Sudoku technique guide

Pointing Pair Sudoku Technique

A pointing pair happens when a candidate inside one box is limited to one row or column. This guide explains the idea in plain English, when to look for it, and the common mistake to avoid.

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At a glance

Difficulty

Beginner to Medium

This is where Pointing Pair normally sits in a human solving path.

Family

Locked candidate techniques

It belongs to the locked candidate techniques group of Sudoku logic.

Main action

Usually remove candidates

Most technique moves reduce notes first. That often reveals a simpler placement afterwards.

What is Pointing Pair?

A pointing pair happens when a candidate inside one box is limited to one row or column.

The important thing is that this is logic, not guessing. You are using the current candidates to prove that a number must either go in one place, or cannot stay in another place.

In SudoSketch, this technique is designed to work with notes and Coach highlighting, so the key cells and removal cells can be shown clearly.

How Pointing Pair works

Look inside one 3x3 box.
Find a candidate that only appears on one row or one column inside that box.
Remove that candidate from the rest of the same row or column outside the box.

When to look for it

Look for Pointing Pair after easier moves have stopped working. First check for naked singles, hidden singles, locked candidates and simple pairs. If those do not move the puzzle forward, this technique may be worth checking.

For learning, do not try to scan for every advanced technique at once. Pick one method, understand the shape, and practise spotting that one pattern.

Common mistake

Make sure the candidate is locked to one line inside the box before removing it outside the box.

If you are unsure, rebuild the candidates first. Bad notes create bad logic, and Sudoku will absolutely punish you for it like a tiny spreadsheet goblin.

Pointing Pair FAQ

What is Pointing Pair in Sudoku?