7 Easy Ways to Solve Puzzles Using Simple Tricks

Puzzles are a form of computer games that enhance critical and logical thinking. They can be fun and learning boosters at the same time. Puzzle games are available all over the internet, computer game stores, and even on smartphones and tablets.

 There are several types of puzzles you can encounter. They include Crosswords, Sudoku, Jigsaw, Mahjong Solitaire, and many others. Some of these games may look hard from the first impression. But you should find them easy to play when you know the tricks for solving the puzzles. In this post, you will learn seven simple tips that will help you to solve puzzles quickly. 

Once you employ these tricks, you will find it easy to solve any puzzles you come across. And you can win many competitions or showcase your knowledge and expertise in solving puzzles. Read on to learn how to beat your friends at any puzzle games. 

Here are seven simple tricks you need to solve your favorite puzzles. 

1. Create a Plan

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Each puzzle is different from all the other. And the puzzle-solving process may differ from one game to another. It is, therefore, ideal to make a realistic plan for handling the puzzle at hand. 

Your plan will also help you come up with the appropriate methods of working out the games. For instance, if you want to solve a Sudoku, you have various ways of approaching the challenge. 

Finding a game-solving strategy will help you to work out the puzzles faster. But you first need to sit down, relax, and think. That is how you can see if there is any possible angle from which to start your game. You should think through the game process before you begin solving it. 

2. Avoid Overworking Your Brain

People are meant to play computer games. You need logic understanding and thinking abilities to solve the puzzle. But you should not feel that you require computer processing power. Overthinking the games may even drift you from the solutions. 

Some of the puzzles give you tips and clues for solving. Such NYT crosswords 911 puzzles should take you a short time in solving. The available tips will help you find the correct words to fill the grids. And once you have filled out some of the boxes, it is easier to identify the word to complete the grid with some of the letters filled out. 

3. Work Backward

Not all puzzles follow a systematic order when solving. Trying to figure out the steps from one point to another may be hard to complete the game. The backward strategy can help you come up with a simple solution and finish your puzzle faster and easily. 

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An example of such games include the mazes. But again, it might not be straightforward to solve. You should guide the animal or person out of the maze from the point they are to the exit. Using the backward technique, you will identify the route through the maze that leads out. You may have to mark significant points to take turns until you get out. 

4. Write Down Notes

One of the advantages of puzzles is that you can learn while playing. Some of the puzzle games come with a sort of replication. It can be the steps you take when playing a maze or solitaire or the pattern you have to follow when solving the games. In crosswords, the game may reuse some of the words in various grids to test your memory. 

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Taking notes by hand helps you to improve your memory skills. And it is advisable to write down as much as you can when playing the puzzle games. If your game involves taking complicated steps and identifying routes, the notes will help you to overcome the challenge easily when redoing it or on a level with similar steps. This strategy also works with games with patterns. 

5. Identify Patterns

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I have already mentioned patterns in the previous point. Many puzzle games indeed follow patterns. For example, the jigsaw is one of the pattern games where you have to fit the pieces together to complete the given shape or figure. But you need to identify the shape of each piece to determine what enters which section to complete the game. 

Some other games that have patterns have a different approach. You get a puzzle where you should solve the mystery presented. After some steps, you will realize that the game repeats the order in which you have to complete the steps to move to the next level. Such games are easy to work out because you would have mastered the pattern or order already. 

6. Guess and Check

You may be wondering if this is a “hack” for solving puzzles. The guess and check technique is an old way we used to solve Math in our early days of schooling. But believe me, the trick works everywhere – even at games. With guess and check, you try to take one option and fit it to see if it completes the pattern or the given rule. Repeated checks can help you come up with the correct answer. 

Some of the games that use the technique include the crosswords and a codeword. The crossword can use the trick of “guess and check” when you do not know the exact word that could fit in the grid. But for codewords, the numbers will guide you through. And the “guess and check” is the only way out to solve the letters to make meaningful words that fill out the puzzle. 

7. Never Give Up

Have you tried everything and still feel like you are stuck? Then you have not tried yet. If you are determined to win any puzzles, then you cannot give up trying all the possibilities. If you have tried all the ideas you have for solving the game, you still need to think and come up with a way to do it. Remember, in learning; there is no quitting. 

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And, as you must have noticed, solving puzzles is all about learning. When the challenge becomes tougher, you get better at your skills. The reason is that more challenging games help you to think of various approaches and possibilities. Persist in your trials and research until you come up with a solution to the puzzle. 

Summing Up 

Regardless of the type of puzzle you are playing, your ultimate goal is to win and get each step or level right. The more you score, the more fulfilling you get. But better still, playing more puzzles helps your brain to handle complex life situations while learning. 

If you were afraid of puzzles that seem too challenging or cryptic, then you need to change your perspective now and start playing as soon as now and improve your literacy. 

Author Bio: 

Rebecca Siggers is a Teacher and passionate writer. She enjoys writing about the Kids learning activities, Parenting tips, effects of Puzzles and Crosswords all around the globe. She has been working as a freelance writer for quite some time now. Through her writing, she hopes to influence as many people as possible to help kids grow their mental skills. 

Photo by Olav Ahrens Røtne on Unsplash

Author: Mandy Kloppers

Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.