What to know

  • Pips is NYT’s first original logic puzzle, blending dominoes with strategic placement.
  • Drag-and-drop gameplay with conditions like equal or sum-specific pips.
  • You shall start with restrictive regions first keep practicing daily puzzles.
  • Look for tutorials on YouTube and maybe, NYT Subreddit.

You’ve probably heard the buzz about Pips, the New York Times’ latest puzzle sensation, launched globally on August 18, 2025. If you’re a fan of Wordle, Sudoku, or Connections, get ready to add this domino-inspired logic game to your daily ritual. It’s fresh, intuitive, and just the right kind of brain-teasing fun.

Unlike word-based puzzles, Pips leans on logic, pattern recognition, and a touch of spatial reasoning. Whether you’re a domino pro or a complete newbie, this guide will walk you through everything you need to master Pips. From gameplay basics to pro tips and YouTube tutorials, we’ve got you covered.

What is Pips, anyway?

Think of Pips as a digital domino puzzle with a twist. Your mission? Place dominoes on a grid to satisfy specific conditions. It’s not about matching numbers like traditional dominoes—instead, you’re solving a logic puzzle where every tile has a perfect spot.

Each puzzle comes in three levels: Easy, Medium, and Hard. The game board is divided into colored regions, each with a rule, like “all pips must equal 5” or “numbers must be different.” Your job is to drag, drop, and rotate dominoes until everything clicks. No timers, no pressure—just pure, satisfying problem-solving.

How to play Pips

Ready to dive in? Here’s how to get started with Pips, straight from the NYT Games playbook:

  1. Access the game: Play Pips on NYT Games app (Android/iOS) or website (at nytimes.com/games/pips).
    1. New puzzles drop daily at midnight in your local time zone.
  2. Fill the board: Drag and drop dominoes to cover every square. Tap to rotate them 90 degrees for the perfect fit.
  3. Meet the conditions: Each colored region has a rule in its bottom-right corner. These could be:
    • A number: All pips in the region must add up to this number.
    • Equal (=): All domino halves in the region must have the same number of pips.
    • Not equal (≠): All domino halves must have different numbers.
    • Greater than (>): Pips must exceed a specific number.
    • Less than (<): Pips must be below a specific number.
    • Blank: No conditions—just place and go.
  4. Solve it: When all dominoes are placed and conditions are met, you’ll get a celebratory “You did it!” message. If something’s off, you’ll see a note to keep tinkering.

Don’t worry about losing—you can rearrange tiles as many times as needed. It’s all about finding that perfect configuration.

Pips Tutorial - Part 1: Basic tips and strategies

Want to solve Pips faster and smarter? Here are some tried-and-true strategies to elevate your game:

  • Start with restrictive regions: Focus on areas with strict conditions, like “equal” or a specific sum. These often dictate surrounding placements.
    • Starting with blocks with '=' sign – especially single block with the '=' sign – could be very helpful as it is narrow down the dominoes needed for that block
  • Prioritize high-numbered dominoes: Tiles with more pips (like 6/6) have fewer placement options, so tackle them first to narrow your choices.
  • Look for forced moves: Some regions only allow one possible domino configuration. Spot these to lock in key pieces early.
  • Embrace trial and error: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Undo moves if they don’t work—Pips is forgiving.
  • Consider symmetry: Many puzzles have symmetrical patterns that can hint at the solution. Keep an eye out for mirrored placements.
  • Practice daily: The more you play, the better you’ll get at spotting patterns and solving efficiently.

For an extra challenge, aim for the “Cookie Trifecta” by solving Easy, Medium, and Hard puzzles under the set time to earn a cookie badge.

Pips Tutorial - Part 2: Zero-jargon strategy that actually works

You’ll solve most Pips boards quickly if you follow a crisp order of operations:

1) Start where choices are few

Hit tightest constraints first: single-square regions, “=” with high/low totals nearby, or sum-exact regions (like “= 7”). Fewer possible pairs = faster locks. Players often find Hard feels easier than Medium when constraints are dense, because fewer placements are actually legal.

2) Budget your totals

Treat sum regions like a budget. List all domino pairs that hit the target (e.g., 0-6, 1-5, 2-4 for 6). Cross out pairs that conflict with neighboring rules (like “≠” or “>”). What’s left usually narrows to one orientation.

3) Use inequality arrows as rails

For “> / <” regions, the larger half must face the specific neighbor. That often fixes orientation even when values aren’t final. Once orientation is fixed, downstream placements get forced.

4) Exploit equality

In an “=” region, candidates collapse to doubles (0-0, 1-1, 2-2, …). If you’ve already spent a double elsewhere, the remaining double is likely the answer—especially when sums and neighbor rules squeeze options.

