How to Play Sudoku: Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn the basic rules of Sudoku and start your puzzle-solving journey today.
Welcome to the world of Sudoku! This classic number puzzle has captivated millions of players worldwide with its simple rules but challenging gameplay.
What is Sudoku?
Sudoku is a logic-based number placement puzzle. The goal is to fill a 9x9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 sub-grids (called "boxes" or "regions") contains all of the digits from 1 to 9.
The Three Golden Rules
Every Sudoku puzzle follows these three fundamental rules:
- Each row must contain the numbers 1-9, without repetition
- Each column must contain the numbers 1-9, without repetition
- Each 3x3 box must contain the numbers 1-9, without repetition
That's it! These simple rules create endlessly challenging puzzles.
The Grid Structure
The Sudoku grid is divided into:
- 9 rows (horizontal lines)
- 9 columns (vertical lines)
- 9 boxes (3x3 sub-grids)
This creates 81 cells total, each of which must be filled with a number from 1 to 9.
How to Start
When you begin a Sudoku puzzle, some numbers are already filled in. These are called "givens" or "clues." Your job is to logically deduce where the remaining numbers should go.
Your First Steps:
Scan the grid
Look for rows, columns, or boxes that already have many numbers filled in - these are your best starting points.
Find the obvious placements
If a row has 8 numbers, you immediately know which one is missing. Start with the easy wins!
Check all three constraints
Before placing a number, verify it doesn't violate the row, column, AND box rules. All three must be satisfied.
Work systematically
Don't guess! Every number should be placed through logical deduction. Sudoku rewards patience and logic.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Avoid these common pitfalls:
- Guessing instead of using logic - Sudoku should never require guessing. If you're stuck, try a different technique!
- Forgetting to check all three rules - Always verify row, column, AND box before placing a number
- Getting discouraged - Start with easy puzzles and work your way up. Everyone starts somewhere!
- Not tracking candidates - For harder puzzles, note which numbers are possible in each cell
Difficulty Levels
Sudoku puzzles come in various difficulty levels:
- Easy: More givens, can be solved with basic techniques
- Medium: Fewer givens, requires systematic thinking
- Hard: Very few givens, needs advanced strategies
- Expert/Evil: Minimal givens, requires complex logical chains
Next Steps
Now that you understand the rules, you're ready to learn solving techniques! Start with:
- Naked Singles - Finding cells with only one possible number
- Hidden Singles - Spotting unique candidates in rows, columns, or boxes
Happy puzzling!