Last Updated on February 27, 2024
Table of Contents
What Is Sudoku?
Sudoku, originally known as Number Puzzle, refers to a logic-based, combinatorial number-placement puzzle game.
In an ideal Sudoku puzzle, the objective of the game is to fill a 9 x 9 grid with digits 1 – 9, such that you only use each digit once in each row, column, and the 3 x 3 subgrids comprising the larger grid.
The smaller 3 x 3 subgrids are also known as blocks, boxes, or regions.
Sudoku History
Sudoku has been around for hundreds of years. The first variations of the modern Sudoku puzzles appeared in French newspapers in the 19th century. These puzzles were relatively easier to solve than most modern Sudoku puzzles.
Sudoku continued to gain widespread popularity throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1979, the puzzle began to appear in puzzle books, where it was initially known as Number Place.
However, it was not until 1986 when the modern Sudoku puzzle was first published officially by Japanese puzzle company, Nikoli. Before publication by Nikoli, Sudoku went under various names, depending on the region it was played. The company went on to name the puzzle ‘Sudoku’, which means ‘single number.’
The following years saw a consistent rise in the popularity of Sudoku puzzles. In 2004, the first Sudoku appeared in the US and UK, after Wayne Gould designed a computer program that would produce unique puzzles en masse.
Sudoku Variations
Although Sudoku has largely retained its basic functional elements and core objective, the puzzle has also spawned numerous variations over time.
Sudoku puzzles generally vary based on the following parameters:
1. Complexity
The most common Sudoku variation is in relation to its complexity. While some puzzles can be solved by just about anyone, others may require vast experience in the game to crack.
For instance, you may come across puzzles that require you to ensure that the main diagonals of the grid also feature unique number combinations.
2. Grid size and/or block shape
The 9 x 9 grid with 3 x 3 subgrids remains the most popular Sudoku shape and size. However, it’s not unusual to come across smaller variants of the puzzle. Examples include 4 x 4 grids with 2 x 2 subgrids, 6 x 6 grids with 2 x 3 subgrids, 5 x 5 grids with pentomino blocks, and 7 x 7 grids with heptomino boxes.
You might also come across larger grids, such as 12 x 12 grids with 12 regions comprising 4 x 3 boxes. So far, the largest Sudoku ever published was a 100 x 100 grid.
3. Alphabetical Sudoku
The past few years have seen the emergence of alphabetical Sudoku, also known as Wordoku.
Besides the fact that Wordoku puzzles contain alphabetical letters, these puzzles have no functional difference from their number-based counterparts.
How to Play Sudoku
1) First things first…understand the objective of the game
As we’ve already pointed out, the objective of Sudoku is to fill in integers in the 9 x 9 grid by ensuring that each number appears in each row, column, and the 3 x 3 subgrids. This is a fundamental rule that, if ignored, you may take forever to complete even the simplest Sudoku puzzles out there.
In the same breath, remember we’ve also highlighted that Sudoku puzzles can vary in size.
Regardless of the size, the goal remains the same – to fill in all the digits in each row, column, and box. For instance, a 4 x 4 grids with 2 x 2 subgrids would still require you to fill integers 1 – 4 in each row, column, and the 2 x 2 regions.
2) Don’t repeat any numbers
The second-most important rule of Sudoku is to ensure that no number is repeated in a row, column, or box.
So, if a 9 x 9 grid already contains digit 7 in a given row, it only means that you cannot use this digit again in that row. And needless to mention, this applies to all Sudoku puzzles regardless of their size.
3) Use elimination method
Based on the above illustration, you cannot fill in digit 7 in a row that already contains that number. However, that doesn’t imply that you can simply fill in any other digit. You have to apply the rule of elimination to come up with the next best digit to fill.
The best way to use the elimination method is to analyze an integer based on its actual cell.
For instance, if digit 7 appears in the far left corner of the first 3 x 3 block of a 9 x 9 grid Sudoku puzzle, it technically means that the digit also appears in the first row and first column. Which means that 7 is already taken care of in the first row, first column, and first box.
