How to Play Sudoku: Explain like I’m 5

But the true allure of Sudoku goes beyond just the puzzle itself. For many players, the game has become a beloved hobby, a mental exercise that provides a welcome respite from the stresses of daily life.

The evidence of sudoku’s popularity can be measured by its strongest metric–the World Sudoku Championship!

Knowing the Sudoku Grid

A Sudoku grid is a 9×9 puzzle made up of smaller sections and cells, and understanding its structure is the first step to playing. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Rows and Columns:

• The grid has 9 rows (horizontal lines) and 9 columns (vertical lines).
• Each row and column should have the numbers 1 to 9 without repeats.

Sub-Grids:

• The grid is divided into nine smaller 3×3 boxes called sub-grids.
• Each sub-grid should also contain the numbers 1 to 9 with no duplicates.

Cells:

• Each little square in the grid is called a cell.
• You fill these cells with numbers from 1 to 9 according to the rules.

Fixed Cells:

• Some cells already have numbers in them when you start. These are called fixed cells and act as clues to help you solve the puzzle.

In the image above, you’ll see examples of these sections labeled:

• • A specific cell is marked as cell (4,6) to show its position (row 4, column 6).
  • The sub-grid is highlighted to show a group of nine cells.
  • A row and a column are emphasized, helping you understand how to arrange numbers.
  • This structure might look tricky at first, but once you understand it, you’re ready to dive in and start solving!

How to Play Sudoku: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hereon, you will learn the basics of how to play sudoku with easy-to-follow instructions and a working example. Take your pen and paper out, this is going to be fun!

Let’s do a quick recap:

• A 9×9 grid divided into nine 3×3 boxes
• Goal: Fill each row, column, and 3×3 box with numbers 1-9
• Each number can only appear once in each row, column, and box
• Some numbers are already provided as starting clues

Step 1: Scan the Grid

• Look at the numbers already provided
• Notice where numbers are concentrated
• Identify rows, columns, or boxes with more clues

Step 2: Your First Entry

Let’s find an easy first entry by working through our checks. 

1. Locate a Mostly-Filled Row or Box

• Looking at the grid, Row 2 has several numbers: 1, 9, 6, 8, 5, and 2
• We’re missing only three numbers: 3, 4, and 7

2. Select the Cell for Your First Entry

• Now we will be selecting the cell (row 2, column 1)
• Take a look at the specific sub-grid as well (top-left corner).
• As a beginner, it is helpful to write down 1-9 numbers for easy solving.

3. Check the Row Restrictions

• Looking at the row 2, we can see the numbers 1, 9, 6, 8, 5, 2 present.
• Therefore we eliminate all those from our 1-9 number list.

4. Check the Column Restrictions

• Similarly, In column 1, we can see the numbers 1, 5, and 7 present.
• As numbers 1, and 5 are already eliminated, now we will be eliminating number 7.

5. Check the Sub-grid Restrictions

• Finally, we will look at the top-left subgrid. We can see the numbers 7, 4, 1, 9 present.
• Out of which all of the numbers are eliminated except 7. Hence we will be eliminating the number 7.

6. The Final Call

• Bingo! After all the eliminations you are left with number 3, the only valid number which satisfies the rules of the game. Therefore 3 is the answer for the cell (2, 1).
• This logical process eliminates guesswork and gives us confidence in our entry!

Congratulations, you just solved your first entry!

Step 3: Keep Going

Now repeat this process for the next empty cell. Slowly but surely, you’ll fill in the entire grid!

Got a hang of it? Try this super-easy sudoku:

Advanced Tips to Play Sudoku

While sudoku might have many advanced strategies for difficult grids, these fundamental tips will get you through any sudoku.

Stay Organized

• • • Work systematically rather than randomly jumping around the grid
    • Use pencil marks for candidate numbers
    • Don’t guess! Sudoku is a logic puzzle, and every move should be based on deduction

When Stuck

• • • Take a break – fresh eyes often spot patterns you missed
    • Review your work for errors
    • Look for hidden pairs or triples (advanced technique)
    • Consider alternative approaches to the section you’re working on

The Psychological Game

Remember, Sudoku is as much about patience as it is about logic. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see the next move immediately. Sometimes, the solution reveals itself after you’ve given your mind time to process the patterns.

A little guidance from Reddit sudoku enthusiasts:

Comment
byu/NICKLSODI from discussion
insudoku

Be a Sudoku Master

Mastering Sudoku is a journey, not a destination. Just knowing how to play sudoku is not enough. Each puzzle you solve builds your pattern-recognition skills and problem-solving abilities. Start with easier puzzles and gradually work your way up to more challenging ones.

Remember, solving a sudoku that you made yourself is the best way to begin the sudoku journey. Want to practice your newly acquired skills?

Try our Sudoku generator below! Create a fresh challenge and adjust the difficulty level to match your expertise.