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Everything You Must Know About Minesweeper In 2024

minesweeper

We have been hearing the name Minesweeper for over two decades now. This simple yet competitive game can make hours feel like minutes. Let’s explore the world of Minesweeper to learn all about it.

Although it’s easy to learn how to play Minesweeper, you need to understand the rules and game elements mentioned in the following article to win the game flawlessly.

Rules

The plan is to clear all the tiles in the grid. Make the first move, and the game begins. If you click the wrong grid, you will lose the game. Click the dead smiley face to restart the game.

1. First Click

The first you make anywhere in the game is safe. The first tap will always be free of mines. If your first tap opens lots of numbered tiles, it is considered a good start.

2. Numbered Cells

These cells give you hints about mine. Every number shows the quantity of mine within the perimeter of the cell, which can be adjacent or diagonal.

Numbered cells

3. Empty Cells

There are a number of empty cells in the grid; they are of no harm. When you click on the empty cells, they open other adjacent tiles until a numbered cell is found.

Empty Cells

4. Mines

Here comes the goal of the game. You are a minesweeper; you must steer clear of any mines throughout the grid. There will be no second attempts if a mine is detonated. You can use numbered cells to look out for any mines your way.

5. Flags

 Each level of the game has a different number of flags. You need to play technical to utilize the flags on the right cells. If you run out of flags and the game is still going on, it’s probably because you have flagged a cell without any mines under it.

Flags

6. Question Marks

These are mostly used at intermediate and expert levels. When you are confused about a cell and need to put it on hold, you use this. To place it, right-click on the cell and then right-click to make it a question mark.  

Game Elements

When you play Minesweeper, you get a bunch of features to boost your gameplay.

game elements

1. Smiley Variations

A yellow smile emoji in the top center of the game changes multiple times according to the rules during the game. Learn these indications to understand better:

  • Smiling face: This shows you are ready to play Minesweeper, or the game is in progress. If you click on this emoji, the game will restart.
  • Surprised face: This face appears whenever the tap or click is held. This shows the tension of the outcome.
  • Sunglasses face: This face appears whenever the game is finished, so the emoji shows cool impressions revealing the achievement.
  • Dead face: When the emoji’s face is down, and eyes are crossed, this smiley shows the game is over and mine has been detonated.

2. Mine/Flag Counter

When you play Minesweeper, the display of 3-digit appears on the left of the smiley, and shows the remaining mines hidden within the grid. When you flag a cell, it reduces the chances of detonating a mine. It’s a helpful tool to use because it helps you with a number of mines remaining.

flag counter and stopwatch

3. Stopwatch

Another 3-digit display can be seen on the right side of the smiley icon, indicating a zero prior to the game. Once you click on the first, the timer will start running until the game is won or lost. You can use this feature to measure your performance and increase your competition by completing earlier than the last game.

Tips

Some tips will be beneficial throughout your gameplay. Follow these, and you will have a smooth game.

  • Starting your game from the corners is always a safe idea. It is a safe choice because there are few edges, so you need to worry less about the mines. Choose the corners. You might open a mine, but you can open a good chunk of safe cells expanding over the grid.
  • Starting your game from the middle is also a safe option. If you open a big chunk of grids somewhere in the center, it will help you a lot to navigate through the grid. This also protects you from making any rash guess and follows the edges to the open grids.
  • If you play logically and make your moves according to the edges of the safe grids opened in the game. Refrain from making uneducated guesses and risk losing all your progress in the game.
  • Don’t forget the goal. The goal is to enjoy and have fun in your busy life. So stay calm and enjoy your gameplay rather than stressing about it.

How to Win Minesweeper

Everybody yearns to know how to win Minesweeper. It comes down to only two crucial mechanisms. These mechanisms allow players to play through the grid with hidden mines. They are clearing and flagging. This game is not all about luck and guesses; the above rules and game features are also vital to win. If you understand and follow everything accordingly, you might win the game as well.

Conclusion

Now, you all know how to win Minesweeper, so follow the rules and tips to be the master of it.

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Trevor Mogg

I am a tech guide and how-to writer who loves helping people with their tech problems. With plenty of experience, I break down complex topics into easy-to-understand tips and tricks. When I'm not writing, I enjoy trying out new gadgets and keeping up with the latest tech trends.