How to Play the Game of Sudoku
Sudoku is a fun and challenging numerical game that stimulates the mind and requires simple logic and reasoning to solve. The rules are very simple and easy to learn, and games range from easy to very challenging. Each Sudoku puzzle begins with a certain amount of digits already filled in, and the object is to fill in the blank squares with numbers so that each row, column and 3-square-by-3-square subsection contains all digits 1 through 9 (in no particular order).
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Instructions
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Begin with a puzzle. Traditional Sudoku is a 9-square-by-9-square grid, with nine sections of smaller 3-by-3 subsections. Remember, each row, column and subsection must have digits 1 through 9.
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Pick a row, column or subsection that has the most given numbers. The difficulty of the game has much to do with how many numbers are given in the beginning. Looking at the first row, think about numbers 1 through 9 and, using a process of elimination, decide if any number must go in a certain square because it is not allowed in any other square in its section.
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3
Write in only numbers you've determined by process of elimination. By only writing numbers in the squares that have been determined without a doubt, this ensures a possible solution of the puzzle. Putting one number in an incorrect place can throw off the entire puzzle and make a solution impossible.
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Move on to the next row. Again, think about digits 1 through 9, and by process of elimination, write in numbers that only have one possible place. This process will be slow, especially in the beginning. As more numbers begin to fill in, the elimination process becomes earlier.
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Scan columns using the same technique once all of the rows have been examined. Again, passing over many columns and rows in the beginning without writing a single number in a box is very common.
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Use the same process of elimination technique to look at all of the 3-by-3 subsections now.
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Be patient. The process will speed up. After going through the entire puzzle, you may only have placed one number in its definite spot, but this one number will allow you to fill in more numbers around it. Then repeat these steps until the puzzle is solved.
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Tips & Warnings
Write numbers in pencil, so you can easily erase if you make a mistake.
