Sudoku Hints & Tips

To Get Started
- Firstly, make sure you have a good Sudoku challenge in front of you either through a software on your PC or by visiting one the FREE Sudoku webs. For the rest, let us give you some nice tips to help you solve all Sudoku games from A to Z.

Scanning the Scene
- Search for rows or columns with most of their cells filled. Determine which numbers are left to be placed. Once you know which numbers are remaining, for instance in a row, you can scan the columns that intersect with the empty cells of the rows to see if you can eliminate some the remaining numbers.

You can also look at the numbers within the 3 x 3 grid to see if you can eliminate numbers.

Marking Your Territory
- If you are left with a couple of possible numbers for a cell, write them in the top of the cell and come back to them when you have filled in more of the board. Often when more of the board has been filled in, you can eliminate some of the possible numbers to end up with the correct number.

Educated Guessing
- Logic can only take you so far in Sudoku. At some point, you will need to guess. When you have filled in the board as far as possible using the first two tips, you will usually have an idea of what the possible numbers for some of the remaining cells are.

Fill in an empty cell with a possible number and start working through the remaining empty cells in the puzzle. At some point, you will determine you have either guessed correctly (good job!) or you guessed wrong (nothing's workin'!). Watch out, though, as you may get very close to completing the puzzle before it becomes obvious you have guessed wrong!

Always Ask the Wise
- If you have any particular brain breakers in front, go and ask the other Sudoku Masters in e-Sudoku.org