Communication Overtones Comments
Kami,
The secret's out... now I know why you only have time to read one book a month.
Hey, don't tell! Shhhhh.
You left out Sudoku Craving.
And of course, the coolest web arcade ever. Seriously, all original games, and each is a work of art.
Amazing how this numbers puzzle has spread so fast, and that all across the world apparently. I still remember some of my students (yes, female ones - so that would seem to be in line with your post 
) filling out a sudoku puzzle in class (before the beginning of the period, fortunately ) just one or two years ago. And only some months later everybody was doing it. I'll stick to ordinary crosswords, though. I am not a numbers kind of guy. An electronic game on the other hand... (Still trying to persuade my wife to buy the kids (yeah, right) a Playstation console - she is, however, smart enough not to give in. Yet... ?)
Serge; Smart woman, your wife 
I love this post! Recently when I went home, I found my mother consumed with Sudoku fever every time she had a spare moment. I've wanted to play the puzzle, but I have not fully grasped the concept. Now I have the websites you have provided to help me, so hopefully I too can join the Sudoku band-wagon. Thanks for the fun post!
Sudoku...hard name to spell, but great game to play. I love the new trend of this cross-number puzzle. It's a nice twist on the classic crossword and is appealing to many analytic-type thinkers.
I appreciate the newspapers picking up on this trend. Every paper from the USA Today to Auburn University's, The Plainsman, has picked up on this game and offer it along side the crossword.
My only problem with the Sudoku game, is that often times I find it difficult to know exactly where to start. I know a lot of the game revolves around guessing and checking, but sometimes it's nice to have a little help. Do you have any suggestions? Any tips on how to play better would be greatly appreciated!
Monica; First just know that Sudoko is about logic, not math. If...then...kind of thinking. When I was in college, I found that I excelled in this kind of thinking when I took a logic class.
So, if this square has a 1, then no other square or row touching that 1 can be a 1. The pdf file that I included in the links of how to play has some awesome advice about how to do it, and I highly recommend it.
Crista; My husband bought me a Sudoko game for our anniversary. It is a cool game and is an easy way to learn how to play with a couple of friends, or your mother, for instance. A possible gift idea? Plus, you could learn too.
Monica, here's a good starting tip:
Glance at the puzzle, and see which number appears the most. That's usually a good place to get some easy fillings, and get you on your way.
For instance:
1|2|3
4|5|6
7|8|9
Let's pretend that those 9 sections each have nine squares in them. Let's also pretend that sections 1, 2, 6, and 9 all have an "8" in them. Well, by definition, you KNOW where the "8" in section 3 will be.
Start with the easy targets, and see what that opens up for you.
My next move after cherry picking is to see what I can "finish off." The row, column, or section with the fewest remaining blanks is the easiest place to figure about 80% of the time.
Hope that helps... and good luck.
Ike; you are the best, thanks for answering more "logically" than I did
Commenting by HaloScan
