Pips Answer
Today's AnswerArchiveStats
Today's Puzzle
Home Archive 2026-01-15

Pips Answer for Thursday, January 15, 2026

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

Today's Answer Back to Archive
Progress 0/6 dominoes
4
7
0
=
=
=

Click a domino or a cell to reveal the answer

Solution & Analysis

Complete answers and solving insights for 2026-01-15

🟢

NYT Pips easy answer for 2026-01-15

NYT Pips easy answer for 2026-01-15

4
7
0
=
=
=

Complete answer for 2026-01-15 (Easy)

I tackled the easy puzzle first by looking for the most restricted regions. The region at index 0,5 with a sum target of zero was the obvious starting point, forcing a zero there.

From there, I looked at the sum targets of 4 and 7 to narrow down which dominoes from the set [0,0, 3,1, 3,6, 1,1, 0,1, 4,1] could actually fit. The

🟡

NYT Pips medium answer for 2026-01-15

NYT Pips medium answer for 2026-01-15

=
>4
4
=
12
5
5

Complete answer for 2026-01-15 (Medium)

medium puzzle required a bit more care with the equality constraints.

I focused on the sum of 12 across three cells, which limited the possible values significantly since I only had specific dominoes like 6,6 and 5,5 available. Mapping out the equal regions [0,4]/[1,4] and [2,3]/[2,4]/[2,5] allowed me to place the larger pairs.

🔴

NYT Pips hard answer for 2026-01-15

NYT Pips hard answer for 2026-01-15

>3
>1
=
=
≠
≠
5
>0
=
=
>3

Complete answer for 2026-01-15 (Hard)

For the hard puzzle, the unequal constraints and the greater-than targets were the keys.

I started with the regions that had very high or very low targets, like the 'greater than 3' at 0,1 and 9,1. By cross-referencing the available dominoes like 6,6 and 3,5, I could deduce the placement of the smaller tiles first and then fit the larger ones into the equality chains.

💡

What I Learned

One interesting pattern I noticed was how often equality regions act as anchors for the entire grid. If you have a long chain of equal cells, it drastically reduces the number of dominoes that can span those gaps.

In the hard puzzle, the 'unequal' constraints were actually more helpful than they looked because they helped me rule out doubles like 1,1 or 6,6 in certain orientations. I also realized that checking the remaining inventory of dominoes after every few placements is the fastest way to spot a bottleneck before it becomes a mistake.

❓

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to start a Pips puzzle?
Always look for the smallest or most specific regions first. Sums like 0 or 1, or very large sums that can only be made by specific high-value dominoes, provide the best starting points.
How do equality regions work?
Equality regions mean that every cell within that specific colored or outlined area must have the exact same number of pips. This often forces the layout of the dominoes.
What should I do if I get stuck on a hard puzzle?
Count your remaining dominoes. Usually, there is only one domino left that can satisfy a specific sum or greater-than requirement, which will break the puzzle wide open.

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