Home Archive 2025-12-09

Pips Answer for Tuesday, December 9, 2025

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

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Solution & Analysis

Complete answers and solving insights for 2025-12-09

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NYT Pips easy answer for 2025-12-09

Complete answer for 2025-12-09 (Easy)

Solving this set of Pips puzzles was a fun ride! I started with the Easy grid, which I treat like a warm-up. I immediately looked for the 'empty' spots at (1,0) and (3,1).

In Pips, 'empty' usually means zero pips. Knowing (1,1) was part of a sum-3 region and next to an empty spot, I figured out the [3,1] domino had to be split between (1,0) and (1,1). That left the rest of the pieces like [2,2] and [0,6] to fall into place based on the sum-2 and equality constraints. Moving to the

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NYT Pips medium answer for 2025-12-09

Complete answer for 2025-12-09 (Medium)

Medium puzzle, the 'sum 0' at (4,1) was a dead giveaway. I knew whatever domino landed there had to have a 0. Then I saw the 'sum 9' region at (2,0) and (2,1).

Since the highest dominoes were [3,5] and [3,4], I had to be careful with how they overlapped. The 'sum 7' across the top row was the final anchor I used to lock everything in. The

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NYT Pips hard answer for 2025-12-09

Complete answer for 2025-12-09 (Hard)

Hard puzzle was a real brain-burner. The 'sum 17' region at the bottom left was the first thing I attacked. To get 17 from three cells, you almost always need two 6s and a 5. That limited my options for the [5,6] and [6,4] dominoes.

I also spent a good chunk of time on the 'equals' region at (2,3), (3,1), (3,2), (3,3), and (4,3). Having five cells all equal the same value is a huge restriction! I eventually realized they all had to be 2s or 3s to make the surrounding sums work. Once that middle section was stable, I just had to check the 'greater than 8' and 'less than 4' constraints at the bottom to finish it off.

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What I Learned

This puzzle set really hammered home the importance of looking at 'extreme' regions first. High sums like 17 or low sums like 0 are your best friends because they have fewer combinations.

I also learned a neat trick with the 'equals' regions that span many cells: they act like a bridge that forces the values of several dominoes at once. If you find one cell in that chain, you've found them all. Also, I noticed that Rodolfo Kurchan loves to use long equality chains to lead you through the grid, which is a really clever way to design a puzzle.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to start a Pips puzzle?

Always look for the regions with the most restrictive rules. A 'sum 0' or an 'empty' region is the easiest starting point. After that, look for very high sums, as they usually require specific high-value dominoes like [6,6] or [5,6].

Can a domino be placed vertically or horizontally?

Yes, dominoes can be placed in either orientation as long as they fit the grid and satisfy the region rules. Part of the challenge is figuring out which way they flip!

What does an 'equals' region mean?

It means every cell inside that shaded region must contain the exact same number of pips. This is a powerful hint because it connects multiple dominoes together.

How do I handle the 'less than' or 'greater than' regions?

Treat these as boundaries. If a region says '< 3', the cells can only be 0, 1, or 2. Use these to narrow down which pips are even possible before you try to match the dominoes.

How to Use This Board

Select a Domino

Tap any domino from the tray below the board to select it

Place on Board

Tap a cell on the board where you think it belongs. If correct, both cells reveal!

Rotate if Needed

Tap a selected domino again to rotate it, or use the rotate button

Use Hints

Stuck? Use the Hint button to reveal one domino, or Solve All to see everything