Pips Answer for Thursday, December 18, 2025
Complete NYT Pips puzzle solution with interactive board and expert analysis.
Click a domino below or a cell on the board to reveal
Expert Puzzle Analysis
Deep insights from puzzle experts
Nyt Pips easy answer for 2025-12-18
Answer for 2025-12-18
I started by tackling the Easy puzzle, focusing on the sum region that needed to equal 9 at [1,4] and [2,4].
Knowing the available dominoes included [5,4], that was the only logical fit. From there, I looked at the greater-than clues, placing the 6 from the [3,6] domino in the [3,4] spot.
Nyt Pips medium answer for 2025-12-18
Answer for 2025-12-18
For the Medium puzzle, the sum of 3 across three cells ([2,1], [2,2], [2,3]) was the key.
Since the available dominoes had specific values like [2,0] and [1,4], I had to carefully map out which halves could sit adjacent to each other without violating the sum constraints. The
Nyt Pips hard answer for 2025-12-18
Answer for 2025-12-18
Hard puzzle was a real marathon. I focused on the 'unequal' region first, which is a massive six-cell block. I used the process of elimination to ensure no value repeated within that specific zone.
I also utilized the 'equals' region at [1,5], [1,6], and [2,6] to anchor the right side of the board. By cross-referencing the sum of 2 and sum of 6 constraints, I narrowed down the orientation of the [5,5] and [6,1] dominoes. It was a game of constant checking and re-checking until every piece clicked into place.
What I Learned
This set really emphasized the importance of looking at the board as a whole rather than individual clusters. In the Hard puzzle, the 'unequal' region acted as a powerful constraint that dictated the placement of dominoes far outside its boundaries.
I also noticed a recurring pattern where 'empty' cells are often used to force a specific orientation of high-value dominoes, like the [6,6] or [5,5], which can't easily fit into tight sum regions. It's a great reminder that the absence of a clue is often a clue in itself.