Now, assume that digit 5 appears right beneath 7 in the same box. That means digits 7 and 5 have been taken care of in the first column and first box. However, digit 5 can still be used in the first row but not within the same box. Instead, it can only occur in the next two boxes bordering the first box horizontally, but still within the first row/line.
As you can see, using elimination method will help you to hunker down on the right digit to use in a cell. If applied effectively, elimination method might help you solve nearly half of the digits even in the most complex Sudoku puzzles.
4) Avoid guesswork
We cannot overemphasize this point. Since Sudoku is a logic-based puzzle game, you will never solve it using guesswork.
If you’re unsure about the number to place in a particular cell, skip it and work on other cells. Eventfully, every digit will fall into its rightful place.
Note that even the most experienced mathematicians may experience challenges solving the simplest Sudoku puzzles.
5) Take notes
Studying number patterns can be confusing, which is why you’re allowed to take notes in Sudoku. These notes, also known as mark-ups, are an excellent way of plotting in possible numbers in their respective cells.
Just remember that the notes should be erasable. Once you’ve worked out the correct digit to place in a cell, you can then delete the notes and mark the integer boldly in that particular cell.
6) Go through the puzzle one more time
You may not always get things right at the first attempt. So, after working on your Sudoku, give it a second (or even third) look to ensure that the digits are correctly filled.
Sadly, one wrongly-filled digit might mess up the entire puzzle, needing you to rework things afresh.
Conclusion
Sudoku may appear intimidating at first. Fortunately, Sudoku rules are relatively easier to get the hang of. As Sudoku is mostly a logic-based game, you don’t need to be a math genius to crack the puzzles. However, remember that like any game, practice makes perfect.
Tags: 10 second click game brainbashers 2 by 2 sudoku 2 player sudoku app 2x2 sudoku printable 2x2 sudoku puzzle 3 by 3 sudoku solver 3x3 number square puzzle 4 4 sudoku 4 pics 1 word sewing machine cooking 5 5 sudoku 5 box sudoku 5 in 1 sudoku 9 1 puzzle add em up answers 9 9 sudoku solver 9 box number puzzle 9 boxes numbers to 1 9 9 square game 9 square number puzzle 9 square puzzle 9 square rules 9x9 go board printable 9x9 grid with numbers 9x9 online sudoku about sudoku aim of sudoku alpha sudoku solver beginner sudoku easy best sudoku app for beginners best sudoku player best sudoku strategy blank 6x6 sudoku grid blank sudoku board online blank sudoku game blue well games sinhala classic sudoku rules classic sudoku solver complete game rules complete the square sudoku count on sudoku cross math boxes solver define sudoku different kinds of sudoku different sudoku different sudoku games do you sudoku game don t play this game explanation easiest way to do sudoku easiest way to solve sudoku puzzles easy beginner sudoku printable easy small sudoku easy steps to solve sudoku easy sudoku directions easy sudoku for beginners easy sudoku game for beginners easy sudoku games easy sudoku online with hints easy sudoku printable pdf easy sudoku with instructions printable elimination puzzle game even sandwich sudoku example sudoku puzzle fill in boxes game fill in the blank facebook game fill in the blank games for seniors fill in the blank solver spanish fill in the blanks puzzle in hindi with answer finished sudoku free easy sudoku app free game rules free online telugu games to play free sudoku 9 free sudoku solver free sudoku solver 9x9 free very easy sudoku game of numbers pdf game sudoku game where you add numbers game with numbers and squares google grid squares google sudoku online grid tagalog meaning guess how many squares answer guess who game play now hey google what's 9 9 hindi fill in the blanks puzzle how are sudoku puzzles made how do i learn to play sudoku how do i play sudoku how do sudoku puzzles work how do u do sudoku how do