Number Match – Free 10 Pair Number Puzzle

How to Play Number Match (Take Ten / Numberama)

Number Match is a beloved mathematical pencil-and-paper deduction game that originated in the Soviet Union and gained international fame under titles like Take Ten, Numberama, and Sunflower. The premise is deceptively simple: clear every digit from the board by systematically eliminating eligible pairs.

1. Valid Elimination Criteria: Two numbers can be paired and crossed out if:
   • They are identical digits (e.g. 1 and 1, 7 and 7, 9 and 9), OR
   • Their sum equals ten (e.g. 1 + 9 = 10, 2 + 8 = 10, 3 + 7 = 10, 4 + 6 = 10, 5 + 5 = 10).
2. Adjacency Rules: To form a valid pair, the two numbers must be adjacent in one of the following configurations:
   • Horizontal Neighbors: Side-by-side in the same row.
   • Vertical Neighbors: Directly above or below each other in the same column.
   • Diagonal Neighbors: Diagonally touching corners.
   • Wrap-Around Line Endings: The last active number of one row and the first active number of the next row.
3. Bridging Over Cleared Cells: Crucially, any cell that has already been crossed out is treated as transparent empty space. If two matching numbers have only crossed-out cells separating them in a straight line, they can still be linked and eliminated!
4. Adding More Numbers: When no visible moves remain on the board, click + Add Numbers. All surviving uncleared numbers are duplicated and appended in sequence to the bottom of the grid, generating brand new adjacent opportunities.
5. Victory: When the final pair is eliminated and the entire grid is empty, victory is achieved!

Proven Strategies for Number Match

Novice players frequently click the first obvious pair they see, only to create awkward gaps that block future combinations. Skilled solvers apply structured foresight:

1. Scan the Row-End Boundaries First

The wrap-around rule is the most frequently overlooked mechanic. Always inspect the tail of one row and the head of the following row. Eliminating line-end pairs prevents awkward orphan digits from lingering on board borders.

2. Prioritize Vertical Pairs

Eliminating vertical pairs creates vertical channels of cleared cells. Because cleared cells are transparent, vertical channels allow distant top-row digits to communicate directly with bottom-row digits, opening up long-range matching possibilities.

3. Clear Numbers in Symmetrical Waves

When deciding between two competing pairs that share a common number, check which option leaves the remaining neighbor accessible to another partner. Never strand a number without potential sum-to-10 or duplicate candidates nearby.

4. Use the Add Button Tactically

Before tapping "+ Add Numbers", ensure you have truly exhausted every single valid combination on the board. Appending numbers unnecessarily increases grid height and dilutes existing channel connections.

Game Features

Frequently Asked Questions