If you’re new to Sudoku, it can be intimidating to figure out how to play. Thankfully, playing Sudoku is relatively simple and requires only a pen or pencil, some paper, and an optional timer.
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How to do Sudoku
If you’ve ever tried to learn how to play Sudoku, you may have found the rules to be confusing and hard to remember.
There are several different versions of the game, with varying numbers of rules and restrictions, so it can seem like an intimidating task if you don’t know where to start.
This guide on how to play Sudoku, whether you want just the basics or all the details, will help you learn all the basics as well as some advanced strategies you can use to up your game!
Sudoku might seem like a game that everyone can pick up quickly, but in reality, there are many rules and strategies to know before you begin playing this challenging game.
The rules of Sudoku are straightforward, but if you’re new to the game or have never really understood it before, it can be hard to pick up on the nuances of each rule without help.
The rules for playing Sudoku can seem complex to those who’ve never played before, but once you learn them, the game becomes more fun than you could ever imagine!
Whether you want to get better at Sudoku or teach it to someone else, this guide will help you with all the basics of how to play Sudoku and give you the techniques and strategies you need to win each game.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to play Sudoku for Dummies!
How to Play Sudoku for Dummies
There are a few different versions of sudoku that are played around the world.
However, you can find one variation or another in newspapers and magazines.
If you like number puzzles and logic games, it’s fun to give them a try as they’re not too difficult to play once you get used to how they work.
You’ll be able to enjoy yourself while exercising your brain at the same time!
But first, let’s go over some general rules that apply to all sudoku puzzles.
Top 10 Sudoku Rules
Rule 1: No Repetition in Grid of Sudoku Puzzle
If you are Beginner at playing Sudoku then you must keep in mind that, each puzzle will have 81 empty squares that you’ll fill in with numbers 1-9.
The rules of Sudoku are pretty straightforward, but if you’re a complete beginner there are a few things to know.
In Sudoku, each column and Each row Should contain all of the numbers between 1 to 9, just once.
The same goes for each 3 by 3 section or sub-grid – try to spot where it starts!
When you’re choosing which number to use on a square, here’s how to play Sudoku: When filling in your guesses within each sub-grid, no number can be repeated in any direction – either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally!

The Sudoku Rule of No Repetition means that no number can appear twice in any row, column, or 3×3 box.
This is a rule that is often broken, but it is the only way to ensure that the puzzle can be solved.
The Sudoku Rule forbids repetition of any number in any row, column, or 3×3 box.
Rule 2: Guessing, Not Allowed
Sudoku has a strict rule against guessing.
You’re not allowed to randomly fill in numbers and hope it works out.
Sudoku puzzles are meant to have only one solution, so there’s no room for error.
If you run into a dead-end while playing, check your progress against each Sudoku rule on this list to make sure you’re going about things correctly.
Keep in mind that these rules only apply to pencil-and-paper games; how to play Sudoku doesn’t mean you can’t find variations online where guesses are permitted.
But if you want hard-and-fast rules that won’t change, stick with what’s written here!
If We Discuss the World’s Most Popular Puzzle game Sudoku.
It is a nine-by-nine grid, that is divided into nine 3×3 squares, with each column and the row containing the numbers 1-9.
To solve the puzzle, Avoid Taking Guess about Entering Numbers While Playing or Solving the Puzzle, Otherwise it should be a Wrong Attempt and As a result, you should Fail.
If you guess, you are very likely to make a mistake. You are almost guaranteed to make a mistake if you guess.
Why?
Because when you guess, you are not looking at the numbers in the grid and trying to find a pattern.
You are just picking a number and filling in a square.
This is not the right way to solve Sudoku puzzles.
Rule 3: Find a Square that only has one Number
There is a simple Sudoku rule that can help you solve the puzzle faster.
The rule is to find squares that only have one number.
This will help you focus on specific areas of the puzzle and make it easier to solve.
You can use this rule to your advantage by scanning the grid for squares with just one number and then filling in the remaining squares around it.
The Sudoku Rule is a simple way to solve Sudoku puzzles.
To use the Sudoku Rule, find a square in the puzzle that only has one number in it.
When you find that square, all of the other numbers in that row, column, or 3×3 box will be the same number.
In a standard Sudoku puzzle, you will have already solved three of nine cells – these are referred to as givens and cannot be changed – making it even more important to understand which rules to follow.
Following these rules of Sudoku can make it easier to figure out how to play sudoku!
Rule 4: Use of Pencil While Playing Sudoku
The use of a Pencil is a simple way to help you complete the puzzle grid if you want to learn sudoku how to play.
When you are starting a new Sudoku puzzle, use a pencil to mark the numbers 1-9 in each row and column.
This will help you to see where the numbers should go as you fill in the squares.
If you make a mistake, you can erase the pencil marks without affecting the other numbers in the grid.
Some Sudoku enthusiasts prefer to use a pencil to help them work out the possible solutions for a puzzle.
Others find that pencil markings can be easily erased and that it is easier to see which squares have already been filled in if the grid is unmarked.
