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Sudoku Tips: How to Play Sudoku Effectively

Updated: Mar 20

Mastering some basic tips can help you play Sudoku more effectively and have more fun. In this article, we will share some Sudoku tips that we hope will be helpful to you.


Sudoku is a popular puzzle game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It may seem simple at first glance, but it actually involves a lot of logical reasoning.


Sudoku Rules

Before we start sharing tips, let's review the three basic rules of Sudoku:

  • Each number from 1 to 9 must appear only once in each 3x3 block.

  • Each number from 1 to 9 must appear only once in each row.

  • Each number from 1 to 9 must appear only once in each column.


Opening Strategy

At the start of the game, take a look at the existing number distribution in the 9x9 grid. Since each number from 1 to 9 must appear only once in each row, column, and block, you can start by eliminating the rows and columns that already have a particular number.

For example, in the image below, the leftmost 3x3 block does not have a 1 yet, while the middle and right blocks already have a 1. Therefore, you can eliminate the first and second rows of the leftmost 3x3 block.

Sudoku puzzle with numbers 1 already filled in
Sudoku puzzle with numbers 1 already filled in

Row and Column Strategy

Next, you can focus on the rows and columns of the 9x9 grid.

For example, in the image below, the red-boxed column is missing the numbers 5, 6, and 9. Let's check the 3x3 block of each cell.

Sudoku puzzle with a red box around a column
Sudoku puzzle with a red box around a column

First, the bottom cell is in a 3x3 block that already has a 6, so we can conclude that 6 must be in one of the two cells above it. One of those cells is also in a row that already has a 6, so we can eliminate that cell. Therefore, 6 must be in the topmost red-boxed cell.

There are two other numbers missing, but we don't have enough clues to determine their positions yet. So, we can move on to other rows and columns that we can solve.


3x3 Block Strategy

After filling in most of the rows and columns, you can start working on the 3x3 blocks.

For example, in the image below, the red-boxed 3x3 block is missing the numbers 6 and 9.

Looking at the surrounding clues, we can see that the row already has a 6, so the top cell cannot be 6. Therefore, we can fill in 9 in the top cell. The other cell must then be 6.


Sudoku is a fun and challenging puzzle game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Mastering some basic tips can help you play Sudoku more effectively and have more fun. In this article, we have shared some Sudoku tips that we hope will be helpful to you.

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