How to Play Sudoku: Play the Puzzle that Takes the World by Storm

Do you know anything about the Rubik’s Cube? Who haven’t heard about it? Have you ever played with it? If you did and you are trying to go for a bigger challenge, try Sudoku. Sudoku is a number placement puzzle game that needs careful thought and intense patience.

Sudoku is a great puzzle that can be found anywhere from newspapers, magazines, textbooks, and on the internet. It consists of a series of grids. The grids usually involve one big 9 x 9 grid that holds, 9 3 x 3 tiny grids.

The main objective of this game is to put the numbers 1 to 9 into each of the grid units. In Sudoku, you do not have to add the numbers and look for the sum of the rows and columns. Though it is a game number, definitely there will be no addition included.

However, there are three rules that must be strictly followed. And they are:

1. Each of the numbers from 1 to 9 should come out only once in each column.
2. Each number from 1 to 9 must appear once in each row.
3. Each should appear once in each small 3 x 3 grid

These rules should be followed significantly to make sure that each 3 x 3 grid has the numbers from 1 to 9 to show in the series only once. In this way, it is assured that it increases the challenge and difficulty in playing the game.

Sudoku game puzzle comes in different levels of complexity. The total of numbers provided in the first level in the 9 x 9 matrix differs. Many people think that the game would be easy if there are more numbers given at the first level. However, this is not so true because the assignment of the each number has an intense effect in making the puzzle difficult to solve.

Now, how will you play the puzzle game?

As mentioned above, you have to follow the three rules. Once you have put that in your mind, you may start playing the game. The following are steps which you can use in playing the sudoku.

• You do not have to guess everything when playing. The Sudoku puzzle can be solved sensibly. All you have to do is to think about it carefully. The best way to begin the puzzle is by searching for the clues. Majority of the players begin by looking for the numbers that often appear in the first puzzle. For instance you have many 4’s in the first puzzle. Look in the 3 x 3 box if the number 4 is also there. Now, can you find out other places where there is also the number 4? Start looking for the no. 4 in the rows and columns. These can help you locate where the other 4’s are. Remember, the number 4 must appear only once in each of the 3 x 3 box, rows or columns. If there is already a 4 in the columns 1 and 3, then there’s should be no other 4 in any of those 2 columns. Thus, the missing 4 should be replaced in column 2. If you are able to remove all the potentials in the box, you will have a bigger chance of solving it correctly.

• At the time that you are done looking at all the 3 x 3 boxes, you must ensure to fill in the numbers 1 to 9 in the rows and columns that hold most of the numbers. If only two numbers are not in the row or column you can always do the elimination method to know where to place the last two numbers. Check the rows and the columns to locate the missing numbers. If you have eliminated one of the possibilities on each row or column, there is a chance to fill the line you are playing.

• The two steps above will help you solve the simplest or the easy Sudoku. On the other hand, difficult puzzles need players who know how to look for the possibilities of the puzzle. The possibilities basically need someone who will solve and win the puzzle with all the given different choices in every square. There may be times that there is no way to remove a possibility, so a player will have to choose any of the numbers. When this happens, it is necessary to remember where you have chosen a number and think if your first choice was wrong.

Sudoku is game of wits. Sometimes, you will feel that you are only playing a non-stop game. But, following the steps and practicing it will help you know the techniques that are helpful and will lead you to victory.