Home Archive 2026-01-22

Pips Answer for Thursday, January 22, 2026

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

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Solution & Analysis

Complete answers and solving insights for 2026-01-22

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NYT Pips easy answer for 2026-01-22

Complete answer for 2026-01-22 (Easy)

I started with the Easy puzzle to get my brain in gear. I noticed that cell (2,2) had to be less than 3, which really narrowed down which dominoes could end up in that corner.

I focused on the equality regions first, specifically the three-cell chain at (1,0), (1,1), and (1,2). By matching the [1,6] and [1,1] dominoes there, the rest of the 3x3 grid fell into place quite naturally. Moving on to the

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NYT Pips medium answer for 2026-01-22

Complete answer for 2026-01-22 (Medium)

Medium puzzle, I looked for the biggest constraint. The region at (4,0), (5,0), and (6,0) requiring three equal values was the key.

I had to look through the dominoes like [6,6] and [0,6] to see what could possibly fit. Once I placed the [0,6] and [0,1] dominoes to satisfy that bottom-left corner, I could see how the [2,2] domino would help bridge the middle section. The

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NYT Pips hard answer for 2026-01-22

>16

Complete answer for 2026-01-22 (Hard)

Hard puzzle was a much bigger challenge with its 10 dominoes. I immediately went for the sum regions. I saw that (1,0) and (2,0) needed to sum to 10, and (3,2) and (3,3) needed to sum to 9.

This forced me to use high-value dominoes like the [6,4] or [5,5] equivalents. The real clincher was the 'greater than 16' region in the bottom right; I knew I had to save the [6,6] and [5,6] dominoes for that spot because nothing else would add up high enough. After pinning those down, I worked backwards to fill in the smaller equality regions like the one at (2,3) and (2,4).

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What I Learned

Today's puzzles really highlighted how important it is to manage your high-value pips. In the Hard puzzle, if you use your 6s and 5s too early on the smaller equality regions, you'll find it impossible to hit a high sum like 16 later on.

I also learned that the 'empty' cells are actually very helpful indicators of where a domino's 'unused' side can go. For example, in the Medium puzzle, placing a domino so one side is in an empty region allows you to satisfy a difficult equality rule with the other side without worrying about a second constraint. It's like a free pass for half of a domino.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to start a Hard Pips puzzle?

Always look for the regions with the most specific math requirements, like high sums or large equality chains. These usually only have one or two possible domino combinations, which gives you a solid foundation to build from.

Do the 'empty' regions have to stay blank?

Not exactly. An 'empty' region means the pips in that specific cell don't have to meet a math rule (like a sum or equality), but a domino must still be placed there as part of the overall layout.

Can I reuse dominoes in the same puzzle?

No, each domino provided in the list for a specific difficulty level can only be used once. This is why it is vital to track which ones you have already 'spent' on the board.

What does it mean when a region has a 'less than' target?

It means the total number of pips in the cells belonging to that region must add up to a number smaller than the target. For example, 'less than 2' usually means the total must be 0 or 1.

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

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