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Step 1
Look for 9 by 9 grid puzzles with nine sectioned boxes of nine cells within the grid. Sudoku look similar to crossword puzzles, but you don't use any word clues to solve the puzzles.
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Step 2
See that numbers 1 through 9 fit into the puzzle in each row, column and box with no repetitions. Sudoku can also use letters, symbols, shapes or other numbers besides 1 through 9.
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Step 3
Check the difficulty level. Sudoku puzzles should have no more than 30 givens--numbers or symbols already built into the puzzle. The easiest level puzzles have 30; the fewer the givens the more difficult the game is to solve.
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Step 4
Identify non-traditional sudoku puzzles by using these standards but looking for a small twist. Puzzles may contain a larger grid, such as a 16 by 16, or smaller grid, such as 5 by 5, or even a circular game board. Some use colors instead of numbers or symbols. These other types are often found in sudoku puzzle books as a challenging or fun variation to traditional types.
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Step 5
Look for variations called nonomino sudoku, kakuro, killer sudoku, hypersudoku, sudokube or o'ekaki. These games have similar grid formations with unique rules and strategies.












