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Home Archive 2026-02-13

Pips Answer for Friday, February 13, 2026

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

Today's Answer Back to Archive
Progress 0/5 dominoes
<3
5
4
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5

Click a domino or a cell to reveal the answer

Solution & Analysis

Complete answers and solving insights for 2026-02-13

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NYT Pips easy answer for 2026-02-13

NYT Pips easy answer for 2026-02-13

<3
5
4
=
5

Complete answer for 2026-02-13 (Easy)

I started my morning with the Easy grid by Ian Livengood. I always look for the most restrictive rules first, and in this one, the 'empty' cells at [1,0] and [1,3] caught my eye. These are great because they act as anchors.

I then looked at the sum of 4 in the [1,1], [1,2], [2,2] region. With three cells needing to add up to 4, I knew I had to use small numbers from the dominoes like [2,0] or [5,3]. By placing the [1,0]/[1,1] domino and the [0,2]/[1,2] domino, the rest of the small board just fell into place. Moving on to the

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NYT Pips medium answer for 2026-02-13

NYT Pips medium answer for 2026-02-13

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2
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Complete answer for 2026-02-13 (Medium)

Medium puzzle by Rodolfo Kurchan, the real challenge was the 'equals' regions. There is a triple equals at the top [0,0], [0,1], [0,2] and a quadruple equals in the middle [1,2], [1,3], [2,3], [3,3].

For three or four cells to have the exact same value, you have to be very careful with how you rotate your dominoes. I looked at my available pieces like [1,1], [3,3], and [5,5] (or pieces with matching ends) to fill those. The

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NYT Pips hard answer for 2026-02-13

NYT Pips hard answer for 2026-02-13

17
0
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4
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<3
<4
<5
0
>2
24
>3
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Complete answer for 2026-02-13 (Hard)

Hard puzzle was a massive 16-domino set, which can be scary at first glance. I immediately hunted for the 'Sum 0' regions at [0,3] and the large four-cell block at [4,5], [5,5], [6,5], [6,6]. Since these have to be zero, I knew I had to use the [0,0] domino and any other dominoes containing a zero like [0,3], [0,4], and [0,2].

After clearing the zeros, I went to the opposite extreme: the 'Sum 24' region at the bottom right. To get 24 from four cells, they mostly have to be 6s. This let me place the [6,6] and [4,6] or [5,6] dominoes. Once the corners were anchored by the zeros and the sixes, the 'equals' chains in the middle [3,0] through [3,3] became much easier to solve by process of elimination.

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What I Learned

The biggest takeaway from today's puzzles is how important 'extreme' values are. Whether it is a sum of 0 or a very high sum like 24, those are your best friends because they limit your options so much. I also learned to pay closer attention to 'empty' cells.

At first, I thought they were just blank space, but they actually tell you exactly where a domino must end or pass through. In the Medium puzzle, I realized that 'equals' regions are basically a test of your ability to visualize how dominoes can 'double up' on a specific number. It is like a game of connection where the values have to flow perfectly from one cell to the next.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I get stuck on a large sum region?
Divide the target sum by the number of cells in the region. This gives you the average value each cell needs to be. If the sum is 24 and there are 4 cells, each cell needs to be around 6. This helps you narrow down which dominoes to even consider.
Do 'empty' regions have to be filled with a specific number?
No, empty regions don't care what number goes in them. However, they are still part of the grid, so a domino must cover them. They are often used by the puzzle creator to force you to place a domino in a specific orientation.
How do 'less than' and 'greater than' targets work?
These are similar to sums, but simpler. If a cell has a 'less than 3' target, the number in that cell must be 0, 1, or 2. It is a great way to rule out high-value dominoes for those specific spots.
Is it better to start from the corners or the middle?
Usually, the corners or the edges are easier because the dominoes have fewer directions they can face. In today's Hard puzzle, starting with the Sum 0 and Sum 24 regions near the corners was the key to unlocking the whole board.

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