Pips is a domino based puzzle. It includes a colored regions grid, a set of dominoes, and math rules. It looks simple at first but as you move from easy mode, it becomes more intricate.
You get every domino in a tray and you need to use every domino. It requires more than just raw math skills. Beginners can easily win the easy mode. But as they move forward, the difficulty level increases.
It doesn’t matter if someone is a beginner or just improving their solving speed; completing pips is not merely about making random moves. Pips requires you to recognize dominoes and their place in the regions. Experienced players don’t solve it from scratch. They predict results and use proven methods.
Three of these tactics come directly from Ian Livengood. He is the New York Times puzzle editor who edits Pips. He shared them in an interview with Parade. The rest are standard techniques that any regular solver ends up developing.
What Each Condition Means in Pips
You cannot solve pips quickly if you are still decoding the badges or have no idea about the conditions and the rules of Pips. The region's conditions are written below:
A number - the pips inside the region must add up to that total.
= every domino half inside the region must show the same value.
≠ every half inside the region must show a different value.
> or < the region's values must be greater than or less than the stated number.
Two more mechanics matter for speed:
Tap a domino to rotate it 90°. Once you turn a shape, it may fit. Cells with no colour and no badge are unconstrained. Anything can go there. This makes them a useful dumping ground for the halves you cannot place elsewhere.
Why Recognizing Layouts is Important?
A pips puzzle is built on a set of recurring layouts. Various puzzles share almost the same underlying structure. Hence, it's more important to recognize the structure to solve the puzzle easily. It allows you to make quick decisions. Moreover, it also prevents you from unnecessary trial and error.
Instead of reacting to every move, you'll begin to anticipate what comes next.
Start with a Toehold
Livengood's advice for beginners is to search for the one placement that is logically forced. Nearly every Easy and Medium puzzle mode contains a spot where exactly one domino can fit. Find it and the rest of the board will reveal from there.
Toeholds usually appear where a region is small and its condition is tight. This may be a two cell region with a very low or very high total, or a region demanding a value that you see on only one tile in your tray. If a region needs a 5 and there is only one 5 in the whole set. You need to place the 5 in that region without touching anything else.
Learn the Forced Totals
This is the single highest value pattern in the game. In some regions you can reach totals in only one way. So the moment you see them the values are settled.
12 across two cells must be 6 + 6.
11 across two cells must be 6 + 5.
17 across three cells must be 5 + 6 + 6.
18 across three cells must be 6 + 6 + 6.
1 across two cells must be 1 + 0.
0 across any number of cells must be all blanks.
Compare that with a total of 7 across two cells. It can be 6+1, 5+2 or 4+3. Livengood makes exactly this point. Totals like 11, 12, 17 and 18 show constantly across all difficulty levels. Each one collapses to a single combination. Solve the forced ones first and let them constrain the difficult ones.
Use doubles
A double [6,6], [0,0], [3,3] puts the same value into two cells. Livengood flags it as the method to unlock Hard puzzles.
Doubles matter in two directions. They are the only way to fulfill a two cell region whose total is an even number. It requires identical halves. They are often the key to a large = region. Orientation also matters: on Hard boards a double frequently has to sit in the middle of a region instead of its edge. So the values can extend into neighbouring cells in both directions.
Do not Ignore Blanks
Blanks are zeros, and beginners routinely treat them as dead weight. They are the opposite. A blank is the only value that fulfills a region totalling 0. It is half of the only combination that makes 1 across two cells. It is the cheapest way to keep a large sum region under its limit. If your tray contains a blank, work out where it has to go before you start experimenting somewhere else.
Think a Few Moves Ahead
Faster players hardly focus just on their next move. They focus on their action. They consider how one action will affect the rest of the puzzle. Before you take any step, you need to consider if that move can block other solutions later or if there is any other efficient sequence available.
So, instead of rushing for the first available move, planning before any move can save more time.
Solve the Easy Sections
Many pips puzzle has areas that are more straightforward than others. Completing these sections first can simplify the remaining puzzle and reveal the best path forward. This strategy also minimizes the number of possibilities you need to consider.
Look for Unique Number Combinations
Certain region totals can only be achieved using one specific number combination. When you encounter these unique totals, you can find the correct values immediately without comparing multiple alternatives. These regions are often among the easiest to solve. They leave very little to no room for ambiguity.
Equality Regions
For an = region, ask what value you actually have enough of. A three cell equality region needs three halves showing the same number. Scan the tray and count how many of each value exist. If there are only two 3s available. That region cannot be all 3s, and you have eliminated a branch without trying it.
The same logic runs in reverse for ≠ regions: they need variety, so they are good for your mismatched dominoes.
Reading a Board
Take a typical Easy layout. Two rows of cells with four conditions on them. A purple region of two cells marked 1, an orange region of two cells marked 12. A brown region of two cells marked 12, and a green region of three cells marked =.
Avoid Random Guessing
Guessing work sometimes. But it is not the fastest strategy. Random moves usually create more complexity. This makes it harder to recognize helpful patterns.
Pause and analyze thoroughly. Check the layout and make deliberate decisions.
Livengood's own suggestion for a Hard puzzle is to avoid guessing. Put it down for a few minutes and come back with a fresh head. He edits and tries to solve every puzzle. He still finds himself struggling with the Hard ones. So being stuck is not a sign you are doing it wrong.
Practice Regularly
If you want to improve your speed, you need to practice consistently. Start with easy mode, which will enhance your confidence. Afterwards, move to more difficult levels.
As you solve harder levels, you can then automatically recognize the patterns.
Conclusion
The fastest players are not the ones who can think quickly. They are the ones who can recognize the regions and dominoes faster. By understanding common dominoes and practicing regularly, you will be able to solve pips faster. The more you practice, the faster you will be.
The next time you start the puzzle, you need to look beyond every single pips. You need to pay attention to the patterns. Afterwards, you will discover that you are solving pips faster and really enjoying solving them.
FAQs
What is a Toehold?
This is a place that is forced logically. Beginners need to search these spots. These are usually small, tightly locked regions. If you find one, it will be much easier for you to solve the rest of the puzzle.
How Should I handle Blank Dominoes?
Do not treat blanks as dead weight. They are important for completing regions that are total to 0. They create a sum of 1 across two cells, or keep large sum regions under their limits. It is recommended to determine where blanks go before you start doing it on regions.
For < with a number, can I provide an exact number?
No, you need to add up dominoes that sum up to give a smaller number than that. For instance, if <4 is given, you need to put the domino sums up to make 3 or less than that. An equal or higher number will not be considered.
What does 90 degree domino rotation mean?
It means you can rotate each domino at a 90 degree angle. Either you can rotate in the vertical or horizontal direction. You can place the domino as you think it would fit.
Why do I need to avoid random guessing?
Random guessing can lead you to uncertainty. When you start guessing randomly, you will be at a point where you would have no idea what to do. Then, you will be stuck in the game. Hence, you again need to place yourself back in the space and restart the game.