Time is just flying by. We’re well into September, and my kids are already buzzing about Halloween. It’s a bit surreal, isn’t it? I mean, are we supposed to slow down or speed up this year? Anyway, let’s dive into today’s pip challenge!
Looking for Monday’s pip? Check out the guide here.
How to play pip
PIP features a grid filled with various colored squares, each representing a different “state” to achieve. You select a number of dominos needed to fill the grid. To win, you’ve got to meet all the conditions using all of your dominos. There are easier and medium difficulty levels, too.
Here’s a glimpse at a challenging tearpip:
In the grid, there are numerous symbols and numbers for each color. For example, the three purple squares on the left shouldn’t be equal to one another (hence, equal signs are out). The two pink squares next need to total to 0. Also, all zigzag blue squares have to match each other. You’ll have to rotate the dominos to fit them properly.
There are more conditions that might not be shown, such as “less than” or “greater than”:
- All pips must equal each other in this group.
- All pips must not equal each other in this group.
- This tile’s PIP must be greater than the listed number.
- The exact PIP must match a specific number (like 6).
- Any tile without conditions can be used.
To win, make sure you fill all squares while using all dominos to meet the conditions. Play today’s pip puzzle here.
Today’s PIPS Solution
Here’s a straightforward, medium-level pip solution, followed by a tougher challenge walkthrough. Spoilers ahead.
Easy
Medium
Difficult
Let’s tackle a tough pip together. It begins like this:
Lately, the challenging pips have taken on fun shapes—kangaroos, dogs, and tiny houses. Today’s is a block-shaped puzzle. It posed some challenges but was easier than some recent ones. The tricky part is mostly about counting.
Step 1
We start by noting the necessity of equal grouping. Blue has five tiles, all of which need to be the same. Meanwhile, there are three purple tiles. I’m confident that 2 must be Blue = group since there are only two that can fill these tiles.
Then, consider the Pink 4 group with four tiles. This means their numbers must be quite low. The Purple = group has to be either 5 or 6, as a lower number just wouldn’t work. 5 can be ruled out since it wouldn’t allow the Orange 10 group to function. You could make that happen with a combination of 6 and 4, but the pink 4 and blue right pips just don’t align. So it’s reasonable to assume 5 is used for the Orange 10 groups.
Starting in the lower right corner, I placed 2/4 dominos from blue= to dark blue ≠, then 2/5 from Blue to Orange 10, with 10 filling Orange 5/5 in a free tile. Finally, I added a 2/1 domino at the bottom of the pink 4 because I knew I needed all six dominos up above the purple.
Step 2
Next, I added the 6/1 Domino from purple = to pink 4, and did the same with 6/2 Domino. With four pips now in Pink 4, I placed 2/0 in Blue=Pink 4.
This made it much simpler to finish. I wrapped Blue=Group with a 2/3 Domino. Three went into the free tiles, and a 6/3 Domino wrapped the Purple group, fitting three into the remaining free spaces. And that’s how it’s done!
Solved
So, while this was a bit easier than some of the recent pips, figuring out the starting point and how to place everything was definitely a puzzle in itself. I had to be careful with the domino directions. If anything’s amiss, just let me know!
Don’t forget to keep checking back here for daily puzzle guides, movie reviews, and more.
