Minesweeper/Game Patterns

To become proficient at the game you must learn to recognize patterns in the playing field. In the following text:

  • c = left click
  • m = mine
  • n = any number
  • w = wall
  • x = don't know/don't care

Line patterns

Pattern: Row of Ones

Given
... ...
Play
... ...

Pattern: 1-1

given: w 1 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                   play:  w x x c

Pattern: 1 - 2

given: w 1 2 x                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      play:  w x x m

Pattern: Twin mines

given: 1 2 1
 play: m c m

Pattern: Central Twin Mines

given: 1 2 2 1
 play: c m m c

Pattern

given: w 2 2 x
 play: w m m c

Pattern

given: x 2 3 2 x
 play: c m m m c

Pattern

given: x 2 3 3 2 x
 play: c m m m m c

Corner patterns

Pattern: 3 in a Corner

given: 
       x
     x 1 x
   x 1 3 c
     x c c
play:  
       x
     x x x
   x x 3 c
     x c c