If you’re like most Sudoku fans, you’ve probably got your strategy for solving the puzzles here are a The Ultimate Sudoku Strategy. But even the best strategy can only take you so far. Sometimes it’s helpful to follow a different approach, especially when the grid is particularly difficult. In this article, we’ll outline six sudoku strategies that you can use to solve any puzzle, no matter how tricky it may seem. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced solver, be sure to try out these tips the next time you tackle a Sudoku puzzle!
Start With The Basics
The first step to solving any Sudoku puzzle is to identify the numbers that are already given in the grid. These are called the “givens”. Once you’ve identified the givens, you can start filling in the blanks.
Look For Easy Opportunities
Once you’ve filled in the givens, look for easy opportunities to fill in more numbers. An easy opportunity is a blank cell that can only be filled in with one number.
For example, let’s say you’re working on a 9×9 Sudoku puzzle and you’ve already filled-in some of the givens. You come across a blank cell that can only be filled in with a 4. This is an easy opportunity because there’s only one number that can go in that cell.
Scan The Entire Grid
Once you’ve filled in the givens and looked for easy opportunities, it’s time to take a closer look at the entire grid. This will help you identify which numbers go where. Start by scanning each row, column, and 3×3 section of the grid. Look for cells that can only be filled in with one number. If you find any, fill them in!
Use Pencil Marks
If you’re having trouble identifying which numbers go where try using pencil marks. Pencil marks are simply numbers that you write in the margins of the sudoku grid.
For example, let’s say you’re working on a 9×9 sudoku puzzle and you’ve come across a cell that can be filled in with either a 7 or an 8. In this case, you would write “7” and “8” in the margins of the sudoku grid.
This will help you keep track of which numbers go where. Just be sure to erase your pencil marks when you’re done!
Make A Guess
If you’ve tried all of the above strategies and you’re still stuck, it’s time to make a guess. To do this, choose one of the blank cells and fill it in with any number. Then, see if you can solve the puzzle.
If your guess was correct, congratulations! You’ve just solved the Sudoku puzzle. If not, don’t worry. Just erase your guess and try again.
Use A Sudoku Solver
If you’re stuck, you can always use a sudoku solver. A sudoku solver is a tool that will solve the puzzle for you. Just enter the numbers that are already given in the grid and click “Solve”. The sudoku solver will do the rest!
There you have it! Six sudoku strategies that will help you solve any puzzle, no matter how difficult it may be. So the next time you’re stuck on a Sudoku puzzle, be sure to try out these tips. Good luck!
What Is The Best Sudoku Strategy To Follow?
There is no one definitive sudoku strategy that always works, as the game can be quite unpredictable. However, there are some general tips that sudoku players can follow in order to increase their chances of success.
One of the most important sudoku strategies is to take your time and think through each move carefully. Rushing into a decision is often a recipe for disaster, as it can lead to mistakes being made. It can be helpful to write down possible moves and then elimination those that don’t make sense.
Another key sudoku strategy is to work on one section of the puzzle at a time. Focusing on one area will make it easier to see patterns and figure out which numbers go where. Once you’ve completed one section, you can move on to another.
It’s also important to use sudoku solving aids sparingly. These can be a great help when you’re stuck, but overusing them will make the game less challenging and ultimately less enjoyable.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends or family members if you’re really stuck. Sudoku is meant to be fun, so there’s no shame in admitting that you need a little assistance every now and then.
Follow these sudoku strategies and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a sudoku master!
What Are Sudoku Variations?
There are many sudoku variations, but the most popular ones are:
Classic sudoku
Diagonal sudoku
Jigsaw sudoku
Killer sudoku
Samurai sudoku
Each of these variations has different rules, but the basic premise is the same: fill in the blanks so that each row, column, and 3×3 box contains all of the digits from 1 to 9. Sounds easy enough, right? But trust us, it isn’t! That’s why we’ve compiled a list of essential sudoku strategies that will help you solve any sudoku puzzle, no matter how difficult it may be.
How Is Sudoku Played?
The game of sudoku is played on a 9×9 grid. The aim of the game is to fill all the empty cells on the grid with numbers from 1-9, so that each row, column and 3×3 box contains all the numbers from 1-9.
There are a few Sudoku strategies that can be followed in order to solve the puzzle more easily. Here is a look at some of the most popular ones:
Also Read:- 10 Impossible Puzzles That Will Test Your Mind
Scanning the rows and columns: This is probably the most basic Sudoku strategy. When you look at a Sudoku puzzle, you should first scan the rows and columns to see if there are any numbers that can be immediately filled in. For example, if you see that a certain row only has the numbers 1, 2 and 3, then you know that the number 4 must go in one of the empty cells in that row.
