How to play Sudoku for those who love number puzzle games.
This game involves puzzle-solving and requires a lot of brainpower. Solving Sudoku after a stressful workday is an incredibly wonderful experience.
What is Sudoku? What is the Sudoku game?
Sudoku is the most popular board game in the world. Participants in this game range from young to old. The Sudoku game originated in the United States and quickly spread worldwide. Since its launch (in 1979), this name has never lost its appeal.
Initially, it was called Number Place, which refers to the position of numbers according to specific rules. After being introduced to Japan, a gaming company named it Sudoku (single number) and has maintained that name to this day.
Players need to fill in all the numbers from 1 to 9 in a grid consisting of 9 rows and 9 columns. The condition is that each row, each column, and each 3×3 box must not have the same number.
Thus, in the instructions, there will be 9 small boxes (regions). The regions are distinguished by bold lines. At the start of the game, you will be provided with a few boxes in advance, which are the important data to fill in the remaining numbers.
Basic rules of Sudoku
Solving Sudoku boxes must always adhere to the rule of unique numbers in each row, each column, and each 3×3 region. In the past, this game had many different variations; however, the 9×9 Sudoku solution is still considered the most interesting.
Specifically, the way to play Sudoku is to fill in the numbers so that they satisfy the uniqueness condition. Each game has a completely different arrangement, creating interest in this game.
In addition to the familiar 9×9 matrix, Sudoku also has many other variations:
- 4×4 matrix with 2×2 regions.
- 5×5 matrix with Pentomino regions.
- 6×6 matrix with 2×3 regions.
- 7×7 matrix with Heptomino regions.
- 12×12 matrix with 4×3 regions – Dodeka Sudoku.
- 16×16 size with 4×4 regions – Monster Sudoku.
- 25×25 size with 5×5 regions – Giant Sudoku.
- 100×100 size with 10×10 regions.
How to solve Sudoku for beginners
How to play Sudoku boxes is sought after and explored by many young people. Everyone is eager to conquer this challenging puzzle as quickly as possible.
Your task is to complete all the missing boxes in the 9×9 matrix. The way to play will include many different methods. The more skilled the player is at solving puzzles, the faster they can win.
1/ How to play Sudoku: Connect duplicate boxes
The most commonly used method is to connect duplicate boxes. You should draw straight lines connecting those numbers; the box that is not crossed is the position of that number.
In the example above, you need to find the number 8 in a region that already has 7 numbers. After connecting 2 straight lines, the player immediately knows that the number 8 will be in the circled position.
2/ Guide to playing Sudoku: Find numbers by 3 vertical rows and horizontal rows
Finding numbers by 3 rows will help you gradually limit areas according to a certain number. This is a method that is not easy to use but provides absolute accuracy.
According to the image above, the number 2 has appeared in the first column, the second column, and the eighth row. Therefore, 100% the number 2 will appear in the star position.
3/ How to play Sudoku: Combine rows, columns, and regions
With this method of playing, you need to consider both rows, columns, and regions to know the number in the hidden cell. Of course, it still relies on the unique rule, looking at which numbers have already appeared, so they cannot appear again.
For example, in the red box above, the reasonable number is definitely the number 3:
- The row has numbers 7, 8, 5, 6, 9, 2, 1.
- The column has numbers 5, 9, 7.
- The region has numbers 5, 6, 8, 9, 4.
=> Only the number 3 has not appeared.
4/ Use the elimination method
Using the gradual elimination method will help you find the suitable number for any cell. Of course, you should choose cells that have appeared with a lot of data.
As in the example above, the circled cell cannot be 7, 6, 2, 5, 1, 4, 3, 9. Therefore, the suitable number for this cell is only 8.
5/ Use deductive reasoning
In addition to the main methods of playing Sudoku based on theory as above, the deductive reasoning method can sometimes be just as effective. With this method, you need to use your brain and thinking ability a lot.
As in the example above, the reasonable number for the circled cell is only 3.
6/ Try different numbers
While solving Sudoku, sometimes the above methods cannot be successfully applied, or you cannot see where to apply them. So how should that situation be resolved?
I propose the final solution is to try out a few numbers and then compare them with the related rows and columns.
The most useful Sudoku playing tips
How to play Sudoku well is essentially about integrating and applying many playing tips. I have summarized all the most important notes when solving numbers as follows:
- Always solve from the position with the most data.
- If that position can have 1 of 2 numbers, note down those 2 numbers.
- Pay attention to the relationships between rows and columns, rows and regions, columns and regions.
- Eliminate the unique numbers that have appeared from the selection area.
- Maximize the brain’s ability in the way of playing.
- After each game, summarize your experience for the next time.
Conclusion
How to play Sudoku includes various methods to flexibly apply in a game. This is a game that requires a lot of calculation and logical reasoning. You will greatly improve your thinking skills if you participate in this game today.
