Killer Sudoku Tips: Master Strategies for Challenging Puzzles

Understanding Killer Sudoku Rules

If you are looking for a game that’s even more challenging than Sudoku, Killer Sudoku is for you! Combining the games of Kakuro and Sudoku, Killer Sudoku is similar to the traditional form in that the game aims to fill in each box, column and row with the numbers 1-9. Also just like traditional Sudoku, there can be no repeats of a number within any box, column or row.

However, unlike Sudoku, in killer Sudoku, none of the cells are filled in and the game also features cages. Cages are shown on the grid by coloured squares grouped together or in printed format with different patterns. Every square in the grid is part of a cage in Killer Sudoku, and for the puzzle to be solved every number in the cage must add up to the number in the top left-hand corner of that cage which will be written in small print similar to a crossword puzzle.

Killer Sudoku Strategies

Several strategies can be used to help make playing and winning killer Sudoku easier. Discover what they are in the sections below.

Applying Basic Strategies

First of all, you can solve a killer Sudoku by using traditional Sudoku methods. This is the most basic way to approach the game.

Using Cage Sums Effectively

If you want to be able to succeed at Killer Sudoku, then using cage sums effectively is vital. Cage sums refer to the feature described above where all the numbers in a single cage must add up to the number printed small in the left-hand corner of the box.

Cage sums when used properly will help you solve the killer Sudoku puzzle. Look for cages with a single square first as these will be the easiest to fill in. Another effective way of using cage sums is to look for the highest and lowest sums first, as these will give you a clue to the type of numbers that should be present in the cage as there are only certain combinations of that amount of cells that will add up to the total cage number. Indeed, some people memorize or look these up when playing killer Sudoku.

Managing Cage Constraints

Also, remember that just like Sudoku the rule of 45 applies. This means that every box, row and column needs to add up to 45. Every box, row and column also has to contain the numbers 1-9. By remembering this as you play you can narrow down the possibilities of the numbers that each cage can include.

7. Practicing with Different Puzzles

The key to becoming a good killer Sudoku player is to get as much practice as possible. If you have never played these types of games before, or your mental math skills are not that strong then playing a more basic Sudoku game online first is the best idea. With a traditional online Sudoku game, you can get used to the rule of 45, and the 1-9 rules of killer Sudoku without the added stress of cages. Then once you have honed your mental math skills you can move on to the more advanced killer Sudoku games.

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