board and expert analysis.

Progress 0/5 dominoes
<3
=
=
6

Click a domino below or a cell on the board to reveal

Expert Puzzle Analysis

Deep insights from puzzle experts

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Nyt Pips easy answer for 2025-11-28

<3
=
=
6

Answer for 2025-11-28

I jumped into the Easy puzzle by Ian Livengood first, looking for the tightest constraints. I noticed the sum region at index [3,0] needing to be 6 and the 'less than 3' rule at [1,0].

I started by testing the [1,0] domino to satisfy the low target and worked my way through the equality regions. The

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Nyt Pips medium answer for 2025-11-28

>4
9
10
=
4
6

Answer for 2025-11-28

Medium puzzle by Rodolfo Kurchan felt like a step up because of the sum of 10 at [0,3] and [1,3]. I knew only the [4,6] or [5,5] dominoes could realistically fit there.

After placing the [6,3] domino, the rest of the board started to fall into place like a series of falling tiles. The

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Nyt Pips hard answer for 2025-11-28

4
10
0
12
11
12
12

Answer for 2025-11-28

Hard puzzle was a real brain-buster. I focused on the sum of 12 in the columns and the triple-cell sum of 12 at [4,3], [5,3], and [6,3].

I had to carefully manage the [6,6] and [5,5] dominoes to ensure they didn't block the zero sum at [2,0]. By cross-referencing the available domino list against the remaining empty spots, I eventually isolated where the [3,2] and [0,0] pieces had to live to keep all the math working.

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What I Learned

This set really highlighted how important it is to look at the 'empty' regions early on. In the Hard puzzle, those empty spots act as barriers that dictate how the longer dominoes must be oriented.

I also learned that when you see a sum of 12 across three cells, you're almost always looking for a combination of high-value pips like 6, 4, and 2 or 5, 4, and 3, which narrows down your domino choices significantly. The Medium puzzle taught me to watch out for 'equals' regions that bridge across different rows, as they often force the orientation of the surrounding pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I get stuck on a large sum region?
Look at your remaining dominoes and find the highest values. Usually, a sum like 10 or 12 can only be made by a very specific set of pips, which helps you eliminate options quickly.
How do empty regions affect the board?
Empty regions act as 'dead zones' that dominoes cannot cross. They are great for determining if a domino must be placed vertically or horizontally in the adjacent spaces.
Is it better to start with the smallest or largest numbers?
I usually start with the most restrictive rule. If a cell must be 'less than 3' or a sum must be very high, those are the easiest places to find a definitive starting point.