NYT Pips hints, answers for February 20, 2026
Mashable
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The New York Times has launched its latest game, Pips, offering a fresh take on traditional dominoes. Released in August 2025, Pips combines familiar tile placement mechanics with unique color-coded conditions that players must solve. Unlike standard dominoes, where tiles must match adjacent numbers, Pips challenges players to meet specific criteria based on the game's color-coded spaces. For example, a "Greater Than" condition requires all pips in that area to exceed a certain number, while an "Equal" condition demands identical numbers across all tiles in the space.
The game features three difficulty levels—Easy, Medium, and Hard—each presenting increasingly complex puzzles. Players can access hints provided by the NYT for each level, as the game currently offers no partial reveals when stuck. These hints guide players through conditions like "Less Than (2)" or "Number (11)," where tiles must add up to a specific total. For instance, in the Hard difficulty, players might encounter a "Number (1)" condition, which requires tiles summing to 1, such as using a 6-0 tile placed vertically.
Pips stands out as a unique addition to the NYT's gaming offerings, appealing to fans of puzzle games and dominoes enthusiasts. Its innovative approach to problem-solving and strategic thinking makes it an engaging option for casual gamers and puzzle aficionados alike. The game's availability on desktop and its free access for NYT members ensure broad accessibility, fitting well into the growing trend of interactive, single-player digital experiences.
For readers interested in tech and gaming, Pips represents a creative evolution in casual games, blending classic mechanics with modern problem-solving elements. Its potential to become a daily habit highlights its addicting nature and the challenge it provides across difficulty levels. Whether for mental stimulation or simple entertainment, Pips offers a fresh alternative to traditional puzzle games, making it a notable entry in the digital gaming landscape.
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Originally published on Mashable on 2/20/2026