Sudoku -- HELP!

[FergieTCat]

Please help before I become bald from twirling my hair, and before I get arrested for swearing in public.

I'm S-L-O-W-L-Y making my way through the "easy" (HAH!!!) puzzles, but I still can't do the "moderate" ones.

Can anyone offer some advice for a novice like me? What should I be looking out for? Hints?

Thanking everyone in advance ...

 

[DVCLiz]

I read about these last week on the Dis, and visited the website. I can work an "Easy" puzzle ONLY if I do it online and check the "How Am I Doing?" button frequently. This is SO not the way my mind works - I am in awe of the people who can fill these out quickly. It's taken me at least six minutes even to work the Easy one. I saw a bunch of these books and gift sets at Target today, btw.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I have two ways that I go about solving puzzles. The first way is that I look for rows or colums that have 3 or less empty boxes. I try filling those in. Then I look for sets of sqaures (the three sets in each row and column) and do the same thing, look for 3 or less boxes and try to fill them in. Continue doing this for all the new boxes you have filled in, checking that row or column to see what else you can fill in. This way takes longer and I usually end up messing up and having to start over again.

The second way gets confusing but it usually always solves the puzzle. You can go by row or column. I go by row because I can visualize it better this way. I look at the first row. I see which numbers are missing from this row and write them down next to it or whatever. (I erase them in a minute so it doesn't matter where I put them, its just so I dont forget them.) I then go down the row see which numbers can fit in each box. I write them in the box. Yes you have to write small usually. I do this for every box on the page. Then you go back looking at each row. For example the first row. If i see that only one box can have the number 6, then that box must be a 6. Then go down the column and in the square and erase all the other 6's from the lists of possible numbers. Usually one box in the column will have only two possible numbers so after erasing the 6 the other number must be it.

I find the second way to work best for solving puzzles and its not too hard, just a lot of small writing and erasing. The first way takes some thinking which is pretty much the point of the game. Good luck, just keep practicing.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

well, in my experience you can work most of the easy puzzles by eliminating all but one possible numbers by looking down the row or column, and what is needed in the box.

The Moderate puzzles will let you get it "almost" done except for a few boxes that will come down to one or two choices, but then you have to make a few guesses and see if it works out -- then if not go back and change it around.

Now don't laugh at me - but I carry and erasable red pencil and a regular pencil. When I'm filling a a guess - I use the red pencil. When I'm filling in a "for sure" I use a regular pencil.

I was sitting at a Basketball practice waiting for the kids the other day and grumbling to myself over one of those things. I must have looked really frustrated, people were laughing at me.

 

[VSL]

Give it time.

I went through a phase a few months back where I was just doing loads and loads in one sitting. It took me ages, but you just pick it up and just get quicker and quicker.

I've moved on to 'Killer Sudoku' (do a search on Amazon UK) and Kakuro (I love this!) now.

Honestly, Sudoku is just pure logic. Just keep at it and you will just start to 'see' it!

 

[FergieTCat]

Thanks! I roadtested some of these suggestions, and it is a little teeny-bit less confusing.

I have a long plane flight on Sunday, and have a new book ready! I also have a crossword puzzle book, just in case I get too frustrated.

 

[keishashadow]

Carefully, put your Sudoku book down....and run as fast as you can the other way!

I've been hooked for a few months now..."Hi, I'm Keishashadow & I'm a Sudoku addict". Infuriating but such fun...must be love!

 

[Sparx]

I swear up and down that I absolutly can NOT work one of these. I can't work a "easy" one, I can't work a hard one. I just can't work them period. I don't think like that, and I don't think I want to learn to.

 

[tiggger1]

I just became addicted to this last week! Whats the website, I do the one on myspace games but its getting too easy!

 

[Beth76]

What I do is start with the numbers first. I look to see if I can fill in any ones, then twos, threes....etc. Then I go to the 3x3 boxes and see if I can work those. Then I go to rows, then I do columns. With the easy puzzles, I'm usually done by now. With the harder ones, I will start back again with the ones, twos, threes. Then I just keep doing those all until I get it. I have noticed that after working them for a couple of months now, I'm going much faster. Good luck!!!