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Linux is famous for being customizable, flexible, and resource-friendly. Unfortunately, despite gains in recent years, there are some areas where it still can't beat Windows.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 21, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 21, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 21 Pips

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically; 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 21 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is -4, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-10, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 21 Pips

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

When it comes to cordless power tools, you have several excellent options to choose from. And while big hardware stores like Home Depot sell multiple brands, two of the most prominent are Ryobi and Milwaukee. Here's which one makes the most sense for homeowners.

When it comes to cordless power tools, you have several excellent options to choose from. And while big hardware stores like Home Depot sell multiple brands, two of the most prominent are Ryobi and Milwaukee. Here's which one makes the most sense for homeowners.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who know the big fella.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Plays in the Old Line State

• Green: The Big Fella

• Blue: Robert Redford movie

• Purple: Driver

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Maryland Teams

• Green: Shaquille O'Neal Nicknames

• Blue: Associated with "The Natural"

• Purple: Sports That Have a Driver

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #516 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Maryland Teams - MIDSHIPMEN, ORIOLES, RAVENS, TERRAPINS

• Shaquille O'Neal Nicknames - BIG ARISTOTLE, DIESEL, SHAQ, SUPERMAN

• Associated with "The Natural" - BASEBALL, HOBBS, KNIGHTS, WONDERBOY

• Sports That Have a Driver - BOBSLED, F1, GOLF, WATER POLO

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

If you have a relatively new vehicle, it probably has USB-A and newer USB-C ports on the dash, in the center console, and maybe in the back for passengers. They're everywhere, and it makes charging phones fast and easy, right? Nope.

If you have a relatively new vehicle, it probably has USB-A and newer USB-C ports on the dash, in the center console, and maybe in the back for passengers. They're everywhere, and it makes charging phones fast and easy, right? Nope.

If you're the type of person who only upgrades their PC once in a blue moon, you're not alone. So, it might seem logical to spend some extra cash now to build a top-tier PC that can last longer. However, that isn't a good approach to PC building. Allow me to explain.

If you're the type of person who only upgrades their PC once in a blue moon, you're not alone. So, it might seem logical to spend some extra cash now to build a top-tier PC that can last longer. However, that isn't a good approach to PC building. Allow me to explain.

Vibration sensors are just another tool in your smart home arsenal for building useful and entertaining automations. These wireless, battery-powered helpers can stick to virtually anything and sense movement or changes in angle that you can use as triggers.

Vibration sensors are just another tool in your smart home arsenal for building useful and entertaining automations. These wireless, battery-powered helpers can stick to virtually anything and sense movement or changes in angle that you can use as triggers.

The first time I held a 512GB microSD card in the palm of my hand, I was duly impressed, but that was a long time ago. Today, the biggest SD card you can buy is 2TB in size.

The first time I held a 512GB microSD card in the palm of my hand, I was duly impressed, but that was a long time ago. Today, the biggest SD card you can buy is 2TB in size.

A smart home is never done evolving, for all it takes is one new addition to make many of your older products feel fresh. One of my most recent upgrades was a cheap, wall-mountable remote that breathes new life into the lights in my home.

A smart home is never done evolving, for all it takes is one new addition to make many of your older products feel fresh. One of my most recent upgrades was a cheap, wall-mountable remote that breathes new life into the lights in my home.

If you're like me, you spend a lot of time watching YouTube in order to learn as much as you can about your hobbies. For me, that includes videos about 3D printing, which is a technology that fascinates me and I want to know as much as possible about it.

Modern smartphones are more powerful than ever, but almost every Android brand plays it safe. The cost of creating a new smartphone is so high that experimenting rarely makes sense.

Everyone has their own selection when it comes to installing apps on a fresh Windows installation. However, there are a few apps that every power user should have on their Windows PC. Allow me to share my Windows essentials.

TL;DR: Live stream New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup is moving onto its next stage. We've all greatly enjoyed the group stage over the last couple of weeks, but it's time for the intensity to ramp up. We're now at the Super 8 stage, with only eight teams left to battle it out for a place in the semi finals.

New Zealand vs. Pakistan is the first game from this stage of the competition. Both sides finished second in their respective groups. Pakistan lost out to India. New Zealand were beaten by South Africa. Does that matter now? Absolutely not. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, and New Zealand are all in the same group, with only the top two teams moving on.

If you want to watch New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. Pakistan?

New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 21. This game takes place at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium.

How to watch New Zealand vs. Pakistan for free

New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream New Zealand vs. Pakistan in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Following a seven-year wait, 2026 will finally see Earth's Mightiest Heroes assemble once more for Avengers: Doomsday. The MCU's most iconic figures will join forces to defend existence from the machinations of a plot by the long-anticipated villain Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. Avengers: Doomsday will mark the beginning of the end of the Multiverse Saga that began in 2021.