THE PLAYBOOK · HEY172
Rules, controls and help for Minesweeper
Use a short break to learn the rhythm 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. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls. Compare the starting position with the example in the Guide. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls.
Practice beyond the first move
Read one step at a time and try it on the playing area. Match the instruction to the control you use. Keep the objective visible.
What the game asks you to do
Open all 71 safe cells. Opening a mine ends the round. Flags help you mark suspected mines but do not replace opening safe cells. An attractive position is not enough unless the goal is met. Try to explain the aim in your own words.
Work through the instructions
- 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.
Keyboard and screen controls
Click/tap to open. Right-click to flag, or use the Flag mode toggle for touch devices. Use the control method described here for this activity. Contact us with the game and device if a control does not respond.
Work through an example
A revealed 1 with only one covered neighbour means that neighbour contains a mine. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Consider the next action carefully.
Pay attention to this rule
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. When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round.
A few questions answered
What is the goal of Minesweeper?
Here is the relevant explanation: Open all 71 safe cells. Opening a mine ends the round. Flags help you mark suspected mines but do not replace opening safe cells.
For this browser game, how do I control Minesweeper?
The key detail is this: Click/tap to open. Right-click to flag, or use the Flag mode toggle for touch devices.
For this browser game, 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?
Keep this in mind: A flag is your own note, not a confirmation from the game. Remove a mistaken flag before opening that square.
While reading the Guide, what format does Minesweeper offer?
The key detail is this: Play using the solo mode shown on this page. Read the controls before starting a new round.
For this browser game, which play mode does Minesweeper use?
The key detail is this: The mode on this page is Solo. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.