Tips on Hard Problems
By etongong
@etongong (164)
Philippines
December 9, 2009 10:34am CST
I like to play Sudoku but I really have a hard time playing the hard ones, I just find it hard with so many blank spaces to fill in. Any tricks or tips on how to get rid or solve the missing numbers of the puzzle? Thanks!
2 responses
@sleepylittlerose (1648)
• United States
9 Dec 09
When working an extra hard puzzle, I write any possible number that should be considered in pencil in the box. As I figure out a couple of the other numbers then I erase all that are no longer a posibility. Sometimes you will have to make a guess between 2 number and when I have to do this I write that number in the bottom corner and continue to work the puzzle until I can determine if that was the right choice. But if you do this make sure that you mark which box you started your guess in because if you change that one then all others will have to be changed also.
Good luck and remember sudoku puzzles should be there to relax you not stress you out. If you find yourself getting frustrated with it then put it down for a while.
@etongong (164)
• Philippines
10 Dec 09
I agree with you, I also do make marks to identify what are the possible numbers in the missing box, but sometimes I would end up having 3 to 5 possible numbers and would turn ugly :). I was just hoping there would be other tricks on how to do it simpler :).
@sleepylittlerose (1648)
• United States
10 Dec 09
Usually on the extreme puzzles you are going to have at least one where you have to guess in order to move forward. I have been doing these puzzles for a few years now and they are most all the same as far as that goes. I guess that is why they are considered extreme.
@etongong (164)
• Philippines
12 Dec 09
In extreme sudoku puzzles, there are times that its hard to find the right answer but guessing even just 1, for me will defeat the purpose. I also understand that you will be tempted to guess 1 in order to be able to move forward, but what if that 1 will be wrong, then everything that follows will be spoiled, and its not easy to retract everything that follows, so all will be gone. Thats why I really have a hard time when it comes to that situation, coz I can't take taking it by chances or guess, so I am trying to find ways to develop a faster technique to be able also to lessen my time solving extreme puzzles. :)
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
11 Dec 09
Sudoku is divided into 9 major squares and each major squares has 9 square on in.
have 9 column and 9 rows.
......
Check the major squares
Always start at the middle..Check the numbers that is still missing. Then check if that number is available on the top square, right side square, left side square and down side square. As the rules states that you can't repeat same number in same column or row..At that time you can see a pattern. You can add one number that has a high probability that is correct.
Then go to the upper left square. do the same.
.....
Check the column vs the major square.
.....
check the most number that is available and the least number available.
example
9 major square:
seven of those nine squares has four.
So it means that you have two major squares that don't have four.
Check the column and the row.
Removed the probability by removing a row or a column that has same number in other major squares.
.....
That how I do my Sudoku..its not a perfect technique but I have 80% chance of getting it all.