The rules are simple if you are a beginner’s sudoku solver, but there are tricks that you should follow when playing sudoku.
Start by using a pencil to fill in all numbers from 1 to 9 randomly on all nine grids.
Do not look at any number twice, try not to skip any numbers, and make sure that every row has all its empty boxes filled with a number before going on to the next row.
Rule 5: The sum of Each Row and Column Should be 45
The Sudoku Rule of 45 states that the sum of each row and column should be 45.
This is a basic rule that all Sudoku players should follow. If you don’t, you may end up with an incorrect puzzle.
1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9= 45
There are a few ways to check if your puzzle follows the Sudoku Rule of 45.
- One way is to add up all of the numbers in a row or column and make sure they equal 45.
- Another way is to use a pencil to draw diagonal lines through each row and column. The sum of the numbers along the diagonal lines should also be 45.
This rule is important because it helps to prevent mistakes while solving the puzzle. If the sum of each row and column is not 45, then you know that there is a mistake in the puzzle.
This rule can be helpful while solving a puzzle, but it is not always necessary to follow it. Sometimes, you may need to break this rule to solve the puzzle.
Rule 6: Each Column contains Numbers between 1-to- 9
As we know that logic-based Puzzle Sudoku is a number-placement puzzle.
The objective of the Puzzle is to fill a grid with digits or Alphabet or words that Depend on you.
So, each column and each row, and each of the nine 3-by-3 boxes contain all of the digits from 1 to 9.
But if We talk about that Rule, Each Column in Puzzle Should contain Digits In between 1 to 9 Just Once.
So, The objective of Sudoku if You follow rules is to complete each column and 3-by-3 box with numbers between 1-to-9.
Some may ask how we come up with these numbers but that’s a whole other story!
What’s important to know about playing Sudoku is that you must use logic, as there are no zeros or negative numbers in Sudoku, which forces you to find all unique solutions. With that said, let’s get on to how to play Sudoku!
Rule 7: Each row contains Numbers between 1-to-9
If You are a beginner’s Sudoku Player then must follow this rule.
According to this rule, Each row must contain Numbers Between 1-to-9.
The objective of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid According to that rule is to Fill Each Row with unique numbers from 9 to 1 mean once.
The easiest way to explain it is to simply state that each row must contain numbers between 1-to-9, each column must contain numbers between 1-to-9 which is Already Discussed, and within those rows and columns; there can only be one of each number.
Furthermore, three more blocks of nine are formed around these areas.
The upper left area contains single blocks -the top right area contains double blocks -the bottom left area contains triple blocks -and finally, these larger regions border on an even larger region filled with four times as many numbers (1 through 9) without any repetitions.
Rule 8: Use the Process of Elimination
One of the rules to follow when playing Sudoku is using the Process of Elimination (POE).
It is a key strategy that allows you to quickly eliminate possible numbers, making play easier.
This technique comes in handy when two or more candidates seem like they could be right—you know, those Sudoku moments.
For example, if you can use the process of Elimination and get one candidate out of three as true, then it’s most likely a given that only one number will work.
Theoretically, it’s best to start eliminating candidates that are adjacent to one another first—this makes sure that you don’t accidentally knock out values just because they’re next to each other.
This POF means that you should try to figure out the possible solutions for each column, row, and 3×3 box. You can then eliminate the possibilities that don’t work.
Here’s a process of elimination approach that can help you solve any Sudoku puzzle:
- Start by filling in any numbers that are given. This will immediately reduce the number of possible solutions for the rest of the puzzle.
- Look at the digits in any 2×2 box, and follow First Rule.

Rule 9: Use of cross Hatching
While learning how to do sudoku you must have to follow Cross hatching.
It is a technique used in Sudoku puzzles to help identify possible candidates for the numbers 1 through 9.
When solving a Sudoku puzzle, it’s important to use all of the techniques available to you to find the correct solution.
The cross-hatching technique is used to create a grid of boxes that intersect each other.
The grid should be large enough to cover the entire puzzle.
Within each box, you will then shade in the squares that could potentially contain the number 1 through 9.
This will help to eliminate some of the squares from consideration, and will make it easier to see which Digit is Necessary to Enter.

Cross-hatching is a technique used in Sudoku puzzles to help identify potential candidates for the solution.
When looking at a Sudoku puzzle, you will see a series of small squares or boxes.
In each square or box, there will be a number.
This number represents the possible number that can go in that square or box.
To use cross-hatching, you first need to identify a potential candidate for the Square.
Most Sudoku grids have several empty cells, and players can fill them in any way they like, but there are also Sudoku puzzles with unique ways of filling these blank spaces – some even require filling entire rows or columns!
The methods below will tell you how to fill these empty cells if you come across them while playing Sudoku.
Rule 10: Start Over from Number 1
There is no one right way to play Sudoku.
Some people prefer to start with the easiest number and work their way up, while others like to start with the hardest number and work their way down. There is no “correct” way to play Sudoku, as long as the puzzle is solved in the end.
