Wang Shiyao holds the world record for the fastest Sudoku-solving time. Being only 14 years old, she completed a Sudoku puzzle in 54.4 seconds. This result shows her incredible ability to navigate numbers and solve complicated logical challenges.
One can say that Wang Shiyao’s record is just her talent and a bit of luck combined. However, several million people play Sudoku daily, but the average solving time for Sudoku is around 10 minutes. Sudoku, as you will soon realize, is a highly logical puzzle game.
Almost anyone can improve their Sudoku online game solving speed. All it takes is a few strategies and time to practice them. In this post, you will learn three basic strategies every professional player like Wang Shiyao uses for better Sudoku results.
Why Does Strategy Matter in Sudoku?
There are over 5.4 billion essentially different Sudoku grid variations. Every grid has at least 17 pre-filled cells and some can have up to 32 of them. The good news is that all of those Sudoku grids are solvable. However, the bad news is that you won’t be able to do even 0.1% of them during your lifetime if you spend only 30 minutes playing a day and don’t implement pro Sudoku-solving strategies.
Instead of wandering aimlessly from one cell to another and between boxes, you can make an order for what seems like a chaotic sequence of numbers at first glance. Sudoku strategies like number scanning and hidden number recognition allow players to shove off minutes from their puzzle-solving times.
Strategies in Sudoku are structured approaches that train pattern recognition, logical thinking, and planning skills. Whether for personal satisfaction or in preparation for the Sudoku World Championships, you can learn Sudoku strategies and see how you improve with every new game session.
Players who practice a strategic approach to Sudoku can solve puzzles faster since they have a predetermined sequence of action in any situation. If they get into a problematic situation, they don’t panic or quit – they try different approaches and find the one that works.
There are many Sudoku strategies to improve your in-game speed. However, the three main ones you should know are scanning and crosshatching, pencil marking, and hidden pair and triple recognition.
The 3 Secret Strategies to Solving Sudoku Puzzles Faster
Three main Sudoku strategies you should have in your arsenal for better Sudoku times are:
1. Scanning and Crosshatching
Instead of focusing on a single area of the grid you should always scan the whole grid and analyze every number you have. You should note the boxes with the most number of pre-filled cells. Navigate cells that lay in lines with the most number of pre-filled cells horizontally and vertically.
Having this as a second nature is crucial since it starts the right chain of action. You want to eliminate as many possible numbers as you can. It would ensure you can find the correct numbers for open cells faster.
2. The Power of Pencil Marks
The second strategy of pencil marking should follow right after the navigation stage. After you have scanned all the possibilities for all open cells and may have found obvious ones, you want to look for cells that have several number options and mark them. It’s called pencil marking because you place one, two, or three possible small number marks in the cell without finalizing your choice.
Pencil marking is great for several reasons. First, it frees up your memory from the additional pressure of remembering all variables for each cell. Second, you can find open cells in the same vertical or horizontal rows and mark them too. For example, you might notice that one cell can contain either two or three and the cell above it — either two or four. However, there are only two open cells in the first box and the second cell can’t be two. It means the first cell in the first box is a two and the cell in the second box can only be a four.
The strategy of pencil marking is an effective way to find missing numbers. It’s based on the deduction method. And since you can always change a number in the cell without counting it as a mistake and plan, this strategy is used by professional and amateur players worldwide.
3. Recognizing Hidden Pairs and Triples
As in the example of pairs above, you can use pencil marks to identify hidden pairs and triples. Those are cells with two or three possible numbers. They often coincide with other in-row cells and can hit possible solutions in different boxes.
Spotting hidden pairs and triple patterns early allows you to narrow down several choices. It also serves as a base knowledge for more complex pattern recognition strategies like corner and wall patterns.
Common 3 Mistakes That Slow You Down
Strategies are an important aspect of solving Sudokus faster. However, there are also three common mistakes players should avoid not to slow down their progress:
1. Guessing Instead of Using Logical Deduction
You will be tempted to go back to your previous habits of guessing. However, you will stick to logical deduction instead of guessing after hours of practicing. You shouldn’t be discouraged after making a mistake since it’s only a natural process of learning.
2. Not Tracking Possibilities
Not using a pencil making for tracking possibilities is a rookie mistake. It may seem boring and unnecessary at first however as the game progresses you will realize that you put too much pressure on your memory. Pro players know that tracking possibilities with pencil marks is the way to go in Sudoku.
3. Rushing Through Without Double-Checking
Rushing through without double-checking is another mistake newbies make. Those who rush are prone to making more mistakes, which cost a lot in Sudoku.
After making a mistake, you might continue solving a Sudoku because you missed it. However, it may be too late when you realize you made a mistake and wasted too much time.
Apply These Strategies Today – Challenge Yourself with a Sudoku Game!
Sudoku strategies are building blocks for your faster puzzle-solving times. If you implement those three strategies, you will acquire the necessary skills to solve more Sudoku puzzles in the same period. With time and persistence, you can gain an edge over your competition and win at Sudoku easily.