Hidden Pair
Level 3 · Yellow Belt
Overview
A Hidden Pair occurs when two candidates appear in exactly two cells within a house, even though those cells may contain other candidates. Since those two digits must go in those two cells, all other candidates can be eliminated from them.
How It Works
- Within a house, find two digits that appear as candidates in exactly the same two cells.
- These two cells are the only places for those two digits within the house.
- Eliminate all other candidates from those two cells, leaving only the pair.
Example
Check digits 4 and 5 in box 7.
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Tips & Patterns
- Look for digits that appear rarely (2-3 times) within a house.
- After finding a Hidden Pair, check if it creates Naked Singles.
- Hidden Pairs are often easier to spot in blocks than in rows/columns.