NYT Mini Crossword’s Surprise “Dominoes” Theme Debuts Early

**August 22, 2025 | New York** In a surprise move, Friday’s New York Times Mini Crossword came out a day early. It playfully featured a hidden “DOMINOES” motif, linking to the Times’ new Pips game.

Friday’s 5×5 puzzle usually drops at 10 p.m. the night before. This week, it appeared on Thursday night, surprising solvers before they jumped in. The grid was more than a simple brain-teaser. It included circled squares that spelled out DOMINOES when read in order. This was a nod to the new Pips game feature.

Puzzle editor Will Shortz noted the early drop was unintentional. He also praised the theme’s creativity. ““We love surprising our readers,” Shortz remarked. ““This Mini was crafted to mark our Pips release. It’s fun to see solvers uncover the hidden message.”

Many enthusiasts found the puzzle more challenging than a typical Friday edition. The across and down clues were their usual mix. They ranged from “Places to store shovels and leaf blowers” (SHEDS) to “Barkeep on ‘The Simpsons’” (MOE). The circled letters added a twist, keeping experienced solvers alert. Crossword blogger Erik Kain said the average completion time rose by 30 seconds from last Friday’s puzzle.

Even with the surprise and small increase in difficulty, solver feedback has been very positive. ““It was fun trying to spot the pattern,” said longtime Mini player Maria Lee. ““It felt like a mini-mystery wrapped inside my daily crossword”.

The New York Times Games team assures subscribers that future Minis will keep to the usual release schedule. They also suggest that more themed Easter eggs could be on the way.