5) Propagate constraints across borders

A domino straddles two regions. Locking one half (say, it must be a “3” to satisfy “= 7”) can force the other half’s value and orientation to obey its own region (maybe “≠” or “<”). Always re-scan borders after each placement.

6) Park pieces to test ideas

Even though you can’t officially “stage” pieces off-board, you can temporarily place them into no-rule areas to sanity-check your counts, then back them out. Many early beta players wished for a true “table staging” area, but this lightweight workaround helps.

7) Leave the wildcards for last

No-rule regions are your sponges. Solve the picky regions first, then soak up leftover pieces in these flexible zones.

8) When stuck, flip the viewpoint
  • Re-count which doubles remain.
  • Re-list valid sum pairs you haven’t tried.
  • Check arrow directions again (easy to miss).
  • Try the other orientation of any ambiguous placement; a single flip often unlocks the chain.

Via: Check out these pages for more info like the above: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth and Reddit.

Learn from the pros: YouTube tutorials

YouTube is a goldmine for visual learners looking to master Pips. Here are some top resources to check out, complete with links to get you started:

Pro tip: Scroll through the comments on these videos. Players often share clever tricks or solutions, which can inspire new ways to tackle tough Pips puzzles.

Community insights from Reddit and beyond

The Pips community is buzzing, especially on Reddit’s r/NYTgames. During the game’s beta phase in Canada (April–June 2025), players raved about its addictive nature, with some calling it their favorite NYT game. Others lamented its temporary absence when the beta ended, showing just how hooked they got.

Here’s what Redditors are saying:

  • On difficulty: Some find the Hard puzzles easier than Medium due to tighter constraints that limit options, making solutions clearer.
  • On strategy: One player shared a detailed breakdown for a Hard puzzle, suggesting you start with high-value tiles like double-4s in restrictive regions.
  • On frustration: A common pain point is the game flagging “incorrect” placements even when conditions seem met. If this happens, double-check tiles near blinking red dots—they’re often the culprit.

LinkedIn posts also highlight Pips’ appeal. Some players love its brain-teasing challenge, while others admit to hating it but can’t stop playing. If you’re stuck, check forums like r/NYTgames for daily threads with hints and solutions.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Even seasoned players hit roadblocks. Here’s how to dodge common mistakes:

  • Ignoring region overlap: Dominoes often span multiple regions, so ensure each tile satisfies all relevant conditions.
  • Forgetting to rotate: A quick tap can rotate a domino 90 degrees, opening new placement options. Don’t get stuck on one orientation.
  • Overcomplicating things: Start with the simplest placements. Overthinking can make Easy puzzles feel like Hard ones.
  • Missing blank regions: Areas without conditions are your friends—use them to place tricky tiles that don’t fit elsewhere.

If you’re stuck, take a break and return with fresh eyes. Sometimes, a quick reset is all you need.

Where to play NYT Pips and what’s next

You can play Pips for free on the NYT Games app (Android/iOS) or website, though playing more than one game at a day will require a subscription.

To celebrate the launch, NYT partnered with PIPS, a Brooklyn Heights wine bar, from August 28–30, 2025. If you’re in NYC, solve a puzzle, show your bartender, and enjoy a free cocktail curated by Abbott Elementary star Chris Perfetti.

Looking ahead, Pips is poised to join Wordle and Connections as a daily staple. With 11.1 billion NYT puzzle plays in 2024, it’s clear players are hungry for more. Keep an eye on YouTube and Reddit for new strategies as the community grows.

Why Pips feels so fresh

Pips stands out in NYT’s puzzle lineup for a few reasons. It’s the first game to use drag-and-drop gameplay, making it feel tactile and engaging. Plus, it’s handcrafted by human editors, not AI, giving each puzzle a thoughtful, unique vibe.

The domino theme taps into nostalgia, but the logic-based gameplay feels modern. It’s less about words like Wordle and more about numbers and strategy, akin to Sudoku. Whether you’re solving on your phone or computer, Pips is designed to fit into your day without demanding hours of your time.

Your Pips journey starts now

Pips is more than a game—it’s a mental workout that sharpens your logic and spatial skills. With its drag-and-drop ease and daily puzzles, it’s perfect for quick brain breaks or deep dives into Hard mode. Start with Easy, experiment with strategies, and check out YouTube or Reddit for extra guidance.

So, grab your virtual dominoes and get puzzling. Which level will you conquer first?

FAQ

When does new Pips puzzles drop?

New Pips puzzles drop daily at midnight in your local time zone. You can play them on NYT Games app (Android/iOS) or website (at nytimes.com/games/pips).