Pips Answer for Monday, December 22, 2025
Complete NYT Pips puzzle solution with interactive board and expert analysis.
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Expert Puzzle Analysis
Deep insights from puzzle experts
Nyt Pips easy answer for 2025-12-22
Answer for 2025-12-22
When I first sat down with the Easy puzzle, I immediately looked for the single-cell regions. Since region (1,3) had a target sum of 4, that was an easy win—I knew that specific part of the domino had to be a 4.
I then saw the 'empty' spots at (0,0), (1,4), and (2,1) which helped me visualize where the dominoes couldn't cross. The
Nyt Pips medium answer for 2025-12-22
Answer for 2025-12-22
Medium puzzle stepped things up with a 'greater than 5' constraint at (0,1). In these puzzles, that's a dead giveaway for a 6.
The trickiest part of the Medium grid was the 'unequal' column from (0,2) down to (4,2). I had to keep a mental checklist of which numbers I'd already used to make sure I didn't repeat any pips. When I finally got to the
Nyt Pips hard answer for 2025-12-22
Answer for 2025-12-22
Hard puzzle, I didn't panic at the size. I spotted that massive 'sum 30' region covering five cells.
Math-wise, the only way to hit 30 with five cells is to have almost all 6s, so I hunted through my domino list for every tile containing a 6. The 'sum 0' regions were also huge lifesavers; they act as anchors where I can safely place all my zero/blank pips. By the time I was halfway through, the remaining dominoes like the [1,1] and [2,2] practically placed themselves because the remaining gaps were so specific.
What I Learned
This set really taught me the value of looking for 'bottlenecks' in the harder grids. In the Hard puzzle, the 'equals' region involving (1,2), (2,2), (3,1), and (3,2) was a massive clue.
Once you realize those four spots must share the same number, it eliminates about 90% of your domino placement options. I also noticed a pattern where the editor, Ian Livengood, likes to hide the higher-value dominoes near the edges of the larger sum regions to make you think you have more options than you actually do. It's a clever way to force you into making a mistake if you aren't double-checking your math.