🏠 Advanced Minesweeper Strategy, 3BV, Probability & Flagging

Understanding and Calculating 3BV

• 3BV (Bechtel's Board Benchmark Value) quantifies a board's complexity.
• Calculated by counting the minimum number of left-clicks required to clear all non-mine squares without using flags.
• Each isolated group of squares that can be cleared in a click adds to the 3BV count.
• Low 3BV indicates an easier board; high 3BV suggests a more complex game.
• 3BV helps players compare the difficulty of different boards objectively.

Role of Probability in Winning

• Probability plays a role in Minesweeper, especially in situations where logical deduction doesn'x`t provide clear answers.
• Players sometimes face a 50/50 chance between two squares, where making an educated guess is necessary.
• Advanced players analyze the board to determine the likelihood of mines in uncertain areas.
• Understanding mine distribution probabilities can improve decision-making in complex scenarios.

Strategic Use of Flags

• Flagging is critical for marking suspected mines and aiding in safe navigation of the board.
• Use flags to keep track of identified mines, which assists in making logical deductions about safe moves.
• Effective flagging can help avoid unnecessary risks, especially on boards with a high 3BV.

Advanced Strategy

• Learn patterns: Recognize common mine configurations to speed up gameplay.
• Chording: Left + right-click on a numbered tile touching the correct number of flags to clear surrounding tiles.
• Guessing: Educated guesses based on probability are sometimes necessary.
• Efficiency: Aim to solve the board with minimal clicks, utilizing knowledge of 3BV.
• Time Management: In competitive play, managing time and speed is crucial.