You want to try sudoku, but you don’t know where to begin. Sudoku looks hard because it involves numbers, but in reality, it’s not math-based. Even if you think you’re bad at math, you can still do well at sudoku. In fact, the numbers could be replaced with letters or symbols and the results would be the same; it’s all about recognizing the pattern. Start by learning the basics of sudoku, then move on to learning the beginning and advanced techniques.
Figuring Out the Basics
Learn the setup
In a normal sudoku, you’ll have a square grid of 9 large squares. Inside each of those larger squares will be 9 smaller squares. When faced with a puzzle, some of those smaller squares will be filled in with numbers from 1 to 9.
Line up the rows and columns
One basic rule of the game is that every column and row must have all of the numbers from 1 to 9. This means that within a row or column, a number cannot repeat.
Pay attention to the numbers in the large squares
In each of the 9 large squares, every number from 1 to 9 must appear. That means that each number can only appear once, as there’s only 9 smaller squares in each larger square.
- For example, if a large square already has the number “2” in it, you know it can’t include another number “2” anywhere in the square.
Use a pencil instead of a pen
As a new sudoku player, you are going to make mistakes, and with a pen, you’ll end up with a mess. Instead, use a pencil so you can erase mistakes.
Starting with Easy Hints
Look for a single empty in a larger square
Check each square to see if it has a single square open. If it does, it’s easy to fill in. Just figure out what number is missing from 1 to 9.
- For example, if a larger square has numbers 1-3 and 5-9, you know it’s missing the number “4,” which you can fill in.
Check for single empty squares in the rows and columns
See if any of them only have 1 square open. If a row does, figure out which number from 1 to 9 is missing in that row or column and fill it in.
- If a column has numbers 1-7 and 9, you know it’s missing the number “8,” which you can fill in.
Scan rows or columns to fill in larger squares
Look at a row of 3 large squares. Check for a number that’s repeated 2 times in different squares. Run your fingers along the rows that contain that number. The third large square must contain the same number, but it can’t be in 1 of the 2 rows you’re tracing. It must be in the third row. Sometimes, 2 other numbers will be in that row, so you can easily fill in the number you’re scanning.
- If “8” is repeated in 2 squares, look for that number in the third square. Run your finger down the rows with each “8,” as you know the “8” can’t be in those rows in the third large square.
Using More Difficult Techniques
Pencil in numbers. As puzzles get more difficult, you’ll find that just using the above techniques won’t always solve the puzzle. Then, you need to start filling in what numbers could possibly go in each square. When you get a possibility, place it in the corner of a small square in pencil. You may have as many as 3 or 4 numbers penciled in as you try to solve the puzzle.
- As you work, you may notice certain squares only have 1 number, and you may be able to fill in that number permanently.
Recheck often. As you fill in numbers, go back over the puzzle to figure out spaces you had to leave blank before. Once you’ve filled in new numbers, you may be able to figure out those spaces.
- As you recheck the blank spaces, go through the techniques again to help fill in numbers.
