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4 Easy Sudoku Tips to Make the Game a Little Easier

Daily Sudoku is a perfect way to utilize your free time. Your mind will stay sharp with the classic number brain teaser. However, to become a Sudoku master, you need to do regular game practice. That way, you can quickly deal with the most challenging puzzles within a short time.

Concentration is vital for playing Sudoku games. You must think of the best ways to place the numbers in the grids logically. Understand the rules of the game and what you need to do to win. Take time to find valuable information and clues in the Sudoku app that might be useful during the game.

Here are the tips to make your Sudoku game a little easier:

Understand How To Play Sudoku Puzzle

A standard Sudoku has 81 cells. The grids are 9×9 and contain nine boxes whereby each box intersects the first, middle, or last three rows and columns. Every cell may have a number from one to nine and every digit occurs once in each column, row, and box.

 At the start of the game, some cells have numbers already. Therefore, your goal is to solve the puzzle by filling in numbers to the remaining cells to complete the grid. Remember that any of the row, column, or 3×3 grids should not have more than one of the same numbers from 1 to 9. Avoid any repetitions, math, and guessing.

Here is how to solve the puzzle quickly;

  • Look for the part of the grid with more filled-in numbers and fill in the missing numbers. Check out for rows and columns of 3×3 sections that have five or more digits. Try to fill in the remaining cells with the numbers that are missing. You can only place numbers in one particular position since there already others in the same row, column, and 3×3 grids.
  • Visually slip the grid into three rows and three columns. Therefore, each large column and row will contain 3, 3×3 grids. Find grids with two similar numbers and change the digits.
  • Avoid guesswork, keep moving and constantly re-evaluate yourself to see what has changed and the improvements you have made so far.

What is Required to Solve a Sudoku Puzzle Easily?

All you require is your brain and concentration. You don’t need to have any special math skills and calculations to win the game. Understand the rules and techniques of the game before getting into it. You can play your Sudoku number game anytime, anywhere on your smartphone device or tablet. 

Easy Sudoku Techniques to Make the Game Easier

. Backtracking

Here, you try to fit in the empty spaces with any number until you find a suitable one. Test each cell for a valid number and move back when you notice any violations. Try again with another number until you get a solution for the puzzle. Thereafter, you backtrack and repeat the process for other slots until you complete the entire grid.

The advantage of using this tip is that it guarantees a solution. It takes longer to solve the puzzle, but it’s the easiest way. It is simpler than all the other techniques. For example, you may place number 1 in a cell. If it’s rejected, you advance to number 2 and continue until you fill in all the missing numbers.

. Stochastic search/ optimization methods.

In this technique, you randomly assign numbers to the empty cells in the grid. Then you calculate the number of errors you have made. Keep on shuffling the inserted digits until you complete the grid and have zero mistakes. That way, you will find the solution. The shuffling techniques include genetic algorithms, tabu search, and simulated annealing.

. Constraint programming

In instances where you have to model the puzzle as a constraint problem, you need to use numerous reasoning algorithms to solve. With strong reasoning and using backtracking for complex puzzles, you will solve your Sudoku with a lot of ease and in no time.

. Exact cover

Sudoku game may come as an exact cover problem. Therefore, you can describe the question and find an efficient solution. You can combine the elimination and striking of rows and columns to solve the puzzle.

Master Sudoku Skills

There are several ways you can improve and master your Sudoku skills so that you can win easily. Below is what you need to do:

. Set a Timer

Setting a timer will help you avoid wasting a lot of time. Also, you may want to finish one game quickly so that you can try another challenge. If you are a beginner, you may start with 5 minutes. That way, you can stay focused on finishing the game within the set time and boost your Sudoku skills.

. Focus on a Single Column, Row, or Square

Handling the entire 81 cells of the Sudoku grid can be overwhelming. It would be best if you deal with the game in sections. You can decide to start with a single column or row, successfully fill it and move to the next one.

. Take Time to Practice a New Specific Technique

When you are trying to master a new Sudoku technique, give yourself 5minutes doing nothing else but practicing that particular skill. That will be enough to exercise your brain without getting tired.

. Get a Fast Start

Some gamers over-analyze and overthink the Sudoku grid. Many are too hesitant to place their first attempts and therefore make no progress towards solving the puzzle. With the five-minute limit, ensure that you try to find the missing numbers and put them appropriately in the cells.

Sudoku number games are easy and fun to play when you have mastered some of the techniques. That way, you can easily find the missing numbers. The puzzle requires logic to solve. You need to avoid guesswork, repetitions and just put your concentration into the game. If you are a beginner, don’t be hesitant to give it a shot. Remember, it’s better to try the game and identify that area that seems challenging than fail to do it at all. If you follow the tips above, it is a guarantee that you will become a Sudoku game expert within a short time.

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