u play sudoku puzzle how do you do a sudoku puzzle how do you do sudoku how do you make a sudoku how do you play sudoku how do you play sudoku for beginners how do you play sudoku instructions how do you play sudoku puzzles how do you play sudoku rules how do you play sudoku video how do you play sudoku with numbers how do you play the how do you solve a sudoku puzzle how do you start a sudoku puzzle how do you sudoku how do you work sudoku puzzles how does sudoku help how does sudoku work how is it played how many 4x4 sudoku puzzles are possible how many boxes in sudoku how many different sudoku puzzles are there how many possible sudoku puzzles are there how many squares in sudoku how sudoku works how to be good at sudoku how to build a sudoku puzzle how to calculate sudoku how to check sudoku how to create a sudoku puzzle how to design a sudoku puzzle how to do sudoku how to do sudoku easy how to do sudoku puzzles how to do sudoku tips how to do sudoku with letters how to do sudoku with words how to figure out a sudoku puzzle how to figure out sudoku when stuck how to fill in sudoku puzzles how to fill sudoku easily how to get better at sudoku how to learn sudoku easy how to make a number puzzle square how to make a sudoku board how to make a sudoku grid how to make a sudoku puzzle how to make a sudoku puzzle by hand how to master playing sudoku how to play 2 square how to play for square how to play su how to play sudoku how to play sudoku 4x4 how to play sudoku 6x6 how to play sudoku better how to play sudoku easily in hindi how to play sudoku easy steps how to play sudoku for beginners how to play sudoku for kids how to play sudoku game how to play sudoku game for beginners how to play sudoku game tricks how to play sudoku instructions how to play sudoku like a pro how to play sudoku number game how to play sudoku number puzzle how to play sudoku numbers how to play sudoku printable how to play sudoku puzzle how to play sudoku reddit how to play sudoku rules how to play sudoku tips and tricks how to play sudoku tricks how to play sudoku video how to play sudoku youtube how to solve 3x3 sudoku puzzle how to solve 6 by 6 sudoku how to solve hard sudoku in hindi how to solve sudoku 3x3 how to solve sudoku easily how to solve sudoku faster pdf how to solve sudoku in malayalam how to solve sudoku step by step how to solve sudoku when stuck how to solve sudoku youtube how to solve suko how to sudoku how to sudoku for kids how to sudoku play how to sudoku puzzle how to sudoku solve how to sudoku youtube how to use sudoku how to win sudoku easy how to win sudoku fast how to work a sudoku puzzle https sudoku game i want to play sudoku for free information about sudoku game instructions for sudoku game interactive sudoku for beginners interactive sudoku solver it's all about the number pi sudoku answer key jumbo sudoku printable kannada for dummies learn how to play sudoku puzzles learn sudoku learn sudoku com learn to play hard sudoku learn to play sudoku free online logic square game main sudoku math puzzle games with instructions need help with sudoku nonet meaning in hindi number fill ins online number game rules number game sudoku number of sudoku combinations number place sudoku number puzzle tricks number square game number square puzzle 1 9 number square puzzle games numbers 1 9 printable object of sudoku one way square puzzle part of a play 3 letters picture sudoku app place numbers 1 9 boxes play sandwich sudoku online play sudoku play sudoku easy play sudoku game play sudoku now play sudoku on computer play sudoku online no download play suduko printable 9 square grid puzzle game instruction rubik's sudoku instructions rules of sudoku in hindi rules to solve sudoku sadako puzzle sadooko sample sudoku puzzle sandwich sudoku tips secrets to playing sudoku show me how to play sudoku simple sudoku simple sudoku android simple sudoku for beginners simple sudoku for kids online simple sudoku game simple sudoku online simple sudoku puzzles simple sudoku puzzles with answers simple sudoku rules small sudoku puzzles with