Hidden triples: count three digits into three cells
A hidden triple appears when three digits can occur only within the same three cells of one unit, even when those cells show many extra notes.
Key idea
The three confined digits must occupy those cells, so every candidate outside the triple can be removed from the three cells.
See the move, step by step
Find digits 2, 6, and 7 hidden across row 5.
Step 1 of 4
Count digit locations
Scan row 5 by digit and note which cells can still hold 2, 6, and 7.
Step 2 of 4
Confirm the three-cell cage
Every 2, 6, and 7 in row 5 is confined to R5C1, R5C2, and R5C4.
Step 3 of 4
Remove unrelated notes
The extra 5 and 9 at R5C1 and 4 and 9 at R5C2 cannot remain.
Step 4 of 4
Reveal the subset
The three cells now contain only the triple digits, making the underlying restriction explicit.
Try it on today's puzzle
Search hidden triples by candidate frequency. Three digits must be absent from every other cell in the unit.
Play today