Learning how to play sudoku is really very simple. While many people think that sudoku is a math game in reality it is a logic puzzle. To solve it you will need to apply a combination of different strategies and use pure logic to arrive at a solution.
So how exactly do you play sudoku?
Sudoku is played on a blank square that is divided into 9 different regions which consists of a series of cells. Each region is further divided into 9 cells and the purpose of the game is to enter the digits one through nine into each of the cells of the mini grids so that the number only appears once in each row, column or grid. below is a picture of a typical sudoku board.
As you can see from the image above a certain amount of starter digits (or candidates) have already been placed inside this sudoku puzzle. They are placed there to help you determine which numbers go into the various empty cells on the board. Typically the more numbers that you start off with the easier it will be to solve the puzzle. The harder or killer level sudoku will contain the least amount of digits making it much harder to solve.
If this is your first time solving a sudoku than it is best to begin with an easy level puzzle until you have become familiar with a few of the more basic solving strategies. At first many people find that playing sudoku to be difficult but as they practice and complete more puzzles their confidence levels grow and often find that the medium level puzzles are soon in play.
Start by using a pencil as if you make any mistakes you can easily erase them and start again. Trying to cross out any digits that are clearly wrong if you have used a pen can wreck your puzzle board (if it is on paper) and cause you in many cases to have to throw the puzzle out completely. Some people find that entering in possible candidates into each of the cells helps in speeding up the solving, and makes it much clearer to them. This technique while basic is called penciling in and is one of the first solving strategies you should try and learn to master.
There are many sudoku tips that you can use to help you determine which candidate goes where, on our website we have listed some of the more popular ones to help you master this addictive game.