The New York Times has built a reputation for daily puzzles like Wordle, Connections, and Sudoku. In August 2025, they added a new game called Pips. This puzzle uses domino pieces and a map of rules to create a fresh logic challenge.
Pips stands out because it mixes numbers, symbols, and spatial thinking. It’s not about words or trivia. It’s about arranging dominoes in the right places while following every condition on the board.
What is Pips by NYT?
Pips is a logic game created by The New York Times. The name comes from the word “pip,” which is the dot shown on dice or dominoes. In the game, you get a set of dominoes, and each domino has two halves with pip counts between zero and six.
The puzzle board is divided into colored regions. Each region may carry a rule. Rules include sums, equality, inequality, or differences between the pip values inside that space. The goal is simple: place all dominoes on the board so that every region rule is met.
The game is available on the NYT Games app and also through the NYT Games website. It is free for a trial, but full play may require a subscription, like other NYT puzzles.
How to Play Pips
Pips look complicated at first, but once you understand the rules, it flows.
The basics:
- The board has empty spaces divided into colored sections.
- You are given a set of dominoes to place.
- Each region shows a condition. This could be:
- Equal (=)
- Not equal (≠)
- Greater than (>)
- Less than (<)
- Sum (for example, add up to 6)
- You must drag dominoes onto the board. Rotate them as needed.
- Every region must meet its condition when filled.
If one half of a domino falls in one region and the other half in another, both rules must still be satisfied. That is where the puzzle gets tricky.
Difficulty Levels
Pips comes in three difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, and Hard. Each adds more rules and tighter constraints.
- Easy: fewer regions, clear rules, more open space.
- Medium: more colored areas, sums, and inequality rules appear.
- Hard: tight layouts, many interacting rules, dominoes often need careful cross-placement.
Players can pick their level daily. This keeps it flexible for both beginners and seasoned puzzle fans.
Tips and Strategies
Some approaches make Pips easier to manage:
- Start with the smallest or strictest regions. For example, an area marked “=3” with two cells gives only a few options.
- Place large or rare dominoes first, like double six. They have fewer possible spots.
- Look at border cells. A domino that crosses two regions must satisfy both, which narrows the options.
- Save blank or flexible regions for last. They give space when everything else is locked in.
- If stuck, reset and rethink. Often, the mistake is in one forced piece early on.
- For daily pip answers, you can visit pipsanswers.com for assistance.
Pips and Other NYT Games
The New York Times has grown its puzzle section with hits like Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Connections. Pips brings something different: a visual, numeric logic puzzle.
Compared to Sudoku, Pips feels more open and less repetitive. Compared to Wordle, it uses numbers instead of words. This makes it a fresh option for players who enjoy brain teasers but prefer numbers and spatial strategy over vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Many new players struggle with:
- Mixing up inequality rules (> vs <).
- Forgetting that dominoes affect two regions at once.
- Filling flexible regions first instead of leaving them for later.
- Overlooking rotation options for dominoes.
Awareness of these common errors helps improve success rates.
Conclusion: Should You Try Pips?
Pips is an innovative, well-designed puzzle. It blends domino math with region-based logic. The game is easy to learn, but hard to master.
Anyone who likes Sudoku, Kakuro, or other number puzzles will likely enjoy Pips. If word games aren’t your thing, Pips offers a welcome alternative in the NYT lineup.
It is challenging, sometimes frustrating, but satisfying when solved. If you already play Wordle or Connections daily, adding Pips could be a fun new part of your routine.