PUZZLE TECHNIQUES

HOW TO SOLVE SLITHERLINK PUZZLES

• How to handle lines around number 0
• How to solve numbers 0 and 3 adjacent
• What to do with numbers 0 and 3 diagonal
• How to proceed with two adjacent numbers 3
• How to play with two diagonal numbers 3
• How to deal with numbers in a corner
• Extra technique if a line meets a corner of a number 1
• The same technique with number 3
• How to solve two diagonal numbers 1
• What to do with diagonal numbers 1 and 3
• Trick with number 2 and 3 with short line

SLITHERLINK TIPS AND TRICKS

Only solve slitherlink puzzles using logical decisions. When you have learned our solving techniques, then you can try to play slitherlink online.

Slitherlink is a loop-forming puzzle using logic. This puzzle has many names like Fences, Takegaki, Loop the Loops, Ouroboros, Suriza and even Dotty.

NEVER PLACE LINES AROUND NUMBER 0

The goal is placing correct lines, but it is also helpful to know where lines are NOT allowwed. On most website you can this by placing an X between two dots. On this website we use a short line instead. Let’s look at the 0's in our example. We can place four short lines around each number 0.

When a 0 is in a corner or on a side two extra short lines can be placed because otherwise the loop cannot continue.

NUMBERS 0 AND 3 ADJACENT

Now we have numbers 0 and 3 next to each other. You can place 4 short lines around numbers 0 and 5 or 6 lines around numbers 3.

Each dot can have a maximum of 2 connecting lines. So we can place extra short lines.

NUMBERS 0 AND 3 DIAGONAL

When numbers 0 and 3 connect diagonal to each other, then we can place 2 lines starting from the dot that connects both numbers.

The third line remains uncertain for the time being.

TWO ADJACENT NUMBERS 3

We can place 3 lines next to each other.

We can also place two short lines.

This technique works the same way for 3 or more adjacent numbers 3.

TWO DIAGONAL NUMBERS 3

When you have two diagonal numbers 3, then there are always 4 lines you can place. To avoid crossing you may also place 4 short lines.

There can also be one or more numbers 2 between the diagonal numbers 3.

When you have number 3 and number 2 (with a short line) diagonal, than you get the same pattern.

NUMBERS IN A CORNER

When you have a number in a corner you can place lines and/or short lines depending on the number.

• Number 0: 4 short lines.
• Number 1: two short lines in the corner.
• Number 2: two lines: a line at the side of both adjacent cells.
• Number 3: two lines at the corner.

IF A LINES MEETS A CORNER OF A NUMBER 1

Sometimes the loop is forced to continue on one of the sides of a number 1 cell. If a line (A) arrives in a corner of an umber 1, then sometimes the two sides of the opposite corner of the number 1 cell must get a short line.

If the loop is forced to continue on one of the sides of a number 1 cell becasue the third option is blocked with a short line, then the two sides of the opposite corner of the number 1 cell must get a short line.

IF A LINE MEETS A CORNER OF A NUMBER 3

If a line reaches a corner of a number 3, then two lines will start from the opposite corner.

Furthermore, we can place a short line making a corner with the incoming line.

TWO DIAGONAL NUMBERS 1

If two numbers 1 are diagonally adjacent, then there two possibilities: 4 inner short lines or 4 outer short lines.

NUMBERS 1 AND 3 ARE DIAGONALS

If a number 1 and a number 3 are adjacent diagonally and the outer two sides of the 1 are short lines, then the outer two sides of the 3 must be full lines.

You can also have the opposite. If the outer two corners of the 3 are full lines, then the outer two corners of the 1 must be short lines.

NUMBER 3 AND NUMBER 2 WITH SHORT LINE

If you have number 3 and 2 next to each other and number 2 has a short line at the opposite side where the two numbers meet, than you can add 2 short lines and a full line.