How to Play Minesweeper

THE PLAYBOOK · DOORSL

A practical guide to Minesweeper

Bring your attention to one round of Minesweeper. Open all 71 safe cells. Opening a mine ends the round. Flags help you mark suspected mines but do not replace opening safe cells. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move. Read the objective before making your first input. Use the example below to understand a decision.

An idea for your next attempt

Choose one rule to keep in mind for this round. Apply it consistently rather than guessing what another version might allow. Use the example to check your reasoning.

What you need to achieve

Open all 71 safe cells. Opening a mine ends the round. Flags help you mark suspected mines but do not replace opening safe cells. The feedback beside the game helps you follow the round. Try to explain the aim in your own words.

The order of play

1. Open a covered square to reveal it.
2. A number counts mines in the surrounding eight positions.
3. Right-click to flag on a computer, or enable Flag mode on a phone.
4. Use safe deductions to open the remaining cells.

Using the playing area

Click/tap to open. Right-click to flag, or use the Flag mode toggle for touch devices. Keep the playing area visible while using these controls. Use one clear input at a time.

See the idea in action

A revealed 1 with only one covered neighbour means that neighbour contains a mine. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Look for the relevant detail.

Notice this detail

A flag is your own note, not a confirmation from the game. Remove a mistaken flag before opening that square. Read the feedback to see why an action did not have the expected result. When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round.

Questions about this game