THE PLAYBOOK · MASYYSP
Minesweeper: what to know before playing
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. Look at what changes after your first action. Use the opening round to become familiar with the layout. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls.
Try a more deliberate round
Choose one rule to keep in mind for this round. Apply it consistently rather than guessing what another version might allow. Make the next step deliberately.
Your objective
Open all 71 safe cells. Opening a mine ends the round. Flags help you mark suspected mines but do not replace opening safe cells. Use the instructions to see which actions move you towards it. Keep the controls in easy reach.
From the start of a round
- Open a covered square to reveal it.
- A number counts mines in the surrounding eight positions.
- Right-click to flag on a computer, or enable Flag mode on a phone.
- Use safe deductions to open the remaining cells.
The controls to know
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. Return to the rules if the result is unexpected.
One way to understand the rules
A revealed 1 means exactly one neighbouring square contains a mine. The clue counts diagonal neighbours as well as the squares directly beside it. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Notice the change in the playing area.
A mistake to avoid
A flag is your own note, not a confirmation from the game. Remove a mistaken flag before opening that square. Take a moment to reassess the position before continuing. Before your first action, say what you are trying to achieve. Then compare the result with the goal.
Further help with the game
While reading the Guide, what is the goal 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.
As a new player, how do I control Minesweeper?
Keep this in mind: Click/tap to open. Right-click to flag, or use the Flag mode toggle for touch devices.
While learning, what example helps explain Minesweeper?
For clarity: A revealed 1 means exactly one neighbouring square contains a mine. The clue counts diagonal neighbours as well as the squares directly beside it.
For my first round, what should I watch out for in Minesweeper?
For clarity: A flag is your own note, not a confirmation from the game. Remove a mistaken flag before opening that square.
While learning, what format does Minesweeper offer?
Play using the solo mode shown on this page. Read the controls before starting a new round.
For my first round, which play mode does Minesweeper use?
Here is the relevant explanation: The mode on this page is Solo. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.