Similarly, there is one right way to start a Sudoku puzzle. Some people prefer to start with the number 1 and work their way up, while others like to start with the number 9 and work their way down.
That is a “correct” way to Start while Playing Sudoku if You are a beginner.
The rules for solving Sudoku are simple.
- Begin with a partially completed grid. The best way to start is with some of the numbers already in place.
- Fill in the rest of the grid with the remaining numbers, one number at a time.
- Always use the digit 1 to Start your Sudoku Puzzle.
The rules of Sudoku are simple, but it’s a game of logic and strategizing that can sometimes prove difficult to master.
That said, with a bit of practice and some time, you’ll be able to play like a pro in no time!
First things first, make sure you understand how to count numbers using a key at the bottom corner of each cell; rows go from 1-9 (with row 1 being down here), columns go from 1-9 (with column 1 being over there), and boxes go from 1-9 (you get it by now).
After your key is memorized—or printed out if possible—it’s time to decide where you want to start.
FAQs
Are the Rules of Sudoku are Same for All Difficulty Levels?
Sudoku is a highly strategic game that can be pretty hard to grasp at first. But, once you learn how to play Sudoku, it's easy to get sucked into its challenging and addictive nature. The rules for Sudoku are standard across all difficulty levels, but it's important to pay attention to your ability level before playing so that you have a good time instead of a frustrating one. If you've never played Sudoku before, start with something easy and work your way up from there. You'll soon see why it's such a popular puzzle. There is a lot of debate on whether the rules of Sudoku are the same for all difficulty levels. Many novice players believe that the harder puzzles have different rules, while experienced players claim that the only difference is the number of squares that are filled in. To settle this debate, let’s take a look at the official Sudoku rules. • According to these rules, the only difference between easy, medium, and hard puzzles is the number of squares that are already filled in. This means that all of the other rules are still in effect, including the requirement that each row, column. There are a finite number of Sudoku grids. The number of grids is the same for all difficulty levels. However, the number of girds that are valid for each level is different. For instance, a 6x6 Sudoku grid has only 42 valid grids. A 9x9 Sudoku grid has 234 valid grids.
What are the basic rules of playing Sudoku?
As we know, Sudoku is a logic-based and number-placement puzzle. The objective of that puzzle is to fill a grid of 9 by 9 with digits so that each column of the Grid Each row of the Grid and each of the nine Three by Three boxes that make up the grid of the Puzzle contains all of the digits of Counting from 1 to 9. There are a few basic rules to follow when solving Sudoku puzzles: 1. Every digit from 1 to 9 must appear in every column, row, and 3×3 box. 2. In Three, By three Grid Not A single Digit Should Be repeated. 3. Sum of all the Number Used in sudoku should be 45. 4. Must-Follow Process of Eliminations. 5. Follow the Cross-hatching Process.
What is the trick to solving Sudoku puzzles?
There is no definitive answer to this question. However, there are a few tips that can help you solve Sudoku puzzles more easily. 1. One strategy is to start with the corners and work your way in. This approach can help you to eliminate possibilities and find the correct numbers more quickly. 2. Another trick is to focus on the cages – groups of squares that must contain the same number. By identifying and solving the cages, you can often eliminate several squares at once. 3. And finally, always make sure you check your work! It’s easy to make mistakes when solving Sudoku puzzles. 4. Start by solving the easy puzzles to get the hang of it. 5. Check the numbers in the rows and columns. If a number is repeated, that number cannot be used in that row or column. 6. Look for patterns. When you see a pattern, fill in the missing numbers accordingly. 7. If you are stuck, use the elimination method. Try to eliminate possibilities until you are left with only one option.
How do you play sudoku?
Many different techniques can be used to play Sudoku, and the best way to find out what works best for you is to experiment a little. Some people prefer to fill in the squares with numbers as they go, while others prefer to complete all of the rows and columns first, leaving the squares for last. There are also a variety of techniques for solving the puzzles, including using logic and math skills, trial and error, and elimination.
Extra Tips for Playing A sudoku Puzzle if you are a beginner
There is no one definitive way to play Sudoku. 1. Some people opt to use numbers, 2. While others use shapes or symbols. 3. Some players start by filling in the easy squares first 4. While others work on the harder squares first.
How to do sudoku?
There are many different ways to do Sudoku. You can use a pencil and paper, or a computer with a Sudoku solver. Some people use complex algorithms, while others use simple shortcuts. The important thing is to find a strategy that works for you and stick with it.
Conclusion
This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to play sudoku or want to learn the rules of sudoku.
If you are a beginner, following this guide will help you learn the rules of the game quickly.
To stay up-to-date on the latest in sudoku and how to play, follow our blog.
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Sudoku is a fun, challenging game that can be solved with a bit of logic and lots of patience.
This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to play sudoku or the rules of sudoku, as well as some tips on how to become a master sudoku solver.
If you are a beginner, follow this guide to learn the rules of the game.
If you are already a sudoku how-to-play enthusiast, these tips will help you.
Also, learn
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- Advanced Sudoku Strategy For Absolute Beginners
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- How to Solve Sudoku【Techniques For Beginners】