What is the easiest way to play sudoku puzzles?

Answer 1

I am able to do the hardest puzzles in relatively short order - 1 to 1.5 hours on the hardest puzzles. 5 minutes on the easiest. I use four strategies in this order:

1) On a VERY easy puzzle, skip to step 2. This strategy goes through each number, 1-9. Make sure there's a 1 in every box. Note the boxes that are "missing" 1's. Check each empty space in that box to see if it is prevented from being a 1 because the row and column that intersect the space contain a 1. Each column and row is only allowed one of each 1, one of each 2, etc. Sometimes, only one space in the box is still empty and that space must be a 1. Do the same with all the other numbers, 2-9.

2) This strategy looks at each box. Look at a box. Is there a 1?
Yes: Check for 2, etc.
No: Look at the empty spaces in the box, one at a time.
Does the column the space is on have a 1?
Yes, This space is not a 1. Move on to the next space.
No: Does the row its on have a 1?
Yes, This space is not a 1. Move on to the next space.
No, this space COULD be a 1. Make a note and move onto the next space. If its the last space and the other spaces have been eliminated as possibilities for being a 1, then this space IS a 1 because every box must have every number. Repeat steps with 2, etc.

3) I do the same thing with each row, counting what numbers are missing and then looking at each empty space, seeing if it contains the missing numbers in its box or its column. Then I look at the columns. Its the same strategy as the second strategy but I do the second strategy first because its easier on my eyes.

4) I call this the quantum method because I treat spaces like they're in a quantum indeterminate state. By the time I've gotten to this strategy, I've probably filled in at least two thirds of the puzzle. That said, this strategy tries to reduce the number of empty spaces within a box, row or column without actually identifying the spaces. If while you're doing a steps 1 and 2, you see that there's two spaces in a row, for instance, that could each be only 6 or 7 and no other numbers, then I write 6/7 in both spaces. I don't know which is 6 or 7 but doing this DOES tell me that 6 and 7 are "taken" for this row so, if, for instance, this row has three empty spaces and the numbers that are "missing" are 3, 6 and 7, then the space in the row without the 6/7 IS 3 even if nothing prevents it from being 6 or 7. Even if there are five missing spaces, you now know that the ones without 6/7 are NOT 6 or 7, so that sometimes is enough information to identify one or maybe all three of the other empty spaces. You can "quantum indetermine" spaces in a row, column or box but, remember, they are only "quantum indeterminate" for that row, column or box they share (its possible they might share both a row and a box or both a column and a box.)

You can use this strategy to "quantum indetermine" three spaces in a row, column or box only if the three spaces can each only be the same three numbers which doesn't happen very often.

I hope this makes sense and is helpful. Its a lot of logic and the english language is poor at conveying logic.

Answer 2

Start with the numbers in the top left 9 cells and one at a time see if you can place them in the center and bottom set. Now do the same in reverse by starting at the bottom and working up. Next move to the center column and then the right column. Now do the three sets of rows in both directions. Then see of any row, columns, or 9 box sets are only missing one number.

Now expand to row, columns, or 9 box sets that are only missing two number. The idea is to fill in all squares that you know are absolutely correct.

The hard part comes when you have to start guessing. It is at this point where you may reach a dead end and have to back out moves.

The harder the puzzle level, the more guessing that is required.

Answer 3

The best way to start is to look for "twins" --duplicate occurences of the same digit. You can use these to isolate, or at least narrow down, the possibilities of where the next occurence of that digit will be.

Answer 4

First, fill in the numbers you know to put in where, Then make sure every line has one one...then one two... and so on. If two numbers can fit in one box or line make note of it then continue until you find out what goes where.

Answer 5

I am lie so hooked on this game. I first fill in all the obvious answers then I try and get all the other answers. Sometimes it takes time but it is worth it.

Answer 6

Try this site an see if it helps! :-)

http://www.sudokuonline.us/how_to_play_sudoku.php

Answer 7

Go to 2dplay.com
All you have to do is do it.