Start with the numbers that have few hidden neighbours
Every number tells you how many of its eight neighbours are mines. A number with exactly as many hidden squares around it as its value means all of those squares are mines. A number whose mines are all flagged means every other hidden square around it is safe.
- A 1 with only one hidden square next to it: that square is a mine.
- A 2 with only two hidden squares: both are mines.
- A number whose flags already equal its value: open everything else around it.
Work from the edges and corners
A number on the edge has only five neighbours, and a corner number has three. That means there are fewer possibilities and the logic is easier. Start your hunt for certain moves along the edges of the cleared area.
The subset rule
When the hidden neighbours of one number are all inside the hidden neighbours of another, you can subtract. Suppose a 1 touches squares A and B, and a 2 next to it touches A, B and C. The 1 says there is one mine among A and B, so the 2 needs one more mine, which must be C. This rule solves a large share of the boards that look stuck.
The one-two-one and one-two-two-one patterns
When you see a row of 1, 2, 1 along a wall of hidden squares, the mines are under the two 1s and not under the 2. A row of 1, 2, 2, 1 has its mines under the two middle numbers. Patterns like these show up often, and recognising them lets you clear a whole edge in a few clicks.
Use the mine counter
When the board is nearly solved, count the mines you have flagged and compare with the total. If the number of remaining mines equals the number of hidden squares, they are all mines. If it is zero, they are all safe. This helps you finish boards that look like they need a guess.
When you do have to guess
Sometimes no square is certain. Then pick the square with the lowest chance of being a mine. A square far from any number has the average mine density, which is often lower than the squares next to a 2 or a 3. A hint button shows whether a sure move exists, so you do not guess when you do not need to.
Open a square that would give you new information, such as one next to a cleared area, rather than a random square in the middle of nowhere.
Speed comes from accuracy
If you want fast times, do not rush. Fast players are the ones who recognise patterns at a glance and rarely make a mistake. Open the first square, take the free clearing, and keep your flags accurate, and the speed will follow.
