Minesweeper Objective
To win Minesweeper, uncover every space on the grid that doesn't contain a mine without clicking on a mine. Use
the numbers in each cell to determine which spaces contain mines and flag them.
How to Play Minesweeper
We give you several ways to customize Minesweeper so you can play at a level and with a grid layout that works
for you. Use these features to adjust your gameplay:
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Board Type: Choose between a Classic grid, Honeycomb, and Pyramid. While the game doesn't have
difficulty levels per se, you may find the Classic grid easier to manage because of the uniformity and each
cell having four sides. On the other hand, the Honeycomb with its six-sided cells and the Pyramid, which
uses alternating triangles, can be a more unique challenge.
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Board Size: You can dial up the difficulty further or pare it down as needed by choosing from 9x9,
16x16, 16x30, and 20x30 Classic or Honeycomb boards and Pyramid boards that range in height from 9, 16, 22,
and 24.
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Logic only mode: Because you often feel like you're guessing, you can check this box to ensure you
can solve the board with only logic. One space is highlighted in green at the start, so click it first and
then continue by using logic to determine where mines are located.
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Dig and flag mode: You can toggle between both modes to easily flag spaces you think contain mines
and switch back to digging when it's safe.
Minesweeper Rules
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Click a cell to uncover it. In dig mode, clicking the space reveals whether it's empty, contains a
number, or contains a mine. If you uncover a mine, the game ends.
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Use revealed numbers to locate and flag mines. A number tells you exactly how many mines are hidden
in the spaces touching that cell. For example, a 1 means exactly one of the surrounding spaces contains a
mine, while a 3 means exactly three contain mines.
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Flag spaces you believe contain mines. Use flag mode to mark a space you suspect contains a mine.
This helps you keep track of possible mine locations so you can easily account for mines and avoid
accidentally clicking them while solving.
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Uncovering an empty space reveals entire blank areas. If you reveal a space that is empty, that means
it has no mines in any of the spaces around it. This will automatically reveal the additional empty spaces
and numbered squares connected to the blank space.
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Click a number in an uncovered space to make a supermove. When you click a number that has been
revealed it will reveal all the unflagged spaces that touch it. So if you've flagged all the mines touching
that number, clicking it will quickly uncover other spaces. However, if you've not flagged the mines
correctly, you'll uncover a mine and lose the game.
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Uncovering a mine causes you to automatically lose. Whether it's uncovered from digging or
supermoves, uncovering mine means the game is over.
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Clear all non-mine spaces to win. After every safe space has been uncovered, you have successfully
cleared the minefield and won the game.
Minesweeper Patterns
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1-1 pattern: When two 1s touch the same covered spaces but one 1 also touches an additional covered
space, that additional space is safe. The one mine must be in the spaces both 1s share.
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1-2 pattern: When a 1 touches two covered spaces, you know exactly one of those spaces contains a
mine. If a neighboring 2 touches those same two spaces plus one additional covered space, that additional
space must contain a mine.
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1-2-1 pattern: When you see 1-2-1 in a row along the edge of an uncleared area, the covered spaces
directly touching the two 1s contain mines, while the space directly touching the 2 is safe.
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2-1-1-2 pattern: When you see 2-1-1-2 in a row along the edge of an uncleared area, the covered
spaces directly touching the two 2s contain mines, while the spaces directly touching the two 1s are safe.
Minesweeper is an exciting solo game because you're trying to uncover spaces without blowing up a mine, but it
can be even more exciting by clicking through the grid quickly and playing for a best time. So if you like the
logic and excitement of classic games like this, try
Sea Battle and
Checkers for free!