Focusing on the 3×3 boxes: Another Sudoku strategy is to focus on the 3×3 boxes. This means looking at each box and seeing if there are any numbers that can be filled in. For example, if a box only has the numbers 1, 2 and 3, then you know that the number 4 must go in one of the empty cells in that box.
Looking for hidden pairs: A hidden pair is when two numbers can only go in two specific cells. For example, if you see that the number 1 can only go in two specific cells in a row, then you know that the number 2 must go in one of the other empty cells in that row.
Making guesses: Sometimes, you will come to a point where you cannot solve the puzzle using logic alone. In this case, you will need to make a guess. However, before you do so, it is important to write down what your guess is, so that you can backtrack if necessary.
Using Sudoku software: There are various pieces of Sudoku software available that can help you to solve the puzzle. This software usually has a number of different features that can be used, such as hints and tips, which can be very helpful when you are stuck.
Following these sudoku strategies, you will be able to solve any sudoku puzzle more easily.
Can Sudoku Be Solved Without Guessing?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes! Sudoku can be solved without guessing, and in fact, most sudoku puzzles can be solved using a simple set of sudoku strategies.
However, before we dive into those sudoku strategies, it’s important to understand that there are different types of sudoku puzzles. The most common type of sudoku puzzle is the 9×9 sudoku puzzle, which is the type of sudoku puzzle that you typically see in newspapers and magazines.
There are also 4×4 sudoku puzzles, 6×6 sudoku puzzles, 8×8 sudoku puzzles, 10×10 sudoku puzzles, and 12×12 sudoku puzzles. The strategies that we’ll be discussing in this article can be used to solve any type of sudoku puzzle, regardless of size.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the sudoku strategies that you can use to solve sudoku puzzles without guessing.
Crosshatching
The first sudoku strategy that we’re going to discuss is called crosshatching.
To use the crosshatching sudoku strategy, start by looking for a row or column that contains two empty cells.
Then, look at the other cells in that row or column and see if there are any numbers that can only go in one of those two empty cells.
For example, let’s say that you’re looking at a 9×9 sudoku puzzle and you see that the third row contains two empty cells. Then, you look at the other cells in the third row and you see that there is a number 4 in one of the columns and a number 7 in another column.
This means that the number 4 can only go in one of the empty cells in the third row, and the number 7 can only go in the other empty cell. Therefore, you can fill in those numbers without guessing.
Naked Pairs
The second sudoku strategy that we’re going to discuss is called naked pairs.
To use the naked pairs sudoku strategy, start by looking for a row or column that contains two cells with the same two numbers. For example, let’s say that you’re looking at a 9×9 sudoku puzzle and you see that the fourth row contains two cells with the numbers 3 and 5. This means that those are the only two numbers that can go in those cells, so you can eliminate all other numbers from those cells.
You can also use the naked pairs sudoku strategy to eliminate numbers from other cells in the same row or column. For example, if you see a naked pair of 3 and 5 in the fourth row, you can eliminate all other numbers from the fourth row.
Hidden Pairs
The third sudoku strategy that we’re going to discuss is called hidden pairs.
To use the hidden pairs sudoku strategy, start by looking for a row or column that contains two empty cells.
Then, look at the other cells in that row or column and see if there are any numbers that can only go in those two empty cells. For example, let’s say that you’re looking at a 9×9 sudoku puzzle and you see that the seventh row contains two empty cells.
Then, you look at the other cells in the seventh row and you see that there is a number 1 in one of the columns and a number 2 in another column. This means that the number 1 can only go in one of the empty cells in the seventh row, and the number 2 can only go in the other empty cell.
Therefore, you can fill in those numbers without guessing.
Pointing Pairs
The fourth sudoku strategy that we’re going to discuss is called pointing pairs.
Start by looking for a row or column that contains two cells with the same number.
You can also use this strategy to eliminate numbers from other cells in the same row or column. For example, if you see a pointing pair of 4 in the eighth row, you can eliminate all other numbers.
Block And Column Interlocking
The last sudoku strategy that we’re going to discuss is called block and column interlocking.
To use the block and column interlocking sudoku strategy, start by looking for a block that contains two empty cells.
Look at the other cells in that block and see if there are numbers that can only go in them.
Therefore, you can fill in those numbers without guessing.
This strategy can be used to eliminate numbers from other cells in the same block or column.
The best sudoku strategy to use depends on the sudoku puzzle that you’re trying to solve. However, these seven sudoku strategies will give you a good starting point. Try using one or two of them at first, and then gradually add more.
Bottom Line
There you have it! The ultimate sudoku strategy to follow. Take your time, and don’t get too frustrated if you can’t solve a puzzle immediately. With a little practice, you’ll be a sudoku expert in no time!