If you’re an avid Wordler like me, you may have noticed a new game that recently appeared on the NYT Games app called Pips. As a fan of games that require logic and deductive reasoning, I’ve become slightly obsessed with this little domino-placing game.

The rules are simple. You’re given a set of dominoes and a board. On the board are multicolored regions that have specific rules attached to them. Your job is to place all the dominoes on the board such that the numbers on the dominoes fulfill all the rules in these regions.

It’s a step away from the word-based games that the Times is known for like Wordle and Connections, and a welcome change of pace in my opinion. But for some players, the numbers and rules may feel a little overwhelming or confusing. So, if you’re struggling with this new game or just trying to improve your solve times, here are few tips.

Pay Attention to the Board Shape

Look for any parts of the board that can only take dominoes in a certain orientation. For example, if there is a single-square outcrop jutting from the top or the bottom, you know you will need to place a domino vertically to fill that square. The same goes for side outcrops and horizontal placement.

Focus on Getting All the Dominoes to Fit

If you’re having trouble visualizing your options, just start placing dominoes in the restricted ways that you found in the above step. Don’t worry about what numbers you’re using yet – we just want to be able to see how the dominoes can fit together. You’ll notice that placing your restricted dominoes will have a knock-on effect (a domino effect?) that further restricts orientation for nearby squares. Keep repeating this step until you either fill the board or run out of restricted squares.

Take Stock of How Many of Each Number You Have

Knowing what numbers you’re working with can be useful for fulfilling certain rules. For example, if there is a five-square region that requires all five squares to be equal, and you only have three 2s, you know that those 2s can’t go in that region. Similarly, if you have a two-square region that must add up to 7, and you don’t have any 1s, then you know that any 6s that you have can’t go in that region either.

Work from the Most Specific Rule to the Least

Now that we’ve narrowed down where the dominoes can be placed on the board, it’s finally time to tackle those pesky multicolored boxes. First, look for any single-square number regions, and see if your previous deductions about placement can help you narrow down to a specific domino. Next, look for multi-square number regions or all-equal regions and use your knowledge of how many of each number you have to narrow down the options in these regions. Leave the unequal and greater/less regions for last, since these are harder to narrow down to specific numbers.

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Have you checked out Pips yet? Got more puzzle game recommendations? Head on over to our Discord and join the conversation!

Featured Image: Mick Haupt (via Unsplash)