What is a pointing pair in Sudoku?
It occurs when all candidates for a digit in one box lie on a single row or column.
Pure Sudoku
Intermediate technique
Pointing and claiming connect boxes with lines.
When every candidate for one digit inside a box lies on the same row or column, that digit can be removed from the rest of the line.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Pattern
- A box restricts a candidate to one line
- Outcome
- Logical progress
Focused example
Candidate 3 is confined to one box and row intersection.
The highlighted cells show the exact scope of the pattern. Read the candidates before making an elimination.
How it works
Apply the pattern in four checks.
- Choose a candidate digit and inspect one 3×3 box.
- Find whether every occurrence of that candidate lies on one row or column.
- Keep the candidates inside the box because their exact cell is not yet known.
- Remove the candidate from the rest of the shared row or column outside the box.
Know the difference
Use the pattern only when every condition is true.
Pointing starts in a box and eliminates from a line. Claiming starts in a row or column and eliminates the candidate from the rest of a box.
After the move, re-scan the affected unit for singles before searching for another advanced pattern.
Common mistake
Protect the logic before erasing a candidate.
Every box candidate for the digit must be on the same line. One additional candidate elsewhere in the box invalidates the elimination.
If any required condition is missing, leave the candidates in place and continue scanning.
Continue playing
Choose your next Sudoku route.
FAQ
Quick answers before you play.
What is claiming in Sudoku?
Claiming occurs when a candidate in a row or column is restricted to one box, allowing elimination elsewhere in that box.
Do I place a digit immediately?
Usually not. Pointing and claiming remove candidates and often reveal a placement on the next scan.
Practice loop
Find it on a live board.
Pause when the board slows down, check the candidate conditions, make one justified move, and scan again.