Sudoku

[granny grump]

I am very new to sudoku - are there any basic rules to help - I know what you have to do but is there a method - any guidance would be most helpful

[murraymints]

go across then down repeatedly

[Wharton]

cheat - google 'sudoku solver' :-)

[granny grump]

thank you both - have looked at the site but it doesn't really help as I want to know how to solve the puzzle. It would probably help once I had finished to check

I will try your way murraymints

[chrissa1]

This may help gg.

http://www.sudokuessentials.com/sudoku_tips.html

[grasscarp]

I look at 3 lines at a time for where there are 2 numbers same, so if 7 in Line 1 and 2 but not in 3, then see where it can be in that line. I keep doing that to work out the ones that only have one option. As the lines fill up a bit I check out numbers still to appear in that line to see is any have only one correct location. Then I start looking in each square to see if any of the missing numbers only have one place that works

[granny grump]

Thank you chrissa that's the sort of thing I'm looking for

[granny grump]

Thank you grasscarp that's a big help

[boxtops]

I look at the chart to see first if there are any lines which have less missing numbers than the others - that gives me a good start.

[glasman]

I do a lot (or at least used to) of sudokus and would suggest that Grasscarp's method is the way to start. Have looked over Chrissa's suggestion and have to say that ( unless for the prize very difficult ones), you should be able to solve without going into such detail. Good luck.

[granny grump]

Thank you you have all been a big help

[MASS1961]

I start by filling in as many 1's then 2's, 3's etc. Then repeat as you will possibly fill in available spaces as you go. Then do lines or 3x3 squares. As a beginner, I would start with easy sudoku's and build up the difficulty, the more you do the 'easier' they become and you will get a system that suits you.

[MASS1961]

Also, you will end up working out which numbers can't go in certain places, therefore identifying the one(s) that can.

[granny grump]

Thank you Mass1961 -what makes them harder is it that you are given less numbers to start with?

[MASS1961]

Hi granny,

Sometimes you get less numbers to start with, other times it is the positioning of them.

Mass