Minesweeper game is a classic puzzle game that has been a popular choice among players since the 1980s. The objective is to clear all the safe squares on the board while avoiding all mines on the board. The Minesweeper game rules and strategies help to understand playing this game, especially for beginners.
The Minesweeper game is a grid-based game where you need to prevent yourself from setting off mines in the grid. The game consists of beginner, intermediate, and expert levels. Players can also customize the grid size and the number of mines in the game.
In this blog, you will learn how to play minesweeper game, especially for beginners. Learn the rules of Minesweeper and strategies to win the game by uncovering all safe mines.
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Minesweeper Rules
It is important to familiarize yourself with the rules and strategies of the Minesweeper game to understand how it works. One mistake and the game is over; hence, avoid making that mistake by being familiar with the rules.
- It is important to be familiar with the minesweeper game mechanics and objectives.
- The goal is to uncover all safe squares on the grid and avoid touching any square with mines.
- The game board consists of a grid of squares; some of the squares are safe, and others are hiding with mines.
- Each square in the game can be in any state – unopened, numbered, blank, or mine. You have to avoid the square with mine.
- Your first click will never uncover any square with mine. Never hesitate while taking your first move.
- The numbers on the uncovered mines tell how many mines in the adjacent surroundings have mines.
- You can use the right-click option to flag squares with possible mines.
- After flagging, start uncovering other mines that are safe.
- Clicking on the squares with a mine ends the game immediately, turning the state to Game Over. ☹️
- You will win the game when you uncover all squares with no mines.
How to Play Minesweeper
Objective
The minesweeper game aims to clear the complete grid by uncovering all the safe cells in the grid without activating any nearby mines. If you click any mine on the grid, the game is over. Numbers on the opened squares indicate how many adjacent mines are to the square.
Setup
Check the complete game setup with Minesweeper for possible difficulty levels based on grid size and the number of mines in the game. Select any of the difficulty levels and start your first game by clicking on any of the following.
Beginner Variant
This minesweeper variant consists of a grid size of 9×9 with 10 number of mines.
Intermediate Variant
This variant of Minesweeper consists of a 16×16 grid with 40 mines. It is more frequently played worldwide.
Expert Variant
This variant of the Minesweeper game is more suitable for people who have experience playing the game. They know how to play Minesweeper and are familiar with the rules of Minesweeper grid game. This variant consists of a 30×16 grid size with 99 mines. A tough nut to crack all of the safe cells.
Custom Variant
The custom variant in Minesweeper allows players to select the grid size and number of mines scattered around the grids. This is an important difficulty level in the minesweeper game. The custom variants are, however, not available on many online versions of the game. You can download one on your personal computer.
Adventure
This mode selects the minesweeper based on a continuous underground minesweeper labyrinth. It implements the same rules as Minesweeper, where you can mark terrains instead of a grid with mines. You need to guide your character to the center of the earth to win.
Define the Grid Size
In the custom mode game level, players need to select the grid size on their own. Select your grid size and number of mines and start playing the Minesweeper game on your device.
How to Download the Minesweeper Game?
You can download the Minesweeper game on the App Store or Play Store on your mobile device or computer and play the game anywhere anytime. You can also play Microsoft Minesweeper on the Microsoft Store. Select a difficulty level based on your choice. Keep it at a beginner difficulty level if you are new to the game.
How To Play Minesweeper Game For Beginners
Beginners who want to master some of the game must read the step-by-step instructions to learn how to play the Minesweeper.
1. Start with smaller grids
It is better if a beginner in Minesweeper starts playing with a grid size 9×9, having ten mines. This variant of Minesweeper is good for you if you are in the early stages of learning how to play the Minesweeper game. Use the smiley face on the game console to start the game again after you step on one of the mines adjacent to the uncovered square.
2. Change variant
Learn the game logic and minesweeper rules to master the 9×9 grid and switch over to the following variant of the game requiring 16×16 and 30×16 grid expertise. You can customize the grid size and number of mines as your skills advance in the game.
3. Learn tracking numbers
Numbers on the uncovered squares indicate the number of adjacent mine squares in diagonal, horizontal, and vertical directions. It advances to 8 squares in each direction.
For example, an uncovered square with 1 means one mine is nearby. A 3 means there are 3 mines near the uncovered square.
4. You are Safe on Your First Click
No worries! There are no mines on your first click. Click on any random square to start the game. Your first click will never result in a mine. A large blank area with a few numbers will probably appear on your first click.
5. Avoid Clicking Mines
Take the hint from the uncovered squares and try to avoid clicking on possible squares with mine. Examine the numbers on the uncovered squares to know where the mines are located. For example, if a square with 2 has two unopened adjacent squares with a mine, avoid both of the squares.
6. Use Flags to Remember
Flag squares with potential mines and mark squares you suspect contain mines. This helps you avoid clicking on the mines unknowingly. You can use flag options by right click to use the flag option. Make sure you do not use incorrect flags, as it might disrupt the gaming strategy and might also prevent you from opening a safe square.
7. Identify & Mark Safe Squares
You can safely click on the remaining adjacent squares after flagging mines with possible threats. For example, if a 1 is next to one flagged square, then the remaining adjacent squares are safe.
