A hidden triple occurs when three digits can only appear in the same three cells within a house.
Understanding the Concept
Three candidates are restricted to the same three cells in a house.
These cells likely contain other candidates, hiding the triple.
Not all three digits need to appear in all three cells.
Once identified, remove all other candidates from these three cells.
Hidden triples are among the hardest patterns for humans to spot.
They're more common than naked triples in harder puzzles.
Examples
Hidden Triple Example
If digits 1, 4, and 7 only appear in cells R5C2, R5C5, and R5C8 within row 5, then these cells can only contain combinations of 1, 4, and 7.
Pro Tips
- •Track where each digit can go in each house
- •Look for three digits limited to the same three cells
- •Hidden triples often involve many candidates to check
- •Use systematic checking to find them
