Sudoku Hints For Beginners
Look for the obvious.
Is there a row, column, or region that has one cell unsolved? If there is you can quickly find the solution.
Count from 1 to 9 locating each number in that row, column, or region. The missing number is the solution for that empty cell. What is the missing number in the graphic at the left?
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Where do you start?
Most people I suspect just pick a spot at random to start. It is better to have a systematic approach to solving Sudoku. I like to start by first looking for a number that has the most "givens". The more the merrier.
Use the scanning method
Since we know that every row, column, and region can only have one instance of each number, you can logically use the scanning method I illustrated in my article "How To Play Sudoku" to find other cells that contain the same number. I won't repeat that technique here. It is essential to learn this technique because every Sudoku puzzle requires it's use.
After you have solved (if possible) for the number(s) that had the most "givens", cycle through all the numbers 1 through 9, solving for each number as many as you can using the scanning method.
Repeat again and again until you can no longer find a solution for any cell.