8. Make use of Common Patterns
You must correctly recognize the pattern once you become habitual by playing several games following the Minesweeper rules and strategies. For instance, a 1-2-1 pattern often reveals specific mine locations on the grid.
9. Learn the Minesweeper Mechanics
Learn the rules of the Minesweeper game and gameplay to understand the principles behind how does minesweeper work. Each game starts with a blank grid with unmarked squares. After you click one of the squares, with a left click, some numbers will appear on the grid, while others will remain blank or uncovered.
10. Make use of the Mouse’s Left and Right Button
Make sure you know the rules of Minesweeper while using the mouse’s left and right buttons. The left mouse button is used to click the squares and uncover them, while the right mouse button flags squares with possible mines.
11. Select your Suitable Difficulty Level
For a beginner, the beginner level is the most suitable difficulty level in the game; however, the progress goes to other levels, too, with increased difficulty and hard guessing.
- Easy (9×9)
- Medium (16×16)
- Expert (30×16)
- Custom ( x)
- Adventure
- Daily Challenges
12. Visit Tutorials for Minesweeper
Learn the Minesweeper rules, strategies, and how to play Minesweeper with hands on tutorial videos to help you explore the basics and gameplay. You can skip the tutorial mode by clicking on the Skip button at the top of your desktop window.
13. Clear the Board
To win the minesweeper game you must discover every square and click them, having no mines underneath. Once you complete the process, the game will be over, and you win. If you unknowingly click the square with a mine, then the game will be over there without any early warnings or second chances. You can start a new game by clicking on the Smiley Emoji at the top of the game console.
Minesweeper Game Tips & Strategies
Let us look at some of the best gameplay tips and strategies to win Minesweeper without making any mistakes in the game.
- Do not attempt to find squares with mine first; go for flagging them instead.
- Make good use of the mouse’s left and right buttons.
- The right button on the mouse will help you flag the squares with possible mines. Use it to avoid clicking a square with mine.
- Make a proper calculation with numbers on the uncovered squares.
- Uncover all safe squares in the least amount of time and win the minesweeper game.
- In Modern Minesweeper, there are possible powerups or hints options, especially for beginners.
- Use custom game modes, as some versions allow you to customize the grid size and number of mines, altering different levels.
- Leave the remaining mines untouched to prevent the game from getting over, as one bad move can end the game. Mark the remaining mines adjacent to uncover squares with flags.
- Advanced games might include Undo options. Use them to reverse any unintentional or accidental clicks. Also, use correctly flagged squares to avoid accidentally stepping on them.
- Do not get impatient while making your move and clicking on any of the squares without a defined strategy.
- Start by marking the squares with possible mines in the adjacent squares. After that, start clicking the safer squares.
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FAQs
How do you play the game Minesweeper?
Minesweeper is played on a custom grid board with safe squares and squares with all the mines. Uncover all safe mines in the grid without stepping on mines to complete the game and win. If you click any of the mine squares, the Game is Over.
What do the numbers mean in Minesweeper?
The numbers in the Minesweeper uncovered squares signify the number of mines in the adjacent 8 squares in the diagonal, horizontal, and vertical directions. For example, 3 signifies there are 3 mines nearby.
What are the rules of Minesweeper?
A quick summary of the minesweeper rules is mentioned below for your reference.
- Uncover squares to reveal numbers or clear areas
- Avoid clicking on squares with mine
- Use the numbers to deduce where mines are hidden or present in the grid
- Flag suspected mines and clear safe squares around them
- Uncover all safe squares and win
- Lose if you click a square with a mine.
What is the trick to play Minesweeper?
The Minesweeper game is based on learning patterns and numbers. You need to study numbers to know the position of square mines. Avoid clicking squares with mines and use right-click to flag all possible squares with possible mines. Choose any difficulty level based on your skills, and if you are a beginner, start with a 9×9 variant of minesweeper.
How do you play Minesweeper and win?
In order to win the game of Minesweeper, you must successfully uncover all safe squares on the grid. Avoid stepping on mine and flag them with a right click of the mouse. If you click on a square with mines, the game is over. The smiley turns from a smiling to a sad face. Click on the smiley face to start the game again after it turns to a sad face when the game ends.
What is the logic behind Minesweeper?
Minesweeper game is a grid-based numbers game where you must know how to deduce the location of square mines and read numbers carefully to avoid squares with mines. You only win when you uncover every safe square and do not click on any of the squares with possible mines.
How does a Minesweeper work?
Minesweeper works on numbers, grids, and mines. The grid contains safe squares and mines. Flag the mines using the right mouse click and the left click to explore safe mines. You can select the grid size and number of mines in custom difficulty levels. You win the game when you uncover every safe square without stepping on one of the possible square mines. Click on the smiley face to start the game again after it turns to a sad face when the game ends.
How do you actually play Minesweeper?
Minesweeper can be downloaded on a computer. You can also play Minesweeper online without downloading it from your local device. You just have to uncover all safe squares and avoid clicking on the mines. Flag the square mines instead of clicking on them; otherwise, the game will end.
What do numbers mean for Minesweeper game?
The numbers on the board represent the mines adjacent to the safe square on the board. It is important to avoid the mines, or the game will get over if you click on the mine.
