Clues without guesswork
Rulessa clue guide
Every clue combines two pieces of information: which line to inspect and which tile feature to compare. The arrow identifies a row or column. The label tells you to compare Colour, Shape, or Pattern.
The three clue phrases
| Clue | Passes | Does not pass |
|---|---|---|
| All same | All three values match | Any value is different |
| All different | Three different values | Any pair matches |
| Exactly 2 same | One matching pair and one different value | All three match, or all three differ |
Apply the phrase only to the named feature
A line can have Shape · All same even when its colours and patterns are different. Only compare the feature printed on that condition.
Read multiple conditions together
Some lines have two conditions. Both must be true at the same time. For example, a row may require Colour · All same and Shape · Exactly 2 same. Three tiles of one colour pass the first condition, while their shapes must form one pair plus one different shape.
Worked example: why “Exactly 2 same” is exact
For Pattern · Exactly 2 same, the three patterns must contain one matching pair and one different value. The tile colours and shapes below deliberately vary so you can focus only on Pattern.
That is why three matching patterns do not pass this clue, and neither do three different patterns. The clue describes the middle case only: one pair plus one different value.
Open a focused rule explanation
For a direct answer, passing example, failing example, and three-step checklist for any clue combination, use the Rulessa rule library. It covers all nine combinations across Colour, Shape, and Pattern.
What Check my answer tells you
A successful line satisfies every condition printed on that row or column. If a line fails, inspect its conditions one at a time before moving more tiles.