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Home Archive 2025-12-26

Pips Answer for Friday, December 26, 2025

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

Today's Answer Back to Archive
Progress 0/5 dominoes
3
11
=
3
<1

Click a domino or a cell to reveal the answer

Solution & Analysis

Complete answers and solving insights for 2025-12-26

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NYT Pips easy answer for 2025-12-26

NYT Pips easy answer for 2025-12-26

3
11
=
3
<1

Complete answer for 2025-12-26 (Easy)

I started the day with the Easy puzzle, which was built by Ian Livengood. Right away, I looked for the empty spots at (0,2) and (2,0). These are like freebies because they tell you exactly where the dominoes cannot go. I saw that the sum for (0,3) and (1,3) had to be 11.

Since the highest dominoes I had were [6,6] and [1,5], I knew the 6 and 5 had to be placed there. I slotted the [0,2] domino into the top left area to clear that empty (0,2) cell, and from there, the rest of the board just fell into place. The sum of 3 for (1,4) and (2,4) was easy once the 5 was used up nearby. Moving on to the

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NYT Pips medium answer for 2025-12-26

NYT Pips medium answer for 2025-12-26

=
=
≠
6

Complete answer for 2025-12-26 (Medium)

Medium puzzle by Rodolfo Kurchan, the difficulty definitely spiked. The 'unequal' region in the middle right was the real challenge. It covered five different cells, meaning I had to use five different numbers there.

I saved my [4,5] and [6,0] dominoes for that area to ensure I had enough variety. The 'equals' region at (1,2), (2,1), and (2,2) acted as a bridge, and once I figured out that those three had to be 2s, the whole left side of the board cleared up. Finally, I tackled the

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NYT Pips hard answer for 2025-12-26

NYT Pips hard answer for 2025-12-26

11
6
=
5
>10
<4
2
>11
5
=
=
=

Complete answer for 2025-12-26 (Hard)

Hard puzzle. This one was a real brain-burner because of that massive equality chain in column 1. Seven cells in a row all had to have the same number of pips! I looked at my dominoes and saw a lot of 1s and 3s.

I initially tried putting 3s in that chain, but it messed up the 'sum of 5' at the bottom. I switched to 1s, and suddenly the 'sum of 11' at the very top (0,0 to 0,2) became solvable using a 6 and a 4. The 2x2 'equals' block at the bottom right was the final piece of the puzzle. I had to be very careful not to use my 6s too early because I needed them for the 'greater than 11' and 'greater than 10' regions. Once I realized the [6,6] and [5,5] had to live on the far right edge, the middle of the board finally settled.

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What I Learned

I learned that long equality chains are actually your best friend in the Hard puzzles, even though they look scary at first. They narrow down your choices so much that you can usually guess the number based on what's most common in your domino set. I also noticed a pattern where constructors like to place 'greater than' targets near the edges of the board to force you to use your high-value dominoes early.

A tricky move I found today was in the Medium puzzle; I had to realize that the 'empty' spots at (0,0) and (0,5) weren't just dead space—they were actually clues that forced the neighboring dominoes to be vertical. If I had tried to lay them horizontally, I would have run out of room immediately. It is all about spatial awareness and keeping an eye on which numbers you have 'spent' already.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to tackle a large 'equals' region?
Look at your list of dominoes and count how many times each number appears. If a region requires seven cells to be equal, you must pick a number that shows up at least seven times across your dominoes. This usually narrows it down to just one or two possibilities.
How do 'empty' cells affect the gameplay?
Empty cells are spots where no pips can be placed. They basically act as holes in the board. You have to navigate your dominoes around them, which often forces a domino to be placed in a specific direction (either horizontal or vertical) because there isn't enough room to put it anywhere else.
What should I do if I have two dominoes that could fit a sum?
Check the surrounding regions first. Usually, one of those dominoes will be needed for a more restrictive region nearby, like a 'greater than' or an 'equals' area. If you use the wrong one, you will likely get stuck a few moves later.
Are the target numbers in the regions always the exact sum?
For 'sum' regions, yes, the pips must add up exactly to that number. However, for 'less than' or 'greater than' regions, any number that satisfies the inequality works, though usually the dominoes available only leave you with one logical choice.
Is it better to start from the top or the bottom of the grid?
I personally prefer starting wherever the most restrictive clues are. Big sums like 11 or 12, or long equality chains, are much better starting points than small sums because there are fewer ways to make them work.

How to Use This Board

1

Select a Domino

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

2

Place on Board

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

3

Rotate if Needed

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

4

Use Hints

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