How to Play Sudoku Logic Puzzles for Fun
Sudoku logic puzzles are everywhere now, and most local newspapers have a puzzle every day. There are also Sudoku puzzle books in nearly every convenience store or drug store, big box store or magazine shop.
There is no shortage of Sudoku puzzles available, and many go unworked. This is a fun logic game, and understanding the game will allow you to join in the fun.
Here is how to work the Sudoku logic puzzles for fun.
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Instructions
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Study the Sudoku puzzle.
Look over the Sudoku puzzle. The point of the game is to use the numbers from one to nine only once in each box and once in each horizontal or vertical row. This is a logic game that will help keep your mind sharp, so you are not just wasting time.
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Work with a logical plan.
Begin with the number ONE and see where it appears in the puzzle. Start with each row down. Remember, there will only be one ONE in each box, and one ONE in each row. See what numbers you can easily place. Do the same for each row across.
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Progress through the numbers.
Go to the number TWO and see where it is located in the Sudoku puzzle. See if you can place any number TWO answers. Continue with all nine numbers in vertical and horizontal rows.
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Look at the puzzle lines.
Choose a line, either horizontally or vertically, that has the most numbers completed. Go through the numbers and see what numbers are missing, and see if you can complete any of them. Do this for all the puzzle lines that have several numbers completed.
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Evaluate the cubes next.
Remember that each cube has all numbers from one to nine, and that they only appear once. Choose the cubes with the most numbers completed first, and work through them.
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Work with alternating pairs.
Complete the alternating pairs of numbers in pencil. If you have two numbers that could fit, and you cannot determine which one, complete them in pencil. DO NOT GUESS. This will help you see the possibilities.
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Consider elimination logic.
Eliminate numbers that are already used. For example, if number FOUR is needed to complete a cube at the top in a specific vertical line, it will not be used in the bottom cube in that line. You can write these to the side of the box with an X or use any method you like to remember this. The process of elimination at this point will often help you see how to complete the line or the cube.
You can learn to play Sudoku logic puzzles for fun.
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copyright 2009 Linda Richard
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- Photo Credit images from the author, puzzles by Pappocom