answers small sudoku with answers so do ku game so du ko solve my sudoku 6x6 square game with numbers square number puzzle 1 9 square numbers game online square puzzle game app standard sudoku grid stuck on sudoku sudco puzzle sudoku 1 9 answers sudoku 101 sudoku 2x2 sudoku 2x3 pdf sudoku 3x3 sudoku 3x3 easy sudoku 3x3 printable sudoku 3x3 with solutions sudoku 4x4 online free sudoku 4x4 with answer sudoku 5 sudoku 6 sudoku 6 by 6 solver sudoku 6x6 printable with answers sudoku 7x7 solver sudoku 9 sudoku 9x9 easy pdf sudoku 9x9 online free sudoku 9x9 rules sudoku ??????? ???? sudoku beginner games sudoku board game rules sudoku computer game sudoku cross sudoku cross technique sudoku definition sudoku directions sudoku easy level sudoku easy pdf sudoku easy printable pdf sudoku ex sudoku examples sudoku explained sudoku explained simply sudoku facts sudoku fill in grid sudoku for beginners sudoku for beginners to print sudoku for dummies sudoku for dummies pdf sudoku for kids pdf sudoku for the blind sudoku force 2 sudoku game sudoku game 6x6 sudoku game rules and regulations sudoku game with answers pdf sudoku grid sudoku grid with numbers sudoku help sudoku helpful hints sudoku how to play rules sudoku images sudoku in spanish answer key sudoku instructions sudoku l sudoku logic tips sudoku math game sudoku meaning sudoku methods sudoku normal sudoku number puzzle games sudoku numbers and letters sudoku online 9x9 sudoku pacific sudoku patterns rule sudoku pdf sudoku playing rules sudoku print outs sudoku printable pdf easy sudoku puzzle game sudoku puzzle rules sudoku puzzles easy pdf sudoku questions and answers pdf sudoku reddit sudoku rules sudoku rules for beginners sudoku rules for dummies sudoku rules in hindi sudoku rules in spanish sudoku rules in tamil sudoku rules printable sudoku rules simple sudoku run sudoku scanner solver sudoku small numbers sudoku solutions app sudoku solver 2x3 sudoku solver 3x3 sudoku solver 9 x 9 sudoku solver in hindi sudoku solver old sudoku solver picture sudoku solver step by step sudoku solver step step explanation sudoku solver with letters sudoku strategies pdf sudoku strategy sudoku three by three with nine possible values answers sudoku tips sudoku tips and tricks sudoku tips for beginners sudoku tips for dummies sudoku tips medium level sudoku training sudoku tricks pdf sudoku tutorial sudoku tutorial pdf sudoku u sudoku vs sudoku sudoku walkthrough sudoku wiki sudoku wikipedia sudoku win 7 sudoku with answers 6x6 sudoku with hints sudoku x sudoku z sukado sukedo game suko number puzzle suko puzzle solver suko puzzles online super easy sudoku for beginners super easy sudoku online teach me sudoku techno source sudoku instructions telugu puzzle games tips for playing sudoku tips for sudoku playing tips to solve sudoku tricks in playing sudoku try to fill in the missing numbers 1 9 answers types of sudoku puzzles understanding sudoku universal sudoku universal sudoku puzzle what are the rules of 4 square what are the rules of sudoku what are the sudoku rules what does sudoku mean what is a number puzzle what is a run in sudoku what is a run in sudoku 2 what is meant by sudoku what is sudoku what is sudoku game what is sudoku game how to play what is sudoku puzzle what is the object of sudoku what is the object of sudoku puzzles what is the total puzzle what is the trick to play sudoku what to do when you re stuck on sudoku what's 1 9 what's left puzzles what's left puzzles printable what's sudoku who to play why play sudoku word sudoku solver 9x9 Posted by:Igor Ovsyannnykov
Igor is an SEO specialist, designer, photographer, writer and music producer. He believes that knowledge can change the world and be used to inspire and empower young people to build the life of their dreams. When he is not writing in his favorite coffee shop, Igor spends most of his time reading books, taking photos, producing house music, and learning about cinematography. He is a sucker for good coffee, Indian food, and video games.
ncG1vNJzZmihnqi9qr7AraCoppaasqV6wqikaKCfrHq1u4ypo5qxXajCpbvKrmY%3D
Share!