Sudoku

Objective

The objective of the game of Sudoku is to fill each row, column, and 3x3 grid with the numbers 1 through 9, using each number only once.

Game Layout

Sudoku is played on a 9x9 grid which is separated into nine 3x3 grids.

Game Description

Sudoku is a game in which one person, or a team of people can work together to fill the 9x9 grid properly. Every Sudoku game includes several numbers that start the actual game. Players use the already given numbers to find the positions of the other numbers. Sudoku was invented by an American architect in 1979. The name Sudoku means “single digits”. It became popular in Japan in 1984, and then internationally in 2005. Sudoku is now featured in cell-phone games, video games, news papers, and “Sudoku Books”.

There are also electronic handheld versions of the game available.

Since its widespread popularity, several different variations of Sudoku have emerged. Many popular versions have emerged, including small and larger versions of the original. A Jigsaw Sudoku puzzle is similar to a normal puzzle, but instead of 3x3 grids, nine cell jigsaws form together, and each must contain the numbers 1 through 9. A Hypersudoku puzzle is also similar, but only features four 3x3 grids in the center squares.

Rules

The rules of the game of Sudoku are very simple. Each row, column, and 3x3 grid of the Sudoku game square must contain each number 1 through 9, and must not include duplicate numbers.

The numbers in Sudoku are only used for convenience. There is no mathematical value to the puzzle's solution. Any random set of objects or symbols may be substituted for the numbers without changing the rules of the game. ESPN created puzzles using baseball positions instead of numbers. Viz magazine used pictures of the actors from the television series Doctor Who in place of the numbers. The puzzle's originator, Dell Magazines, has been using numbers and calling the game Number Place in the magazines since the very first publication of sudoku puzzle in 1979.

Strategy, Skills and Tactics

Playing Sudoku requires many different strategies. A common strategy is scanning, in which you look around for areas for possible numbers to be placed. This can include cross-hatching, which determines if a number is in a specific cell if the other rows and columns are determined not to contain that number because they already contain a number (remember, only one kind of number in each row, column, or 3x3 grid). Scanning also includes counting which numbers are missing from each row, column, or 3x3 grid. Experienced players tend to “mark” a cell with whatever number possibilities they feel could be contained within it. A common marking is to make a dot in a specific region of the cell (like a 3x3 grid within the cell) with the various possibilities. Others write miniscule number possibilities within a cell also. It all depends on what the player feels comfortable doing.

Last update : 13-12-2007 18:43

Keywords : Sudoku, Game, Rules, How to Play, Online Sudoku

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