| Sudoku is the puzzle game taking the world by | | | | |
| storm. | | | | 2. Once you've finished looking at all the |
| | | | 3x3 boxes make sure to fill in the 1-9's in |
| Rules: | | | | rows and columns that have most of the |
| | | | numbers in them. If there are only two |
| The rules of Sudoku (sometimes called Su Doku | | | | numbers missing in a row or a column you can |
| or Number Place) are simple: Put the numbers | | | | usually use a process of elimination to |
| 1 through 9 into the blank spaces in the | | | | figure out where to fill in the last two |
| grid. Every row, every column, and every 3x3 | | | | numbers. Scan the row or column where the |
| box must contain the digits 1 through 9. | | | | missing numbers two are, if you see or |
| | | | eliminate one of possibilities based on the |
| Getting Started: | | | | other row or column you can now complete the |
| | | | line you were working on. |
| 1. There is no need to guess. Every Sudoku | | | | |
| puzzle can be solved logically. The best way | | | | 3. These two steps will solve most basic or |
| to start is by looking for clues. Most people | | | | easy Sudoku puzzles are all often called |
| start by looking for numbers that occur | | | | solving the lone number or eliminating |
| frequently in the initial puzzle. Say you | | | | singles. Difficult puzzles require solvers to |
| have a lot of 5s in the initial puzzle. Look | | | | look for contingencies in the puzzle. |
| for the 3x3 box where there is no 5. Can you | | | | Contingencies usually require a solver to |
| rule out places where a 5 might go? Look for | | | | mark-up the puzzle with all the different |
| 5s in other rows and columns that can help | | | | options in each square. Sometimes there will |
| you eliminate where the 5 might go in that | | | | be no way to eliminate a possibility for a |
| box. Remember, a 5 can't appear more than | | | | square and you will have to choose between |
| once in any 3x3 box, row, or column. If there | | | | two or more numbers. In these cases it is |
| is a 5 in columns 1 and 2, then there can't | | | | important to remember where you made the |
| be a 5 anywhere else in either of those | | | | choice to choose a number and backtrack if |
| columns. You know then that whatever leftmost | | | | your original choice was not correct. |
| 3x3 box that is missing a 5 must have it go | | | | |
| in column 3. If you can eliminate all the | | | | That's it! You are ready to start playing |
| possibilities in that box except for 1 | | | | Sudoku. Check back soon for more advanced |
| square, you've got it down! | | | | tips. |