Number Puzzles

How it works

A number puzzle gives you a board of digits and a rule about totals. Sometimes you merge equal numbers, sometimes you pick pairs that add up to ten, and sometimes you trace a path through neighbouring numbers that reaches an exact target. When you hit the target, those numbers clear and the board changes.

The arithmetic is always small. Nobody needs a calculator to add 3 and 6. What makes these games absorbing is everything around the sum: which of many possible combinations to take, how the board refills afterwards, and whether you can set up something better for the next move.

Many number puzzles also have a scoring twist that rewards ambition, such as more points for using more numbers, or a bonus for clearing awkward high digits.

What makes a good one

• A running total on screen, so you never have to keep sums in your head.
• No dead ends: the game always leaves you a legal move.
• Refills you can see coming, so planning beats luck.
• A reason to choose the harder move over the easy one.
• A daily puzzle that is the same for everyone.

Strategies that help

Look for the long way round. A total built from many small numbers usually scores more than a quick pair.

Use the preview. Knowing what drops in next turns a guess into a plan.

Deal with the awkward numbers early. Big digits get harder to use as the board fills.

Slow down in untimed modes. With no clock, the best move is worth a few seconds of looking.

Our take

Our number puzzle is Ninewrap: link neighbouring beads that add up to exactly nine on a paper lantern whose left and right edges are joined, so trails can wrap around the back. Longer trails score far more. Play the Daily Lantern with a new twist each weekday, or race Sprint 60. For more puzzles to think through, see our puzzle games.