A deceptively simple puzzle is making the rounds online, and it’s tricking more people than you’d think. The setup: coffee pours into a series of pipes connected to four cups, labeled 4, 5, 7, and 9. Your task? Figure out which cup fills first.
At first glance, Cup 4 seems like the safe bet—it’s closest to the source. But here’s where the puzzle plays with your mind: some pipes are blocked, and if you don’t notice, you’ll pick wrong. Cup 4’s path is sealed, as are Cups 5 and 7. The only unobstructed route leads to Cup 9, making it the correct answer.
Why is this puzzle so effective? Because it preys on our tendency to rush. We see what looks like the shortest path and assume it’s the right one. But the real solution requires patience and attention to detail—something worth remembering in puzzles and in life.
